Fosse aux Lions National Park
A small northern park of gallery forest and savanna, whose once numerous elephants have all but gone.
Updated 21 October 2026
Fosse aux Lions is a small park in Togo's far north near Dapaong, a block of gallery forest and savanna, first set aside as a reserved forest in 1954, which held a significant number of elephants in the 1970s and 1980s; their numbers have since fallen to nearly zero. There have not been lions here for a very long time despite the name. The forest along the watercourse is the densest part and the birdlife is good. The park covers around sixteen hundred hectares, which makes it very small by regional standards, and the small town of Tandjouaré lies within it.
What's there
- The elephants - numerous in the 1970s and 1980s, now close to none.
- The gallery forest - the dense growth along the watercourse.
- The savanna - the open woodland across the rest of the park.
- The name - a reference to lions long gone from the area.
When to go
November to March is the dry season. The rains from May make tracks difficult. Early morning is best.
Before you go
The park is very small and the elephants have all but gone. Infrastructure is minimal.
Nearby
Dapaong is north, and Kéran is south.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q19461810, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Fosse aux Lions National Park
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- Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
- Binoculars - The single best wildlife tool - even a compact pair transforms a sighting. Find on Amazon
- Layers + a waterproof shell - Mountain weather turns fast; a packable rain jacket saves the day. Find on Amazon
- A zoom camera or long lens - Animals rarely come close; reach beats megapixels. Find on Amazon
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