North to Pendjari
Tata Somba country, the Atakora hills and West Africa's last great lion and elephant park.
[ 10°54′ N, 1°33′ E ]Nine days from the lagoon to the savannah. The road north through Abomey and the Collines, the fortified Tata Somba houses of the Atakora, and three full days of safari in Pendjari National Park with its lions, elephants and the Tanougou falls.
- Duration
- 9 days
- Group
- Up to 6
- Season
- Dec – Apr
- Experience
- Wildlife
- Three full days of game drives in Pendjari with the park's own rangers
- A night inside a Tata Somba, hosted by the family
- Swimming at the Tanougou waterfalls
- The Atakora hills and the Koutammakou landscape
- Abomey and the Dassa hills on the way north
The journey
- Day 1Night in Cotonou
Arrive in Cotonou
Airport meeting, a night by the lagoon and an early start the next day.
- Day 2Night in Dassa-Zoumé
Abomey
The royal palaces, then the road to the Collines.
- Day 3Night in Natitingou
The long road north
Through Savalou and Djougou to Natitingou, with stops in market towns. About six hours of driving.
- Day 4Night in Koussoukoingou
Tata Somba country
The fortified houses of the Atakora and a night hosted inside one of them.
- Day 5Night in Pendjari lodge
Into Pendjari
Tanougou falls for a swim, then through the Batia gate. Evening game drive.
- Day 6Night in Pendjari lodge
Pendjari, full day
Dawn and dusk drives along the Pendjari river: elephants, buffalo, hippos, and the lions when they allow it.
- Day 7Night in Pendjari lodge
Pendjari, full day
The Mare Bali and the northern tracks. A night walk with the rangers, conditions permitting.
- Day 8Night in Cotonou
Natitingou and the flight south
Morning drive out of the park. Flight or drive back to Cotonou depending on the schedule.
- Day 9
Departure
Transfer to the airport.
Where you go
- 01Abomey[ 7°11′ N, 1°59′ E ]
- 02Natitingou[ 10°18′ N, 1°23′ E ]
- 03Pendjari National Park[ 10°54′ N, 1°33′ E ]
Nights along the way
Chosen for where they are and who runs them. Rooms are confirmed with your dates; we tell you the exact houses when you book.
CotonouA five-star hotel on the marina
The first and last night of most journeys, with the Atlantic on one side and the lagoon on the other.
Terraced stone balconies over a long pool, a lobby hung with Beninese painting and sculpture, a bar under a glass chandelier, a spa and tennis courts. Close enough to the airport to arrive late and leave early without losing the day.
Dassa-ZouméUnder the hills
A small hotel at the foot of the sacred hills, with the rocks lit at sunrise.
The stopover on the road north: a garden, cold drinks, and the hills of Dassa framed from the terrace. Nothing to do after dark, which is the point after a long day of driving.
The AtakoraA night in a Tata Somba
The fortified earth houses of Koutammakou, hosted by the family who built theirs.
You sleep on the roof terrace under the granary towers, as the family does in the dry season. Water is drawn, food is cooked on the fire, and the night is the darkest you will have seen. One night, by design.
PendjariA lodge inside the park
Bungalows by the river, so the first game drive starts at the door.
Inside the park boundary, with the Pendjari river below and the Atakora cliffs behind. Elephants come to the water at dusk. Rooms are fan-cooled and simple; dinner is early because the morning drive is earlier.
- Private driver throughout, English and French speaking
- All road transport in an air-conditioned 4×4 with driver
- Accommodation as described, breakfast included
- All entry fees, permits and ceremony contributions
- Airport meeting and transfers in Cotonou
- Round-the-clock support from our Cotonou office
- Park fees and three days of game drives in a park vehicle
- International flights
- E-visa fees
- Travel insurance, which we require
- Lunches and dinners unless stated
- Tips and personal purchases
Departures
Scheduled small-group departures. Private departures run on any date from two travellers.
| Dates | Duration | Per person | Availability | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19 – 27, 2026 | 9 days | From 2 300 000 F≈ €3,505 | 4 places left | Book |
| Jan 30 – Feb 7, 2027 | 9 days | From 2 300 000 F≈ €3,505 | 6 places left | Book |
| Feb 27 – Mar 7, 2027 | 9 days | From 2 300 000 F≈ €3,505 | 6 places left | Book |
| Mar 20 – 28, 2027 | 9 days | From 2 200 000 F≈ €3,355 | 6 places left | Book |
Good to know
Will we see lions?
Pendjari holds one of the last lion populations in West Africa and sightings are good from January to April, but it is a wild park, not a zoo. Elephants, buffalo, hippos and antelope are near certain.
How do I pay?
A 30% deposit confirms your dates. Pay in FCFA by MTN or Moov mobile money, or in euros by card. The balance is due 45 days before departure.
Can I travel on other dates?
Yes. Every journey runs privately on request, from two travellers. Private departures carry a small supplement outside the dry season.
Is Benin safe?
The south and centre are calm and welcoming. For the far north we follow the latest government advice and adapt routes with our local partners; we will tell you plainly if a leg has to change.
2 200 000 F
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