Niokolo-Koba National Park

Niokolo-Koba National Park spreads across a vast area in eastern Senegal, combining open savannas, dense forests, and river systems that create diverse habitats. The terrain remains largely wild and naturally shaped, with few human settlements inside.

The park was created in 1954 from the remains of an earlier hunting reserve that was converted into wildlife protection. UNESCO recognized its importance in 1981 by naming it a World Heritage Site.

The communities living near the park actively support its protection through sustainable tourism and conservation work. You can sense this connection between people and nature while traveling through the reserve.

Organize visits from Tambacounda, where guided tours depart regularly, with lodging options like Campement du Lion and Hotel de Simenti located inside the reserve. The dry season offers easier travel and better wildlife viewing conditions.

The park protects the vital Gambia River system, which sustains over 300 bird species alongside large predators like lions and leopards. This river corridor creates an unusual intersection of forest and grassland where animals from different habitats coexist.

Website: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/153

GPS coordinates: 13.00148,-13.03551

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:42