Bakossi National Park

The Bakossi mountains rise between Mount Kupe and Mount Manengouba in the south-west, and the national park created there in 2007 protects cloud forest and submontane forest on their slopes. Botanically the area is remarkable: surveys have recorded very high numbers of plant species for the area covered, with many restricted to these mountains and some known from single valleys, which has led botanists to rank it among the richest sites of its size in Africa. Drills, chimpanzees and forest monkeys occur, and the bird list includes species confined to the Cameroon highlands. Paths run up from the villages, and the forest is wet, steep and dense.

What you actually see

• Exceptional plant diversity - species restricted to these mountains.
• Submontane cloud forest - the wet forest of the upper slopes.
• Highland forest birds - species confined to the Cameroon mountains.
• Village paths into the forest - the routes up from Tombel and Nyasoso.

When to go

November to February in the drier season; these slopes are wet at any time. Two days. Local guides are needed, as paths are unmarked and the forest is dense.

Honest expectations

Trails are steep, muddy and unmarked and a guide is essential. Rainfall is very high. Facilities are village accommodation at best. Conditions in the wider region should be checked locally before travelling.

Nearby

Mount Kupe is east; Mount Manengouba lies north.