Ebogo

Ebogo sits on the Nyong river south of Mbalmayo, and the community there runs a small ecotourism operation that has been going for years: pirogues take visitors along the river between banks of raffia and forest, birds are the main quarry along with monkeys and, occasionally, otters, and walks lead into the forest behind the village. Its named attraction is a single enormous tree, an ancient specimen of great girth that the village protects and that is often described as the largest in the country. The Nyong here is slow and brown, the forest is secondary but dense, and the whole thing is run and guided by people from the village.

What you actually see

• Pirogue trips on the Nyong - the river between raffia and forest banks.
• The giant tree - the protected specimen the village is known for.
• Forest birds along the river - kingfishers, hornbills and turacos.
• Community-run guiding - the village operating its own visits.

When to go

December to February in the drier season; birds are present year round and mornings are best. A day from Yaounde. Trips are arranged with the village committee.

Honest expectations

The forest is secondary growth rather than primary. Wildlife beyond birds is limited. Facilities are basic village accommodation and simple food. Mosquitoes and malaria risk are serious along the river.

Nearby

Mbalmayo is north-east; Yaounde lies north.