-
8 Days
-
Max People : 10
-
All Year Round
-
Min Age : 10+
Description
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.
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 is with a professional guide and on a walking safari.
Wildlife
There basin area is known for large herds of the African elephants and lion prides. Some of the other mammals in the park include the hippos, giraffes, kob, olive baboons, vevert monkeys, leopards, cheeetahs, aardvarks, warthog, tsessebe and hartebeests among others.
Some of the regular birds in the park include the ostrich, Arabian bustards, heron, fish stork, hornbills, lesser kestrel, Nubian bustard, marbles duck, greater spotted eagle and Quail plover among others. There are more than 350 birds recorded in this park
Travel
The best time to visit Waza National Park is during the dry season of March to May when many animals congregate along water holes and pools while the rainy season is best for bird watching adventures. Nevertheless, the park is open November to June for tourists.
Access to the park is via the village of Waza in the north west of the park where ranger guides and the offices of the Waza National Park Conservation service. Waza is just off the paved road to Chad, 75 miles (122 km) north of Maroua.
Accommodation
There is lodging and camping within the park although prior arrangements and bookings are important. Accommodation is also available in the village of Waza and Maroua.
A variety of lodging is available and guided trips can be arranged both at Maroua and, nearer the park, the village of Waza, which has camping as well. Some of the options include Waza Campement Hotel and Waza Park hotel.
Experience the famous peaks of Rhumsiki within the Mandara Mountains and much more over the next week. The tour involves plenty of driving that offers a great opportunity to take in the Cameroonian landscape. This week, you can look forward to spending quality time with locals in their villages and exploring the art of different handicrafts that many of them are experts in.
You will be welcomed at the Yaounde airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in and overnight.
Itinerary
From your desired location in Yaounde this morning, you will be transferred to Nsimalen airport to depart by CAMAIRCO flight to Maroua. As you arrive in Maroua, you will be greeted and then off to explore the city of Maroua. Later this afternoon, we will transfer to the hotel to check-in and for dinner. Maroua is quite well known for being a gateway city the Waza National Park that lies just to the North of it, and also the city is somewhat the foothills of the Mandara Mountains.
After breakfast this morning, we will drive to Rhumsik, a village most famous for the multiple lunar style peaks, a unique spot here in Cameroon that is a must see! Located in the Mandara Mountains and just a few miles from the border of Nigeria, the peaks are a unique landscape with the most famous peak, Kapsiki Peak, reaching 1224 m. Next, we will do some hiking to explore the village and discover its hidden treasures. This evening is free for you to explore and enjoy. Dinner at the Rhumsiki camp tonight.
This morning will be an early wake up to admire the beautiful and glowing sunrise in Rhumsiki village. We will visit the potters and weavers of the village and discover the objects they create. We will then drive from Rhumsiki, after breakfast, to Djingliya, then continue to Oudjilla. Here, we will visit the Chief Palace of Oudjilla and chat with the Chief of the village. After, we will continue driving through the fascinating landscape to Waza. Free evening, dinner and overnight in Waza camp.
Explore the great Waza National Park the whole day. With an area of 170.000 hectares, Waza offers a diverse wildlife including lions, elephants, giraffes, ostriches, antelopes, several species of birds, etc. return to Waza camp for dinner and overnight. The park initially began as a hunting reserve and became a national park in 1968. In 1979 the park achieved UNESCO status as a biosphere reserve.
Drive to Pouss village, the best site to admire the Mousgoum shell hut architecture. Visit the Sultanate of Pouss, and study the culture of the Mousgoum people. Drive to Maga, and visit the lake. Explore the fishing village and fish market. Dinner and overnight.
Drive to Mindif and discover its teeth-shaped mountains offering a unique view. Meet artists and calabash carvers renowned for the quality of their art. Return to Maroua and visit the handicraft center for souvenirs. Dinner and overnight.
Morning drive to the archeological site of Bidzar, which offers its marble paintings and carvings dating thousands of years back. Visit the gorges de Kola, gigantic and impressive rocky rifts. Drive to Garoua and visit the city where you will have a free afternoon/evening. Dinner and overnight.
This morning you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Yaounde or international departure. End of tour.
Location
CFA810,000
Be the first to review “Waza National Park Tour”