Arly Airport (ARL)

Arly Airport (ARL) is a remote bush airstrip located within the Arly National Park in southeastern Burkina Faso. It serves as an access point for the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its biodiversity. The airport infrastructure is rudimentary, featuring an unpaved laterite runway designed for light aircraft and STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) operations. There is no terminal building, control tower, or permanent staff on-site. The facility exists solely to facilitate charter flights for tourists visiting safari lodges and for park rangers conducting conservation work.

Operational procedures are informal and heavily reliant on prior coordination. Pilots must communicate with ground teams at nearby lodges or park headquarters to ensure the runway is clear of wildlife, such as elephants or antelopes, before landing. There are no security checkpoints or immigration facilities; all formal border clearances would have been completed at a major international gateway like Ouagadougou. Travelers are typically met directly at the aircraft by their safari guides and transport vehicles.

Amenities are non-existent at the landing strip itself. There is no water, electricity, or shelter available for waiting passengers. Visitors must ensure they have all necessary supplies and confirmed ground transport arrangements before arrival. Due to the remote location and the security situation in the broader Sahel region, travel to this airstrip is usually organized through specialized tour operators or government convoys.