Deng Deng National Park

Deng Deng was created in 2010 in eastern Cameroon partly to protect a population of western lowland gorillas found at the northern edge of the species range, isolated from the main populations further south by the Sanaga river, and partly in response to the construction of the Lom Pangar dam nearby, which flooded a large area of forest. Chimpanzees, forest elephants and a range of monkeys also live in the park. Research and habituation work has been carried out on the gorillas, though tourism is limited and not comparable with the established gorilla sites elsewhere in central Africa. Access is by track from Belabo and visits are arranged with the conservation service.

What you actually see

• Gorillas at their northern limit - a population isolated by the Sanaga.
• Forest around the Lom Pangar area - the landscape the park protects.
• Chimpanzees and forest monkeys - the other primates of the park.
• Research and habituation work - the ongoing study of the gorillas.

When to go

December to February, the drier window. Two to three days. Visits are arranged with the conservation service; gorilla viewing is not a routine offer.

Honest expectations

This is not a gorilla tourism destination in the way that sites in Rwanda or Uganda are; encounters are not on offer as a standard product. Infrastructure is minimal. Tracks are rough and the wet season closes them. Sightings of any large mammal are uncertain.

Nearby

Belabo is south; Bertoua lies east.