Lobéké National Park

Lobéké National Park is a protected forest area in southeastern Cameroon covering around 217,000 hectares of semi-evergreen woodland with elevations between 300 and 750 meters. The terrain features dense forest interspersed with natural clearings and waterways that cut through the landscape.

The idea to protect this forest emerged in the 1990s when biological studies revealed its ecological value. The area became an official park in 1999 and was included in a UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2001 together with neighboring forests.

The park lies within territories where Baka communities have lived for generations with the forest. This presence shapes how the land is understood today, revealing a deep connection between people and wildlife in the region.

Visitors should contact park authorities ahead of time and arrange their visit in advance due to the remote location. Travel is easier during the drier months when forest paths and roads are more passable.

Natural forest clearings called bais form when animals dig for minerals and attract hundreds of forest elephants, gorillas, and rare bird species. These spots are gathering places where visitors may encounter large congregations of wildlife.

Inception: 1999

Elevation above the sea: 449 m

Part of: Sangha Trinational

GPS coordinates: 2.25000,15.75000

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43