Water is one of nature’s most vital resources to all life on earth. To satisfy the need of thirst animals periodically assemble near different seasonal or permanent water sources in the Park. Many visitors observe animals by water sources where instinctively each animal comes to drink at roughly fixed time intervals, without conflict of other species except when it is a predator. This phenomenon can be observed on the banks of the Pendjari River and different water sources in the park.
Lakes or ponds are the main attractions of the park. Many observations of animals occur near the lakes or ponds because the presence of water. Dozens of seasonal and permanent lakes exist in the park but only a few are managed for wildlife viewing. The main lakes to discover during your visit to the park are Bali, Yangouali, Sacrée, Diwouni, Fogou, and Tiabiga and Koudjédigou. Some have a watchtower and others like the duck (Canard) pond, the hippo pond and many others, can only be viewed from the park’s trails.
Permanent Lakes are deep which gives them the capability to not dry up even during the drought. Lake Diwouni is about 1200 meters long, 600 meters wide and one meter deep; home to colonies of waterlilies and other aquatic plants such as swimming écornifle. Lake Tiabiga extends about 700 meters long, 150 meters wide and one meter deep. There are many hippopotami in this lake which reduce the amount of submersible plants such as water lilies.
Sacred is the Lake 400 meters long, 200 meters wide and 3 meters deep. It does not contain aquatic plants but is surrounded by a beautiful view of the forest. Yangouali is the largest Lake with 1300 meters in length, 200 meters width and a depth of 3.5 meters. It lacks aquatic plants but there is a border of trees and savannas with Acacia and Balanites.
Koudjedigou is a shallow pond surrounded by Daniella. Often in the late dry season it dries up almost completely like the Fogou Pond. Bali’s is most visited Lake because it attracts animals throughout the year especially in the driest times of the year. Its geographical position makes it the hub for all park visitors.
