Niokolo Koba

Nature and wildlife tourism in Senegal

By Plateau Perspectives

April 23^rd, 2023

Located in a well-watered area along the banks of the Gambia river, the gallery forests and savannahs of Niokolo-Koba National Park have a very rich fauna, among them Derby elands (largest of the antelopes), chimpanzees, lions, leopards and a large population of elephants, as well as many birds, reptiles and amphibians. (source)

There are 329 species of birds that have been recorded in the park, as well as more than 70 species of mammals, 36 species of reptiles, 20 species of amphibians, and many species of invertebrates. The diversity of the flora is important with more than 1500 species of plants. The park is strictly protected and managed according to a management plan that includes restoration of natural ecosystems. (source)

Covering nearly one million hectares and comprising gallery forests, savannah grass floodplains, ponds, dry forests -- dense or with clearings -- rocky slopes and hills and barren Bowés, the National Park is sufficiently vast as to illustrate all the major aspects of the Guinean savanna-type ecosystem and to ensure the survival of species therein. The park is watered by large several waterways including the Gambia, Sereko, Niokolo, Koulountou rivers.

Long-tailed Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis caudatus)

African Hawk-Eagle (Aquila spilogaster) (tbc)

Senegal Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis)

Double-spurred Spurfowl (Pternistis bicalcaratus)

Northern Red Bishop (Euplectes franciscanus)

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus)

Searching for wildlife with the help of the knowledgeable and friendly staff of the Nioko Lodge was a highlight of our trip.

Malachite Kingfisher (Corythornis cristatus)

Harnessed Bushback (Tragelaphus scriptus)

We also enjoyed our trip across the country, seeing different aspects of life in rural Senegal as we drove to and from the Park.

Of course, the establishment of national parks is not the only way or even necessarily the best way to protect the environment. Local and indigenous communities have long been stewards of nature. Yet, in many instances such communities have been ignored or overlooked...

Thus, the recognition and support of the territories and areas conserved by Indigenous peoples and local communities is of paramount importance. More can be learned about this in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) report "Recognition and Support of ICCAs in Senegal" as well as through the work of the ICCA Consortium.

More can also be learned about community-based tourism around national parks in Senegal in an article published in a recent special issue of the journal Tourism Planning & Development, Community-based Tourism Around National Parks in Senegal: The Implications of Colonial Legacies in Current Management Policies.

World Heritage Site

According to IUCN’s Conservation Outlook Assessment (2014), the specific attributes which qualify Niokolo-KobaNational Park for world heritage status can be summarised as follows:

Exceptionally diverse flora and fauna
High number of endemic sub-species and varieties
Exceptional diversity of ecosystems characteristic of the Sudanese climatic zone

Many more insights and valuable information can be found on the Natural World Heritage Sites website, including important links.

Photo credit: Natural World Heritage Sites

Lions in Niokolo Koba

The organization Panthera is working to ensure a future for wildlife in Senegal, in particular within Niokolo Koba National Park. More information about their work in this article.