Why this ride
On the way it passes W-Arly-Pendjari Complex and back through W-Arly-Pendjari Complex. It crosses from Benin into Burkina Faso - carry ID and check the toll rules.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex and W-Arly-Pendjari Complex · 517 km
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 517 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 8 h 55
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
Ordered leg totals agree within rounding. Stop distances are approximate sums of rounded legs. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: planning record, not independently verified geometry.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distances and riding times are planning figures. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
This is the great wildlife country of West Africa, where three nations meet at a bend of the Niger river. The W park takes its name from the shape of the river's loops, and together with the Arly reserve in Burkina Faso and the Pendjari in Benin it forms the largest protected savannah area in the region. Elephants, buffalo, hippos and several kinds of antelope live here, and so do lions and a small, precious population of cheetahs. In the dry months from January to April animals gather at the remaining waterholes, which is when watching is best.
Read the complete W-Arly-Pendjari Complex write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is where the day begins. Next is W-Arly-Pendjari Complex.
2. W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
West Africa's last great savanna wilderness sits where Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso meet. The W-Arly-Pendjari complex, named after the three parks that make it up, covers more than ten thousand square kilometres of grassland, riverine forest and rocky ridges, and holds the largest population of elephants in West Africa, along with lions, cheetahs, hippos and buffalo. The W takes its name from the double bend of the Niger river that traces the shape of that letter, and the whole complex was listed by UNESCO in 1996 and extended later.
Read the complete W-Arly-Pendjari Complex write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex comes up about 89 km into the recorded legs. Next is W-Arly-Pendjari Complex.
3. W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
West Africa's last great savanna wilderness lies where three countries meet, and it is a place with a fierce beauty and a difficult present. The W–Arly–Pendjari complex spans Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, and its name comes from the shape of the Niger river as it bends in a W through the W National Park. It is the biggest block of protected savanna in West Africa and holds the region's largest population of elephants, as well as lions, cheetahs, hippos, buffalo and many antelope. UNESCO listed it in 2017 as a transboundary site.
Read the complete W-Arly-Pendjari Complex write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 260 km into the recorded legs you reach W-Arly-Pendjari Complex. Next is back through W-Arly-Pendjari Complex.
4. back through W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete W-Arly-Pendjari Complex write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, late in the day.
5. W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete W-Arly-Pendjari Complex write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at W-Arly-Pendjari Complex. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex to W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex → W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is 171 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex to back through W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex → back through W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is 171 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through W-Arly-Pendjari Complex to W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
back through W-Arly-Pendjari Complex → W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is 171 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.