Mare aux Hippopotames, Nature reserve and wetland in Houet Province, Burkina Faso
The Mare aux Hippopotames spreads across 19,200 hectares, featuring pools, marshes, and forests along the Black Volta River floodplain.
Established in 1937 as a protected area, the site received recognition as Burkina Faso's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation in 1977.
Local communities gather edible fruits, mushrooms, and medicinal plants from the reserve while practicing traditional ceremonies to ensure protection.
Visitors can reach the reserve by traveling 60 kilometers north of Bobo-Dioulasso, where guided tours showcase the resident hippopotamus population.
The wetland supports approximately 100 hippopotamuses and provides habitat for elephants, warthogs, and numerous bird species throughout the year.
Location: Houet Province
Inception: March 26, 1937
Address: Mare aux Hippopotames, Burkina Faso
GPS coordinates: 11.61670,-4.13330
Latest update: March 7, 2025 06:17
The natural and cultural sites of Burkina Faso include national parks, nature reserves, traditional villages, and historical sites. They feature the Great Mosque of Dioulasso-Bâ built in 1880, the rock formations of Sindou Peaks, the Karfiguéla waterfalls, and the Royal Court of Tiébélé with its Kasséna architecture. The country has several parks including Arly Park, Nazinga Reserve, and W National Park listed by UNESCO. Major cities house museums, traditional markets, and religious buildings such as Ouagadougou Cathedral.
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