Korup National Park --- our hike in the rain forest

   The original posts for the wood hanging bridge are being replaced by concrete ones at this present time. We had to take a ferry boat to get to the other side where the national park is located. There is no mechanical equipment of any kind in the park.

   This is a sign to show that you are now in the park.

   This map shows the villages involved in the park. Relocation of some villagers was necessary when the inner park was established. Also necessary were the steps taken to train the villagers how to survive without resorting back to their prior dependence on the killing of wild animals.

   There are four camps on the park ground, with hiking trails connecting all of them. It requires three or four days to see the whole place.  We took only the south end Mana Water Fall trail, with a total hiking distance of about 13km (~8 miles).

   Inside the rain forest, this is a typical scene. Everything is very wet - even without the rain.

   This is the Mana Water Fall. There is a tremendous amount of water going through the narrow passage.

   Our guide was wearing a pair of plastic sandals, which is what Cameroonians use for hiking shoes, as well as being their favorite running shoes for mountain races.

   These four soaked hikers just finished their 13 km hike. The two geologist from UB were kind enough to offer their help to take us for this trip, which included a  six hour drive from Buea on mostly gravel roads.

   At end of our hike, we invited our guide, Chief Joseph, to have a drink with us. He brought his wife along. We had a good chat! It was mandatory that we hire a guide - it was also necessary, as it is very easy to get lost in the forest.