Lake Petpenoun

Petpenoun lies in the volcanic country between Bafoussam and Foumban, a lake of a few square kilometres in a shallow basin among farmland, and it has been developed with a lakeside hotel and grounds that make it one of the easier places in the western highlands to spend a quiet day. The water is used for pedalos and small boats, the shore is planted, and the surrounding fields and reeds bring in a good range of birds, herons, kingfishers, weavers and waterfowl among them. The West region around it is intensively farmed, growing coffee, maize and vegetables on volcanic soils, and the roads through it pass a succession of chiefdoms and markets.

What you actually see

• A lake among farmland - the shallow basin in the volcanic plateau.
• Waterbirds along the reeds - herons, kingfishers and weavers.
• The lakeside resort grounds - the developed shore and boats.
• Farmed volcanic country - the fields and markets around the lake.

When to go

November to February in the dry season; birds are present year round. A day. The resort is the main facility and charges for access to parts of the shore.

Honest expectations

It is a developed resort lake rather than a wild one. Facilities outside the hotel are minimal. The lake is small and a couple of hours covers it. Roads in the region are busy and rough in places.

Nearby

Foumbot is south; Foumban lies north-east.