Lake Barombi Mbo

Barombi Mbo is a crater lake a few kilometres across in the hills near Kumba, formed by a volcanic explosion and enclosed by steep forested walls, and it is a case study in evolution: a small group of cichlid fish colonised the lake and diversified into around a dozen species found in this lake and nowhere else on earth, each specialised to a different way of feeding. That makes it one of the clearest examples of speciation in a closed body of water. A village stands on the shore and fishes the lake. Deforestation on the crater walls and sediment running into the water have put the fish under pressure, and several of the species are considered threatened.

What you actually see

• Endemic cichlid species - fish that evolved in this lake alone.
• A steep forested crater - the walls enclosing the water.
• The lakeside village - the community that fishes the crater.
• A textbook case of speciation - one species becoming a dozen.

When to go

November to February, the drier half of the year. Half a day from Kumba. The walk down to the shore is steep and the climb back is hot work.

Honest expectations

The fish are the significance and you will not see much of them from the shore. The crater walls have been cleared in places and the lake is under pressure. Facilities are none. Enquire locally about the state of the area before going.

Nearby

Kumba is south-east; Korup lies west.