Lake Madarounfa

Lake Madarounfa lies in the far south of Niger near the Nigerian border, a permanent freshwater lake in a country with very few, fed by the Goulbi de Maradi and holding water through the dry season when everything around it is bare. Fishermen work it from dugouts. It is treated as a sacred place locally and there are prohibitions on what may be done at the water. The lake covers around seven square kilometres, which makes it one of the largest permanent bodies of water in the country.

What you actually see

• The permanent water - a lake that holds through the dry season.
• The dugout fishing - boats worked from the shore by local fishermen.
• The birdlife - waterbirds drawn to rare standing water in the Sahel.
• The sacred status - local prohibitions governing the lake.

When to go

November to February is the cool dry season. Water levels are highest after the rains around September. Birdlife concentrates as the dry season advances.

Honest expectations

Local prohibitions govern behaviour at the lake and should be asked about and followed. Facilities are none. The lake is small and half a day covers it.

Nearby

Maradi is north, and the Nigerian border is south.