Mount Cameroon

Mount Cameroon, which is the highest peak in the sub-Saharan central and western Africa, has a huge dome that extends to over 45 km and is elevated 4000 meters above sea-level. This mountain, also known as Mongo ma Ndemi or Fako, is situated in a volcanic chain known as Cameroon Volcanic Line including Lake Nyos, a site of a number of disasters which extends along the border in between Nigeria and Cameroon, southwest towards the Gulf of Guinea. Mount Cameroon and Bioko are the latest volcanoes as compared to the others in this region, of which Mount Cameroon is the only one which is still active to this day.

It is this Mount Cameroon that has the most frequent volcanic eruptions as compared to any other West African volcanoes. The volcanic history of the mountain is highly apparent in the area due to the rifting in the south and north poles, barren lava fields along with the presence of collapsed scars and features of cinder cones. The south-western side of Mount Cameroon has a continuous wet rainy season with the annual rainfall reaching 10,000 mm per year. A large peak, the Etinde, popularly known as Little Mount Cameroon is situated in the southern flank adjoining the coast.

The Avifauna of the ecoregion of Mount Cameroon is diverse, with over 370 recorded species, of which two are strictly endemic to this region. They are Mount Cameroon francolin and Mount Cameroon speirops. It also welcomes various species of birds dwelling in the adjoining National Parks. Mammals seen here are of moderate levels with respect to diversity. The notable ones are the soft-furred mouse, the arrogant shrew and the brush-furred mouse of Cameroon which are strict endemics. The different species of monkeys are also a great attraction of Cameroon.

On one side, Mount Cameroon is the highest volcano of  Africa, but at the same time, it has beautiful plateaus in the southern region, dominated by the equatorial forests. It is for this reason that thousands of tourists and researchers visit this mountain for trekking, relaxation and excitement.