Mefou National Park: History, Amazing Facts, and Things to Do
Mefou National Park (Mefou NP) is located in Cameroon, in Central Africa. It was established in 1934 and is the oldest national park in the country. The park covers an area of about 70,000 hectares and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered western lowland gorilla. It is also an important habitat for birds, with over 300 species recorded.
Mefou NP is part of the Cross-Sanaga-Bioko Coastal Forests ecoregion. This ecoregion is home to a variety of unique species, including the black colobus monkey, the African grey parrot, and the giant pangolin. The park is also home to a variety of forest types, including lowland rainforest, savanna, and gallery forest.
The park is managed by the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, and the Wildlife Conservation Society. The park is also a member of the Central African Network of Protected Areas.
History
Mefou National Park was established in 1934 by the colonial government. The park was initially created to protect wildlife from hunting and poaching. In the 1950s, the park was expanded to include a larger area of the Cross-Sanaga-Bioko Coastal Forests ecoregion.
In the 1980s, the park was threatened by deforestation and other human activities. In response, the government created the Mefou National Park Management Plan in 1987, which established a management system for the park and outlined conservation measures.
In the 1990s, the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This designation has helped to protect the park from further threats.
Amazing Facts
Mefou NP is home to a variety of unique species, including the endangered western lowland gorilla. The park is also home to over 300 species of birds, including the African grey parrot and the great blue turaco.
The park is also home to a variety of forest types, including lowland rainforest, savanna, and gallery forest.
The park is home to a variety of mammals, including elephants, buffalo, hippos, and chimpanzees. The park is also home to over 50 species of reptiles and amphibians.
The park is an important habitat for a variety of endangered species, including the black colobus monkey, the giant pangolin, and the African golden cat.
Things to Do
Mefou NP offers a variety of activities for visitors.
Hiking: Visitors can explore the park on foot, taking in the sights and sounds of the park.
Birdwatching: The park is home to over 300 species of birds, making it a great place for birdwatching.
Gorilla Trekking: Visitors can take part in gorilla trekking, which is a guided tour of the park in search of western lowland gorillas.
Wildlife Watching: Visitors can observe a variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, hippos, and chimpanzees.
Nature Walks: Visitors can take part in guided nature walks, which are a great way to learn about the park’s flora and fauna.
Fishing: Visitors can also take part in fishing, with permits available from the park office.
Camping: Visitors can camp in the park, with permits available from the park office.