Kaboré Tambi National Park

Kaboré Tambi, long known as Pô National Park, runs along the Nazinon river south of Ouagadougou and is the nearest park to the capital, holding elephants, buffalo, warthog, baboons and a range of antelope in wooded savanna. The main road to Ghana passes through it, which makes access easy and also means the animals are used to traffic. Elephants come to the river in the dry months when other water fails.

Background

The park was founded in 1976 under the name Pô National Park and was later renamed to honour a park ranger killed by poachers in 1991. It covers 1555 square kilometres between Ouagadougou and the Ghana border. In the north the vegetation is mostly northern Sudan savanna grassland, while the south mixes southern Sudan savanna with northern Guinea savanna. It is an important area for birds in Burkina Faso, with species such as the Senegal parrot, violet turaco, yellow-billed shrike, bearded barbet, sun lark, purple starling and lavender waxbill.

Source: Wikipedia, "Kaboré Tambi National Park"

The landscape

• The elephants - the herds that come to the Nazinon as the dry season advances.
• The riverine woodland - the gallery forest along the Nazinon.
• The road access - a park the main highway to Ghana runs through.
• The savanna game - buffalo, warthog, baboon and antelope.

When to go

December to April is the dry season when animals concentrate at water. The rains from June make tracks impassable. Early morning and late afternoon are best.

Things to know

Poaching has reduced numbers and sightings are far from guaranteed. Facilities inside the park are minimal. A guide is required and must be arranged at the gate.

Nearby

Pô is south, and Tiébélé is southeast.

Key facts