Plizio Visual Lab

Hippo Lake

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Lake

Weather…

The Mare aux Hippopotames is a natural lake in western Burkina Faso, located approximately 60 kilometers north of Bobo-Dioulasso near the village of Satiri. The lake and its surrounding protected area were designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1986, covering an area of about 163,000 hectares. As the name suggests, the water body is famous for its significant population of hippopotamuses, which are revered as sacred by the local people. The ecosystem comprises open water, marshes, and gallery forests that provide sanctuary for a vast array of migratory birds and native wildlife. For the surrounding communities, the lake holds great spiritual and economic importance, supporting traditional fishing and agricultural practices. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining the ecological balance while promoting the sustainable use of resources by the local population. The Mare aux Hippopotames serves as an outstanding example of the successful link between nature conservation and cultural heritage in Burkina Faso.

Location: Burkina Faso
Nearby: Bama (35 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	24	28	31	32	31	29	27	26	26	27	26	24
Rain mm	1	3	10	43	82	122	198	254	174	60	4	0

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Visitors typically travel from the city of Bobo-Dioulasso via a mix of paved routes and unpaved, dusty rural tracks. Renting a sturdy four-wheel-drive vehicle or successfully hiring an experienced local guide is extremely advisable.

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Best season

The dry season, roughly stretching from November to April, is generally strongly favored because the access roads are significantly less muddy. During this time, wildlife is often much more tightly concentrated around the shrinking water body.

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Terrain & paths

The environment consists of flat, seasonally flooded terrain that is densely surrounded by gallery forests and dry savannah scrub. The immediate shoreline is typically extremely muddy and heavily overgrown with rich riparian vegetation.

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What to bring

Powerful insect repellent is absolutely critical, along with extremely strong sun protection and breathable, long-sleeved clothing. Quality binoculars are very helpful for safely viewing the dangerous hippos from a highly respectable distance.

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Parking

Parking is generally completely unregulated and takes place in cleared, dusty areas quite near the small visitor reception building. Security for vehicles is informal, relying entirely on the constant daytime presence of local village guides.

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Safety

Hippos are notoriously aggressive and highly territorial, so visitors must strictly obey their guides and never approach the water blindly. Rigidly adhering to the strong advice of the local community ensures a significantly safer overall experience.

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Time needed

The core visit to actively observe the lake and its wildlife usually tightly spans between one and a perfectly sufficient three hours. However, factoring in the rough, slow drive from the city effectively makes it a solid half-day commitment.

Geography

Coordinates

11.60000, -4.20000

Facts

Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1986.
Located 60 kilometers north of Bobo-Dioulasso.
Covers a total area of approximately 163,000 hectares.
Famous for its resident population of sacred hippos.
Sanctuary for a wide variety of migratory bird species.
Important site for traditional fishing and local spiritual rites.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Kou Valley Rice Mills33 km · SWExplore →

Bama35 km · SWExplore →

Black Volta46 km · NExplore →

Diossor Mountains47 km · SWExplore →

Bobo-Dioulasso Hills47 km · WExplore →

Bobo-Dioulasso Old Station48 km · WExplore →

Koro Rock Village48 km · WExplore →

Bobointer Dry Port49 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Hippo Lake (1)

Marre aux hippopotames🌿 nature

This prominent wetland viewpoint in Burkina Faso overlooks a designated biosphere reserve famous for its resident hippos.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Mare aux Hippopotames located?

About 60 kilometers north of Bobo-Dioulasso.

How many hippos live there?

There is a stable population of several dozen animals.

Is the place a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve?

Yes, it was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 1987.

Can you see the hippos from the shore?

Sometimes yes, but a pirogue trip gives much better visibility.

Is there an entry fee?

Yes, a small fee is charged for entry and the boat tour.

Hippo Lake: where is it located?

Hippo Lake is located in Burkina Faso.

Hippo Lake: when is the best time to visit?