Niokolo-Koba National Park

Niokolo-Koba National Park is Senegal’s largest protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering over 9000 square kilometres along the Gambia River in the country’s southeast. The park represents one of the last significant blocks of Sudano-Guinean savanna in West Africa and protects important populations of western giant eland — the world’s largest antelope — alongside chimpanzees, elephants, lions, and a rich diversity of primates and birds. The Gambia River and its tributaries create gallery forests and wetlands that support hippo, crocodile, and over 330 bird species. While wildlife densities are lower than East African parks the significance of Niokolo-Koba for West African biodiversity cannot be overstated. The park faces challenges from poaching and encroachment but remains an essential destination for understanding the conservation landscape of the entire region. Dry season concentrations along the river can produce excellent wildlife sightings.