Bomassa

From its origins as a simple fishing camp on the Sangha River, Bomassa has become a small, bustling village, long dedicated to the cause of wildlife conservation, next to which the headquarters of the Park's management unit has been established. A stay in Bomassa is an opportunity to discover the everyday activities of the local people, their culture, and their traditions.
Tourism Experience
Between its petanque players, small shops, churches, and bars, Bomassa gives the visitor a glimpse of what life is like in a village in the middle of the Congolese rainforest. Enjoy its vibrant atmosphere, try to attend a performance by the local indigenous polyphonic singing group, then walk the 800 m from the village to the Park base.

On the base, keep an eye out for monkeys and hornbills in the trees above the buildings, and let our team guide you through the reality of running a National Park. You'll be invited to learn about the Park's history, scientific research, and community activities.

Elephants regularly visit the village and the Park base, especially at night. Any movement at night and early in the morning should be done with caution.

Species you could see
    Frequent visitors:
  • Small monkeys

  • Elephants

      • Elusive visitors:
  • Buffalos

      • Birds:
  • Hornbells

  • Turacos

    • Good to know
    • Bomassa is located right where the borders of Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Congo meet.
    • It is estimated that Bomassa is home to about 900 people, and at least one member of 80% of the households work for the Park.
    • Bon-Coin is a twin village to Bomassa, located on the other side of the Park’s base, and is home to a large population of BaAka Indigenous People.
    History
    The village of Bomassa has occupied its present location since the early 1920s. It was originally known as ‘Ngolio’, ‘eagle’ in the local Bomassa language, because of a nest that was located where the first inhabitants arrived. 

    The name of the village became confused with the ethnicity and language of the inhabitants. Eventually, the name Bomassa replaced Ngolio in the colonial records and has remained so ever since. 

    Historically dispersed on the islands of the Sangha River and in the forest, Bantu fishermen and BaAka hunter-gatherers have gradually settled in Bomassa as Park activities have developed, offering rare opportunities for stable employment.
    Science
    The Park base is at the center of all scientific research activities conducted throughout the Park. A handful of researchers work there full time, notably on the question of human-wildlife coexistence and on the Elephant Listening Project.

    The Park is developing innovative tools and approach to promote science-based decisions to optimize its impact on wildlife conservation.