22 | The Lion King
Country Focus
National Park of Pendjari
The Pendjari Park is part of the largest protected reserve in
West Africa. The park covers 480 000 hectares. Chosen as
a biosphere reserve since 1986, the park hosts an extremely
rich ecosystem. Visitors can get very close to some of the 217
species recorded in the park including; elephants, baboons,
lions, and hippos.
Tata Somba
Tata-Somba are strong castles with thatched roofs and are
part of the architectural heritage of Benin. These fortified
houses, made of earth rich natural cement, covered with
clay and cow dung, and other natural materials have a
floor designed to protect humans and domestic animals
against wild animals and men. The Somba people live mainly
in Atacora (North of the country) and are known for their
unique homes -the Tata Somba. They live very traditional life
styles not found anywhere else in Benin.
The waterfalls Tanongou
About 81 km from Natitingou, Tanongou village is one of
the gateways to the Pendjari Park; a breath-taking water-
fall of rare beauty. This is about the most famous waterfall
in Benin. The waters fall from a height of about 20 meters,
which is collected at the bottom in a basin forming a natural
swimming pool of about 30 meters. This waterfall also serves
Tata Somba
(Somba house)
is a two-story
fortified house in
which the ground
floor is used for
housing livestock
at night, internal
alcoves are used
for cooking,
and the upper
floor contains a
rooftop court-
yard and is used
for drying grain,
sleeping quarters,
and granaries.
A lion in the Pendjari National Park. As a special
feature, almost all male lions of the Pendjari area
carry no manes or at best very weak manes.
Photo: Office of Tourism, Benin Republic
Pendjari National Park
is home to some of the
last populations of big
game like elephants, West
African lions and antelopes.
