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Face to Face with West Africa's Wildlife
The Penjari Biosphere is a wildlife preserve in a remote corner of the West African nation of Benin. Like many such wildlife areas, it struggles with poachers and environmental problems, but tourism, in the form of photo safaris like the one in the video, is an important source of income for the area.
Even the most jaded tourist, wary of tourist traps and non-authentic experiences, would find a safari like the one in the video exciting. The fact that getting up-close and personal with wild animals is an attractive proposition is nothing new to the African tourism industry, but fully capitalizing on the tourist potential while protecting the wildlife for future tourism is the challenge. But, there are now economic reasons for creating a sustainable tourist model. The more interest in wildlife tourism grows, the more demand there will be for sustainability.
This video was taken in early morning, when the Penjari's animals all head for the nearest watering hole. Check out the menacing elephant about a minute-and-a-half in.
Video courtesy of Boing Boing
Even the most jaded tourist, wary of tourist traps and non-authentic experiences, would find a safari like the one in the video exciting. The fact that getting up-close and personal with wild animals is an attractive proposition is nothing new to the African tourism industry, but fully capitalizing on the tourist potential while protecting the wildlife for future tourism is the challenge. But, there are now economic reasons for creating a sustainable tourist model. The more interest in wildlife tourism grows, the more demand there will be for sustainability.
This video was taken in early morning, when the Penjari's animals all head for the nearest watering hole. Check out the menacing elephant about a minute-and-a-half in.
Video courtesy of Boing Boing
Filed under: Africa, Benin, Video, Ecotourism
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ltu1542hvy Oct 11th 2008 8:06AM
Please note that it is spelled Pendjari (with a "d"). Official websire www.pendjari.net. It is a worthwhile place to visit if you haven't already become jaded by the safari parks in Southern or Eastern Africa. The accomodations at the park are very rustic at best, which depending on your view may be an advantage. Don't expect any luxury or pampering or handholding of any kind. In fact, I would recommend this place only for seasoned Africa travelers. Best time to visit is around November to Februrary, as the roads leading up to and within the park may be impassable during the rainy season(s). But getting so up close and personal with these wild animals is a very worthwhile (and potentially very dangerous) experience.
Also, while in Benin, also check out the Tata-Sombas near Boukombe, the royal palace of the Dahomey kingdom in Abomey, the slave trade and voodoo history in Ouidah, the Voodoo festival in Porto-Novo if you are there on January 10th, and Ganvie, which is the town built on stilts in the middle of a lake. All of these are "authentic" experiences devoid of any kind of mass tourism.
David Meisel Oct 16th 2008 3:10PM
A serious problem in the Reserves in Africa is that the majority are un-fenced which allows easy access for poachers
http://www.safari-stories.blogspot.com
http://www.southafrican-wildlife.blogspot.com