The Natural Tourism Riches of Manyu Division, Cameroon: An Inventory of An Exceptional but Underexploited Ecological Endowment

Tabe Belmond Tabe; Talla Richard Tantoh; Yakam Yola A Juma

doi:10.56201/rjhcs.v12.no8.2026.pg21.34

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The Natural Tourism Riches of Manyu Division, Cameroon: An Inventory of An Exceptional but Underexploited Ecological Endowment

Tabe Belmond Tabe, Talla Richard Tantoh, Yakam Yola A Juma

Abstract

Manyu Division, in the South-West Region of Cameroon, possesses one of the richest natural tourism endowments in Central Africa, anchored by Korup National Park among the oldest and most bio-diverse rainforests on the continent. It extends across the Takamanda highlands, the Cross River and its tributaries, a landscape of waterfalls, wildlife corridors, and geological formations that together constitute a natural capital of world-class quality. This article presents a systematic inventory of Manyu's natural touristic assets, drawing on archival records, conservation science, government reports, and interview evidence gathered between 2022 and 2025. It demonstrates that the division's natural endowment is not merely locally significant but internationally competitive. It hosts one of the world's rarest primates, one of Africa's most botanically diverse forests, a river and a highland landscape of considerable scenic and recreational value. The paper argues that the persistent gap between the ecological quality of these assets and their tourism development outcomes reflects infrastructural and institutional constraints rather than any deficiency in the natural resource base itself. It closes with observations on the seasonal and planning considerations that any future valorization strategy must address.

Keywords

Natural TourismManyu DivisionInventoryEcological EndowmentKorup National Park.

References

Cameroon Ministry of Environment, Biodiversity Survey: South West Region (Yaoundé: MINEPDED, 2012). Cross River State Ministry of Tourism, Agbokim Falls and Etung Ecotourism Development Report (Calabar: Ministry of Tourism, 2017). George B. Chuyong, Duncan W. Thomas, and David M. Newbery, 'Species Composition and Structure of the Understorey Woody Community in Korup National Park,' Plant Ecology 195, no. 1 (2008): 43–60. Interview with Ma Mabel Enow, Women's Group Leader, Tinto, 26 March 2022. Interview with Mr. Bekeh Ntui, District Officer, Akwaya, 2 August 2022. Interview with Mr. Enow Arrey, Senior Park Ranger, Mundemba, 22 March 2022. Interview with Mr. Patrick Ebong, Cross River Transport Operator, Mamfe, 14 March 2023. Interview with Mr. Patrick Ebong, Cross River Transport Operator, Mamfe, 21 March 2022. IUCN Species Survival Commission, Primate Specialist Group, Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla, 2014–2019 (Gland: IUCN, 2014). Jo Anderson and Heather Sherrington, eds., The Conservation of Korup National Park (London: Overseas Development Administration, 1992). John S. Comiskey, Thomas B. Lee Thomas, and David Newbery, 'Observations on the Structure and Dynamics of Korup Forest,' in The Conservation of Korup National Park, ed. Jo Anderson and Heather Sherrington (London: Overseas Development Administration, 1992). MINFOF, Annual Report on Korup National Park (Yaoundé: MINFOF, 2018). NAB, File Qb/a1985/9, 'Cross River Navigation and Tourism: Mamfe Division, 1980–1985.' National Archives Buea , File SWP/a 1965/4, 'Administrative Report: Mamfe Division, 1965–1966.' Republic of Cameroon, Administrative Map of Manyu Division (Yaoundé: Institut National de Cartographie, 2003). Republic of Cameroon, Divisional Report: Manyu Division 2010 (Mamfe: Divisional Office, 2010). Republic of Cameroon, Divisional Report: Manyu Division 2015 (Mamfe: Divisional Office, 2015). Republic of Cameroon, Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Development Plan for Cameroon, 2010– 2020 (Yaoundé: MINTOUR, 2010). Republic of Cameroon, Presidential Decree No. 86/1283 of 16 October 1986 Creating Korup National Park (Yaoundé: Presidency of the Republic, 1986). Republic of Cameroon, Road Infrastructure Development Plan: South West Region (Yaoundé: Ministry of Public Works, 2012). Rwanda Development Board, Volcanoes National Park Visitor Statistics and Gorilla Permit Revenue Report (Kigali: RDB, 2021). S.A. Gartlan, 'Conservation Status of Korup Forest Reserve, Cameroon,' WWF Technical Report 3128 (Gland: WWF, 1984). Uganda Wildlife Authority, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Management Plan 2015–2025 (Kampala: UWA, 2015). WWF-Cameroon, Annual Report 2005: Community-Based Natural Resource Management in the Korup Landscape (Yaoundé: WWF-Cameroon, 2006). WWF-Cameroon, Korup National Park Management Plan 2008–2017 (Yaoundé: WWF- Cameroon, 2008). WWF-Cameroon, Korup Project Annual Report 1995 (Yaoundé: WWF-Cameroon, 1996). Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Victoria Falls Rainforest and Geotourism Management Report (Harare: ZimParks, 2016).

The Natural Tourism Riches of Manyu Division, Cameroon: An Inventory of An Exceptional but Underexploited Ecological Endowment

Abstract

Keywords

References

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