Bouba Njida National Park

Bouba Ndjida covers around twenty-two hundred square kilometres of wooded savanna in the north-east against the border with Chad, and it holds one of the more significant populations of the giant eland, the largest antelope in the world, along with lion, buffalo, hartebeest and a range of savanna species. Its elephants suffered catastrophically in early 2012, when poachers crossing the region killed several hundred in a matter of weeks, an event that drew international attention to the trade and led to reinforced protection. The park is remote, tracks are rough and the dry season is the only workable time. Visits are arranged through the conservation service.

History

Bouba Njida was first established as a reserve in 1932 and raised to a national park in 1980, covering 2,200 square kilometres of savanna woodland at 251 to 864 metres. It is home to 23 species of antelope, and at the start of the 21st century it held one of the few remaining populations of the African wild dog in Cameroon (Wikipedia, Bouba Njida National Park).

The landscape

• Giant eland - the largest antelope species, present in numbers here.
• Wooded savanna and rivers - the landscape along the border.
• Lion and buffalo - the larger species of the park.
• Reinforced anti-poaching work - the response after the 2012 losses.

When to go

January to April, the driest months, when tracks are passable. Two to three days. Visits must be arranged with the conservation service; there is no infrastructure to turn up to.

Practical notes

It is very remote and difficult to reach, with long rough drives. Elephant numbers have not recovered. Facilities are minimal. Conditions in the northern border region change and should be checked locally before any trip is planned.

Nearby

Tcholliré is west; the Chad border lies east.

Key facts