Game drives in W are best done in the early morning and late afternoon, when the big cats are active and the temperature is bearable. A ranger from Tapoa camp is required to accompany vehicles inside the park and is worth every franc — they know the tracks and the animal patterns far better than any map.
The savanna around Tapoa supports one of West Africa's last healthy lion populations, along with leopards, cheetahs, and large herds of roan antelope, hartebeest, and waterbuck. Buffalo are common and can be surprisingly aggressive on narrow tracks. Giraffes are occasionally spotted in the gallery forest fringing the rivers.
Drives typically cover 50 to 80 km over three to four hours, looping between waterholes and riverbends. Bring water, a wide-brimmed hat, and patience.