Natural
Parc national du Niokolo-Koba
Photo : COD photographer (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Located in southeastern Senegal near the border with Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, this national park encompasses a vast expanse of West African savanna and woodland ecosystems. The site protects diverse fauna including elephants, hippopotamuses, leopards, and numerous bird species, along with varied vegetation zones that range from dense forests along river valleys to open grasslands. The park's landscape is characterised by the presence of the Gambia River and its tributaries, which create important water courses through the terrain and support riparian habitats. The park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a natural site in recognition of its ecological significance and role in conserving representative examples of West African natural heritage. Its remote location and limited accessibility have helped preserve its wilderness character, though the site faces ongoing conservation challenges related to poaching and human pressure on its boundaries.
