This park covers an area of about 9,000 square kilometers and is Senegal's major national park. It lies in the southeastern part of the country. The best time to visit is between December and May as the climate is drier then. Visitors must travel in vehicles as walking is not allowed in the park. The varied vegetation in the park provides sanctuary to about 84 species of mammals. This includes the last few elephants remaining in Senegal, as well as lion, leopard, and giant derby eland. Animals such as the hippo, crocodile, waterbuck, bushbuck, kob, baboon, buffalo, green and hussar monkey, warthog, roan antelope and hartebeest are more commonly observed. There is plenty of bird life in the park as well - over 350 species have been recorded.