Korup National Park

Korup National Park is in Coastal Cameroon. It is one of Africa’s oldest and richest tropical forests in terms of ecosystem diversity.

Understand

Bridge over the Mana River

Korup National Park extends over 1,260 km² (490 sq mi) of mostly undisturbed tropical rainforest. It is the most accessible rainforest national park in Cameroon, with basic lodging infrastructure and a large network of trails open to visitors. The park is a popular birdwatching destination and famous for primate viewing (including species such as the drill, Preuss's red colobus, red-eared guenon and Nigeria chimpanzee).

History

In October 1937, the Korup forest was established as a "native administration forest reserve". The forest was made a national park in 1986 and at the same time its boundaries were extended to cover its current surface area.

Landscape

Korup soils are sandy and low in nutrients, making them unfavourable sites for subsistence farming and cash-crop plantations, and thus the park remains mostly forest. The elevation of the park is low in the southern section, rising steadily northwards with increasingly rugged terrain, reaching its highest point at Mt. Yuhan, at 1,079 m (3,540 ft) near the old site of the now relocated Ikondokondo village. To the north, the terrain is characterized by low rolling hills with gentle slopes. Most of the park lies within an elevation of 120 to 850 m (390 to 2,790 ft). A dense network of streams drains the region into three major river systems.

Flora and fauna

Plant ecological processes in Korup are strongly seasonal with flowering typically occurring between January and July (peak March–May), followed by peak fruiting season. The degree of flowering and fruiting varies considerably between years for most species. Mast fruiting occurs in intervals of more than a year.

A Scalloped Yellow Glider in the park

Korup National Park is reputedly one of the richest lowland African forests in terms of faunal richness and diversity, especially for birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. The species list of mammals consists of 161 species in 33 families, of which the primate community accounts for 14 species

Climate

Korup has a pronounced dry season from December to February with average monthly rainfall less than 100 mm (3.9 in) and an extended and intense rainy season approximately from May to October. The heaviest rainfalls are typically in August. The northern sections of the park receive considerably less rainfall than its southern sections.

Get in

Day hikes or multiple day trips can be organized from the town of Mundemba, by visiting the tourist informational office located at the center of the town. Entrance in the park is only permitted with a local guide.

Fees and permits

There are fixed day, overnight, camping and guide/porter fees.

Sleep

There are three camp sites open to tourists, where visitors can arrange stay either at a tent (bring your own) or at one of the lodges (with basic wooden beds – windows have simple screening). Each camp site is located near a stream which serves as source of cooking water (boil or filter to drink) and for refreshing baths. There are basic pit toilets.