Bénoué National Park Park

Savanna national park along Bénoué River with wildlife

Riverine national park in northern Cameroon where savanna meets gallery forest. Visitors take boat safaris and drives for antelopes, crocodiles and seasonal concentrations of waterbirds.

Main image
20160720 OSM-Bénoué.png
Au parc national de la bénoué au Cameroun 11.jpg
Au parc national de la bénoué au Cameroun 21.jpg
Au parc ntional de la bénoué au Cameroun 01.jpg
Au parc ntional de la bénoué au Cameroun 02.jpg
Au parc ntional de la bénoué au Cameroun 03.jpg
Au parc ntional de la bénoué au Cameroun 04.jpg
Au parc ntional de la bénoué au Cameroun 05.jpg
Au parc ntional de la bénoué au Cameroun 06.jpg
Au parc ntional de la bénoué au Cameroun 07.jpg

Bénoué National Park at a Glance#

Google
Apple
OSM

How to Get to Bénoué National Park#

Bénoué National Park is reached via Garoua (about 160-220 km southwest depending on the park entrance). International visitors typically fly into Yaoundé or Douala and take a domestic flight to Garoua, then hire a 4x4 and local guide. Road access is by the RN1 and regional tracks; expect long drives on rough surfaces from Garoua (4-6 hours). Local tour operators in Garoua and Maroua can arrange permits and guided safaris.

Tips for Visiting Bénoué National Park#

  • Travel via Garoua and arrange a 4x4 with a local outfitter - roads are rough and seasonal; avoid the rainy season when tracks become impassable.
  • Bring binoculars and a guide: sightings of roan antelope, kob and hippopotamus are far more likely with someone who knows the watering holes.
  • Plan early-morning drives around the Bénoué River floodplain - light, activity and cooler temperatures converge before 9am.
  • Respect local customs in villages at the park's edge: ask before photographing people, and purchase snacks or crafts from local vendors to support communities.

Best Time to Visit Bénoué National Park#

Visits are easiest and most rewarding during the dry season when animals concentrate near permanent water and roads are passable.

Dry season
November-March · 20-30°C (68-86°F)
Water concentrates in the Bénoué River and a few springs; wildlife gathers on the floodplain and game-viewing is at its best.
Shoulder months
April-June · 23-33°C (73-91°F)
Hotter days and the first rains; fewer tourists and dramatic skies, but some dirt roads become marginal.

Weather & Climate near Bénoué National Park#

Climate

Bénoué National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 16°C to 37°C. Abundant rainfall (1144 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 115 Unhealthy (Sg)
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryDecemberNovember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
45°
Warmest Month
11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Ideal 16° - 33° 25° 0 mm mostly sunny 25% 2.1 m/s 1.9 very high 11.6h
February Ideal 18° - 35° 27° 0 mm some cloud 22% 2.3 m/s 2.0 extreme 11.7h
March Ideal 22° - 37° 29° 8 mm partly cloudy 25% 2.5 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.0h
April Very Good 24° - 37° 30° 62 mm partly cloudy 44% 2.0 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.2h
May Good 23° - 33° 30° 128 mm partly cloudy 60% 2.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.4h
June Very Good 22° - 31° 26° 156 mm partly cloudy 68% 2.0 m/s 2.0 very high 12.5h
July Good 22° - 29° 25° 227 mm overcast 78% 1.8 m/s 1.9 very high 12.4h
August Good 21° - 29° 25° 261 mm overcast 83% 1.6 m/s 1.9 very high 12.3h
September Good 21° - 29° 25° 213 mm overcast 81% 1.4 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.1h
October Excellent 21° - 31° 26° 85 mm partly cloudy 73% 1.7 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.8h
November Ideal 18° - 33° 25° 4 mm mostly sunny 52% 1.9 m/s 2.0 extreme 11.6h
December Ideal 16° - 33° 24° 0 mm clear 34% 2.0 m/s 1.9 very high 11.5h