SPECIAL REPORT OF ECOTOURISM FOR KUPE MANENGUBA COUNTY
KUPE MUANENGUBA; A case of underexploited Eco-Tourism Potentials:
Although there are multiple ecotouristic attractions and sites in the Cameroons that have long fascinated international and domestic travel segments (such as the white and black sandy beaches of Kribi and Victoria respectively and the national parks like Waza, Korup and the Mount Cameroon National Parks), KMC also offers another unique destination in the Cameroons for ecotourism/nature lovers that has been grossly undermined by the colonial administration. By virtue of its location along the Ambazonian Volcanic Line, AVL, the County plays host to unique nature-based attractions ranging from attractive scenery, lakes, forest reserves, hot springs and waterfalls amongst others that can motivate the travel market.
The County has a captivating, picturesque mountainous landscape characterized by mountains/hills, lowlands, valleys and plains. The Manenguba (2,396m) and Kupe (2,050m) Mountains are notable in the area as well as hills such as Edib Hill (600m) that can support mountaineering, other forms of adventure and the possibilities of admiring the rich biodiversity that thrives on the mountains. The Mount Kupe Forest Reserve is for instance unique from other forests in Ambazonia because it lies at the transition zone between the equatorial rainforest to sub-montane and montane forests, shrubs and grassland of the Grassfields. It is also reputed as one of the best developed sub-montane forests in West Africa with rich endemic species. Other forest reserves in the area include: the Ekanjo, Bajoh and Bangem Forest Reserves. The forests in KMC habours primate species: chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, chameleon and big preys. The forests also have rich bird species as evident with the over 329 rare bird species in the Mount Kupe Forest Reserve Though the coming of the Herackles Farms in parts of the County has threatened the abundance of forest resources in KMC, it has also added agro-tourism potentials by the establishment of oil palm plantations.
There are also lakes such as the Kupe Manenguba Twin Crater Lakes, waterfalls and hot springs that one can also find in parts of the East African Rift Valley. This Manenguba twin lakes are sited at the summit of the Manengubua Mountain caldera, which came as a result of volcanic activity of some 56 to 156 million years ago. The lakes appear to be blue (male) and green (female) in color with lots of cultural heritage amongst the local Bakossi people. The blue/male lake has the shape of an African map and it is bigger than the green/female lake. The male laks supports recreation activities like swimming and fishing.
Contrarily to the female lake, the male lake has an outflow and is drained by the River Mungo which in turn supports fishing and sand mining. The green lake is landlocked and no one dares to go into it except for the traditional priest who goes there occasionally to make appeasement and sacrifices for the land of the Bakossi people. Surrounded by the lake is a lush of vegetation which is a savannah type. Nothing falls into the lake and if anything is thrown inside the item simply comes back outside. Besides the twin lakes, KMC also hosts seasonal like the Lake Bermin which is also found in this volcanic area. The Ndepsi Hot Spring and the Kuku Water Fall in Mekom are also captivating features in the area.
