Travel advisory · BeninPendjari National Park is in or near an area where governments advise against all travel: Pendjari National Park, 50 km strip along the Burkina Faso border, Atacora department, Burkina Faso border zones.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Pendjari National Park · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, France, Italy, UK, US
- W National Park · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, France, Italy, UK, US
- 50 km strip along the Burkina Faso border · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, US
- Alibori department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, UK
- Atacora department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, UK
- Burkina Faso border zones · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Djona hunting zone · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, UK
- Mékrou hunting zone · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, UK
- Niger border zones · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Northeast border with Nigeria, Malanville to Nikki · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
Also named by one government: 5 km strip along the Burkina Faso border (UK), 50 km strip along the Niger border (Canada), Area between W National Park and the Niger border (UK), Banikoara city and immediate surroundings (France), Nigeria border 50 km north of Nikki (Canada), North of Interstate 7 motorway (Canada), Northern and northeastern border region (US), Northern half of the country (Spain), Togo border, Atacora west of Boukoumbé–Tanguiéta axis (Canada), Togo border, northwest (France), 50 km border zone, Atakora and Alibori departments (Germany), Area between RNIE 2 (Tchaourou–Malanville) and Benin-Nigeria border (UK), Atacora hunting zone (Italy), Band from Kandi to Tchaourou, including Nikki (France), Centre of Atakora department (France), Kalalé (Spain), Kandi and areas north and east to the Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria borders (Italy), Nigeria border 50 km south of Nikki (Canada), Nigeria border, Borgou department (Germany), North of Boukoumbé–Natitingou–Kérou–Kandi–Segbana line (Germany), North of RNIE 7 from Banikoara to Nigerian border, excluding Kandi and Segbana (US), Pendjari hunting zone (Italy), RN 10 between Nikki and Segbana (Italy), RNIE 7 between Banikoara and Segbana (Italy), Tanguiéta and areas north and west to the Burkina Faso and Togo borders (Italy)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Jan 7, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution due to crime (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Kein Reiseverbot für das gesamte Land; Teilreisewarnung für Grenz- und Nordgebiete (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | No travel advisory | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée for the rest of the country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Pendjari National Park
Pendjari National Park in northern Benin is a savanna reserve known for game drives. In the dry season, elephants, buffalo and antelope gather near the Pendjari River.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Pendjari National Park is a savanna reserve in northern Benin, and game drives are the main reason to go. It forms part of the W-Arly-Pendjari complex, a protected area that runs across the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger and is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The Pendjari River flows through the park and keeps water in the park during the dry months, so animals stay near the tracks.
The wildlife includes elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, hippos and many antelope species. Choose Pendjari if a safari is the purpose of the trip. Game drives are the main way to see animals, and a 4x4 is needed on sandy tracks. The dry season, roughly November to April, is the best time to visit, when animals gather near water and the vegetation is thinner. Plan at least two nights so you can take early morning and late afternoon drives, when many animals are most active.
Pendjari National Park in five
- Check your visa before you book flightsMany nationalities need a visa for Benin. Confirm the rule for your passport with the Benin embassy or consulate that covers your country before you pay for flights.Visas and entry
- Carry CFA francs for the parkPlan on paying cash in West African CFA francs (XOF) for park fees, fuel and guides. Withdraw cash in Cotonou or a larger town before the long drive north.Money and costs
- Book a licensed guide and 4x4 in advanceReserve a licensed guide and a 4x4 through your lodge or a licensed operator before you arrive. The sandy tracks are hard to drive without them.Tours and tickets
- Set up an eSIM before you leave CotonouMobile signal is limited around the park. Set up an eSIM before you leave and download offline maps, because you may have no signal for long stretches.Phones and eSIM
- Get medical evacuation coverMedical care near the park is limited. Check that your policy covers medical evacuation from northern Benin, not only treatment in a city.Travel insurance
Things to do in Pendjari National Park
See all attractions in Pendjari National ParkNeed to know
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Entry
- Visa needed by many nationalities; check with the Benin consulate before travel Read more
- Emergency
- Confirm police and ambulance numbers with your embassy before you travel
- Tipping
- Small tips for guides and drivers are common
- Time
- UTC+1, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, cool nights
- FebruaryPeak dry season
- MarchHot, dry season
- AprilHeat building
- MayHottest, dusty
- JuneRains start
- JulyRainy season
- AugustRainy season
- SeptemberRainy season
- OctoberRains ending
- NovemberDry season starts
- DecemberDry, cool nights
Right now in Pendjari National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
37
- Feels like
- 35°
- Humidity
- 17%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 18%
Pendjari National Park
09:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today37°24°18%Monday: Drizzle. High 37°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Tue37°24°14%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 37°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Wed38°25°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 38°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu38°22°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 38°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri38°21°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 38°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat39°22°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 39°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun39°23°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 39°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 06:44 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 587.8 XOF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Pendjari National Park
Rules for Pendjari National Park, checked
- Enter Benin only with the visa or entry permission that applies to your nationality; check the rule with the consulate before you book.
- Keep to the park tracks and stay in your vehicle near animals unless your guide tells you to get out.
- Declare cash and valuables on the arrival form if it asks; check the current limit with the Benin consulate before you travel.
- Ask the park office or your lodge which entry fees, permits and guide rules apply on your dates before you drive in.
Plan around Pendjari National Park
Country basics and the wider Benin route
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa rules and how to check them for your passport
Read the guideGetting around BeninGetting from Cotonou to the park and back
Read the guideMoney and costsCFA francs, cash and where you can pay by card
Read the guideWhere to stayLodges and camps near the park and how to book
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical evacuation cover for remote parks
Read the guidePendjari National Park FAQ
Do I need a guide to visit Pendjari?
Yes, book a licensed guide and a 4x4 for game drives. Confirm the current rule with your lodge or the park office before you travel.
What animals can I see in Pendjari?
Elephants, buffalo, hippos and several antelope species, and sometimes lions and leopards. Animals gather near water in the dry season.
When is the best time to visit Pendjari?
November to April, in the dry season. From June to October the rains make the tracks hard going.
How many days do I need at Pendjari?
Two nights gives you a morning and an afternoon drive. Add a night to cover a second area of the park.
Is Pendjari suitable for children?
Bring water and a hat for game drives. Lodges set their own age limits for activities, so ask before you book.