Covering some 1200 sq km, the Parc National de Haut Niger is one of West Africa's last significant stands of tropical dry forest and one of the most important protected areas in Guinea. Areas of low human impact are comparatively rare now in Guinea, and found only in areas of low population density. One such area is that of the Mafou Forest, the last remaining area of dry forest in Guinea and one of the few left in West Africa.
Location of Guinea in West Africa
Historical Context and Low Population Density
This area has a low population because of widespread river-blindness and the atrocities of Samory Touré in the latter part of the 19th century.
Park Zones and Sustainable Resource Use
The park comprises two zones, a core protected zone and a buffer zone in which local people are encouraged to use the resources of the park in a sustainable way. Farming and the collection of non-timber forest products is permitted. The government manages fishing, hunting, and timber harvesting in cooperation with local communities.
National Park of Upper Niger | Wikipedia audio article
Ecological Zones
The park covers several ecological zones, the dominant is that of savannah, consisting of woodland and bushland. A smaller area of the park consists of riparian forests along the Niger and Mafou Rivers. Around five percent of the park is agricultural, along the edges of the park.
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Mammalian Diversity
The park is home to a diverse array of mammals. 14 ungulates can be found within the park including: giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni), kob (Kobus kob), waterbuck (K. ellipsiprymnus). Other notable species include the giant pangolin (Manis gigantea) and tree pangolin (M. tricuspis). African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) has also been recorded.
Distribution of the African Manatee
Resource Management and Conservation
There is a large trade in hunted animals from the park. At present this is carefully managed by park authorities, who feel that creating incentives for careful management of the resources is the best way to protect the forest as a whole.
Visiting the Park
However, you would be very lucky indeed to actually see much wildlife thanks to the dense foilage, a general sense of caution of most of the animals and a near total lack of visitor facilities. Dedicated birders though will likely find the forest highly rewarding. To get to the park take the dirt road leading east from Faranah to the tiny village of Sanbaya (Sambonya) via Beindou.
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