National park · Côte d'Ivoire
Comoé National ParkParc national de la Comoé
Visit in December–February for dry trails and the best wildlife viewing; pay the entry fee at the park office in Bouna or at the gate, and hire a guide for any hike — the park is large and unmarked. The short walk to the Comoé riverbank is doable in 2 hours; the full-day safari drive needs a 4×4.
- 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
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
11,493 km² (4,437 sq mi)4,437 sq mi (11,493 km²)
approximate
Established
1968
Best months
Dec–Feb
UNESCO
World Heritage
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.
- Côte d'Ivoire ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Ivorian government sources before booking.
- Côte d'Ivoire ↗Governments advise against travel to parts of the far north near the Mali and Burkina Faso borders; check your own government's advice.
- Côte d'Ivoire ↗Check the yellow-fever vaccination certificate rules for Côte d'Ivoire before you fly.
At a glance
- Country
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Area
- 11,493 km² (4,437 sq mi)4,437 sq mi (11,493 km²)
- One of the largest protected areas in West Africa; figures vary by source.
- Established
- 1968
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Comoé National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northeastern Côte d'Ivoire, protects a mosaic of savanna, gallery forest and the Comoé River. It is one of the largest protected areas in West Africa and hosts hippos, crocodiles, elephants and over 400 bird species. The park has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 2003 due to poaching and grazing; visitor infrastructure is minimal. The nearest town is Bouna, about 30 km south of the park boundary.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1983Listed as World Heritage in Danger since 2003.
Size and age
11,493 km² (4,437 sq mi)4,437 sq mi (11,493 km²) · national park since 1968
One of the largest protected areas in West Africa; figures vary by source.
Why go
- One of the largest and most biodiverse savanna parks in West Africa.
- The Comoé River runs through the park, attracting hippos, crocodiles and elephants in the dry season.
- Over 400 bird species, including migratory waterbirds and raptors.
- Very few visitors — you may have the park almost to yourself.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, clear; best wildlife viewing
- FebDry, hot; animals gather at water
- MarHot, dry; end of peak season
- AprVery hot; start of rains
- MayRains begin; trails muddy
- JunHeavy rain; roads may be impassable
- JulPeak wet season; high water
- AugWet; mosquitoes abundant
- SepWet; some roads closed
- OctRains easing; green landscape
- NovDrying; wildlife returns to water
- DecDry and mild; ideal
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hippopotamus and crocodiles (Comoé River)Dec–Mar · Concentrated in the dry season when water levels drop. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| ElephantDec–Mar · Seen in the interior savanna; numbers are low. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Migratory and resident birdsNov–Mar · Peak birding season. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Antelopes (kob, hartebeest, duiker)Dec–Mar · Common in the savanna. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | 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 Abidjan
Drive north via Bouaké and Bouna (about 500 km (311 mi), 6–8 h); or fly to Bouaké and continue by taxi-brousse.Drive north via Bouaké and Bouna (about 311 mi (500 km), 6–8 h); or fly to Bouaké and continue by taxi-brousse.
6–8 h
Open the page →
From Bouna
Taxi-brousse or private car to the park gate (about 30 km (19 mi) north of town).Taxi-brousse or private car to the park gate (about 19 mi (30 km) north of town).
30–45 min
From Korhogo
Drive east via Ferkessédougou and Bouna (about 200 km (124 mi), 3–4 h).Drive east via Ferkessédougou and Bouna (about 124 mi (200 km), 3–4 h).
3–4 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance and river zone | The area around the main gate and the Comoé River; short walks and wildlife viewing from the bank. | Open with a guide. |
| Interior savanna and gallery forest | The vast interior with open savanna, patches of forest and seasonal waterholes. | Guided 4×4 only. |
| Northern sector (near the Burkina Faso border) | Remote, less visited; higher density of large mammals in the dry season. | Guided 4×4 only; check security. |
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 are approximate; the park is large and most points are not precisely mapped.
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, per day) | XOF 5,000–10,000 | person | Check at the park office in Bouna; cash only. |
| Vehicle entry (4×4) | XOF 5,000–10,000 | vehicle | Check. |
| Guide fee (per day) | XOF 15,000–25,000 | group | Mandatory for any hike or drive; negotiate at the office. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guide 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. Confirm on UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Comoé National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Mandatory for all activities inside the park.
- Vehicles
- Only 4×4 vehicles are allowed on park tracks.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; stay in Bouna.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
- Drones
- Not allowed without prior permission from the park authorities (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Bouna town guesthouses
Basic rooms with fans; book in advance in the dry season.
Near the park
Camping near the park gate
Possible with a guide; bring all gear and water.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Wildlife encounters medium
Road conditions medium
Security in the far north 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 has no paved paths or wheelchair-accessible facilities.
- The river walk is on uneven ground; the safari drive requires getting in and out of a 4×4.
Visiting lightly
- Hire a local guide from Bouna to support the community.
- Do not buy bushmeat or souvenirs made from protected species.
- Carry out all rubbish; there is no waste collection in the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Comoé National Park?
Entry is about 5,000–10,000 XOF per person per day (check). Vehicle entry and a mandatory guide cost extra; bring cash.
What are the best hikes in Comoé National Park?
The short river walk (2–3 h) is the only marked trail; longer hikes require a guide and a 4×4.
When is the best time to visit Comoé National Park?
December to February: dry, clear and the best wildlife viewing. Avoid June to September (heavy rain, impassable roads).
Can I visit Comoé National Park without a guide?
No. A guide is mandatory for all activities inside the park.
Is Comoé National Park safe?
The park is remote and has security concerns near the Burkina Faso border. Check travel advice before going and always travel with a guide.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Comoé National Park
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