Cross River National Park

Cross River national park protects two blocks of rainforest in the southeast corner of Nigeria, Oban in the south and Okwangwo in the north, together holding some of the oldest and least disturbed forest left in West Africa, with a plant and animal list among the richest on the continent. The Okwangwo division adjoins Cameroon's Takamanda and holds part of the population of the Cross River gorilla, of which perhaps three hundred survive across the whole range, making it the rarest of the gorilla subspecies; they are effectively never seen. Drill, chimpanzee, forest elephant and many endemic amphibians and birds occur. Trails run from the park bases with rangers.

History

The park was first proposed in 1965, but serious planning began only in 1988, with the World Wide Fund for Nature UK leading the plan for two divisions; Oban was established in 1988 and Okwangwo in 1991, with the Cross River gorilla as the park's emblem animal (Wikipedia, Cross River National Park).

Highlights

• Old-growth rainforest - tall closed-canopy forest with buttressed trees.
• The Oban hills - the southern division's terrain and streams.
• Forest birds and primates - the species seen and heard on the trails.
• Ranger trails - the walking routes from the park stations.

When to go

November to March in the dry season; this is among the wettest parts of Nigeria and the rains make trails and roads very difficult. Early morning is best for wildlife. Rain falls even in the dry months.

What to expect

Gorillas are not seen and should not be expected. Facilities are minimal with basic ranger accommodation. Trails are muddy, steep and leech-ridden. Access roads deteriorate badly in the rains and arrangements must be made in advance.

Nearby

Afi mountain sanctuary lies north; Calabar is south.

Key facts