Explore National Parks, Wildlife, and Culture

Burkina Faso may not be the first name that comes to mind for African safaris, but for those who venture here, it reveals a mosaic of wilderness that rivals—and in many ways surpasses—its neighbors. From elephant strongholds to hippo sanctuaries, Burkina Faso’s protected areas form a grand safari circuit that showcases the country’s extraordinary biodiversity.

And while Ghana is celebrated for its cultural heritage and scenic parks, it simply cannot match the wildlife density and diversity found in Burkina Faso’s reserves. Here, elephants roam in large numbers, lions prowl, hippos wallow, and birdlife flourishes across wetlands and savannas.

Nazinga Game Reserve

• Highlight: One of West Africa’s best places to see elephants up close.

• Other wildlife: Buffalo, antelopes, warthogs, and vibrant birdlife.

• Experience: Rustic lodges and guided tours offer intimate encounters with nature.

Kaboré Tambi National Park

• Highlight: Accessible wilderness just south of Ouagadougou.

• Wildlife: Monkeys, antelopes, warthogs, and diverse bird species.

• Atmosphere: A savanna landscape perfect for reflection and photography.

Arli National Park

• Highlight: Part of the UNESCO-designated W-Arly-Pendjari complex.

• Wildlife: Elephants, lions, cheetahs, antelopes, and hippos.

• Experience: A raw, less-commercialized safari with authentic wilderness.

Deux Balés National Park

• Highlight: Famous for its elephant population.

• Other wildlife: Antelopes, warthogs, and birdlife.

• Significance: A vital piece of Burkina Faso’s conservation network.

Mare aux Hippopotames

• Highlight: Burkina Faso’s sole UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

• Wildlife: Around 100 hippos, plus antelopes, monkeys, and countless birds.

• Experience: Canoe rides across the lake and guided walks through marshes.

W National Park

• Highlight: A transboundary biosphere reserve shared with Niger and Benin.

• Wildlife: Buffalo, giraffes, crocodiles, and over 300 bird species.

• Significance: Part of the W-Arly-Pendjari complex, one of West Africa’s largest continuous ecosystems.

Why Burkina Faso Outshines Ghana in Wildlife

• Elephant populations: Burkina Faso’s parks, especially Nazinga and Deux Balés, host far larger herds than Ghana.

• Predators: Lions and cheetahs roam Arli and W National Park—species absent from Ghana’s reserves.

• Hippos: Mare aux Hippopotames offers one of West Africa’s most reliable hippo encounters.

• Birdlife: Over 300 species in W National Park alone, making Burkina Faso a paradise for birdwatchers.

• Scale of protection: Burkina Faso’s network of parks and reserves covers vast savannas and wetlands, ensuring habitats for 147 mammal species, 330 aquatic species, and over 2,000 plant species.

Ghana’s national parks, while beautiful and culturally rich, focus more on forest ecosystems and heritage sites. Burkina Faso, by contrast, delivers the classic African safari experience with elephants, lions, hippos, and sprawling savannas.

A Journey Into Burkina Faso’s Wild Soul

Together, Nazinga, Kaboré Tambi, Arli, Deux Balés, Mare aux Hippopotames, and W National Park form a circuit that immerses travelers in the untamed beauty of West Africa. It’s a journey of elephants at dusk, hippos surfacing in shimmering lakes, lions roaring across the savanna, and birds painting the skies with color.

For those who seek authentic wildlife encounters, Burkina Faso offers something rare: a safari experience that is raw, diverse, and unforgettable—one that Ghana, with all its charms, simply cannot match.