Pendjari National Park, National park in Atakora Department, Benin.
Pendjari National Park is a large protected area along the Burkina Faso border featuring open grasslands, wooded areas, and riverine habitats. The terrain spreads across diverse landscapes connected by the Pendjari River.
The park was established in 1961 to protect the region's wilderness and wildlife. Its importance grew when it became part of an international conservation area in 2017.
Local communities maintain deep ties to the land and actively participate in the park's conservation work. Their presence shapes how the area is managed and respected today.
The park is best visited between December and May when weather conditions favor wildlife viewing. Visitors can join guided safaris or walking tours through the terrain.
The area holds one of West Africa's largest concentrations of elephants, which live alongside lions and hundreds of bird species. This combination of large predators and megafauna is uncommon in the region.
Location: Atakora Department
Inception: 1961
Elevation above the sea: 198 m
Part of: W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
Website: http://pendjari.net/en
GPS coordinates: 11.05000,1.51667
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03
Benin brings together centuries of history with landscapes that shift from the Atlantic coast to protected wilderness areas inland. The country holds places where royal dynasties left their mark, like the Royal Palaces of Abomey with walls decorated by Fon artisans, and coastal towns such as Ouidah where Portuguese forts now house museums telling the story of the region's complex past. In the north, Pendjari and W National Parks shelter elephants, lions, and leopards across savannas that stretch into neighboring countries, while along the coast, beaches like Coco Beach and Fidjrosse offer access to the Gulf of Guinea. Daily life unfolds in spaces that reveal how people have adapted to their surroundings. Ganvié sits above Lake Nokoué, a settlement where wooden houses stand on stilts and canoes serve as the main way to move from place to place. In Cotonou, Dantokpa Market spreads out near the Ouémé River, filled with vendors selling everything from cloth to herbs. Churches built during the colonial era, including the red and white striped cathedral in Cotonou, punctuate the cities. Whether you're drawn to wildlife, the layers of human history, or the rhythm of markets and waterfront communities, Benin provides a window into West Africa that mixes old traditions with everyday moments still taking shape.
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