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Comoé River: The Lifeline of West Africa's Largest Protected Area

Explore the Comoé River, the heart of West Africa's largest national park, a haven for biodiversity and stunning landscapes.

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The Comoé River, a vital waterway in West Africa, originates in Burkina Faso and flows through Côte d'Ivoire, serving as the drainage for the northeastern part of the country before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. It is the source of life and biodiversity for the Comoé National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest protected areas in West Africa.

A brief summary to Comoé

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Local tips

  • The best time to visit Comoé National Park and see the river is during the dry season (November to March) for comfortable temperatures and easier wildlife spotting.
  • Bring insect repellent, as mosquitoes and tsetse flies can be prevalent, especially near the river.
  • Consider hiring a local guide to navigate the park and learn about the diverse flora and fauna along the Comoé River.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Bouna, the closest major town, access to Comoé National Park and the Comoé River is challenging due to rough roads. A 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended. Roads are often unpaved and can be difficult to navigate, especially during the rainy season. There are no established car rental agencies in Bouna, so arranging transportation from larger cities like Abidjan is necessary. Expect a full-day drive from Abidjan to Bouna, followed by several hours to reach the park entrance. There are no tolls. Parking is available near the park's entrance, but facilities are basic.

  • Public Transport

    Public transport to Comoé National Park is limited and unreliable. Shared taxis or bush taxis ('gbakas') can take you from Abidjan to Bouna, but these are often overcrowded and make frequent stops. From Bouna, hiring a local driver with a 4x4 is the only practical option to reach the park and the river. The cost for a shared taxi from Abidjan to Bouna is approximately 5,000-10,000 CFA francs. Hiring a driver in Bouna can cost between 15,000-30,000 CFA francs for a day trip to the park, depending on the vehicle and negotiation.

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Discover more about Comoé

The Comoé River stretches approximately 759 kilometers, beginning its journey on the Sikasso Plateau of Burkina Faso. It crosses the Cascades de Karfiguéla and briefly forms a border between Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire before fully entering Côte d'Ivoire. The river's course through the Comoé National Park, extending for over 230 kilometers, is the reason for the area's diverse plant and animal life. The river's presence explains the existence of plant species typically found further south, such as shrub savannas and patches of dense rainforest, making the park an outstanding example of a transitional habitat between forest and savanna. This variety of habitats fosters a wide diversity of wildlife species. The river and its tributaries are home to around 60 species of fish. The park also hosts notable reptiles, including three species of crocodiles, one of which is the dwarf crocodile. The river's ecosystem supports several threatened species, including chimpanzees, African wild dogs, and elephants. Historically, the area around the Comoé River was sparsely populated, likely due to relatively infertile soil, the presence of river blindness, and the high density of tsetse flies. The river has also been a source of legend, including the story of Queen Pokou, who is said to have sacrificed her son to allow her people to cross the river, leading to the emergence of hippopotamuses that formed a bridge. Today, the Comoé River remains a critical resource for the region's ecology and the communities that depend on it.

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