This game reserve, which lies just two hours south of Niamey (near the town of Dosso), is home to elephants, gazelles, lions, baboons and waterbucks. Niger shares the reserve with its neighbors, Benin, Togo and Burkina Faso. Though it's only a short drive from the capital, plan to stay overnight at the hotel on the edge of the park or camp at the official campsite (fairly expensive) recently constructed by the government. It is possible to get permission at park headquarters to enter the park with a guide, but you should make prior arrangements (in Niamey) for meals and sleeping accommodations. At Park W, the best viewing is at dawn at the watering holes near park headquarters. Visit from November to March (the park is closed during the summer months). 65 mi/105 km south of Niamey.
