Niokolo Koba Park

The tourist center in the middle of the park. alessandro cini (Atlas Obscura User)

For visitors traveling through Senegal and desire to catch a glimpse of wildlife in their natural environment, the National Park Niokolo Kobe located in the eastern section of the country is the ideal place to visit.

The park was established as a reserve in 1925 and was declared a national park in 1954. The park runs along the upper region of the Gambia River and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 1980s.

A wide range of different species and animals call this region home. It’s believed that some 60 species of fish and around 80 mammals live on the reserve. For more adventurous travelers, a small swinging boat on the river allows for a closer view of the hippos and crocodiles that swim in the water and sunbathe along the river rocks.

The center of the park is set in a new, modern wooden structure by the river. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset.

Know Before You Go

If you are driving your own car, a ranger will stay with you from the entrance to the tourist center in the middle of the park. The road is unpaved and the trip takes a while. From the center, you can take part in tours to see the various animals, by jeep or boat.