Waza National Park

Waza National Park is located in the northern finger extension of Cameroon.  The national park encompasses an area of 660 square miles (1,700 sq km).  This part of Cameroon's narrowness means the national park is only about 6.2 miles (10 km) away from the borders of Nigeria and Chad on each side.

The floodplain that makes up much of the national park floods seasonally.  Although the primary park is fairly flat, the elevation does change from 980 feet (300 m) to 1,600 feet (500 m).  The Chad depression was originally a lake but now features 7% shrubland, 5% grassland, with the majority accounted for by terrestrial landscape.

There are five vegetation categories throughout the remainder of the park, including shrub savanna, open grass savanna, acacia tree savanna, perennial grasses, and floodplains.  The variation of vegetation attracts different species adding to the overall wilderness experience. 

This park also has one of the best-preserved rainforest areas in Africa.  All of this collectively adds up to create one of the most diversified wilderness areas on the continent.  It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The wildlife of Waza features the favorite predators of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyena.  As a matter of fact, there are healthy prides of lions.  Other wildlife species include giraffes, waterbuck, roan, elephant, hartebeests, tsessebe, aardvarks, baboons, warthog, vervet monkeys, and hippopotamuses.  There are 30 species of mammals.

Birdwatchers can keep their eyes open for hornbills, kestrel, heron, Arabian bustards, Nubian bustard, spotted eagle fish stork, and ostrich, which are part of the 350 species of birds.

Photos

Waza National Park Photo Gallery

Highlights

A guide is required to experience the park.  This is true whether you are on a driving safari or walking safari.  The wildlife is the park's highlight, with strong herds of elephant and healthy lion prides serving as the pinnacle sightings.

Waza National Park Trails

This is a wildlife enriched national park that requires guided safari tours.  There are no trails for hiking through the park.  The only way to experience the park on foot is with a professional guide and on a walking safari.