Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary

Located between two divisions – Kupe Manenguba and Manyu – in the South West Region, the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary (BMWS) was created on 12 March 1996 by Prime Ministerial Decree and covers a surface area of 64,220 ha.
 
The management objective for the creation of BMWS is to:

• Conserve the biodiversity of the area;
• Develop and promote eco-tourism.

 

BMWS is a biological hotspot of conservation significance and an important site for primate conservation. It is a habitat of flagship species, including the forest elephant, with its famous ‘elephant market’ (a salt lick situated in the Sanctuary where elephants visit), Nigerian-Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes vellerosus), Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus), and seven known Guenons.
 
The sanctuary is also home to over 322 species of avifauna, including the endangered Mount Kupe Bush-shrike (elophus kupeensis); 71 species of reptiles, including 2 species of tortoise; 23 species of lizards, and 46 species of snakes.
 
BMWS has mainly sub-montane vegetation and its landscape is characterized by rugged and hilly topography.
 
Across Cameroon, BMWS is seen as a wonderful destination for school and corporate field trips, nature lovers and researchers of all ages.