Cameroon
Cameroon spans an exceptional range of Central African landscapes, from the Gulf of Guinea and Congo Basin rainforest to high volcanic mountains and Sahelian savanna. The volcanic Cameroon Highlands run through the west, culminating at Mount Cameroon at over 4,000 metres, while the south and east contain extensive lowland rainforest. Farther north, woodland gives way to open savanna and increasingly dry landscapes around Lake Chad. This remarkable ecological range has earned Cameroon the nickname “Africa in miniature.”
Overview
Cameroon is one of West and Central Africa's premier birding countries, particularly important for Cameroon Highland and Congo Basin specialties. The Bamenda Highlands and Mount Cameroon hold restricted-range birds such as Bannerman's Turaco, Banded Wattle-eye, Mount Cameroon Speirops and Cameroon Mountain Francolin. Lowland forests in the south support an exceptionally rich assemblage of hornbills, turacos, forest robins, kingfishers and other Congo Basin species, while northern parks add Sahelian and savanna birds. Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue area and Korup National Park are among important forest regions. Cameroon has long featured on specialist birding itineraries, but travel can be demanding, with poor roads and lengthy journeys. Armed conflict and insecurity in the Northwest, Southwest and Far North regions currently restrict access to several important birding areas, making up-to-date security advice essential.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus | 49.3% | 38.2% | 45.2% | 49.6% | 40.0% | 55.2% | 50.6% | 48.5% | 41.6% | 56.8% | 50.6% | 57.7% | 57.9% |
| Pied Crow Corvus albus | 37.7% | 32.2% | 31.7% | 32.1% | 31.4% | 42.8% | 41.1% | 43.9% | 32.2% | 51.2% | 36.9% | 42.8% | 34.9% |
| Northern Gray-headed Sparrow Passer griseus | 35.4% | 24.8% | 28.2% | 28.2% | 29.5% | 44.9% | 42.4% | 35.2% | 26.2% | 49.7% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 38.9% |
| Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus | 34.6% | 22.3% | 32.0% | 31.0% | 29.5% | 43.3% | 37.0% | 39.4% | 31.8% | 40.8% | 38.6% | 39.7% | 29.7% |
| African Thrush Turdus pelios | 27.7% | 19.0% | 26.4% | 30.3% | 24.3% | 43.6% | 32.3% | 28.0% | 18.8% | 29.9% | 29.9% | 22.8% | 26.8% |
| African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus | 27.3% | 21.6% | 27.9% | 31.7% | 26.3% | 32.8% | 24.0% | 22.2% | 13.4% | 32.2% | 36.0% | 35.0% | 24.9% |
| Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata | 27.3% | 22.5% | 30.5% | 27.5% | 18.7% | 30.5% | 27.8% | 23.0% | 20.7% | 31.7% | 34.4% | 27.9% | 32.7% |
| Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata | 26.6% | 16.8% | 25.9% | 23.6% | 21.4% | 35.2% | 33.9% | 23.0% | 26.0% | 37.3% | 25.1% | 25.0% | 25.5% |
| Black Kite Milvus migrans | 26.3% | 37.6% | 40.5% | 36.7% | 33.1% | 35.5% | 7.6% | 2.1% | 0.6% | 3.7% | 32.6% | 47.1% | 37.9% |
| Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus | 25.7% | 20.8% | 17.1% | 23.6% | 19.6% | 27.3% | 21.5% | 29.8% | 22.8% | 43.1% | 34.4% | 21.8% | 26.2% |