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Bouba Ndjida National Park is one of the biggest national parks in Cameroon in terms of area. This Park is surrounded by a number of seasonal streams as well as the mayo Sénaroua, a year-round river.
A brief history of Bouba Ndjida National Park
Established in 1932 as a wildlife reserve and turned into a national park in 1968. Bouba Ndjida national park is situated in the northern region of Cameroon about 150 kilometers from Garoua and near the border with Chad. It covers an area of 220,000 hectares and has been designated an area of interest for the conservation of birds because of its ornithological diversity.
The area that now bears the name Bouban Djida was previously the exclusive hunting preserve of the old Lamido de Rey-Bouba.
Wildlife in Bouba Ndjida National Park
Around 24 species of big and medium animals live in this national park, including
- Savannah elephants,
- Panthers,
- Hyenas,
- lions,
- Giraffes,
- Bush pigs,
- Warthogs,
- Eland Derby,
- Harnessed Guibs,
- Antelopes,
- Hipotragus,
- Baboons,
- Buffon’s Kob,
- Aardvarks,
- Vervets,
- Rhinos,
- Palas Servals,
- Hippos,
- Colobus…
This national park is also home to about 11 different species of antelope, including the
- Red-sider duiker,
- Red hartebeest,
- Defassa kob,
- Buffon’s kob,
- Harnessed kob
- Hippotragrus,
- Damaliscus,
- Reedbuck.
How to access Bouba Ndjida NP
The park is accessible by road but also by track. According to sources, there are two ways to access it. You can access the Park through Garoua or Ngaoundere
Through Garoua
It requires a minimum of 6 hours on highways( road), but primarily on tracks if you are coming from Garoua. When crossing the Bénoué park, the way is especially challenging between Guidjiba and the bridge across the Bénoué. After arriving in Koum, it takes a further 2 hours to travel the remaining 40 kilometers to the camp.
Through Ngaoundere
Due to the opening of the new Touboro road, through Ngaoundere it takes 5 hours and 30 minutes. Once at home, proceed along the road toward Gaba before taking the track for Ndop. In the direction of Koum, turn right.
Tips to Bouba Ndjida National Park
The town of Koum is where the necessary formalities for entering the park are completed. It is required to account for 3000 FCFA/J per adult and 2000 FCFA/J for a vehicle. A tax of 2000 and 3000 FCFA is also levied on phones and cameras.
Best time to vise Bouba Ndjida National Park: During the dry season
The best time to visit this Park is during the dry season from December to May. During this period the average temperature is above 40 ° C, which is exceptionally high. Therefore, even though the lodge takes care to give guests everything they need, it is still vital to equip oneself appropriately. Please be aware, however, that due to inadequate electrical installations, the Boukarous lacks air conditioning.
Bouba Ndjida Lodge
The lodge is a charming collection of eight stone “Boukarous,” modeled after regional buildings. It is located in the middle of the park in the shade of the gallery forest that borders the “Mayo Louti,” a seasonal river that runs through it from East to West and is known locally as the “fish river.”
