Boucle du Baoulé National Park

The Boucle du Baoulé covers a large block of savanna and gallery forest in the bend of the Baoulé river northwest of Bamako, designated a national park in 1954 and a biosphere reserve in 1982, and its interest is as much archaeological as natural: rock shelters with paintings and engravings, stone circles and iron-smelting sites are scattered across it alongside antelope, warthog and a long bird list. The park is the largest protected area in Mali and takes its name from the loop the Baoulé makes on its way to join the Bakoye.

What you actually see

• The rock art - painted and engraved shelters across the park.
• The stone circles - the megalithic sites within the reserve.
• The gallery forest - the wooded strips along the Baoulé river.
• The savanna game - antelope, warthog and the park's bird list.

When to go

November to February is the cool dry season and the practical window. The rains from June make tracks impassable. March to May is extremely hot.

Honest expectations

Large mammals were heavily reduced by hunting and sightings are thin. Infrastructure is essentially nonexistent and guides and four-wheel drive are required. Access needs arranging well ahead.

Nearby

Bamako is southeast, and Kita is southwest.