| Pendjari National Park Parc National de la Pendjari | |
 | |
Location  | |
| Area type | National Park |
|---|---|
| State | Benin |
| Surface | 2,755 km² |
| Foundation year | 1961 |
| Institutional website | |
Pendjari National Park is a protected area located in Northern Benin.
To know
The hills and cliffs of the Atakora range make the northwestern region one of the most picturesque areas in Benin. They form a backdrop to the Pendjari National Park, which, in its isolation, remains one of the most interesting areas of theWest Africa.
It is part of the cross-border park complex called WAP (W-Arly-Pendjari), a large protected area on the border between Benin, Burkina Faso is Niger.
In 2017 the park was included in the list of World Heritage Sites in Benin together with Arly National Park of the Burkina Faso, as an extension of the site of the National Park W of the Niger.
Limited to quotas, hunting tourism, in compliance with the limit of the quotas imposed, is allowed in the reserve only outside the borders of the national park, where only photographic safaris are practiced, facilitated by the presence of a large number of species. Several watchtowers, especially at the edge of the pools (Bali, sacred Yangouali, Tiabiga and Diwouni) facilitate the same.
Geographical notes
Located in Benin north-west, bordering the Arly National Park in the neighbor Burkina Faso.
Flora and fauna
This national park, which owes its name to the Pendjari river, is known for its fauna and is home to the last populations of large mammals, such as elephants, lions of the Senegal, hippos, buffaloes and various species of antelopes, of theWest Africa. The park is also famous for its very rich birdlife.
The lion population of Pendjari and the nearby W National Park is made up of about 100 specimens and is perhaps the largest in all of West or Central Africa. Almost all male lions in the Pendjari region are characterized by having almost no mane. The survival of this lion population appears to be of particular importance after a study indicated the genetic uniqueness of the lion of Senegal (Panthera leo senegalensis) than the lions of southern or eastern Africa.
When to go
From December to May it is the dry season. A hot, dry wind blows, the Harmattan. About 1100 mm of rain fall in the region every year. The park is open all year round, but intense rainfall can fall on the area from June to November and some areas of the park can become inaccessible. Until 2008, the park was closed during the rainy season. However, as rainfall has been relatively low in recent years, the park administration decided to open the park for visitors around that time for the first time in 2009.
Background
The former hunting grounds of the colonial administration acquired partial nature reserve status in 1954, before becoming the Punjari Wildlife Reserve the following year. In 1959 the hunting areas of Pendjari and Atacora were created. The nature reserve became a national park in 1961.
On June 16, 1986, biosphere reserve status is granted by theUNESCO.
The administration of the tourist park was taken over in 2017 for ten years by the commercial supplier African Parks.
How to get
By car
With its own SUV away Natitingou or Tanguiéta. You can also rent an off-road vehicle with driver in the same cities for 120 € / day (December 2013).
Permits / Rates
- Adult admission: 10,000 CFA
- Child admission: 3,000 CFA
- Vehicle admission: 3,000 CFA
Tickets are valid for one day only. Guests of Camp Numi, Relais de Tanougou and Hotel Porga, however, can visit the park with the same ticket for several days in a row!
For Beninese citizens, discounted entrance tickets apply for students and residents in neighboring municipalities.
How to get around
The off-road vehicle is necessary to move on all the sandy tracks.
What see
What to do
Shopping
Where to eat
Where stay
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Camping is allowed in the park at designated locations and because of the animals a bonfire should always be poked at night.
- Hotel de la Pendjari.
Bungalow 15,000 CFA, double air-conditioned room 25,000 CFA. The hotel, which belongs to the Beninese state, has a swimming pool. - Pendjari Lodge (On a hill with a beautiful view). Tent 30,000 CFA. Run by a French couple. The very comfortable tents have a private bathroom and a large double bed.
- Camp Numi (In Batia, right at the entrance to the park), ☎ 229 94214182, @[email protected]. Campsite 2,000 CFA, single 11,000 CFA, double 18,000 CFA. Small hostel. They offer paid transport from Natitingou or Tanguiéta.
Bungalow 15,000 CFA, double air-conditioned room 25,000 CFA. The hotel, which belongs to the Beninese state, has a swimming pool.Safety
On May 1, 2019, two tourists French they were kidnapped in the park by a jihadist group and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs discourages them from visiting.
How to keep in touch
Around
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Pendjari National Park
Commons contains images or other files on Pendjari National Park
