THE BAKA PYGMIES AND THE LOWLAND GORILLAS
The BAKA PYGMIES are found in the South-East region of Cameroon. It is also in this region that is located the Lobeke national park, one of the richest regions for eco tourism in Cameroon. It is home to the LOWLAND GORILLAS. This region also harbours different mammalian forest species such as elephant, bufallo, giant forest hog, red river hog, the yellow-backed duiker, the bongo antelope and others. To enable tourists to better view the wildlife of the forest, watchtowers or miradors have been built at the edges of several open areas of grasslands in the park called " bais ". Overnights can be spent in these watchtowers for better results very early in the mornings when the wildlife enters the clearings from the forest. Ever Tropical Tours organizes a 7 days/ 6 nights expedition to the region to enable the tourists discover the pygmies and their way of life, their practice of traditional medicine with herbs and barks of trees, how they collect nuts from the forest, their hunting methods and also how they build their huts using tree branches and leaves. They also can execute their traditional dances, particularly the tortoise dance or the ritual Djengi dance, upon request.
Below is the Tour Details.
Tour Details
Destination |
Day |
Description |
YAOUNDE- AYOS (160km) |
Day 1 |
Depart Yaoundé early in the morning for Yokadouma via Ayos, Abongmbang, Bertoua and Batouri. Arrive Yokadouma at about 6 p.m. Check-in at Hotel Elephant for dinner and overnight |
YOKADOUMA- LOBEKE (149km) |
Day 2 |
Visit Abongmbang in the morning before departing to Lobeke. Installation at the Kombo tented camp base, a special natural resort near the Mambele village. During this first day at Lobeke, you will visit the Lipoundji falls some 2 kilometres from the camp and in the evening, watch the pygmies perform the tortoise dance. Overnight at the Kombo tented camp. |
LOBEKE NATIONAL PARK |
Day 3-4 |
The vehicle will drive some 45 kilometres into the forest up to the drop off point from where you will hike on a distance of about 10 kilometres under the forest canopy to get to the watch tower or mirador at the first clearing or « bais ». |
KOMBO BASE CAMP |
Day 5 |
The vehicle again picks up visitors at the drop off point at about 9 a.m. to the Kombo camp base where other activities will be organized such as hut construction by the pygmies, hunting, and also the performance of the Jengi ritual dance (special request). Overnight. |
KOMBO - YOKADOUMA - BERTOUA |
Day 6 |
Morning drive to Yokadouma then to Bertoua; overnight at Mansa Hotel. |
BERTOUA - YAOUNDE |
Day 7 |
Drive to Yaoundé via Abongmband and Ayos |
Due to the nature of the roads here, a 4x4 vehicle is required to do the expedition to the pygmies and track the gorillas. Each 4x4 vehicle will carry a maximum of 4 passengers including the driver and guide. Any costing will be made considering the vehicle carrying capacity.
End of Tour and book for this Tour