W National Parks (Parc Nationaux du W)
The W National Parks, or Parc Nationaux du W include three national parks in Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, in the area where the borders from the three countries meet. The parks are often referred to as Parc W and it got its name from the meander in the Niger River that runs through it and is shaped like the letter 'W'.
The park was established in 1954 and it has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1996.
There are more than 450 plant speacies in W National Park. It is one of Western Africa's better game parks, where you can see a wide variety of wildlife, including aardvark, baboon, African buffalo, caracal, cheetah, African bush elephant, hippopotamus, African leopard, West African lion, serval and warthog. There are also more than 350 bird species in the park.
The park covers a huge area of dry savannahs. The best time to visit is just before the rainy season starts, when there is little water left after the dry period and the animals gather around the few remaining water holes. There they are easily spotted, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.
The only way you are allowed to enter the park is by car. If you don't have you own transportation, you will have to hitch, or book a tour.
The only available accommodation is the lodge in the park, but it is possible to camp outside the park's entrance. The best way to get there is from Niger. In Niger, tours are available from Niamey and entrance to the park is at the town of La Tapoa. You can also rent a car in Niamey and enter the park without hassles. There is no public transportation other than taxis to La Tapoa.
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