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Geographic overview of surrounding protected landscapes and regional boundaries

Protected Areas and National Parks Near Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari in West Africa

Examine the distribution of protected areas and national parks situated in the geographic vicinity of the Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari. This overview provides context on nearby conservation landscapes, mapped park boundaries, and the wider regional geography of West Africa's Sudano-Sahelian zone.

An illustrative style digital artwork showing a mountain valley landscape with a winding river, dense evergreen forests, waterfalls falling from cliff faces, and a sunrise sky.

A vast transboundary UNESCO World Heritage complex of Sudano-Sahelian protected landscapes shared by Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari

The Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari, widely known as the WAP Complex, is a transboundary UNESCO World Heritage Site that links together some of the most important protected natural areas of West Africa's Sudano-Sahelian zone. Spanning Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger, it unites the W National Park, the Pendjari National Park, and the Arly National Park into a single conservation landscape at the heart of the region. The broader complex encompasses roughly 1.5 million hectares of connected savanna, woodland, river valley, and rocky escarpment habitats. Its ecological value was first recognized by UNESCO in 1996 and was significantly extended in 2017, while in October 2020 the surrounding areas were jointly designated as a transboundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that covers more than 94,000 square kilometers and is home to around four million people. The WAP region is best known for its populations of large mammals, especially elephants and lions, which have long made the area one of the most important strongholds for savanna wildlife in West Africa. At the same time, the complex has become a focal point for regional conservation efforts because transboundary management is essential to maintaining viable populations across the interconnected protected zones.

Location
Benin
Park type
Protected area
Established
1996
Area
14,948.3 km²
Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari Protected Area Map
Regional park map

See the ranked park cluster in its geographic setting

Nearby parks around Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari

This regional map shows the same 20 nearby parks ranked below around Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari. Select a ranked marker to highlight that park’s boundary where boundary data is available.
Reference park: Complexe W-Arly-PendjariRanked nearby park20 nearby parks shown
20 nearby parks

Distance-ranked conservation areas across regional park geography

Parks and Protected Areas Geographically Near Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari

Geographic proximity metrics organize nearby protected areas around Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari by direct spatial separation and surrounding territorial context. Reviewing these neighboring conservation zones reveals broader regional landscape patterns without assuming identical environmental conditions or shared borders.
National parkBenin
About 11 km away#1 closest

South

Parc national du W du Benin: Regional Geography and Protected Savanna Landscapes

Northern Benin flagship protected area and transboundary conservation hub.

Located in northern Benin, Parc national du W du Benin provides a unique window into the Sudano-Sahelian zone. The park features a mosaic of riverine gallery forests along the Mékrou and Alibori rivers, stretching across open Sudanian savannas to meet the rugged edges of the Atacora mountains. This protected area stands as a central pillar in the WAP complex, offering a clear map of interconnected wildlife habitats and significant ecological corridors in West Africa.

Area
5,632.8 km²
Established
1950
IUCN
II
Relief
Upland
National parkNiger
About 12 km away#2 closest

North

W National Park: Niger National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site & Ramsar Wetland

Transborder savanna ecosystem and dramatic Niger River landscape.

W National Park in Niger offers a unique atlas view of a vast protected landscape defined by the Niger River's iconic W-shaped bend. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar Wetland, it protects crucial savanna plains, extensive floodplains, and rocky outcrops. This transborder conservation area is a vital habitat for West African wildlife, providing a rich context for geographic discovery and landscape exploration.

Area
10,000 km²
Established
1954
IUCN
II
Relief
Mixed relief
National parkBenin
About 42 km away#3 closest

Southwest

Pendjari National Park: Mapping Benin's Primary Protected Savanna Ecosystem and Wilderness

Located in northwestern Benin, bordering the WAP transboundary complex.

Pendjari National Park represents a significant conservation landscape in West Africa, featuring a complex geography of river-fed riparian forests, sprawling savanna plains, and the high-elevation cliffs of the Atakora mountain range. This protected area offers a look into an intact savanna wilderness, serving as a vital sanctuary for large mammals and diverse bird species within its clearly defined boundaries.

Area
2,755 km²
IUCN
II
Relief
Highland
Climate
Subtropical
A watercolor painting showing a wide, panoramic landscape featuring dry, open terrain, low rolling hills in the background, and sparse vegetation, including distinctive baobab trees.
National parkAtacora Department
About 42 km away#4 closest

West

Parc national de la Pendjari: Geographic Atlas and Protected Area Overview in Atacora Department

Savanna plains and quartzite mountain ridges in West Africa

Parc national de la Pendjari represents an ecologically vital protected landscape in the Atacora Department of Benin. This atlas overview details its complex geography, ranging from the flat sandstone peneplain to the permanent waters of the Pendjari River. Learn how these boundaries support one of the most significant contiguous savanna ecosystems in West Africa, featuring diverse habitats from gallery forests to open woodlands.

Area
4,700 km²
Established
1961
IUCN
II
Visitors
7K annual
National parkTapoa Province
About 90 km away#5 closest

West

Arli National Park National Park: Mapped Protected Landscape in Tapoa Province

Explore its geographic context and boundaries.

Arli National Park stands as a critical protected area, identified as a national park within Tapoa Province. This detail page serves as an atlas-focused entry point to understanding the park's unique landscape characteristics and its precise geographic location. Users can investigate its mapped boundaries and explore how it fits into the regional geography, offering a foundational understanding for protected-area discovery.

Area
760 km²
Established
1954
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
Protected areaDosso
About 111 km away#6 closest

Northeast

Feuchtgebiet am mittleren Niger: Protected Wetland Geography and River Floodplain Atlas

Geographic overview of floodplain terrain in Dosso, Niger

Feuchtgebiet am mittleren Niger preserves a vital mosaic of riverine channels, temporary ponds, and floodplain flats. This protected area stands as a distinctive aquatic corridor within the Sahel, characterized by diverse water-based habitats and seasonal vegetation shifts that define the regional geography of Dosso.

Area
521.8 km²
Established
2001
Relief
Lowland
Scope
Terrestrial
A soft, light watercolor painting of a valley landscape with rolling green hills, distant purplish mountains, and patches of pink, yellow, and green vegetation.
Wildlife reserveNiger
About 113 km away#7 closest

Northeast

Dallol Bosso Wildlife Reserve: Geographic Atlas and Protected Landscape Context in Niger

A 350-kilometer seasonal wetland corridor and regional hydrologic system

Dallol Bosso stands as a major seasonal drainage corridor in western Niger. This wildlife reserve spans from the Malian border to the Niger River, offering a distinct study in Sahelian hydrology. Its alluvial soils and wetland characteristics support specific agricultural patterns, making it a focal point for understanding the human and natural geography of the Boboye region.

Area
8,921.22 km²
Established
2004
Relief
Lowland
Climate
Subtropical
A soft watercolor painting of a winding river flowing through a green woodland savanna with hills in the background.
Protected areaAlibori
About 117 km away#8 closest

Southeast

Forêt classée de la Sota: Exploring Protected Woodlands in the Alibori Department

A historic Sudano-Sahelian savanna and riverine ecosystem

Forêt classée de la Sota stands as a critical protected woodland in northeastern Benin. This expansive 53,000 hectare reserve protects unique Sudano-Sahelian terrain defined by the Sota River basin, supporting a diverse range of savanna wildlife and complex riparian habitats across the Alibori region.

Area
530 km²
Established
1947
Relief
Lowland
Climate
Tropical
Wildlife reserveDosso Region
About 117 km away#9 closest

East

Feuchtgebiet am mittleren Niger II: Wetland Geography and Wildlife Reserve Boundaries

A seasonal floodplain corridor in the Dosso Region of Niger.

Feuchtgebiet am mittleren Niger II offers a clear view into the flood-pulse ecology of the middle Niger River. The reserve comprises a complex network of channels, ponds, and riverine woodlands that shift with the annual rains. This protected site in the Dosso Region acts as a crucial transboundary conservation area, showcasing the unique interaction between riparian forests, baobab groves, and seasonal aquatic terrain.

Area
385.55 km²
Established
2004
Relief
Lowland
Scope
Terrestrial
National parkNiger
About 117 km away#10 closest

North

W of the Niger National Park: National Park Protected Landscape and Geographic Atlas

Explore the mapped boundaries and regional geography of this protected area.

W of the Niger National Park is a designated national park offering detailed atlas-level context for its protected landscape. Users can investigate its mapped boundaries, understand its regional geographic setting, and gain insight into its unique natural terrain. This entry provides a focused view of the park's identity within the broader atlas for protected-area exploration.

Area
10,000 km²
Established
1954
Relief
Mixed relief
Climate
Tropical
Protected areaDosso Region
About 135 km away#11 closest

Northeast

Dallol Maouri Protected Area: Geographic Overview of Niger's Fossilized Wetland Valleys

Mapping seasonal pond systems and floodplain corridors in the Dosso Region

Dallol Maouri serves as a quintessential example of the ancient drainage systems found in the Iullemmeden Basin. As a Ramsar-listed protected area, it features a unique north to south orientation that fosters a rich transition between dryland Sahel and Sudanian savanna. The valley is defined by its seasonal mares, palm groves, and intricate network of koris tributaries that shape the geography of southwestern Niger.

Area
3,175.2 km²
Established
2004
Relief
Lowland
Climate
Subtropical
Nature reserveBenin
About 148 km away#12 closest

Southeast

Forêt classée des Trois Rivières: Geographic Context and Protected Landscape Map

Nature reserve protecting vital northern Benin river catchments.

Spanning over 2,595 square kilometers in northern Benin, Forêt classée des Trois Rivières functions as a critical watershed protector for the Sota, Tassiné, and Bouli rivers. The reserve sustains a fragile Sudano-Sahelian ecosystem where open tree savanna and gallery forests provide refuge for elephants and other wildlife. Its mapped boundaries offer a look at the historical and ecological struggle to maintain intact forest fragments within a landscape defined by agricultural expansion and river basin management.

Area
2,595 km²
Established
1949
IUCN
II
Protected areaKompienga Province
About 186 km away#13 closest

West

Lac de la Kompienga: Geography and Mapped Protected Landscapes in Kompienga Province

A landmark hydroelectric reservoir and wetland habitat

Lac de la Kompienga constitutes a primary water resource and ecological site within the dry savanna of Burkina Faso. This artificial reservoir creates a vital wetland mosaic, supporting diverse aquatic birdlife and fisheries while functioning as a critical component of the regional Volta Basin hydrology. The site captures the transition between engineered water management and the natural dry woodland ecosystems characteristic of the Est Region.

Area
175.45 km²
Established
1988
Relief
Lowland
Scope
Terrestrial
Protected areaBorgou
About 197 km away#14 closest

South

Forêt classée de N'Dali: Protected Savanna and Woodland Mosaic in Borgou, Benin

A study in northern Benin savanna and gallery forest geography

Forêt classée de N'Dali stands as a defined protected area within Benin, preserving a complex mosaic of tree savanna and open woodland. This reserve captures the essential Sudano-Sahelian landscape character of the Borgou region, featuring a pattern of vegetation controlled by seasonal drainage and soil variation.

Established
1942
National parkKara Region
About 234 km away#15 closest

Southwest

Oti-Kéran National Park: Togo's Vast Protected Savanna Ecosystem and Regional Geography

Explore the mapped terrain and protected landscape of this key national park.

Delve into the geography of Oti-Kéran National Park, Togo's largest national park situated in the Kara Region. This protected savanna landscape, recognized as a Ramsar site, offers insights into its unique sudanian zone terrain, important bird habitats, and its function as a wildlife migration corridor. Understanding its mapped boundaries and ecological significance provides a core piece of the West African protected areas atlas.

Area
690 km²
Established
1950
IUCN
II
Relief
Lowland
National parkSavanes Region
About 248 km away#16 closest

West

Fosse aux Lions National Park: National Park Exploration in Togo's Savanes Region

Mapped protected area geography and landscape context.

Fosse aux Lions National Park represents a distinct protected landscape within the Savanes Region of Togo. This entry focuses on its identity as a national park, providing structured information on its geographic placement and mapped boundaries. It serves as a core element for understanding the distribution of protected areas and the specific natural terrain within this region of Togo, aiding in comprehensive atlas-style exploration.

Area
16.5 km²
Established
1954
IUCN
II
Relief
Lowland
Protected areaSierra Leone
About 269 km away#17 closest

Foge Islands Protected Area: Geographic Boundaries and Wetland Landscape

Key protected area in Sierra Leone

The Foge Islands function as a vital protected area characterized by dynamic wetland landscapes and shifting fluvial boundaries. This resource provides a focused geographic overview of the island terrain, detailing the environmental features and regional placement within the wider Sierra Leone landscape. Understand the physical composition and ecological importance of this unique protected site through detailed map-driven analysis.

Area
42.287 km²
Established
2008
Relief
Lowland
Climate
Tropical
National parkNigeria
About 279 km away#18 closest

Southeast

Kainji National Park: Nigeria's National Park for Geographic Discovery

Mapped protected landscape and regional geographic context.

Kainji National Park represents a significant protected landscape within Nigeria, offering a distinct focal point for geographic atlas exploration. As a national park, its mapped boundaries and regional context are essential for understanding the distribution of natural areas in West Africa. This entry provides a grounded perspective on its landscape, enabling detailed study for those interested in the structured geography of conservation lands.

Area
5,340.82 km²
Established
1978
IUCN
II
Relief
Lowland
A watercolor painting showing soft, rolling hills with hints of trees in muted green, yellow, and pink tones against a white background.
Protected areaSahel Region
About 283 km away#19 closest

Northwest

Lac Higa Protected Area: Wetland Geography and Sahel Region Landscape Mapping

A vital freshwater ecosystem in northeastern Burkina Faso.

Explore the spatial characteristics of Lac Higa, a permanent wetland and protected area in the Sahel Region of Burkina Faso. This atlas entry details the lake basin, the Yali River connection, and the surrounding shrub savanna terrain, providing essential context for this unique hydrological and biological site.

Area
15.14 km²
Relief
Lowland
Climate
Arid
Scope
Terrestrial
National parkTogo
About 313 km away#20 closest

Southwest

Fazao-Malfakassa National Park: Togo's Expansive Protected Mountainous Terrain and Forest Refuge

Explore a unique West African national park with diverse ecosystems and vital conservation importance.

Fazao-Malfakassa National Park stands as Togo's largest national park, a protected expanse of mountainous terrain in the eastern highlands crucial for regional conservation. This wilderness area shelters significant forest ecosystems and serves as a vital watershed, contributing to the ecological integrity of West Africa. Its diverse landscape, characterized by rugged ridges and valleys, offers a unique insight into Togo's protected natural heritage and its role as a biodiversity corridor.

IUCN
II
Scope
Terrestrial
Distance methodology

Geographic measurements, not driving distances

How nearby park distances are calculated

Distances use park boundaries whenever the available geometry allows it. When one or both boundaries are missing, the mapped park locations provide a clearly labelled estimate. Every value represents straight-line geographic separation and does not use roads or routing.

Boundary distance

Calculated between the nearest points of both park boundaries.

Location-to-boundary estimate

Estimated from one mapped park location to the nearest boundary of the other park.

Mapped-location estimate

Estimated between the mapped locations of both parks.

MoriAtlas Explorer

Explore the Geographic Boundaries of the Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari Protected Area

Navigate the sprawling savanna landscapes and river-linked habitats of the Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari. MoriAtlas provides a detailed look at this transboundary conservation area to help you understand its vital role in the geography and ecology of West Africa.