The viewpoint above the Niger River's famous W-shaped double bend is the park's most photogenic spot and the one that gives the reserve its name. At dawn or dusk, the wide river glittering below, with the forest of three countries visible on the far bank, is genuinely stirring.
The viewpoint is reached via a rough track that branches off the main Mekrou circuit. It is worth timing a visit to coincide with the golden hours: the light on the river in the early morning, with crocodiles basking on the sandbars below, is one of those African moments that rewards the long journey to get here.
Bring a camera with a decent zoom. The viewpoint looks out over a wide stretch of river, and binoculars help pick out crocodiles, monitor lizards, and the occasional hippo far below.