The Dja Wildlife Reserve

“UNESCO World Heritage Site”

Dja Forest reserve was created on 26 June 1950 by decree No. 319 of the French High Commissioner for Cameroon. The UNESCO World Heritage Site scheme was extended to the Dja Reserve in 1987(UNESCO Site ID; 407). The reserve measures 5,260km2(526,000 hectares) and found in the south eastern part of Cameroon. The Dja River almost surrounds the reserve, thus forming a natural boundary.  It forms an integral part of the forests that makes up the Congo basin and its one of the largest and best-protected reserves within the rainforest zones of Africa. Its borders with other two national parks to form the TRIDOM area, this comprises of the Minkebe national park in Gabon and the Odzala-Kokoua National park of Congo

The Dja Reserve covers areas in two Regions of Cameroon (the South and East Province). There is also a community of the Baka pygmy who lives in a relatively traditional manner within the boundaries of the reserve and is permitted to hunt using traditional methods, although agriculture and professional hunting have been banned since 1992.

Highlights

Fauna; It’s a paradise for primates with at least 14 species, including Chimpanzees, bright colourful Mandrill, Western lowland gorilla, white nosed and growled, long tailed moustached guenons, white capped white cheeked mangabeys, teddy bears like pottos, Black and white colubus and talapoin monkeys, drills, Demidoffs galago, large forest antelopes, pangolins, forest elephants, leopards and many more including white-collared mangabey, drill. African forest buffalo and more

Flora;- There are more than 1,500 known plant species in the reserve. Some trees grow over 40 species and some rise as high as 60m

Difficulty level; Hard

Group Size:  1–8 People

Transportation;– 4*4 cars with AC.

Starting location; Yaoundé and Douala(+1 day)( pickup available).

End location; Yaoundé.(drop off  hotel/airport available)

Individual price = €1700.

Extra person price = €850 (ie 2 people costs €2550)

Requirements to Participate:

• This is a private tour, so only your group will participate.
• Open to age groups of 12-55 years old.
• Travellers with moderate physical levels are welcome.
• Available between the months of October-May.,
• Not available for travellers with serious medical conditions, those on wheelchair, pregnant women and travellers with back problems.

Notes:

• Please bring a good pair of hiking boots, a flash light, rain jacket and trekking poles.
• You will need to supply your own backpack for the porter to carry directly to the campsite each day. You are welcome to carry your own daypack containing supplies you will need during the day.
• You have to bring a first aid kit, mosquito repellent and sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, baseball hat for shade.

Itinerary

• Day 1; Yaounde- Abong Mbang- Ayos-Somalomo(7-8 hours)

   We drive from Yaoundé to Samolomo, a small town near the Dja reserve. We check into the Guesthouse of the Dja national park head office.

*Accommodation; Accommodation at  Dja reserve head office Meals; Breakfast & Dinner.

• Day 2; Somalomo- Dja Forest Reserve

     After breakfast we shall cross the Dja river and drive to the entrance route to the Bouamir touristic site(comprising many clearings for wildlife viewing). We trek 17km to reach the “Petite  Roche” . We shall camp few meters from the roche.

*Accommodation; Camping Meals; Breakfast & Dinner.

• Day 3; Dja Forest Reserve

     After breakfast we depart our campsite as early as 6;00am, we shall have opportunity to spot wildlife when it’s early in the morning. We shall trek 20km to reach the Bouamir campsite, we shall rest and later at 5;00pm we shall take a 1.5km trek to the “Grande Roche”. This is the biggest “Roche” and covers a huge area. We shall have the possibility to spot wildlife here in the late evenings. We shall later leave for the camp at 6;45pm.

*Accommodation; Camping Meals; Breakfast & Dinner.

• Day 4; Dja Forest Reserve

     We get up at 5;30am for breakfast and we leave for the “Bouamir roche” and we shall visit other 2 nearby ruches. The possibility is very high to spot wildlife very early in the morning because after sunrise the animals move into the forest. We return to the campsite at Bouamir camp. After dinner we shall visit another roche to spot wildlife. We return to the Campsite.

*Accommodation; Camping Meals; Breakfast & Dinner.

• Day 5; Dja Forest Reserve

     After breakfast, we depart our camp site for one of the numerous nearby ruches and afterwards we shall trek 20km back to the “Petite Roche camp”, we came here for the night.

*Accommodation; Camping Meals; Breakfast & Dinner.

• Day 6; Dja Forest Reserve- Ayos- Abong Mbang- Yaounde

After breakfast we depart for the park exit. We shall drive to Somalomo where we share a bottle of drink with our local team before departing to Yaoundé. The tour ends upon arrival at the hotel in Yaoundé. We can still drop you off in Douala.

*Meals; Breakfast

NB; Please contact us if you wish to have an activity with the local Pygmy people inside the Dja reserve.

Package Inclusions:

• Professional bilingual tour guide
• Transportation 4*4 car with driver.
• Porters
• Ba’aka tracker, and ‘Eco Guard’ whom was compulsory.
• All fees including camera fees.
• Camping Equipment – tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags (2 people per tent – larger shared tents may be used for larger groups)
• Accommodation Guesthouse 1 night, camping 4 nights(double occupancy).
• Food; 5 breakfasts, 5 dinners and fruits daily. Simple meals cooked over an open fire during the trek
• Mineral water.

Package Exclusions:

• Personal expenditures,
• Individual insurance
• Lunch( buy your snacks)