Ivory Coast’s Hidden National Parks: 3 Treasures Worth Discovering

There’s no better way to connect with Ivory Coast’s natural beauty than by exploring its national parks and protected areas, which you can find scattered around the country in abundance. Today, we’re going to look at three of these hidden gems in the hope of sparking your interest in visiting them. Here’s what to know about the Bafing-Bouagba National Park, Taï National Park and Comoé National Park.

Taï National Park

Ta National Park, one of Ivory Coast’s major tourist destinations, is renowned for having one of West Africa’s few remaining primary rainforests. The variety of its flora and animals led to its designation as a national park in 1972. Since it is home to several rare, threatened animal species, the majority of tourists are intrigued by its diverse biodiversity. And because much of the land is virgin forest, Taï National Park remains an unspoiled natural habitat that is unique in this region.
The Rivière des Apôtres (or River of Apostles) is one of Ivory Coast’s most important watersheds and its tributaries flow through much of northern Côte d’Ivoire.
This important waterway has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

Banco National Park

Although Banco National Park in Ivory Coast may not be the most breathtaking, it is most likely the most conveniently accessible owing to its closeness to the nation’s capital, Abidjan. Compared to other national parks in this country, it is relatively small, but its varied flora and animals make a trip there worthwhile. The park consists of evergreen forests that have been planted by humans since colonial times. These forests are home to over 200 species of trees and plants, many of which are indigenous only to Africa.

Comoé National Park

The largest protected area in West Africa, not just in Ivory Coast, is Comoé National Park. Its vast landscapes range from the arid Sudanian region to the wet Guinea savanna, which contributes to the region’s richness of different plant life. At 18 000 hectares and over 50 mammal species, it’s a wildlife haven that should be on every nature lover’s bucket list.
The park also offers some great accommodation for travelers interested in staying overnight to see the beautiful sunrise and sunset over its lush rainforest backdrop.