Subtotal 0 CFA
The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, a World Heritage Site since 1996, is a transboundary complex made up of five national parks: the Pendjari and W National Parks in Benin, the Arly and W National Parks in Burkina Faso, and the W National Park in Niger. It covers a total area of 1,291,210 hectares.
The complex is located across the contiguous territories of the Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, and the Republic of Niger. In Benin, the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex covers the municipalities of Tanguiéta, Matéri, and Kérou (Atacora Department), as well as Banikoara, Kandi, Malanville, and Karimama (Alibori Department). In Burkina Faso, it extends across the regions of Goulmou and Tapoa. The Nigerien component of the WAP covers the regions of Tillabéry and Dosso.
The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is one of the largest protected areas within the West African savanna biogeographic province. It forms a transition zone between the Sahel and forest ecosystems. Ecological processes occurring within the complex include, among others, hydrographic dynamics that ensure the continuous availability of water. The area is influenced by a Sudanian climate and vegetation strongly shaped by seasonal bushfires and diverse plant formations, including grass savannas, wooded savannas, open forests, and gallery forests. Climatic variability influences the spatial distribution of plant species and supports the existence of diverse habitats for a rich and varied wildlife population. Today, the complex represents the most viable natural refuge available for rare, threatened, and/or endemic species within its biogeographic region. It hosts almost all species of large mammals of the Sudanian savanna of West Africa, such as the topi (Damaliscus korrigum), leopard (Panthera pardus), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), red-fronted gazelle (Gazella rufifrons), lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotos), secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius), and the West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis)—all species that are rare in West Africa.Damaliscus korrigum), le léopard (Panthera pardus), le guépard (Acinonyx jubatus), la gazelle à front roux (Gazella rufifrons), le vautour oricou (Torgos tracheliotos), le messager sagittaire (Sagittarius serpentarius) et le lamantin (Trichechus senegalensis), qui sont des espèces rares en Afrique de l’Ouest.
Various significant ecosystem types serve as habitats for the fauna and flora of the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex. In the gallery forests, the continuity of tree and shrub canopies along waterways creates unique ecological niches, particularly for insect fauna. The presence of the Atacora mountain range also contributes to a high proportion of species belonging to the Guineo-Congolian ecological zone.
The relatively low population pressure from surrounding communities helps preserve the ecological integrity of the site. Finally, the strong legal and regulatory protection in place for the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex provides a solid guarantee for the long-term survival of the species it hosts.