| National Park W Parc national du W | |
 | |
Location  | |
| Area type | National Park |
|---|---|
| State | Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin |
| Surface | 10,183 km² |
| Foundation year | 1954 |
National Park W is a transboundary protected area located mainly in Niger with portions also in Burkina Faso is Benin.
To know
Geographical notes
Spread over three countries, the park is largely uninhabited by humans, having been until the 1970s a malarial zone of wetlands formed by the Mekrou River and the Niger. The area is indented by rocky hills. It was once one of the main areas of human habitation, judging by important archaeological sites (mainly tombs) found in the area.
Flora and fauna
The park is known for its large mammals, including baboons, buffaloes, caracals, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, leopards, lions, and warthogs. Home to some of the last African elephants in theWest Africa. Unfortunately, the rare West African giraffe, limited to small parts of the Niger, is absent from the park. The area is also known for its bird populations, especially migrants, with over 350 species identified in the park.
454 plant species have been recorded in the national park, including two orchids found only in Niger. The park also forms the southern limit of the distribution of the tiger highlands in Niger.
When to go
The park is open all year, but access may be difficult during the rainy season (June to September).
The best time to observe the animals is during the dry and hot season which runs from February to the end of May. At this time, vegetation is at a minimum and wildlife gathers en masse around permanent pools of water. Temperatures can be high during this time, up to 36 ° C, but it tends to be a dry, not oppressive heat.
Fall is the hardest time of the year to see large animals as the grass is lush and dense after the rainy season. This is a favorite time for bird watchers due to the great autumn migration through the park.
November to February are the coldest months, with pleasant cool evenings
Background
The W National Park of Niger was created by decree on August 4, 1954 and since 1996 has been declared a World Heritage SiteUNESCO. Inside the Niger, the park is listed as a national park and is part of a larger complex of reserves and protected areas. In 2017 the site was expanded to include national parks Arly of the Burkina Faso is Pendjari of the Benin, thus becoming a cross-border heritage.
How to get
By plane
The nearest international airport is at Niamey, two hours from the main entrance (Tapoa Gate). Numerous direct flights to Niamey operate weekly from Europe, North Africa and other large African cities.
By car
From the Benin, the park entrances are located a day's drive north of Benin's largest city and main airport, a Cotonou, near Kandi.
The entrance to the park in Burkina Faso it is a five hour drive from the capital Ouagadougou.
Permits / Rates
Non-residents pay the following fees for a 24-hour pass:
- Adults 10,000 CFA
- Children (7-16 years) 5,000 CFA
- Free children
Residents pay:
- Adults 6,000 CFA
- Children (7-16 years) 3,000 CFA
- Children (under 7 years) free
Each additional day is half price.
How to get around
What see
What to do
The park operates several game drives. Those who come as part of a tour, these will certainly be included in the package, otherwise they can be booked at Tapoa Gate.
- Off road. Most of the cars have an open roof and can be climbed up to observe the flora and fauna. Using an all-wheel drive allows you to reach the most inaccessible parts of the park and see some of the more timid animals.
- Guided trekking. Most of the trails are well signposted but the guidance of a park expert and accompanied by an armed forest ranger is required. Guides can be arranged upon arrival, but may be insufficient in peak seasons, so plan ahead and contact the park authority before arriving.
- Boats. A great natural way to see the park is to float along the Niger or Mekrou rivers with a guide. You will see hippos and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of rare bird species. Cheetahs and other large carnivores come to the banks of the river to drink. Two types of boats are available: a vehicle for up to five people or a motorized one for long distances and larger groups. Boat safaris can be organized in gate main or from your lodge.
Shopping
Where to eat
Where stay
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning National Park W
Commons contains images or other files on National Park W
