Lake Monoun Lake

Address: Lake Monoun (Monoun crater lake), West Region, Cameroon

Lake Monoun is a small crater lake in Cameroon’s West Region, formed in a volcanic crater. It is part of a group of lakes in the region that occupy volcanic depressions.

The lake’s shoreline is sparsely developed and accessed from nearby highland communities; the site is primarily of geological and scientific interest rather than a mainstream tourist destination.

On August 15, 1984, a sudden release of carbon dioxide from the lake’s bottom layers suffocated people in nearby villages; this event was one of the first identified modern limnic gas disasters and informed later monitoring and mitigation work at similar crater lakes.

Lake Monoun sits in the western highlands of Cameroon within the volcanic zone of the Oku area, at elevations characteristic of the Cameroonian plateau.

• 1984 limnic disaster: Site of a deadly limnic carbon dioxide release in 1984 that caused fatalities in nearby settlements.

Access is from towns in the West Region; Bafoussam and Dschang are regional hubs from which local roads lead toward the highland crater lakes. Travel requires local guidance and reliable transport due to the remoteness of the area.

• Be aware of local safety advisories-Lake Monoun has a difficult history and surrounding areas can be remote.
• Coordinate any visit with local authorities in West Region; access may require permission or guidance.
• Thunderstorms and heavy rain can make roads impassable-plan transport with local drivers who know seasonal conditions.