Explore the Mefou National Park and the Mysterious Akok Bekoe Caves (Day tour)

Tour summary

The Akok Bekoe Caves

In the southwest of Mbalmayo is found the Akok Bekoé caves or the caves of pygmies. It is in fact a group of caves made up of Six grottoes and alveoli distributed around the village of Akok Bekoe. The name caves of pygmies was deduced from the assumption that pygmies previously lived in caves, but pygmies did not live here.

The “mother cave” is a place of worship and hosts a small catholic church. A spring flows underneath the rocks and is the main source of drinking water for the villagers. The « Cave of four doors » is so rugged and delicate to crawl through but be rest assured you will do it with much fun. The “dark and humid cave” is the siege of numerous bats. But don’t bare hunt them if you don’t want the gods of the caves to come after you. The “smallest cave” is assumed to be the King’s kitchen while the “Cave with three floors or storeys”, is believed to be the king’s abode, deduced from the comfort it offers. The last of the caves is the “Sacred Cave” where the elders of the village and the chieftains (tribal lords) perform traditional rites and hold disciplinary councils for those who offend the Land.

Many tales and mysteries are attributed to these caves, for it is believed that wizards once lived there. The legends say, if you take photos or movies of the cave without the consent of the custodian, the cave will be invisible. Also, don’t dare visit it without having a pure heart. Other ascertained that the unseen gods of the caves sometimes speak, especially in the event when they want to announce a good or bad happenings in the village.

The Mefou National Park

The Mefou National Park, on its part is a unique wildlife haven and one of the most visited tourist attractions around the vicinity of Yaounde. Gorillas, chimps, monkeys and mandrills are found in the park, together with several birds and trees species. It is an ape rehabilitation sanctuary managed by Ape Action Africa and has a lot of nature trails.

The park consists of: a life zone that serves as the reception centre for tourists, the nursery and quarantine zone where the seized animals are kept, treated before reinsertion into nature, and several enclosures for the apes. The one for the gorillas is eccentric as compared to the others.

Tariff: As from 35.000F CFA/ pax for a couple; 29.000F CFA/pax for a group of 4 participants

NB: Plus 15.000 F FCA for foreign tourists as entry fees into visited attractions is elevated