Things to Do in Pendjari National Park

Lions still hunt in packs at Pendjari National Park—something you can't say about most of Africa anymore. This UNESCO World Heritage site sprawls across northern Benin's rugged landscape, forming part of the larger W-Arly-Pendjari transfrontier complex that extends into Burkina Faso and Niger. One of West Africa's last refuges. The park's ~5,000 square kilometers encompass everything from gallery forests along the Pendjari River to vast savanna plains dotted with baobab trees. What makes this place genuinely special is the authentic wilderness feel—you might drive for hours seeing only antelope and occasional villages on the periphery. No East African crowds here.

Dining options are limited around Pendjari National Park, with most visitors eating at lodges or bringing supplies from larger towns. Pendjari Lodge serves decent international food with some local dishes—don't expect gourmet meals. More like safari fuel. In Tanguiéta and Natitingou, you'll find simple restaurants serving traditional Beninese food like pâte with various sauces, grilled fish, and chicken. The local beer is Flag. pretty good and widely available. If you're camping, stock up on supplies in Natitingou—the best selection of groceries and fresh produce in the region.

November through April offers the best wildlife viewing at Pendjari, as animals congregate around water sources and vegetation thins out. March and April can be brutally hot—we're talking 40°C regularly. But this is when elephants gather. The wet season from May to October makes many roads impassable and wildlife disperses throughout the park. The landscape becomes lush and green though. Birding can be excellent during early wet season when migrants arrive, but you'll need to weigh that against access challenges.