LÉRÉ AND TRÉNÉ LAKES

Lakes Léré and Tréné are fed mainly by the Mayo Kébbi river and are surrounded by savannah landscapes. These two charming lakes are teeming with catfish, hippos and manatees! The latter are best seen in the evening, in the moonlight. Occasionally, the Gôn is suddenly seized by a manatee craving, and his hunters set off to capture one; the privilege of eating this animal belongs solely to the Gôn. Local authorities are fighting to preserve the fishery resources of the two lakes from plundering. Fishing is practiced by the Moundang people living near these waterways, mainly by the Doué and Toeuré "water genie clans" (a subdivision of the large Moundang family), who hold the secrets of fishing in Moundang country. The low, rocky hills around the lakes are ideal for hiking, with magnificent views. The lakes are also one of the manatee's rare refuges, and you can take a pirogue ride and appreciate ancestral fishing techniques. The Moundang villagers will introduce you to their centuries-old culture: visit the palace of the Gôn (or Gong) of Léré; traditional festivals such as the fing-mundang (Moundang national festival in November) or the fing-luo ("guinea fowl festival" in February), or the crafts in the village of Berliang (8 km north of Léré) where women, organized into groups, produce high-quality pottery.