National park · Cameroon
Lobéké National ParkParc National Lobéké
Enter Lobéké National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (check), take a guided walk to a bird‑watching clearing (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in the morning, and stay at the park’s bungalow camp (check).Enter Lobéké National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (check), take a guided walk to a bird‑watching clearing (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in the morning, and stay at the park’s bungalow camp (check).
- 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.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,839 km² (710 sq mi)710 sq mi (1,839 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
Best months
Dec–Feb
UNESCO
World Heritage
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
- 1,839 km² (710 sq mi)710 sq mi (1,839 km²)
- Park covers about 1,839 km² (check for any boundary revisions).
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Lobéké National Park on the South Cameroon Plateau protects dense semi‑evergreen forest, savannas and river habitats, hosting high densities of forest elephants, western lowland gorillas and over 300 bird species; it is part of the UNESCO‑listed Sangha Trinational World Heritage site.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2012Sangha Trinational UNESCO site.
Size and age
1,839 km² (710 sq mi)710 sq mi (1,839 km²) · national park since 1999
Park covers about 1,839 km² (check for any boundary revisions).
Why go
- High densities of forest elephants and western lowland gorillas.
- Over 300 bird species, including rare forest specialists.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, cooler.
- FebDry, good wildlife spotting.
- MarStart of rains, still walkable.
- AprRainy, but trails open.
- MayRainy season.
- JunRainy, higher humidity.
- JulRainy, possible flooding.
- AugRainy, trails muddy.
- SepRainy, but wildlife active.
- OctRainy, decreasing.
- NovTransition to dry.
- DecDry, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African forest elephantAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Western lowland gorillaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 300 bird speciesAll 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Gate, visitor office, basic facilities, and guide briefing point. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Bird‑watching clearings | Bolo, Djangui, Ndangaye, Ngoa, Djaloumbe and Petite Savane clearings with lookouts. | Guided walks from headquarters. |
| River zone | Fish‑rich rivers and sandbars for canoe trips. | Guided only. |
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 approximate centre of the park.
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 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
- Guides
- A licensed guide is required for any trek beyond the headquarters area.
- Camping
- Only in designated bungalow camps; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires are not allowed outside the camp facilities.
Where to stay
In the park
Bungalow camp
Simple wooden bungalows with mosquito nets, meals provided.
Near the park
Nearby towns
Basic guesthouses in Moloundou (≈30 km (19 mi) from gate).Basic guesthouses in Moloundou (≈19 mi (30 km) from gate).
Safety
Malaria high
Wild animal encounters medium
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
- Headquarters area reachable by car; short walks on level ground.
- Trails and river trips involve uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support community‑run guide services and the park’s eco‑tourism program.
- Avoid buying illegal wildlife products; respect the Baka cultural sites.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lobéké National Park?
The entry fee is set by the park authority; current rates are not published online (check).
What are the best hikes in Lobéké National Park?
Guided walks to the Bolo, Djangui and Ndangaye clearings are the most accessible hikes; longer wildlife treks require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Lobéké National Park?
The dry season (December – February) offers the best conditions for wildlife viewing and walking.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
Yes, the park operates a small camp with basic bungalows; bookings are made through the park office.
Do I need a guide for all activities?
A licensed guide is mandatory for any trek beyond the headquarters area and for river canoe trips.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Lobéké National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?