This is the largest protected area in Africa, covering 7.7 million ha, though the area considered a protected sanctuary constitutes only one-sixth of the total area. It includes the volcanic rock mass of the Air, a small Sahelian pocket with isolated climate and flora and fauna. It is situated in the Saharan desert of Tenere.
The W National Park is a major national park in Niger around a twist in the river Niger shaped like a "W". Most of the park is in Niger, but it also extends through areas of Benin and Burkina Faso. The park is known for its large mammals, including aardvarks, baboons, buffalo, caracal, cheetahs, elephants, hippopotamuses, leopards, lions, serval and warthogs.
An important crossroads of the caravan trade on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert.
Lynn Salmon <>{
Last updated: June 13, 2023