West Africa’s Forests – A Realm of Remarkable Biodiversity

Along Africa’s western coastline lie vast and extraordinary forest realms, including the Guinean Forest and the Congo Basin’s Equatorial Rainforest – both lush tropical, moist broadleaf forests that gradually blend into mixed forest–savannah mosaics at their fringes. The Guinean Forest stretches from Guinea to Cameroon, divided into Upper and Lower regions. The Upper Guinean forests, increasingly fragmented by human pressures, are among the most threatened forest habitats on Earth.

Yet these forests remain astonishingly rich in life. Around 390 mammal species occur here, with primates especially significant – many found nowhere else. These include the Western Chimpanzee, Olive Colobus, King Colobus, Western Red Colobus and Diana Monkey. Birdlife is just as remarkable, from the prehistoric-looking White-necked Rockfowl to Timneh Parrot, Rufous Fishing Owl and Gola Malimbe.

Further east, the Equatorial Rainforest of the Congo Basin stands as the second-largest tropical forest on Earth and one of the planet’s last great wilderness strongholds. It shelters iconic wildlife such as Western Lowland Gorilla, Bongo, Okapi and Bonobo, alongside African Grey Parrot, African Slender-snouted Crocodile, Dwarf Water Cobra, dragonflies, beetles and thousands of plant species. Between 2013 and 2023 alone, over 700 new species – including mammals and birds – were discovered here. Most of Africa’s remaining lowland forest follows this equatorial belt from Senegal to the western edges of Uganda. Responsible, low-impact tourism working closely with local communities plays a vital role in protecting these fragile ecosystems. Wildlife-watching in dense rainforest can be challenging, but the rewards are immense – and there are still species here waiting to be discovered.

Senegal

Senegal lies at the very edge of the Guinean Forest system, where forest–savannah mosaics fade into the southern fringes of the Sahara. Much of the country is Sahel – a semi-arid transition zone between desert and humid savannah – yet vital wetlands and mangroves provide crucial wintering grounds for waders and wetland birds. Birding here is superb: on a 2-week trip, around 300 species can be expected. Possibilities include Golden Nightjar, Senegal Thick-knee, Cricket Warbler, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Sahel Paradise Whydah, Red-billed Firefinch, Scissor-tailed Kite and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, with chances for River Prinia, Black-crowned Crane, Little Grey Woodpecker, Atlas Wheatear, Quail-plover, Savile’s Bustard, Adamawa Turtle Dove and Mali Firefinch.

The Gambia

A celebrated winter birding destination, The Gambia hosts over 550 bird species at this time of year. Mangroves, forests and open habitats teem with life: Green and Violet Turacos, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Bearded Barbet, Black Crake and African Thrush share the landscape with herons, bee-eaters, parrots, kingfishers, flycatchers, sunbirds, waders, rollers, pigeons, finches and raptors, while gulls and terns patrol the coast. Our week-long Gambia in Style tour offers a perfect winter escape, while longer itineraries venture upriver to sites where Egyptian Plover can be found.

Sierra Leone

With well over 600 bird species recorded – including all 14 Upper Guinea endemics – plus more than 200 mammal species, Sierra Leone is a treasure trove of biodiversity. Habitats range from coastal estuaries and grasslands to dense forests. Forest specialists include Pygmy Hippopotamus, Campbell’s Monkey and Sooty Mangabey, along with birds such as White-breasted Guineafowl, Narina Trogon, White-necked Rockfowl and Gola Malimbe, as well as hornbills, turacos, kingfishers, pigeons, eagles and owls. Still relatively little known, it’s an exciting destination for adventurous travellers seeking something truly different.

Ghana

Southern Ghana holds the country’s main forest blocks, alive with species such as White-necked Rockfowl, Black and Rosy Bee-eater, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Crested Malimbe, Green and Forest Wood Hoopoes, Melancholy and Fire-bellied Woodpeckers, Long-crested Eagle and Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle. On our longer Highlights tour, Ankasa Forest provides opportunities for Upper Guinea endemics including Yellow-bearded Greenbul, Rufous-winged Illadopsis and Green-tailed Bristlebill. Mammal-life is equally engaging, with monkeys, squirrels, duikers and antelope, plus nocturnal species sought during spotlighting. Ghana is also one of the most reliable places to see pangolin in the wild, with both Long-tailed and Tree Pangolins present.

Gabon

Situated within the Congo Basin, Gabon’s forests cover roughly two million square kilometres across six countries, including flooded forests, rivers and bamboo swamps, and hold around 60% of Africa’s remaining lowland forest. Towering canopies shelter Western Lowland Gorilla, Mandrill, Red-capped Mangabey, Moustached Monkey and Chimpanzee, alongside Forest Elephant, Red River Hog, Forest Buffalo and occasionally Sitatunga. Birdlife is abundant and diverse, with species such as African Finfoot, Long-tailed Hawk, Black-headed Bee-eater, Loango Weaver, African River Martin, Senegal Lapwing, Vermiculated Fishing Owl, Fiery-breasted Bushshrike and Broad-billed Roller.

Republic of the Congo

Not to be confused with the DRC, the Republic of the Congo is another key part of the Congo Basin – the world’s largest rainforest after the Amazon and one of the richest places on Earth for biodiversity, where one in five of all living species occurs. Remote northern forests hold the highest density of Western Lowland Gorillas anywhere, along with 11 species of diurnal primate. Forest clearings known as ‘bais’ draw animals in to drink and feed, including Forest Buffalo, Western Sitatunga and Forest Elephant, with chances for Bongo, Giant Forest Hog and Water Chevrotain. Around the forest camps, birdlife is equally impressive: Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Plumed Guineafowl, Hartlaub’s Duck, Great Blue Turaco, Black-collared Lovebird, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Spotted Greenbul, Fire-crested Alethe and the rare Congo Serpent-eagle are all possible.

For more details on our tours to West Africa, contact Alison Steel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We can also offer tailormade tours to the region. For more information, please contact Jan Fox at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..