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International Journal Of Forest, Animal And Fisheries Research(IJFAF)

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  3. Vol-9,Issue-4, October - December 2025
  4. Ecotourism Potential and Conservation Challenges in Benoue National Park, Cameroon: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective

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Ecotourism Potential and Conservation Challenges in Benoue National Park, Cameroon: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective

Isabel Mandela Misori , Titus Fondo Ambebe , Tsi Evaristus Angwafo

Article Info: Received: 15 Nov 2025; Received in revised form: 18 Dec 2025; Accepted: 21 Dec 2025; Available online: 29 Dec 2025

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DOI: 10.22161/ijfaf.9.4.1

Journal : International Journal Of Forest, Animal And Fisheries Research(IJFAF)

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Benoue National Park in Northern Cameroon demonstrates significant ecotourism potential, though development remains constrained by poor accessibility, limited infrastructure, and weak institutional support. We identify the key wildlife species most attractive to ecotourism, document the threats, challenges and mitigation strategies used by park authorities, and examine how these threats have influenced tourist numbers and revenue generated. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 34 respondents, including eco-guards, tourists, and local community members engaged with the Conservation Service and Non-Governmental Organisations. We found that, hippopotamus is the park’s flagship species, with giraffes, Bouffon’s cob, baboons, elephants, buffaloes, hartebeests, and duikers noted as rare but valued attractions. The park faces diverse threats, including poaching, transhumance, gold digging, kidnapping, illegal wood exploitation, fishing, agricultural encroachment, and wildlife-related crop destruction. Visitor experiences are further hindered by poor accommodation, degraded roads, especially during the rainy season, and abandoned infrastructure. Mitigation strategies implemented by the park authorities, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society, include anti-poaching patrols targeting illegal hunting and exploitation, alongside community engagement through sensitisation campaigns, education, and peripheral village development. Tourist numbers and revenue generated between 2018 and 2024 reveal fluctuating trends. The highest tourist count was 36 in 2018, while the lowest was 8 in 2020. Revenue was lowest at 74,000 FCFA in 2020 and peaked at 596,000 FCFA in 2024 and, underscoring the impact of threats and accessibility challenges. Overall, Benoue National Park remains a promising ecotourism destination anchored by iconic megafauna. Long-term success will require sustained investment in infrastructure, inclusive governance, and adaptive management strategies responsive to evolving threats and opportunities.

Ecotourism, ecological threats, tourist trends, revenue generated, wildlife.

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