National park · Cameroon
Ekom-Nkam Waterfalls
Visit Ekom-Nkam Waterfalls: pay the entry fee (check), walk the short trail to the viewing platforms (30 min), and hike to the top (20 min) in the dry season (Nov–Apr) for best views.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Apr, Nov–Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Sort the visa before the flight
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Central Africa ↗Sort the visa before the flight: none of the seven countries reliably issues tourist visas on arrival to Western passports, and e-visas here are tied to named airports.
- Central Africa ↗Carry the original yellow fever vaccination certificate in your hand luggage; health desks at every Central African airport ask for it, and a missing card can mean refusal or a jab at the desk.
- Central Africa ↗Before booking anything in or near the DRC, read the WHO Ebola situation page and your own government's health notice: the 2026 outbreak brought quarantine and boarding rules for people who have been in the DRC.
- Cameroon ↗Apply for the Cameroon e-visa on evisacam.cm and fly into Douala or Yaoundé; arrivals by land or sea need a visa stamped by an embassy beforehand.
- Cameroon ↗Check your government's advice region by region: the Far North, North-West and South-West regions, Bakassi and strips along the Nigeria, Chad and CAR borders carry advice against all travel.
- Cameroon ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead: malaria prevention is needed everywhere in Cameroon, all year.
At a glance
- Country
- Cameroon
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Apr, Nov–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Ekom‑Nkam Waterfalls are twin 80 m cascades in the Northwest Highlands of Cameroon, set in a dense rainforest with short walks to platforms and a steep scramble to the summit, best visited in the dry season.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 1990
check
Why go
- Twin waterfalls dropping about 80 m into a rainforest gorge.
- Easy walk to platforms and a short scramble to the top for panoramic views.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, clear trails
- FebDry, good visibility
- MarEnd of dry season
- AprDry, pleasant weather
- MayStart of rains, paths may be slippery
- JunRainy, trail wet
- JulRainy, higher flood risk
- AugRainy, trail conditions poor
- SepRainy, possible closures
- OctDry season returns
- NovDry, ideal for hiking
- DecDry, cool temperatures
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green monkeys, hornbills, forest parrots, butterfliesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Nkongsamba
Take road N5 south to Melong (30 km (19 mi)), then turn off and follow the 10 km (6.2 mi) dirt road to the falls.Take road N5 south to Melong (19 mi (30 km)), then turn off and follow the 6.2 mi (10 km) dirt road to the falls.
1–1.5 h
From Douala
Drive north via N3 and N5 (≈3 h) to the falls; public minibuses reach Melong, then motorbike taxi.
≈3 h
Open the page →
From Bafang
Road south via N5 (≈1.5 h) to Melong and then the falls.
≈1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Parking & visitor area | Parking lot, information board, short path to viewing platforms. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Viewing platforms | Safe platforms overlooking the twin falls. | Open, short walk from parking. |
| Summit trail | Steep, slippery path to the top of the falls. | Open, but requires good footwear and caution. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are the approximate centre of the waterfall area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee | Free | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no bins on site.
- Swimming
- Allowed only in dry season; check water flow before entering.
- Trail safety
- Stay on marked paths; no off‑trail climbing.
Where to stay
Near the park
Nkongsamba town
Hotels, guesthouses and basic restaurants about 30 km (19 mi) away.Hotels, guesthouses and basic restaurants about 19 mi (30 km) away.
Near the park
Melong village
Small inns and homestays close to the falls.
Safety
Slippery trail medium
Flash flood high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking area reachable by car; short walk to platforms.
- Summit trail steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Take all waste with you.
- Support local eateries in Nkongsamba and Melong.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ekom-Nkam Waterfalls?
Entry fee is required but the exact amount is not published online; check locally at the parking area.
What are the best hikes in Ekom-Nkam Waterfalls?
The short walk to the viewing platforms (30 min) and the steep scramble to the top of the falls (20 min) are the main trails.
When is the best time to visit Ekom-Nkam Waterfalls?
The dry season from November to April offers clear paths and good visibility.
Can I swim below the waterfalls?
Yes, but only in the dry season when water flow is moderate and the pool is safe.
How do I get to the falls from Douala?
Drive or take a bus north to Melong (≈3 h), then a motorbike taxi for the last 10 km on a dirt road.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Ekom-Nkam Waterfalls
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