National park · Cameroon
Campo Ma'an National ParkParc national de Campo-Ma'an
Spend 2 nights in the park: hire a community guide in Ebodjé or Ma'an for a half-day gorilla/chimp tracking walk (start at 6:00) or a full-day forest hike to the Lobe River; come in the driest months (Dec–Feb) when the access roads are passable and the animals are easier to find near water; skip if you have only a day from Kribi — the 150 km (93 mi) of bad road takes 3–4 hours each way.Spend 2 nights in the park: hire a community guide in Ebodjé or Ma'an for a half-day gorilla/chimp tracking walk (start at 6:00 AM) or a full-day forest hike to the Lobe River; come in the driest months (Dec–Feb) when the access roads are passable and the animals are easier to find near water; skip if you have only a day from Kribi — the 150 km (93 mi) of bad road takes 3–4 hours each way.Spend 2 nights in the park: hire a community guide in Ebodjé or Ma'an for a half-day gorilla/chimp tracking walk (start at 6:00) or a full-day forest hike to the Lobe River; come in the driest months (Dec–Feb) when the access roads are passable and the animals are easier to find near water; skip if you have only a day from Kribi — the 93 mi (150 km) of bad road takes 3–4 hours each way.Spend 2 nights in the park: hire a community guide in Ebodjé or Ma'an for a half-day gorilla/chimp tracking walk (start at 6:00 AM) or a full-day forest hike to the Lobe River; come in the driest months (Dec–Feb) when the access roads are passable and the animals are easier to find near water; skip if you have only a day from Kribi — the 93 mi (150 km) of bad road takes 3–4 hours each way.
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- 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
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- 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
2,680 km² (1,035 sq mi)1,035 sq mi (2,680 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Dec–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine 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.
- Coastal Cameroon ↗Local buses and hired drivers are the main ways to travel between coastal towns; check schedules and negotiate fares.
At a glance
- Country
- Cameroon
- Area
- 2,680 km² (1,035 sq mi)1,035 sq mi (2,680 km²)
- Figures vary by source; 2,680 km² is the commonly cited area.
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kribi
Campo Ma'an National Park protects 2,680 km² of lowland rainforest on Cameroon's southern coast, bordering Equatorial Guinea and the Atlantic. It holds western lowland gorillas, central chimpanzees, forest elephants and three pygmy communities. The park has almost no tourist infrastructure — no lodges, no marked trails, no official website — and the roads from Kribi are rough. A visit requires a community guide from Ebodjé or Ma'an, a 4×4 and a flexible plan. The park is part of the TRIDOM transborder conservation area shared with Gabon and Congo.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 2000Established as a national park in 2000.
Size and age
2,680 km² (1,035 sq mi)1,035 sq mi (2,680 km²) · national park since 2000
Figures vary by source; 2,680 km² is the commonly cited area.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kribi.
Why go
- One of the few places in Cameroon where you can track western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees in the wild.
- The forest is largely untouched — no lodges, no crowds, no paved paths.
- Community guides from the pygmy villages know the forest and the animals intimately.
- The park borders the Atlantic and the Ntem River, so you can combine forest walks with a boat trip.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, roads passable, animals near water
- FebDry, good for tracking
- MarEnd of dry season, still good
- AprRainy season starts, roads muddy
- MayHeavy rain, trails slippery
- JunRainy, but a short dry spell is possible
- JulShort dry season, roads better
- AugShort dry season, good for walking
- SepRain returns, trails wet
- OctWet, roads may be impassable
- NovDry season begins, improving
- DecDry, best month for access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western lowland gorilla (tracking)Jul–Aug, Nov–Mar · Best in dry months when they stay near water. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes |
| Central chimpanzeeJul–Aug, Nov–Mar · Same pattern as gorillas. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes |
| Forest elephant (signs and occasional sightings)Jul–Aug, Nov–Mar · Rare; you will see tracks and dung. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes |
| Birds (hornbills, turacos, kingfishers)All year · Year-round; best in dry season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leatherback and olive ridley turtles (nesting)Nov–Feb · Night walks on Ebodjé beach with a guide. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Leeches and mosquitoesApr–Jun, Sep–Oct · Wear long trousers and bring repellent. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
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 Kribi
4×4 only: 150 km (93 mi) of unpaved road via Campo town, about 3–4 hours in dry season, longer or impossible after heavy rain.4×4 only: 93 mi (150 km) of unpaved road via Campo town, about 3–4 hours in dry season, longer or impossible after heavy rain.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Douala
Drive to Kribi (3 h on paved road), then 4×4 to the park.
6–8 h
Open the page →
From Yaoundé
Drive to Kribi (5–6 h), then 4×4 to the park.
8–10 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ebodjé village | The main entry point on the coast; guides, basic accommodation, and the start of forest walks. | Open; ask for the guide office. |
| Ma'an village | Inland entry point on the Ntem River; guides and boat trips. | Open; ask for the guide office. |
| Lobe River area | A forest zone with a river crossing; good for birdwatching and primate tracking. | Guided only. |
| Atlantic coast zone | Beach and mangrove area near Ebodjé; turtle nesting sites (seasonal). | Guided only; turtle season Nov–Feb. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 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.
Approximate positions; the park has no official mapped points.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (paid at the village guide office) | XAF 5,000–10,000 | person | Check; no official fee schedule exists. |
| Community guide (half-day walk) | XAF 15,000–25,000 | group | Negotiable; includes a local guide and a tracker. |
| Community guide (full-day trek) | XAF 25,000–40,000 | group | Includes lunch and a boat crossing if needed. |
| 4×4 hire from Kribi (round trip) | XAF 80,000–120,000 | vehicle | Fuel and driver included; arrange in Kribi. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Community guide permit or guide
Gorilla/chimp tracking permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- XAF 5,000–10,000
- XAF 15,000–25,000
- XAF 25,000–40,000
- XAF 80,000–120,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on UNESCO — TRIDOM before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Mandatory for all walks; no solo hiking in the park.
- Gorilla/chimp distance
- Stay at least 10 m from any primate; do not use flash photography.
- Camping
- Not allowed; sleep in Ebodjé or Ma'an village.
- Fires and litter
- No fires; carry out all rubbish.
- Hunting
- Prohibited; the park is a no-hunt zone.
Where to stay
In the park
Ebodjé village guesthouses
Basic rooms with shared facilities; book through the guide office.
In the park
Ma'an village guesthouses
Simple rooms near the river; ask at the chief's house.
Near the park
Kribi hotels
All levels, from beach bungalows to mid-range hotels; 3–4 hours from the park.
Safety
Getting lost in the forest high
Road conditions medium
Wildlife encounters medium
Mosquito-borne diseases 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
- The park has no paved paths or accessible facilities; all walks are on rough forest trails.
- The 150 km (93 mi) access road from Kribi is unpaved and requires a 4×4.The 93 mi (150 km) access road from Kribi is unpaved and requires a 4×4.
- Not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire community guides directly from Ebodjé or Ma'an; they depend on tourism income.
- Do not buy bushmeat or any animal products in the villages.
- Carry out all plastic waste; there is no recycling in the park area.
- Support the TRIDOM conservation programme by donating to the WWF or local NGOs.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Campo Ma'an National Park?
The park entry fee is 5,000–10,000 XAF per person (check). A community guide costs 15,000–40,000 XAF per group depending on the walk length. A 4×4 from Kribi costs 80,000–120,000 XAF round trip.
What are the best hikes in Campo Ma'an National Park?
The half-day gorilla/chimp tracking walk (4–5 h, hard) and the full-day trek to the Lobe River (7–9 h, hard) are the main options. Both require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Campo Ma'an National Park?
December to February is the driest period: roads are passable, trails are firm, and animals are easier to find near water. July and August are a short dry season but roads may still be rough.
Can I see gorillas in Campo Ma'an?
Yes, but they are not habituated. A guide can track them, but sightings are not guaranteed. You will almost certainly hear them and see tracks.
Is there accommodation inside the park?
No. The only places to sleep are basic guesthouses in Ebodjé and Ma'an villages. There are no lodges or campsites inside the park.
Do I need a 4×4 to get there?
Yes. The 150 km road from Kribi is unpaved and becomes impassable after heavy rain. A regular car will not make it.
Is Campo Ma'an safe for tourists?
The park area is safe, but the road from Kribi is remote. Travel by day, carry your own food and water, and follow your guide's instructions.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Campo Ma'an National Park
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