World Heritage Identification Number: 407
World Heritage since: 1987
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇨🇲 Cameroon
Continent: Africa
UNESCO World Region: Africa
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Dja Faunal Reserve: A Biodiverse Haven in Southeastern Cameroon
The Dja Faunal Reserve, situated in the southeastern region of Cameroon, stands as a testament to the richness and resilience of African rainforests. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, this expansive reserve boasts an impressive array of biodiversity and is renowned for its preservation efforts.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
This is one of the largest and best-protected rainforests in Africa, with 90% of its area left undisturbed. Almost completely surrounded by the Dja River, which forms a natural boundary, the reserve is especially noted for its biodiversity and a wide variety of primates. It contains 107 mammal species, five of which are threatened.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ix): The primary forest of the Dja Reserve is interesting for its diversity of species and its unique pristine condition. With its topographical diversity and its three biogeographical and geological influences, it has a rich and varied ecosystem that reflects the ecological evolution in progress in this type of environment. It belongs to the forest block considered to be the largest in Africa for the maintenance of biological diversity.
Criterion (x): The Dja Reserve is one of Africa's most species-rich rainforests. It includes the habitat of numerous remarkable animal and plant species, many of which are globally threatened. It has over 100 species of mammals, of which at least 14 primates (including several endangered species such as the western lowland gorilla, chimpanzee, white-collared mangabey, mandrill and drill). In addition, flagship species are found in the Reserve, such as the endangered forest elephant, and the nearly extinct African gray parrot, bongo and leopard.
Encyclopedia Record: Dja Faunal Reserve
Dja Faunal Reserve, located in southeastern Cameroon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1987. Causes of inscription include diversity of species present in the park, the presence of five threatened species of mammal, and lack of disturbance within the park. It is managed by Dja Conservation Services (DCS), which is led by a conservator. The Reserve receives significant support for its management from many projects funded by international partners and supporters of conservation in Cameroon.Additional Site Details
Area: 526,000 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: 3.125 , 12.983
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Dja Faunal Reserve reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
