Your visit helps the Sanctuary!
Ticket sales are a source of income to the Sanctuary, but,
more important even, our presence in the forest makes it less attractive for illegal hunter's expeditions.
Last but not least, for our excursions we recruit employees locally, including members of the pygmy
community. The more the Sanctuary will be source of income to the people, the more they will be motivated
to preserve it!
Conditions for visiting the Sanctuary: although not surrounded by a fence, the Sanctuary can only be visited
with permission from the parc authority. These holds offices in four communities close to the Sanctuary borders:
* Somalomo at the north west - here are their head quarters;
* Lomié in the east;
* Djoum at south;
* Meyomessala in the west;
In all four mentioned communities simple hotels or inns are available for staying a night before entering the Sanctuary. Prices
for a bed vary from CFA 5,000 to 30,000 per night. Besides of Lomié, food and water are not always available! In Somalomo
the parc authorities do themselves offer simple places to sleep as well.
Visiting the Sanctuary means hiking. Therefore, a visit is not
advisable for visitors in bad health or shape.
Exceptions occur, but generally access to the Sanctuary is not
appropriate for children (under the age of 15 years) and seniors
(over 70 years old).
Trails in the forest are often hardly visible and difficult to
follow. Within the forest small rivers and creeks must be crossed,
with or without the aid of a tree forming a natural bridge.
Vegetation can be very dense, sharp and full of thorns. Visitors
should wear appropriate clothes for these conditions: strong
textiles, long sleeves and trousers, shoes or boots covering the
ankles and supporting walking through water. Dark coloured clothes are to be preferred to make you less visible for animals! During day time
temperature is warm but not to the extreme because of the tree's
shade - nights are quite fresh.
In order to optimize chances to spot game visits are always
organized in small groups, ranging from just one up to six visitors.
These groups are always assisted by two official Sanctuary Rangers
(eco-guards) and as many luggage carriers as needed. In case you
want to visit the Sanctuary in a group numbering over six people you
will thus be divided over several smaller groups being guided into
different parts of the forest. Normally a visit will last several
days to allow you to approach the centre of the Sanctuary. You will
be staying over nights in tents. The Sanctuary has a rich wildlife -
still, wildlife is unpredictable so seeing it can never be
guaranteed!
Due to its climatological conditions a
visit to the Sanctuary is strongly discouraged during the months September,
October and the first half of November.
A visit of several days to the Sanctuary (with the possibility to
meet chimpanzees, gorillas and bush elephants!) including:
* one night in a hotel before entering and upon returning from
the forest;
* entry permit to the Sanctuary (including photographing
permit);
* official fees for Rangers, guides and carriers;
* rent for equipment (tents, etc.);
* meals, food and victuals (including bottled water);
* overall organization and care of your security;
... is actually proposed for CFA 97.000 (equalling € 147,88) per person per day. NOT INCLUDED is your transport towards the
Sanctuary's boundaries, so you will need to organize this yourself. The four mentioned communities can all be reached using
public transport, which is cheap but (very) uncomfortable, not very safe and often very time consuming. Hiring a personal vehicle is an
option, official hiring agencies are quite expensive in Cameroon but it is also possible to rent an ordinary taxi with driver for some
days - outside the very rainy season a four wheel drive is not absolutely required. We may assist you to get in to contact with
reliable taxi drivers, and to fix a deal with them.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME
For those who are willing to personally help the Ecoguards on their duties against poaching - you will be very wellcome!
We have organized a volunteer programme for those who would like to give a helping hand for the protection of our precious
wildlife. To assist in this programme you will have to be in excellent physical condition and will be prepared to stay
for at least one week. Being a volunteer means benefiting all the above mentioned services for a fairly reduced price.