The Bakossi live in Kupe Mwanenguba (Bangem, Nguti and Tombel Sub Divisions) and in Moungo Divisions. The land is dominated by two volcanic mountains (Kupe 2050m and Mwanenguba 2396m), the Caldera, twin Lakes of Mwanenguba, Lakes Edib and Bemin. The worldview of the people is framed by these mountains. The landscape varies from lowland to highland, with rich agricultural soils. The mountains give rise to the many streams that water the land and drain into the Wee or Mungo and Mbwe Rivers. The land is covered by dense forest that degrades with altitude and harbours a rich variety of trees, birds and animals. The land is warm in the lower altitude and cooler the higher one moves into the upper stretches of the mountains.
Source: S. N. Ejedepang-Koge “History of Bakossiland”
The Bakossi Forest Reserve
The Bakossi Forest Reserve of 5,517 square kilometres (2,130 sq mi) was created in 1956. In 2000, the main section of Bakossi was designated a protected forest. All logging was banned and Kupe became a "strict nature reserve". The reserve is not only a site of great natural beauty but a globally important site for biodiversity conservation, identified as an Important Bird Area in 2001. The park supports over 200 species of plants, amphibians and birds that are found nowhere else on earth and is hence categorised as an Alliance for Zero Extinction site. The Bakossi forest also has a share in the contribution of the forestry sector to Cameroon’s economy: providing wood to the numerous carpentry and furniture workshops nationwide. The unique plant species, Coffea montekupeensis, known in Bakossi as “deh a mbine,” is a wild coffee plant believed to be more valuable than the Robusta and Arabica coffees common in Cameroon.
The local Bakossi people participated in delineating the boundaries. There were large gains in management effectiveness of the forest between 2003 and 2007 although the local people are still not well integrated into management of the area and there are weaknesses in education on environmental subjects.
Sources: Wikipedia, Bacda.org, birdlife.org
“a truly spectacular wilderness area complete with Chimpanzees, Drill and a host of mountain endemics”
birdingafrica.com
Bakossi Mountains
The Bakossi Mountains cover an area of about 230,000 square kilometers and contain what is possibly the largest area of cloud or submontane forest in West-Central Africa. Mt. Kupe lies about 100 kilometers from Douala, which is Cameroons second largest city. The mountain straddles the Southwest and Littoral provinces of Cameroon and rises to a height of about 2,064 m above sea level. It is undoubtedly one of Africa’s most famous bird sites such as the Mount Kupe Bush-shrike, Malaconotus kupeensis and wildlife experiences
Documentary The Mists of Mwanenguba - 52 min
In this volcanic region of Cameroon, the botanist, Martin Cheek, with the help of the inhabitants of Bakossi, has inventoried over two hundred previously unknown plant species.
Directed by Jean-Thomas Renaud and Guillaume de Ginestel, written by Guillaume de Ginestel, filming: Jean-Thomas Renaud, music by Jérôme Rossi, editing: Hélène de la MorinerieCo-producer : RFO. Partners: European Community, Kew Royal Gardens. Broadcasts: France O, RFO, TV5 Monde.
Twin lakes of Muanenguba
The Muanenguba Mountain (2,411m) is situated to the north-west of the town of Nkongsamba. The crater of this volcanic mountain, at 1,950 m, is a large grassy plain with a few low hills, a marshy area to the south and two small, deep volcanic lakes. The larger female lake is the only accessible of the two. The smaller male lake is inaccessible due to its obscene character and the traditional belief that it is inhabited by supernatural beings that can inflict punishment upon anyone who dares to go close. This male lake is surrounded by trees, but not even a leaf falls into it. A stone thrown into it with any amount of force will always land on the banks! The Muanenguba Mountains and the mysterious twin lakes make for a great touristic site.
Wildlife
Bird watching
Home to over 26 endemic bird species, Bakossiland is a key destination for the enthusiastic bird watchers and is regarded by many as the most strategic birding site in Cameroon. It was made famous by the rediscovery of the Mount Kupe Bushshrike in 1989.
Flora
Researchers have found a higher diversity of plants in the Kupe-Bakossi region than any other site in tropical Africa. Highlights include new species of coffee, spectacular orchids and new relatives of the fig.
primates
Bakossi is a unique hotspot for many primate species, including the Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus), one of the most endangered primate species in the world, and the Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).
With 2412 species described, of which 232 are assessed as globally threatened and 82 as strictly endemic, from an area of 2390 km2, this book documents what now appears to be Tropical Africa's richest centre of diversity. Chapters are included on Red Data plant species (with 16 pages of colour), vegetation, the physical environment, ethnobotany and medicinal plants, sacred groves, the vertebrate fauna, invasive, alien and weedy plants, and the protected areas system.
Book available for order here
“This book documents what now appears to be Tropical Africa’s richest centre of diversity. ”