Pendjari Biosphere Reserve –
Sustainable Tourism
in Western Africa
Cosme KPADONOU, Matthias KUNERT
Tourism promotion Pendjari National Park
Republic of Benin
www.pendjari.net
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Pendjari Biosphere Reserve –
Sustainable tourism in Western Africa
Outline
1.
What is Pendjari Biosphere Reserve?
2.
Why is Pendjari a sustainable destination?
3.
What are the attractions of Pendjari?
4.
Which alternatives exist for your visit?
5.
How do we improve tourism offers?
6.
How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
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What is Pendjari Biosphere Reserve?
Facts & Figures
• One of the best protected nature reserves
of West Africa in Northern Benin
• 630 km from Cotonou, 500 from Niamey
and 450 from Ouagadougou
• Part of the largest complex of
protected areas in Western Africa (WAP)
Pendjari
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What is Pendjari Biosphere Reserve?
• 275,000 ha National
Park (total reserve)
• 205,000 ha hunting
zones (partial reserve)
• Pendjari River and
numerous lakes
• 4 park entrances
• Modern and traditional
accommodation
• More than 400 km
stabilized dirt roads
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What is Pendjari Biosphere Reserve?
Facts & Figures
• Since 1954: Pendjari Wildlife Reserve
• Since 1961: Pendjari National Park
• Since 1986: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• Since 2007: Protection of flooded savannah
areas under the RAMSAR convention of
protected wetlands
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Why is Pendjari a sustainable destination?
Co-management with local populations
Since 1999, joint park management with 23 villagers associations:
• Controlled access to natural resources
• Joint exploitation of hunting zones: 30% of revenues, jobs and
meat for the local population
• Joint patrols and anti-poaching activities
• Local development activities for the benefit of local populations
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Why is Pendjari a sustainable destination?
Ecotourism approach
• Contributing to the financing of park
management
 actually 30% cost coverage
• Generating alternative income sources
for the local population to minimize
nature destructing activities
 guides, car renters, employees of
hotels and restaurants, sellers of
hand craft, etc.
• Promoting micro enterprises
 traditional accommodation in the
village, local tour operators, etc.
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What are the attractions of Pendjari?
Wealthiest diversity of flora
and fauna in Western Africa
 4 of the Big Five: Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard
 10 species of antelopes, 4 species of monkeys
 Rare mammals like cheetah and topi
 More than 470 bird species
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What are the attractions of Pendjari?
Diversified African landscape
 Atacora Mountain Chain
 Pendjari River
 Waterfalls and lakes
 Savannah and forests
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What are the attractions of Pendjari?
Ethnic and cultural diversity
 Bialbe, Gourmantché, Waba, Bétamaribé, Fulani
 Architectural treasures, such as Tata Somba
 Strong traditions: fetishes, ceremonies, dances
 Pure African life: lively markets, diverse cuisine
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Which alternatives exist for your visit?
The right travel time
•
Dry season mid-October to mid-May
 Excellent visibility of wildlife between December and May
 Burnt landscape, particularly in November and December
 Dry but hot climate, particularly in the end of dry season
•
Rainy season mid-May to mid-October
 Green landscape and magnificent animals
 Comfortable climate
 Limited park access between August and October
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Which alternatives exist for your visit?
The right program
• Wildlife safari by 4x4 car
 Explore the network of more than
400 km dirt roads,
 Observe wildlife from several
observation points at the lakes,
 Walk a small trekking trail and listen
to the sounds of nature,
 Accompany local fishermen on a
small boat trip on the Pendjari,
 Bird watching tour with specialized
guides.
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Which alternatives exist for your visit?
The right program
• Trekking tour in the Atacora Mountains
 Discover the source of a waterfall,
see monkeys and enjoy a wide
savannah view
• Cultural tour in a park bordering village
 Visit the chief of the village, see
fetishes and holy places, traditional
and modern mills, the production of
millet beer and typical meals, etc.
• Sport hunting
 Hunt buffalos, antelopes, lions and
other animals in the hunting zone
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Which alternatives exist for your visit?
The right accommodation
Alternative 1: Enjoying modern comfort
• Relax in one of the 7 hotels and hostels in the
Reserve offering some 100 rooms with air
conditions or fan
• Use the wide range of hotels and hostels in
the provincial capital Natitingou (50 km)
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Which alternatives exist for your visit?
The right accommodation
Alternative 2: Submersing into a village
• Enjoy the warm welcome of 5 families
offering a total of 8 rooms in their houses
• Taste the traditional cuisine
• Support directly local communities
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How do we improve tourism offers?
Developing new products
• Two day boots tours on the Pendjari River with
accommodation in tree houses at the riverbank
• Special bird watching observation points
• Night safari tours
• Mountain bike tours in the park’s periphery
• Savannah hiking tours in the park
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How do we improve tourism offers?
Implementing a joint ecotourism strategy
• Vision “Pendjari 2013”:
“The diversification of tourism offers, the respect of international
quality standards and the efficient organization of tourism actors
make furthermore growing the reputation of Pendjari Biosphere
Reserve as the best ecotourism destination of Western Africa.”
Priority 2009:
• Foundation of a Pendjari Tourism
Development Association with a
tourism office at Tanguiéta
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How do we improve tourism offers?
Strengthening touristic actors
• Annual training of tour guides
• Organizational support of guides’
associations
• Co-operation with tour operators
in product development and marketing
Guide touristique
(Badge valide jusqu’au 12/2010)
AKPANA
Adamou
Catégorie A
Connaissances élevées de
faune, flore et cultures locales
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How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 1: Cotonou
Parc W
• Benin’s economic centre
• Dantokpa – One of the biggest markets
of West Africa
Alternatives:
• Lomé (Togo) and its colonial architecture
• Accra (Ghana) and the forts at the slave coast
Ouidah
How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 2 / 3: Cotonou - Ouidah
Parc W
Ouidah
• Fisher’s road between
coconut palms, beach
and lagoon
• Road of the slaves,
point of no return
• Centre of Voodoo
How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 4: Abomey
Parc W
Ouidah
• Former centre of the
Dahomey Kingdom
• Royal palaces and unique
bas-reliefs (UNESCO
World Heritage Site)
• Abomey Historical Museum
How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 5 / 6: Somba Region
Parc W
Ouidah
• Natitingou Museum
• Land of the Tata Somba –
miniature two-storey clay
forts of the Betammaribe
• Cliff of the Atacora
Mountains
How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 7 / 8 : Pendjari
Parc W
Ouidah
• Relaxing at Tanongou
Waterfalls
• Cultural village or
mountain tour
• Wildlife safari in the
National Park
How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 9 / 10 : W Regional Park
Parc W
Ouidah
• Trinational UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve Benin–
Burkina Faso-Niger
• Wildlife safari
• Boots tours on the Niger
River
How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 10 / 11: Zone of Giraffes / Niamey
Parc W
Ouidah
• Last herd of wild
giraffes in West
Africa at Kouré
• Niger River and
mosque of Niamey
Thank you
for your attention!
www.pendjari.net
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