The hippos
In the Niger.
MAHAMADOU ALPHA ISSIFOU Omar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Barke11 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · MAHAMADOU ALPHA ISSIFOU Omar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · MAHAMADOU ALPHA ISSIFOU Omar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · MAHAMADOU ALPHA ISSIFOU Omar — CC BY-SA 4.0
W National Park is a major park in West Africa around a bend in the Niger River shaped like the letter W, which gave it its name. It spans three countries, Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso, and their governments run it together. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the richest wildlife areas in the region. The Niger section was created by decree on 4 August 1954 and has been on the World Heritage List since 1996. In Benin it joins Pendjari National Park, forming a vast wildlife complex. Buffalo, antelope, hippos, warthogs, large snakes and many birds live here. You see a broad calm river with hippos floating in it and banks of shrubs and trees. In the dry bush are herds of African buffalo, with kob and roan antelope lifting their heads from the grass. In the dry season animals gather around the pools. It is about 84 km from Say in a straight line and about 132 km from Niamey. A visit needs advance arrangement and a guide. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Niger, so read the current advice before any planning.
In the Niger.
Herds in the bush.
Among the grass.
South-west Niger, on the Niger River
The Niger River bends there in the shape of a W.
Yes, the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Niger.