Conduct surveys on Cross River Gorillas in the Highland Rainforests of Southwest Cameroon
Program Overview
Cameroon is a fascinating country famed for its natural wonders, witch doctors and pygmy tribes. Our project is based in Southwest Cameroon, an area home to two of the most threatened African great apes: the Cross River gorilla (the rarest of all gorilla subspecies) and the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (the most endangered chimpanzee subspecies in Africa).
Your job as a volunteer on this project will be to conduct vital research surveys in the beautiful montane rainforest, home to some of the most endangered species in Africa, including the critically endangered Cross River gorilla.
When you are not engaged in conducting the field surveys. you will stay with indigenous highland rainforest communities and meet with local kings, chiefs, teachers and children. In these communities, you will assist with conservation education and awareness raising programs, all part of our holistic effort to protect these endangered primates.
Life on the Program
You will spend the bulk of your time in the Lebialem Highlands conducting research surveys and running environmental education programs in local villages. The Lebialem Highlands are a six-hour drive from the coastal town of Limbe in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.
This program is physically demanding. The rainforest surveys take place in rough and steep terrain, and the temperature and humidity levels are high. While you are in the rainforest, you will be camping, without electricity or toilets. Conditions at the base camps in the local villages are also very basic. Days are fairly long as we break camp at sunrise and make camp each evening just before dark.
Program Details
Each survey expedition lasts 3 to 5 days. On each survey, you will carefully record all sightings of animals, particularly the primates. You will take photographs to compliment the data when possible. Specific data that must be recorded includes; nest site data, including elevation and GPS coordinates; behavioral observations; feeding signs; habitat and tree species; and, mode of detection.
After the surveys, your team will travel to one of the local villages where you will live with a host family for one or two days. While staying in the village, your team will conduct education activities, such as videos sessions or art workshops with the community or local schools. Positively influencing the attitudes towards great apes and creating healthy relationships between children and wildlife is critical to sustainable coexistence and the protection of apes.
Volunteer Testimonials
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. The personal highlight was staying in Fossimondi with a local hilltop family. They were so welcoming and the children were amazing. I also loved the challenging trekking and camping out, washing in gorgeous rivers and sitting in a used gorilla nest.
The volunteer trip in Cameroon was just what I needed to begin my hands-on experience as a conservation worker. I have gained an appreciation of the struggle between the needs of people living in remote areas and the conservation of forest ecosystems. I feel now that I am better prepared for the future and hope to enjoy many similar experiences as I embark on my career. I will make it a priority to return to the Cross River gorilla program as I feel that I would gain even more from a longer stay.
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Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- 2 nights accommodation in a hotel in Buea (1 night at arrival/1 night at dept)
- Working alongside former poachers who are now trackers assisting the project
- Indigenous host family stays
- Visiting Limbe Wildlife Centre
- Field training on great apes ecology and conservation
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
