Cameroon

In April / May 2000 our third expedtion will head for southeast cameroon, where there are in some places, according to WWF, more elephants than people. Gerald Klamer already knows this area from a trip in 1998. On the way from the airport to the city of Yaoundé, the countrys capital, he saw dozens of heavy loaded trucks. They transported huge hardwood logs. While in the 70s and 80s countries of west africa like Ivory Coast, were the main focus for the loggers, in the 90s after almost complete destruction of the forests there, the central african countries became their target. Cameroon was soon number one of the african log exporting countries. The forests in the center and the west of cameroon are already dissected by many logging roads.

But in the southeast there are still huge untouched forests, which impressed Gerald Klamer very much. But of cause he knew that it is only a question of time before the logging companys arrive.

Map of planned Cameroon Expedition

Luckily WWF and other conservation organisations have recognized this, and try to establish new, big reserves. When Gerald knew about this "race" between conservation and commercial interests, he decided to support the activities of WWF. The idea of "Paddling for the rainforest" was born. After Gerald learned to know parts of the Dja, this time we want to run most of the river. From Yaoundé we take a bush-taxi near to Lomié, at the uppermost navigable stretch of the river. At the beginning of our river trip the Dja is only about 10 metres wide. Often trees are lying in the water, blocking our way. The gradient here is very moderate, so many meanders will lengthen the river distance. Soon the river forms the northern border of the Dja-Reserve, a huge river peninsula, home of one of the least touched rainforests of the central african region. On his 1998 journey Gerald did a trekking trip to the reserve and watched a gorilla! Some villages are near the river, so the supply of food will be no problem.

In the south of the reserve the Dja flows in a deep gorge, with walls of very ancient rocks. Here we will encounter the first rapids. The unequal gradient is typical for this river. Slow moving stretches are quickly interrupted by fast flowing rapids. After we left the reserve, soon we will reach the ferry on the road Lomié-Ngoila. Here the River trip in 1998 started. In the dry season beautyful trees with red foliage border the Dja.F9 After leaving the ferry, there will be no villages any more. But we will meet some people who come to the river for hunting and fishing.

fishing camp

Meeting on the river

Finally we will reach the point, were the last river journey ended. Gerald and his partner travelled from here to Ngoila on foot. They used a trail which goes from Ngoila south to the Congo. At this point it is only some kilometres away from the river.

When we continue the river journey all villages are distant from the Dja. For this reason people almost never come to this stretch of the river, we know from locals, Gerald asked on the last trip. The rapids are said to be much wilder than before.

The wild Dja

With the staggering pirogues of the fishermen it is impossible to negotiate this river stretch. We hope on interesting wildlife observations, because the animals are not hunted here and therefore less shy. Maybe we will see the mighty forest elephants drinking on the river. Anyway let's hope the crocodiles are still afraid of people! But for sure we will see lots of butterflys, especially during the night.

Nightlife

Finally we will reach the falls Nki, in the center of the new reserve, which was named after the magnificent falls. After this last Blockade the Dja flows calmly through the Congo Basin to its confluence wth the Sangha in the Central African Republic.

We will leave the river and trek on foot over 60 kilometres northeast to the Bek-River. Mainly we want to follow small rivers, and elephant trails, the highways of the jungle. We hope to engage pigmy guides for this attempt. With their great knowledge on the forest, they are maybe able to show us a salt savannah, which attracts all forest animals, parrots, elephants and Bongos as well.

After some days we will reach the Bek, in the heart of the new Boumba-Bek reserve. Before we arrive at the Boumba, we will need to negotiate some rapids again. From the Boumba its not far to a road, on which we want to travel to Yokadouma, where a WWF-Station is located. There we hope to get some first hand informations on the conservation projects in the central african region, before after 6-8 weeks we return to Germany.