Cantanhez Forest National Park

Cantanhez Forest National Park is a protected area in southern Guinea‑Bissau that conserves coastal and lowland rainforest along with associated cultural sites. The park links wildlife protection with community land use across the Tombali region.

Visitors to the park encounter dense forest, small villages and opportunities for guided walks to see forest wildlife and traditional cultural sites, including sacred groves and stone features. Ecotourism here is community oriented and often involves local guides.

The area has long been occupied by local communities whose cultural practices and land management shaped the forest mosaic; protected‑area status was introduced to secure biodiversity and cultural heritage. Conservation efforts have emphasised participatory management involving village councils and customary authorities.

The park lies in the Tombali region of southern Guinea‑Bissau, inland from the Atlantic coast and near the borderlands of the country. Access is typically from regional towns and by road connections within the region.

• Community management: Local communities play a central role in managing and using the forest, and many sacred groves and cultural sites lie within the park boundaries.
• Biodiversity importance: The park provides habitat for West African forest fauna and is a focus for conservation and research in southern Guinea‑Bissau.