The rock wall
White threads of water.
Padonou Dotou — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Padonou Dotou — CC BY-SA 4.0 · KOUAGOU Damien — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ji-Elle — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ji-Elle — CC BY-SA 4.0
Tanougou Falls are waterfalls in the village of Tanougou, in the commune of Tanguiéta in the Atacora department of north-west Benin. They drop through forest from the Atakora range, which tops out at about 800 metres. They are the best-known and most visited falls in the country, as the village lies on the edge of Pendjari National Park, a magnet for visitors. The water falls about 20 metres into a basin said to be some 30 metres deep. The falls change greatly with the seasons, running full in the rainy season and thin in the dry months. The village runs a small camp for visitors. You see a wall of dark rock in horizontal layers, with water pouring down in many white threads into a wide calm pool. Green trees and large rocks surround the pool, and small clear pools line the stream below. The path to the falls passes through savanna trees and village fields. It is about 56 km from Natitingou in a straight line and about 28 km from Pendjari National Park. The rocks are slippery, so take care when swimming, and take a guide from the village. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to this area, so read the current advice before you plan.
White threads of water.
Wide and calm.
Along the stream.
Tanougou village, Tanguiéta commune, Benin
In the rainy season, and it weakens in the dry months.
Yes, the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the area.