What it is
Around 2,750 square kilometres of savannah and gallery forest against the Atakora range, bordering Burkina Faso. It forms part of the transboundary W-Arly-Pendjari complex on the UNESCO list, and has been managed by African Parks under agreement with the government since 2017.
Why go
It is the best remaining wildlife area in coastal West Africa. Elephant, buffalo, roan and hippo are regular, and the park holds a share of the small surviving population of West African lion, a genetically distinct group numbering in the hundreds across the whole region. Cheetah are present and almost never seen. The management investment since 2017 rebuilt roads, anti-poaching and a lodge.
When to go
The park operates in the dry months only, roughly December to April, and is shut through the rains. The larger issue is security: the border regions of northern Benin have seen armed attacks since 2021, tourist access has been suspended or restricted at points, and travel advice for the area is currently restrictive from most governments. Confirm the park's own operating status and your government's advice before selling or booking this, and treat any older description of routine access as out of date.
Most people stay 3 nights.