At a Glance
Dates: January 25th - January 31st, 2023
Extension: We do not currently offer any extensions to this itinerary.
Prices: £2,095 pp sharing (with no single supplement), excluding international flights.
In a sentence: Secreted in a rarely-visited part of South-East Cameroon, the Ngoyla Faunal Reserve is a vital corridor between Nki and Dja, and Minkebe in neighbouring Gabon - full of rare species, it's a minor miracle it isn't world-famous!
Overview
Cameroon has so very much to offer the patient and committed mammal-watcher. From the giant eland of the north to the plethora of rainforest species to the south, there are few boxes left unchecked. It is this latter category that Ngoyla fits surprisingly well despite not being a household name, even amongst fervent wildlife-watchers. Situated between Dja and Nki in Cameroon, Ngoyla is a reasonably densely-populated forest corridor, that links Dja and Nki with Minkebe in Gabon. Subject to a number of conservation efforts, this corridor is dotted with several "bais", where minerals leach to the surface and many forest species gather. Primates are particularly well represented, with chimpanzee and gorilla commonly seen, and lucky guests may also spot buffalo and a range of forest duikers.
Itinerary
Day One
Yaounde
On arrival into Yaounde, guests will be met by their tour leader and transferred directly to their comfortable local hotel. There will be a pre-tour briefing in the hotel this evening, but the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day Two
Ngoyla FR
Early this morning, guests will be transferred the approximately eight hours south-east to the town of Ngoyla. The drive is not hugely comfortable but will be well worth it! Accommodation this evening will, like the rest of the tour, be basic, in a local guesthouse.
Days Three to Six
Ngoyla FR
These four days will allow guests to absorb the beauty of Ngoyla at a relaxed pace. The group will explore the forests of Ngoyla on foot, spending plenty of time at two large bais, Mbango and Namodomo, where gorilla, chimpanzee, buffalo and plenty more are regularly seen. Sitatunga are particularly well seen here, and sightings of this rare antelope are always very special.
When not at the bais, guests are welcome to spend time with the local Ba'aka population, learning about their culture and traditions. A real highlight is a visit to the Akoafem rock formation, an ancient natural viewpoint which offers an unusual view of the rainforest canopy, and unparalleled chances of sighting several arboreal species.
Each night will be spent either under canvas in the forest, or in a local guesthouse in Ngoyla town itself.
Day Seven
Morogoro
Leaving Ngoyla early this morning, guests will return directly to Yaounde for evening flights home.
Please be aware that whilst we make every effort to follow the above itinerary as closely as possible, circumstances may
occasionally arise that mean the tour deviates from the itinerary.
Dates and Prices
This tour will run in January 2023, aiming to take advantage of the dry season when wildlife populations congregate around water sources, and when large predators are at their most mobile. The tour will run from January 25th to January 31st.
The cost of this trip is £2.095 per person excl. flights. This includes all meals, accommodation and wildlife-focussed activities. Drinks are not included. There is no single supplement for this trip. To secure a booking, a deposit payment of £500 must be paid.
Flights and Visas
Pictus Safaris do not offer flight booking services. However, we do recommend the use of travel comparison websites such as skyscanner.net or momondo.com to identify the best fares, and then booking with the airline directly where possible. This will reduce the likelihood of complications and fees should any issues with your booking arise. If you wish to spend an additional night in Yaounde at the beginning or end of your tour, we can arrange this for you at an extra cost. We strongly recommend booking flights leaving Yaounde after 18.00 on your return, if leaving on the same day that we return to Yaounde, to avoid disruption to your plans.
British nationals do require a visa to enter Cameroon. Clients of other nationalities are advised to check well before travel whether they require an entry visa. Details of the process of obtaining a tourist visa for Cameroon will be provided to you upon booking. The cost of a Tanzania entry e-visa for UK citizens is £110 - these must be obtained prior to arrival in Cameroon.
Weather and What to Bring
The weather in Cameroon in January is warm and humid, with maximum temperatures of around 27 degrees Celsius. At night, temperatures will drop to around 20 degrees Celsius.
A full packing list will be circulated at least two months prior to departure. Pictus Safaris will be able to provide one extra set of binoculars and two spotlights per group, and clients are welcome to bring additional camera, videography and scope equipment should they wish to. Please note that the use of drones is not permitted in many protected areas. We strongly recommend bringing comfortable, loose-fitting and neutral-coloured clothing on safari - please do not bring camouflage clothing. We recommend against dark coloured clothing (e.g. black or dark blue) as this attracts biting flies. Worn-in hiking boots with ankle support are a must, as are sunglasses, sun protection and a hat.
Do also remember to budget for any expenses not included in the cost of the trip, including for gratuities and additional activities. We recommend bringing US Dollars.
Safety and Security
There are no security concerns in any of the areas visited during this tour.
Book Now
To secure a booking on this fantastic holiday, please contact us at contact@pictus-safaris.com.