W National Park

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W National Park of Niger*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party Flag of Niger Niger
Type Natural
Criteria vii, ix, x
Reference 749
Region† Africa
Inscription history
Inscription 1996  (20th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
† Region as classified by UNESCO.
W National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
The River Niger meandering like a W.
The River Niger meandering like a W.
Location Niger-Burkina Faso-Benin
Coordinates 12°31′31″N 2°39′48″E / 12.52528, 2.66333
Area 10,000 km²
Established August 4, 1954

The W National Park (French: "W" du Niger) is a major national park in Niger around a meander in the River Niger shaped like a "W". While most of the park is in Niger it also extends through areas of Benin and Burkina Faso. Its 10,000 km² is largely uninhabited by humans. The park was created by decree on 4 August 1954.

The park is known for its large mammals, including aardvarks, baboons, buffalo, caracal, cheetahs, elephants, hippopotamuses, leopards, lions, serval and warthogs.

The park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

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