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New sites and opportunities for tour operators

Why this initiative? The lowland and montane forests of Cameroon are extremely rich in birdlife. This area is third in Africa for bird biodiversity and holds a wealth of unique and endemic bird species as well as other unique plant- and wildlife. Many tourists have discovered this natural beauty and several tour operators organize specialized tours to the area. Mount Cameroon Inter-communal Ecotourism Board (Mount CEO) in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization wants to stimulate responsible nature tourism in Cameroon and has conducted a training for spezialised Birdwatching Guides.

Ecotourism: Ecotourism is strongly developing in Cameroon and many guide associations are active in the North-West and South-West Provinces of Cameroon. Typically these associations are composed of local farmers and hunters working together on poverty reduction and nature conservation. Part of there income is typically reserved for community projects like water supplies, schools, clinics or electrification projects. Nature guides from 15 guide associations have been trained in bird watching and birding guide skills. The training was performed by a team of national and international biologists and consisted of two one-week theory and practice classes. The trained guides and their associations are now aware of the bird biodiversity in their area and can take tourists on bird watching excursions or assist leaders of specialized birding tours.

Sites: 

In the South West Province, guide associations have received training at the following localities. Mount Cameroon, Buea. Home of two Cameroon endemics that can only be found on this mountain: the Mount Cameroon Francolin and the Mount Cameroon speirops. Both can now be seen in a two-day trip. Korup national park, Mundemba. Pristine lowland forest with many specialties, including a good site for the rare red-headed Picathartes. Bimbia Community Forest, Limbe. A small lowland forest only 45 minutes drive from Limbe, including mangrove swamps and beach. Mengi/Fontem. On the slopes of the Cameroon mountains, an exceptional mix of lowland and highland species. Limbe Botanical Garden, Limbe. Easy access and several lowland and coastal species, an essential stop-over for all birding tours. Bakkingili Community Forest, Limbe. A new community forest on the slopes of Mount Cameroon, submontane and montane forests. In the North West Province, guide associations in the following localities have received training. Mount Oku, Elak and Fundong. The largest patch of remaining montane forest in the region, home of the endemics Bannerman’s turaco and Banded Wattle-eye. Visit this area via Elak on the north slope with ASSOFOMI or via Funding on the south slope with ASSOKOFOMI. Baba II Community Forest. A small pristine montane forest only 45 minutes drive from Bamenda with e.g. Bannerman’s turaco, Banded Wattle-eye and green-breasted Bush-shrike. Lake Awing. A well known site, easy access 45 minutes from Bamenda, beautiful lake and many montane endemics. Mankon Sacred Forest. The secret forest behind the Mankon Fon’s palace with Bamenda Apalis and African Broadbill.

Conditions: Visitors should be reasonably fit and able to walk several kilometers a day. The terrain is flat (lowland forests in Korup national park) to reasonably steep (Cameroon mountains). Visitors should bring their own binoculars and bird identification books. All guides speak English, some also French.

Practicalities: All guide associations offer one- or multiple day programs for bird watching and for most areas bird checklists are available. Prices for guides, porters and forest fees are fixed and no time consuming formalities are necessary when visiting these areas through the guide associations. The associations can also help in organizing lodging and feeding.

More information: Details from all NGOs and guides trained in bird watching can be obtained from Mount Cameroon Inter-communal Ecotourism Board (Mount CEO), Mosisa David Ndumbe, email: mountceo@yahoo.co.uk, Tel. 332 20 38 or 758 45 39.

You can also download the flyer with detailed information about all NGOs and guides trained in bird watching by Mount CEO. Flyer Bird watching page 1 (PDF 163 KB), Flyer Bird watching page 2 (PDF 192 KB)