National park · Burkina Faso
Arli National ParkParc national de l'Arli
Go for a full-day game drive between November and February, when animals gather near the Arli and Pendjari rivers. Entry is 5,000–10,000 CFA per person (2026 estimate); bring your own vehicle or hire a guide at the park gate. Skip the dusty harmattan months (March–May) when wildlife is scarce.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
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Area
760 km² (293 sq mi)293 sq mi (760 km²)
approximate
Established
1954
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…Check your own government travel advice for Burkina Faso …
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Burkina Faso ↗Check your own government travel advice for Burkina Faso before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Burkina Faso ↗Entry is controlled by the national authorities; land borders and some regions may be closed, and no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Burkina Faso ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Burkina Faso before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- Burkina Faso
- Area
- 760 km² (293 sq mi)293 sq mi (760 km²)
- Figures vary by source; 760 km² is the commonly cited area (check).
- Established
- 1954
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Arli National Park, established in 1954, covers 760 km² of savanna, gallery forest and sandstone hills along the border with Benin. It hosts around 200 elephants, 200 hippos and 100 lions, plus buffalo, baboons, antelopes and the rare western hartebeest. The park adjoins Pendjari National Park in Benin, forming a transboundary conservation area. Access is via the N19 highway and the town of Diapaga. The best game viewing is in the dry, cooler months from November to February; dusty harmattan winds can reduce visibility. Entry fees are modest, but you need your own vehicle or a hired guide. There is no accommodation inside the park; stay in Diapaga or bring camping gear.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1954.
Size and age
760 km² (293 sq mi)293 sq mi (760 km²) · national park since 1954
Figures vary by source; 760 km² is the commonly cited area (check).
Why go
- One of the few places in Burkina Faso where you can reliably see elephants, hippos and lions in the wild.
- Adjoins Pendjari National Park in Benin, making it part of a larger transboundary ecosystem.
- The Gobnangou sandstone cliffs and gallery forests along the Arli and Pendjari rivers offer varied scenery.
- Quiet compared to Pendjari; you may have the park to yourself on weekdays.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool and dry; animals concentrate near water
- FebStill good; harmattan dust possible
- MarHot and dusty; wildlife disperses
- AprVery hot; animals hard to find
- MayPeak heat; little game
- JunFirst rains; roads may be muddy
- JulWet season; trails impassable
- AugHeavy rain; park may close
- SepRains ease; vegetation thick
- OctTransition month; some roads open
- NovDry season starts; game returns
- DecPeak season; cool and clear
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African elephantNov–Mar · Concentrate near rivers in the dry season. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| HippopotamusAll year · Resident in the Arli and Pendjari rivers. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| LionNov–Mar · Rare; best chance in the dry season. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Western hartebeest and roan antelopeNov–Mar · Common on the floodplain. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Ouagadougou
Take the N4 east to Fada N'Gourma, then the N19 south to Diapaga. The park gate is about 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Diapaga.Take the N4 east to Fada N'Gourma, then the N19 south to Diapaga. The park gate is about 6.2 mi (10 km) south of Diapaga.
5–6 h
From Pendjari National Park (Benin)
Cross the border at Porga or Tanguiéta; the parks adjoin. Check border formalities.
1–2 h
From Diapaga
Taxi or private vehicle to the park gate, about 10 km (6.2 mi) south.Taxi or private vehicle to the park gate, about 6.2 mi (10 km) south.
20 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Arli River gallery forest | Riparian forest along the Arli River; good for hippos and birds. | Open; accessible by vehicle tracks. |
| Pendjari River floodplain | Open savanna and waterholes; main game-viewing area. | Open; dry-season only. |
| Gobnangou chain | Sandstone hills and cliffs; scenic viewpoints and hiking. | Open; no marked trails (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Diapaga · Town≈12.000, 1.533Closest town; park gate is 10 km (6.2 mi) south.Closest town; park gate is 6.2 mi (10 km) south.Map ↗
- 2Park gate (Arli entrance) · Gate≈11.584, 1.468Approximate location on the N19.Map ↗
- 3Arli River gallery forest · Viewpoint≈11.550, 1.450Approximate; good for hippos and birds.Map ↗
- 4Gobnangou cliffs · Viewpoint≈11.600, 1.500Sandstone hills; scenic hikes.Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate; the park has no official map online.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | XOF 5,000–10,000 | person | 2026 estimate; pay at the gate near Diapaga (check). |
| Vehicle entry | XOF 5,000–10,000 | vehicle | Check. |
| Guide fee (half day) | XOF 15,000–25,000 | group | Hired at the gate; price negotiable (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guide for game drives no permit
Camping permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- XOF 5,000–10,000
- XOF 5,000–10,000
- XOF 15,000–25,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without prior permission from the park authorities (check).check
- Guides
- Not mandatory but strongly recommended for hiking and game drives; roads are unmarked.
- Camping
- Allowed only with a permit; no designated campsites (check).
- Fires and litter
- No fires; carry out all rubbish.
- Wildlife approach
- Stay in your vehicle during game drives; do not approach animals on foot.
Where to stay
Near the park
Diapaga guesthouses
Basic rooms in the town; the closest accommodation to the park.
In the park
Camping inside the park
Permit required; no facilities, bring all supplies.
Safety
Getting lost on unmarked roads high
Wildlife encounters on foot medium
Heat and dehydration medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The park is accessible only by 4×4 vehicle; roads are rough and sandy.
- No paved paths or wheelchair-accessible facilities.
Visiting lightly
- Do not feed or approach wildlife; it alters natural behaviour.
- Carry out all waste; there is no rubbish collection inside the park.
- Support local guides and guesthouses in Diapaga rather than staying outside the region.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Arli National Park?
Entry is 5,000–10,000 CFA per person (2026 estimate). Vehicle entry and guide fees are extra. Pay at the gate near Diapaga.
What are the best hikes in Arli National Park?
There are no marked hiking trails. The Gobnangou hills offer scenic walks, but you need a guide to navigate. Game drives are the main activity.
When is the best time to visit Arli National Park?
November to February is the dry, cool season when animals gather near rivers. March to May is hot and dusty; June to October is the wet season with poor road access.
Can I see lions in Arli National Park?
Yes, but sightings are rare. The park has about 100 lions. Best chance is in the dry season, early morning or late afternoon.
Do I need a guide for Arli National Park?
Not mandatory for game drives, but recommended. For hiking in the Gobnangou hills, a guide is essential.
Is Arli National Park safe?
The park is remote. Security in the region can change; check your government travel advice before visiting. Carry a satellite phone if possible.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Arli National Park
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