Pendjari National Park

Atakora Mountains, NW Benin, Benin

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Pendjari National Park, located in the Atakora Mountains in northwestern Benin, is one of West Africa's most important wildlife conservation areas. Covering around 4,800 to 6,445 square kilometers as part of the larger W-Arly-Pendjari transnational complex shared with Burkina Faso and Niger, it represents one of the last intact wildernesses in the region.

The park features a mix of Sudanian and Guinean savannas and varied vegetation including gallery forests along the Pendjari River, which bounds the park on three sides. It is renowned for its rich biodiversity, hosting some of the last populations of endangered species such as the West African lion, African forest elephant, cheetah, hippopotamus, and African buffalo.

The park is also a haven for birdlife, with over 460 avian species recorded. Despite regional challenges including past political instability and poaching, improved management since 2017 through partnerships like African Parks has helped stabilize wildlife populations and promote conservation. Pendjari plays a critical role in sustaining the only viable populations of lions and cheetahs in West Africa and protects a variety of mammals, reptiles, and plants. Its landscape includes rocky cliffs from the Atakora range, extensive savanna, and important wetlands, offering a unique natural habitat that supports local communities and eco-tourism.

The park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017 as part of the W-Arly-Pendjari complex, recognizing its global ecological importance. It is open year-round, although heavy rains from June to November can limit access in some areas.