W National Park

Named after the shape of the Niger River in its northernmost section bordering the Niger portion of the protected area, W National Park is an anchoring component of the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex – a vitally important 26,361km² transboundary protected area. The WAP conserves a landscape of savannah, gallery forest and undulating plateau with thorny scrub in the north, and is drained by two large river systems, the Mékrou and Alibori, which form part of the Niger River basin. Together with Pendjari National Park, W is connected to this network of protected areas that straddle Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, providing refuge to the only viable populations of West African lion, cheetah and korrigum antelope remaining in West Africa.  

A Priority Intervention Plan was initiated in 2019 between the Benin Government, West African Savannah Foundation (FSOA), and African Parks, aiming to improve conservation law enforcement, rehabilitate existing infrastructure, and strengthen collaboration with local communities. In June 2020, the Benin Government and African Parks signed a formal management partnership for the Benin portion of W, spanning almost 7,000 km² . 

Despite the ongoing security challenges in Benin, W National Park continues to ensure that biodiversity conservation and community development progresses, supporting the livelihoods of thousands of people who rely on its biodiversity and the vital ecosystem services provided.

• The WAP Complex is the largest protected and intact ecosystem in West Africa with a significant diversity of fauna and flora.
• Several species are represented in the Complex as the last viable populations, including north-west African cheetah, West African lion and korrigum.
• Approximately 27,000 cattle are vaccinated yearly – helping to prevent the spread of disease in livestock and wildlife, while strengthening community engagement.
• Sustainable livelihood generation now includes beekeeping, shea and baobab harvesting and fishing, as well as the development of the brand “Pur” for local WNP-manufactured products.
• Approximately 6,000 schoolchildren take part in park-supported environmental education programmes.

In June 2020, African Parks signed an initial 10-year management agreement with the Republic of Benin to manage W National Park, the second park in the country to enter the portfolio after Pendjari National Park, which forms part of the same transfrontier park, W-Arly-Pendjari Complex.