1. Pendjari Biosphere Reserve – Sustainable Tourism in Western Africa
Cosme KPADONOU, Matthias KUNERT
Tourism promotion Pendjari National Park
Republic of Benin

2. Pendjari Biosphere Reserve – Sustainable tourism in Western Africa
Outline
What is Pendjari Biosphere Reserve?
Why is Pendjari a sustainable destination?
What are the attractions of Pendjari?
Which alternatives exist for your visit?
How do we improve tourism offers?
How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?

3. What is Pendjari Biosphere Reserve?
Facts & Figures
WAP
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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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
More than 470 bird species = more than three times as many bird species as France (150) and Allemagne (130)

9. What are the attractions of Pendjari?
Diversified African landscape
Atacora Mountain Chain
Pendjari River
Savannah and forests
Waterfalls and lakes
Diversity of landscape with savannas, forests, rivers, lakes and mountains

10. 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

11. 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
Hot season up to 45 degrees
Rainy season 25 to 30 degrees

12. 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.
6500 tourists, 70 annual hunters contributent 65% of the park’s revenues.

13. 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
6500 tourists, 70 annual hunters contributent 65% of the park’s revenues.

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 1: Cotonou
Ouidah
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

20. How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 2 / 3: Cotonou - Ouidah
Ouidah
Parc W
Fisher’s road between coconut palms, beach and lagoon
Road of the slaves, point of no return
Centre of Voodoo
During the 17., 18. and 19. century, almost slaves have been transported from Ouidah across the Atlantic.
Tolerance of religions: Basilique next to Temple of the Python
Night at Ouidah, good standard middle class hotels 20

21. How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 4: Abomey
Ouidah
Parc W
Former centre of the Dahomey Kingdom
Royal palaces and unique bas-reliefs (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Abomey Historical Museum
Based on slave trade, Amazone soldiers
Palaces of crown princes and family communities 21

22. How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 5 / 6: Somba Region
Ouidah
Parc W
Natitingou Museum
Land of the Tata Somba – miniature two-storey clay forts of the Betammaribe
Cliff of the Atacora Mountains

23. How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 7 / 8 : Pendjari
Ouidah
Parc W
Relaxing at Tanongou Waterfalls
Cultural village or mountain tour
Wildlife safari in the National Park

24. How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Day 9 / 10 : W Regional Park
Ouidah
Parc W
Trinational UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Benin–Burkina Faso-Niger
Wildlife safari
Boots tours on the Niger River

25. How to integrate Pendjari in a tour?
Ouidah
Parc W
Day 10 / 11: Zone of Giraffes / Niamey
Last herd of wild giraffes in West Africa at Kouré
Niger River and mosque of Niamey

26. Thank you for your attention!