Mbam et Djerem National Park

Mbam et Djerem covers over four thousand square kilometres where the rainforest of the south gives way to the savanna of the north, which makes it unusual: gallery forest along the rivers, patches of closed forest, wooded savanna and grassland all within the same park, and a species list that mixes the two zones. Chimpanzees live here at the northern limit of their range in this part of Africa, along with elephants, buffalo, hippopotamus, several antelope and a long bird list. The Mbam and Djerem rivers run through it and are used for access by pirogue. It was created in 2000 and is visited mainly by researchers; infrastructure is minimal.

What you actually see

• Forest meeting savanna - both zones inside one park.
• Chimpanzees at their northern limit - the population in the gallery forest.
• The Mbam and Djerem rivers - the water used for access.
• Mixed species lists - forest and savanna animals in the same place.

When to go

December to March, the dry season. Three to four days. Visits must be arranged in advance; there is no lodge and no infrastructure to arrive at.

Honest expectations

Almost nothing is set up for visitors and everything must be organised beforehand. Tracks are poor and rivers are used instead. Wildlife is present but hard to see in dense vegetation. Malaria risk is serious.

Nearby

Tibati is south-west; Ngaoundere lies north-east.