Monte Alén National Park

Monte Alén National Park, on the mainland of Equatorial Guinea in the region of Río Muni, protects a vast and pristine expanse of dense equatorial rainforest, part of the great Congo Basin forests that are among the largest tropical wildernesses on earth. This little-explored realm of jungle-clad hills, rivers and waterfalls shelters an extraordinary richness of wildlife, including western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, chimpanzees, several monkey species, and a wealth of birds and rare creatures. Barely developed and rarely visited, explored on guided treks through the humid forest, Monte Alén offers a genuine and wild rainforest adventure for the intrepid, a precious slice of Central Africa's great jungles.

The landscape

• The rainforest - the vast, pristine Congo Basin jungle.
• The gorillas and elephants - the lowland gorillas and forest elephants.
• The chimpanzees and monkeys - the primates of the forest.
• The rivers and waterfalls - the jungle rivers and cascades.

When to go

November to February, the drier season, for the most manageable forest travel, though the region is wet and humid year-round; the park is remote, reached by road on the mainland and explored on guided treks with basic facilities. Wildlife, especially gorillas and elephants, is elusive in the dense jungle and takes patience, guides and luck.

Practical notes

Monte Alén is remote and barely developed, on the little-visited mainland of a heavily regulated country, reached by road and explored on guided treks with very basic facilities, so it is a genuine adventure for the intrepid rather than a comfortable trip; Equatorial Guinea's restrictive travel environment and the elusiveness of jungle wildlife apply. For the rare reward of experiencing a pristine Congo Basin rainforest, with its gorillas, elephants and rich wildlife, far from any crowd, though, Monte Alén is wild and remarkable.

Nearby

The mainland city of Bata and the rivers of Río Muni are within reach.

Key facts