National park · Guinea
National Park of the Upper NigerParc National du Haut Niger
Enter the park for a day hike to see chimpanzees: pay the entry fee (≈10,000 GNF) and take the main savannah trail; best visited in the dry season (Nov–Apr) to avoid fire risk.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6,000 km² (2,317 sq mi)2,317 sq mi (6,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Apr, Nov–Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- 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.
- Guinea ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Guinean government sources before booking.
- Guinea ↗Avoid demonstrations and political gatherings; check your government's advice for current restrictions.
- Guinea ↗Check the yellow-fever vaccination certificate rules for Guinea before you fly.
At a glance
- Country
- Guinea
- Area
- 6,000 km² (2,317 sq mi)2,317 sq mi (6,000 km²)
- About 6,000 km² total, of which roughly 600 km² is the core protected area (check); boundaries are not fenced and the exact gate position varies.
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Apr, Nov–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Conakry
The National Park of the Upper Niger (Parc National du Haut Niger) protects one of the last blocks of dry forest and wooded savannah in West Africa, in the northeast of Guinea between the Niger and Mafou rivers. It is a chimpanzee park first: the core area holds a well-known chimpanzee population, and the surrounding savannah also carries lions, manatees in the rivers and Gambian mongooses. There is very little visitor infrastructure — no reliable online booking, no fixed trail map, and a gate you reach by hired 4x4 from Kankan or Faranah. Treat it as a guided, dry-season, multi-day detour rather than a day trip from Conakry, and confirm the entry fee, guide and lodging by phone before you commit to the drive.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
6,000 km² (2,317 sq mi)2,317 sq mi (6,000 km²) · national park since 1990
About 6,000 km² total, of which roughly 600 km² is the core protected area (check); boundaries are not fenced and the exact gate position varies.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Conakry.
Why go
- Dry forest and savannah landscape rare in West Africa.
- Chimpanzee trekking on marked savannah trails.
- Opportunity to see lions, African manatees and Gambian mongooses.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool; good wildlife spotting.
- FebDry, clear skies.
- MarDry, mild.
- AprEnd of dry season, pleasant.
- MayStart of rains, fire risk.
- JunFrequent fires, trails muddy.
- JulHot, fire danger.
- AugHot, fire danger.
- SepLate dry, fire risk.
- OctTransition to rains.
- NovDry season resumes, cooler.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChimpanzeesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| LionsNov–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| African manatees (river)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Gate, visitor office, basic facilities. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Savannah trail | Main day‑hike loop with chimpanzee viewing points. | Open; guide optional. |
| River zone | Riparian forest along the Niger and Mafou rivers. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 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 approximate centre of the park; exact gate location may vary.
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 | GNF 10,000–15,000 | person | Check latest price at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Fires
- Not allowed anywhere in the park.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; otherwise stay in nearby villages.
- Guides
- Required for river zone and any off‑trail movement.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Village of Koundara
Basic guesthouses and homestays a few km from the headquarters.
In the park
Headquarters lodge
Simple rooms for day‑trippers; limited availability.
Safety
Fire medium
Wild animal encounters low
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
- Headquarters reachable by car; short walks on flat paths.
- Savannah trail includes steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pay entry fee to support conservation.
- Use designated trails and campgrounds only.
- Buy food from village vendors to benefit local communities.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter the National Park of the Upper Niger?
Entry is about 10,000–15,000 GNF per person; buy the ticket at the park gate.
What are the best hikes in the park?
The main savannah loop for chimpanzee viewing (3–4 h) and the early‑morning lion spotting walk are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season from November to April offers clear trails and lower fire risk; November and December are especially pleasant.
Do I need a guide?
A guide is required for the river zone and any off‑trail travel; the savannah loop can be done independently but a guide improves wildlife spotting.
Are there accommodations inside the park?
Only a basic lodge at the headquarters; most visitors stay in nearby villages such as Koundara.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about National Park of the Upper Niger
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