IVORY COAST: Comoé National Park

Comoe National Park is famous for its abundant and exotic plant life. There are hundreds of species of the most rare and fascinating plants that embellish the grounds of the park, which also showcases a few sections of a soothing rain forest and an almost hypnotically beautiful Comoe River.

The park houses botanical wonders like the shrub savannas that are a hard to find genus, seen mostly in the southern region. Comoe National Park boasts of topography that facilitates rich biodiversity and abundant natural charm. It is at its best when the floodplains surrounding the River Comoe convert into seasonal make-shift grasslands that are frequented by a variety of beasts from the adjoining forests for feeding.

Travelers flock here to catch rare snapshots of a hippopotamus or a stray African crocodile, apart from several varieties of rare migratory birds. The National Park also finds itself in the list of UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in Danger due to intense poaching and lack of efficient management.

The Comoé National Park is a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Zanzan and Savanes Districts of north-eastern Ivory Coast.

It is the largest protected area in West Africa, with an area of 11,500 km2, and ranges from the humid Guinea savanna to the dry Sudanian zone.

This steep climatic north-south gradient allows the park to harbour a multitude of habitats with a remarkable diversity of life. Some animal and plant species even find their last sanctuary in some of the different savanna types, gallery forests, riparian grasslands, rock outcrops or forest islands.

The park was initially added as a World Heritage Site due to the diversity of plant life present around the Comoé River, including pristine patches of tropical rain forest that are usually only found further south.As a well-eroded plain between two large rivers, the land in the area is home to relatively infertile soils and a moisture regime suitable to a richer biodiversity than surrounding areas.

In 2003 it was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger due to poaching, absence of management, overgrazing of the park by cattle, problems that intensified after the outbreak of the First Ivorian Civil War.

The 41st World Heritage Committee Session (Krakow, 2-12 July 2017) has decided to take Comoe National Park off the List of World Heritage in Danger following improvements in the conservation of its fauna and habitat.

The area around the Comoé National Park was historically always sparsely populated.

Most likely due to the relative barenness of the soil, the presence of the river blindness disease around the Comoé river and the high density of Tsetse flies, which is a vector for sleeping sickness.In 1926 the area between the Comoé River and Bouna was declared Refuge Nord de la Côte d'Ivoire, which was enlarged later in 1942 and 53 to Réserve de Faune de Bouna, giving it some rudimentary protection.

The area west of the Comoé river was added to the property on 9 February 1968 combined with an elevation to National Park status with an area of 11,500 square kilometres (4,400 sq mi), making it one of the 15 largest National Parks in the World and the largest in West Africa.In 1983 the park was pronounced a biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site, due to its unique biodiversity.

After the outbreak of the first Ivorian civil war the park was listed as a World Heritage Site in Danger in 2003, due to absence of management leading to poaching and overgrazing of the park by cattle.During the time between the two civil wars the park suffered greatly under intensive poaching.

After the end of the Second Ivorian Civil War the park was able to recover again with the presence of the OIPR (park management) and the re-inauguration of the research station.

The steep climatic north-south gradient comprises a multitude of habitats containing a remarkable diversity of life, making it the most biodiverse savanna in the world, and ranges from the dry Sudanian zone to the comparatively humid Guinea Savanna.

These habitats include for the most part different savannas, forest islands, gallery forests and riparian grasslands, thereby providing an ideal example of transitional habitats throughout various climatic zones.

The Comoé river, flowing throughout Côte d'Ivoire also allowed for various habitats and plant associations normally found further south to exist in the park, like patches of dense gallery forest in the vicinity of the river.

This variety of habitats throughout different zones and the vast area dedicated to the conservation of natural resources make it an ecological unit of particular importance and a UNESCO World heritage site.

Geomorphologically the park consists of large plains through which the Comoé River and its tributaries flow (Iringou, Bavé, Kongo). The Comoé river and its tributaries form the main drainage and the Comoé runs through the park for 230 kilometres (140 mi), with watercourses also draining to the Volta in the east.

There are also various permanent and semi permanent ponds distributed throughout the park, most of which dry out during the dry season. The soils are for the most part infertile and unsuitable for cultivation. Granite inselbergs also rise up to 600 metres (2,000 ft) within the park's area.

Comoé National Park has the most biodiverse savannah in the world and forms the northern limit for many animal species, like the yellow-backed duiker and bongo.There are a total of 135 mammal species in the park. This includes 11 species of primates like the olive baboon, green monkey, lesser spot-nosed monkey, Mona monkey, black and white colobus, olive colobus, white collared mangabey and chimpanzee.

A total of 17 carnivore species registered, but at least 3 species are believed to have become extinct in the park - cheetah, wild dog since and most recently lion.

There are also 21 species of artiodactyl present in the park including hippopotamus, bushpig, bongo, warthog, buffalo, kob, red-flanked duiker, bushbuck, waterbuck, roan antelope and oribi.

Threatened mammal species include the chimpanzee (EN), white-collared mangabey (EN), ursine colobus (VU), African elephant (VU), hippopotamus (VU), giant pangolin (VU), long-tailed pangolin (VU), leopard (VU), African golden cat (VU), Buffon kob (VU), bongo (NT), western hartebeest (NT), Defassa waterbuck (NT), bay duiker (NT), yellow-backed duiker (NT), olive colobus (NT).

There are over 500 species of birds, of which roughly 20% are inter-African migratory birds and another 5% palearctic migratory birds. Some prominent bird species include the Denham's bustard, yellow-casqued hornbill, brown-cheeked hornbill, hammerkop, black-winged stilt, various raptors, four of the six West African stork species and five vulture species.

The park also contains 36 out of the 38 of the iconic bird species found in Sudo-Guinean savannas.

The Comoé river and its tributaries contain at least 60 different species of fish and allow for an unusually high diversity of amphibian species for a savannah habitat with 35 described species. There are also a total of 71 described reptile species, of which three are crocodiles: the dwarf crocodile (Vulnerable), Nile crocodile and slender-snouted crocodile (Critically Endangered).

The floodplains around the river create seasonal grasslands that are optimal feeding grounds for hippopotamus and migratory birds.

The property contains around 620 plant species, composed of 191 ligneous species (62 trees, 129 shrubs and vines) and 429 herbaceous species, including 104 grasses.The park encompasses various transitional habitat, from forest to savannah, with various plant associations typical of more southern regions.

Gallery forests, open forests and riparian grasslands occur alongside all types of savannah, which occupy roughly 90% of the park.The forest is composed of many leguminous trees.

In the gallery forests Cynometra sp. is the most dominant genus while patches of dry forest islands are generally inhabited by Anogeissus leiocarpus, Antiaris africana, Isoberlinia doka, Cola cordifolia, the nationally threatened Chlorophora excelsa and Blighia unijugata. In the flood plains Hyparrhenia rufa is the most common species.

The Comoé National Park Research Station, located in the Comoé National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, was founded by Professor Karl Eduard Linsenmair in 1989/90. Its state of the art facilities, with electricity, running water, Internet and a large climatised laboratory make it one of the most modern field stations in Africa.

The research station was forced to close after the outbreak of the First Ivorian Civil War in 2002. After the end of the Second Ivorian Civil War in 2011 repairs at the station began and in 2014 the station had achieved again its full working capacity. The focus of the field-based research is on conservation, tropical ecology and behaviour.

The Comoé National Park was listed as a World Heritage Site in Danger in 2003 mainly due to an increase in poaching caused by the lack of management after the outbreak of the first ivorian civil war. After the end of the Second Ivorian Civil War and the stabilisation of the region the wildlife authority agency OIPR (Office Ivorien des Parcs et Reserves) has resumed their work in the Comoé National Park.

The OIPR applied to the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) for funding and was successful in being awarded a maximum grant of $30,000 to secure the park.The major challenges management faces are successful combating of poaching, reducing agricultural pressures and the renovation of the streets in the park for proper access control.

The main projects to combat these problems are the establishment of an efficient surveillance system in the park and close cooperation with local communities to reduce the pressures on the periphery of the park through participatory management and the establishment of sustainable income sources for the villagers.



Tourism Observer

IVORY COAST: Becoming A Major Tourist Destination

Comoe National Park
The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is back as a destination on the world stage as the Ivorian government makes resources available to develop infrastructure and support international marketing efforts.

IFTM Top Resa is considered a priority market for the National Office of Tourism of Côte d’Ivoire. We have a long-standing historical relationship with France and it is a natural move to be present at IFTM Top Resa every year, especially as French inbound is our top market next to the whole of Africa, explains Roger Kacou, Minister of Tourism.

We use the opportunity of our presence at the show to organise many meetings with French tourism professionals, such as a meeting to talk about marketing promotion and cooperation with the President of SNAV, Jean-Pierre Mas, he adds.

Côte d’Ivoire remains a relatively small destination when looking at numbers: 1.2 million foreign travellers in 2O15, which includes business, leisure and VFR travellers – but this is a steady market, growing year after year. Tourism is turning into an important economic activity in our country.

Just imagine; it had a share of only 0.6% of our GDP in 2011. In 2014, it stood already at 4.8% and we are now at over 5%”, says Kacou. We believe that tourism might, in the future, have a similar share of GDP to cocoa, our largest industry, with a GDP share of 12%.

The Côte d’Ivoire government leverages two main fields for the promotion of tourism. First, the country has, since 2011, identified the regions able to support the development of the destination. “They are basically ten areas ready to welcome international travellers.

Abidjan and its metropolitan area is one, with Grand Bassam, a colonial city, which is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage and is a precious cultural tourism asset. We then have our 550 km long coast, which is ideal for the development of seaside tourism. It starts from Jacqueville, in the proximity of Abidjan and stretches up to Sassandra and San Pédro, two important seaside resort cities”, adds the Minister.

San Pédro is already the country’s second most important port and now has an international airport. Our coast is made of lagoons and bays, offering safe conditions for travellers, explains the Minister.

In the north, the government has identified Kong and Korhogo as key cultural destinations. Kong has a number of centuriesold mosques while Korhogo is a destination for the discovery of the Senoufos ethnic people, who, says the Minister, are famed for its dances as well as their handicrafts. We have indeed over 60 different ethnics living in the country and we now work to see how to promote this diversity.

The Republic has also some beautiful national parks. Taï National Park, in the south, is probably the best known in the country. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and has some of the last families of intelligent Chimpanzees.

The clever animals are even able to crack nuts with a nutcracker! Another important natural asset, and also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is Comoe National Park with its rare endemic animals.

We might not be Kenya, but we have some of Africa’s most pristine reserves and national parks with over two million hectares of savannahs and rainforests, smiles Kacou.

The Minister says that to accompany the development of tourism, the country’s infrastructure has been greatly improved since 2011: We now have a motorway linking Abidjan to Yamassoukro and are currently building one between Abidjan and San Pédro. We also opened six regional airports within the country, all linked to Abidjan by our national airline, Air Côte d’Ivoire.

The Ivorian people are an asset unto themselves. We have a great sense of hospitality and also a good sense of humour. I promise that we know how to make our guests at ease and give them the best of our country. Everyone is truly welcomed in our country. I believe this is our most precious asset, concludes Kacou.



Tourism Observer

IVORY COAST: Visit Ivory Coast, It Is An Interesting African Destination

Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa with a southerly facing North Atlantic Ocean coast.

It is bordered by Ghana to the east, Liberia to the west, Guinea to the northwest, Mali to the north, and Burkina Faso to the northeast.

Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Côte d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil.

In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Côte d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government.

Junta leader Robert Guei blatantly rigged elections held in late 1999 and declared himself the winner.

Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent Gbagbo into liberation.

Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002.

Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country, and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord.

President Gbagbo and rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the civil war, such as land reform and grounds for citizenship, remained unresolved.

Elections were finally held in 2010 with the first round of elections being held peacefully, and widely hailed as free and fair.

Laurent Gbagbo, as president, ran against former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara.

On 2 Dec 2010, the Electoral Commission declared that Ouattara had won the election by a margin of 54% to 46%. The majority of the rest of the world's governments supported that declaration, but the Gbagbo-aligned Constitutional Council rejected it and then announced the country's borders had been sealed.

The presidential election led to the 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis and to the Second Ivorian Civil War. After months of unsuccessful negotiations and sporadic violence, the crisis entered a critical stage as Ouattara's forces seized control of most of the country.

By Apr 2011, pro-Ouattara forces had penetrated Abidjan and street-level combat between the two sides led to the capture of Gbagbo and the situation has now stabilised.

However, many governments are still advising their citizens against travel to Côte d'Ivoire even though several thousand UN peacekeepers and several hundred French troops remain in Cote d'Ivoire to support the transition process.

Tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October). The coast has heavy surf and no natural harbours; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible.

Mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in the northwest. Most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region. Apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated. The highest point is Mont Nimba (1,752 meters).

Lagunes (Abidjan) - the coastal lagoons area around the de facto capital of Abidjan

Northern Savanna (Bouaké, Comoe National Park) - the largely Muslim area held in recent years by rebel "New Forces"

Southwestern Forests (Taï National Park, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve) - the tropical wet forest area inhabited by the Kru people bordering Liberia

Eastern Plantations (Yamoussoukro) - the partially cultivated area between Lac de Kossou and the border with Ghana

Abidjan - Remains the administrative center and other countries maintain their embassies there.

Korhogo - Rebel head quarters; otherwise idyllic, bursts with commerce during Feb - May because of flowing cotton and cashew trade.

Aboisso - Important mile stone on the route connecting Abidjan and Ghana trade route

Bouaké - the second largest city

Dabou

San Pedro - the second port city

Yamoussoukro - Although it has been the official capital since 1983, it is not the administrative centre.

Grand-Bassam - A coastal town full of colonial charm, often a retreat for local Ivorians seeking to escape the city life of Abidjan on the weekends.

Man - A town in the central west surrounded by hills and a great place for hiking up Mount Tonkoui.

Three National Parks are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

- Taï National Park

- Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve

Visa To Ivory Coast
All non CEFA country citizens visiting Côte d'Ivoire must obtain a visa before arrival.

The process is online at the Official Website for Visa.

Citizens of the United States can now apply for a tourist visa over the internet.

The website design is lacking and completing the application process may require you to translate some french.

Alternatively, Americans looking to travel to Côte d'Ivoire may contact the embassy in Washington D.C. directly

The Ivory Coast embassy of Conakry currently refuses to deliver visas to get from Guinea to Ivory Coast and the border is theorically closed.

Visiting Ivory Coast By Plane
The Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport (ABJ) has daily scheduled flights to and from Paris by Air France and Corsair, Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Brussels (Brussels airlines), and Dubai (Emirates).

There are also semi-weekly flights to Cairo (Egyptian Air), Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc) and Johannesburg (South African Airways).

There are also regular flights to other West-African capitals.

The airport is a modern facility and increased security has shaken its old reputation as a place for travelers to be ripped off. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most highly taxed in West Africa, with an average of $90 in taxes and fees added to the cost of every international ticket.

Enter By Train
The train journey between Abidjan and Ouagadougou usually takes around 30 hours and costs 30'000 CFA for a one-way second class ticket.

Trains are packed with people and luggages as well as the incidental goats. Seats are rather uncomfortable. Nevertheless, this is an amazing experience that's well worth the price and back aches.

Be aware that pickpockets are very common on this train, especially when you're an obvious tourist.

Never leave your luggage unattended and don't go showing your newest smartphone or Breitling.

Enter By Car
It is ill advised to try to enter Côte d'Ivoire from Guinea, Liberia, Mali, or Burkina Faso.

The Ghanaian border is fairly secure. If you enter at Elubo, you can easily catch a shared taxi to Aboisso and then a bus to Abidjan.

There are about ten military check-points between the border and Abidjan so have your documents ready.

If you do not have proper documentation of your inoculations at the border you will be forced to pay a small fine and they will give you an injection at an on-site clinic.

Enter By Bus
Buses run daily between Abidjan and Accra. The service is offered alternating between the STC (Ghana) and its Ivoirian equivalent.

Enter By Boat
Abidjan has a beautiful evening ride on the lagoon in the city for tourists. It might not be breath taking, but is a very good pleasure trip.

Daily, hundreds of Ivorians take the lagoon route to reach offices on the port side.

Travelling Around Côte d'Ivoire
Inter-city travel in Côte d'Ivoire is usually more comfortable than travel in neighbouring African countries.

The roads are generally in good condition and the bus service is relatively modern. The down side is the very frequent military check-points which add hours to a trip.

Though the stops are a hassle, Ivoirian soldiers tend to be pretty professional and don't hassle non-French western travellers.

Soldiers in Ghana for example are much more likely to demand a bribe than in Côte d'Ivoire. Most western governments recommend that their citizens steer clear of Côte d'Ivoire.

This should be taken particularly seriously by people travelling on French passports. An Ivoirian soldier's attitude towards you will change very quickly when you explain that you are not French.

UTB - Union de Transports de Bouake offers frequent buses to most destinations of interest. Their bus stations are widely known in the cities and are semi closed compounds so travel is not a hastle.

Travel in Abidjan is the best when you have your own vehicle to travel around.

The roads are fairly good for the region, but traffic rules are flouted routinely, especially by taxis.

There is no lane discipline and traffic lights are merely suggestions. Traffic jams get bad at rush hour and some selfish drivers make things worse through illegal and often reckless maneuvers.

The police response to this is laughable, as they are unable to chase/punish the worst offenders and shake down people who aren't doing anything wrong.

Taxis are a great and easy way to get around in Abidjan. Just look for an orange coloured car and flag it down. Fares are very affordable: US $2-4 depending on the length of the journey. Always negotiate before you get in the taxi don't use the meter as you'll almost always pay more.

The official language and lingua franca is French, but there are 60 native languages as well.

The most widely spoken is Dioula. Other native languages include Baoulé, Bété, Sénoufo, Attié, and Anyin. But one cannot survive without French for longer time duration. And business travellers need French on their tongue to close any small deal.

Tourist villages, beaches, and photo safaris are some of the main tourist attractions to see in Côte d'Ivoire. Famous Mapouka dance

You can also climb a beautiful mountain called, 'Mount Nienokoue'.

It is 230 meters tall and consists mainly of forest and exotic animals. There are many breathtaking views. You can climb Mount Tonkoui in Man in the west of the country and see until Libera if the weather permits.

You can visit Tanu Sakkasu near Bouake and see how the black pottery is traditionally made.

Visit the Wananiere Village des Tisserands near Korhogo and learn how the traditional cloth is made.

You can buy traditional wooden masks, they all have spiritual meanings and can be either good or bad.

Good food is cheap and you can find very good restaurants in Abidjan.

You should get a vaccine for Hepatitis A before coming but even street foods are fairly clean.

Grilled "braisé" fish and chicken are very good and can be found on at outdoor restaurants called maquis .

Try the national dishes like "alloco" and "attiéké". Alloco is simply fried plantains, mostly accompanied by a spicy sauce called piment .

Attiéké is fermented cassava (yams) that looks like couscous but taste slightly sour this is often served with grilled chicken or fish and vegetables (tomatoes, onions, cucumber) and a must-try.

Usually white rice or french fries are starchy alternatives to alloco and attiéké as side dishes.

Another specialty is the excellent "shougouilla" a blend of charbroiled meat! You can always ask for extra vegetables, especially avocados, which are amazing during the season.

Service can take a while at a maquis, typically women cook and sell the food and men sell the drinks, so don't be surprised if you're billed separately for food and drinks.

Since one typically eats with one's hands at a maquis, usually they will have a sink or offer a bucket and soap for hand washing before and after you eat.

Note that locally people eat only with their right hands and kleenex are used for napkins.

Other kinds of restaurants[edit]
You can find most typical maquis food at more mainstream restaurants too, usually mixed with standard French and international dining options. In Abidjan, Lebanese food is another good offering, and there are several fancy (and expensive) French restaurants that are very good. Vietnames nems (fried spring rolls) are very popular and cheap.

When in doubt, skip getting a burger, local beef is very dry. Fish and lobster are usually freshly caught if you're near the coast. Fresh fruits, like mangoes, pineapple and papaya are everywhere, and are the best in the world when in season.

La nourriture "végétarienne"[edit]
Be aware that it's common for locals to say that dishes containing chicken or fish are vegetarian since they don't have "meat" in them, so it's helpful to clarify if you're looking to avoid it.

Tipping[edit]
A service charge is not included in the bill, and usually it's seen as acceptable to tip at a flat rate of 500-2000 CFA, depending on the size of the group and effort of the waiter.

Drink[edit][add listing]
It is recommended for visitors from the west to visit bars and night clubs with security. Havana Club and others are in Zone 4 or Zone Quatre. If you do go, be aware of prostitutes that will want to talk to you. Other places are in Treicheville and Cocody but you should have private transportation or a cab.

Palm wine[edit]
This is the cheapest drink and is locally fermented and served out of large water bottles. It will likely give you a wicked hangover if you can stomach the taste.

Beer[edit]
Almost every bar or restaurant will sell Flag, Castel, Touborg, Heineken and occasionally Bock beer. Only Bock is Ivoirian; the rest are either regional or from Europe. Flag is seemingly the most-popular brand.

Wine[edit]
Most of the wine here is imported from France and can be purchased for a reasonable price at any grocery store in Abidjan. Wine in restaurants is usually not very good and/or extremely overpriced.

Sleep[edit][add listing]
Some of the nicer, but more expensive and safe hotels in Abidjan are: Hotel Ivoire (Sofitel) in Cocody, Hotel Tiama in Plateau, the Golf Hotel in Riviera Golf, and there's a new Radisson Blu being built near the airport. Looking for something more charming and still very clean? Check out a wonderful hotel called La Licorne in Deux Plateaux, located behind the Total Station on the Rue des Jardins.

Learn[edit]
Work[edit]
Stay safe[edit]
Some areas of Ivory Coast currently suffer from a widespread issue of extortion by security forces. Security forces of all kind (army, police, gendarmerie, customs, anti-drug police) set-up illegal checkpoints where they stop cars and minibus and either find or create a reason to request money from the driver or it's passenger.

Most of the crime committed in Abidjan is by unemployed youth. Should you ever feel in danger it would be wise to seek the help of a middle-aged man. This older generation is often very contemptuous of young criminals and will likely help you out if you are being hassled.

Generally, Ivoirians will recognize the dangers to foreigners in their country and will often be very protective of naive travellers. This is especially true in the Abidjan neighbourhoods of Treichville and Adjame.

If you do drive at night do not stop fully at lights or signs. Beware of potential car jackers. Keep a brisk pace so they cannot carjack you.

Prostitution[edit]
Due to the high unemployment rate, prostitution was made legal. But only the exchanging sex for money, and only between adults (aged 18 and over). And Cote d'Ivoire has become a popular place for sex tourism. However, hiring a prostitute in Cote d'Ivoire is highly NOT recommended, due to the high rate of HIV/AIDS.

Stay healthy[edit]
HIV/AIDS has once reached epidemic proportions in the country, but has since seen huge improvements with an adult prevalence of 4.7%.

Neighboring Liberia and Guinea suffered under the Ebola crisis, but there have been no confirmed cases in Côte d'Ivoire and Ebola screenings are performed at all border crossings.

Respect[edit]
Although the country was previously referred to in English as "Ivory Coast", the country has requested that it be called "Côte d'Ivoire" (the equivalent in French). Pronouncing it "Coat di-VWAR" is close enough for an English-speaking person