UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Cameroon
Cameroon has 2 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1 cultural and 1 natural), the first inscribed in 1987 (Dja Faunal Reserve). The map below plots every one of them alongside the rest of the List, and each site is written up in full further down the page.
- World Heritage Sites
- 2
- Cultural
- 1
- Natural and Mixed
- 1
- First Inscribed
- 1987
Map of World Heritage Sites in Cameroon
CulturalNaturalMixedIn DangerLarge dots are in Cameroon. Click a dot to read about the site.
Dja Faunal Reserve
Cameroon · 3.0167° N, 12.9833° E · 5,260 km²
Dja Faunal Reserve (French: Réserve de faune du Dja, Réserve de Biosphère Dja), 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.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Dja Faunal Reserve (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Why Dja Faunal Reserve Is Listed
- (ix)
- An outstanding example of ongoing ecological and biological processes.
- (x)
- The most important natural habitats for conserving biodiversity.
More about Dja Faunal Reserve
UNESCO's Description
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.
From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
History
The Dja Faunal Reserve was created in 1950 and became a World Heritage Site in 1987 and it forms an integral part of the dense rain forests that make up the Congo Basin. It is one of the largest and best-protected reserves within the rainforest zones of Africa with around 90% of its area remaining undisturbed. The Dja Faunal Reserve is especially notable for the diversity of primate species it protects including white-collared mangabey, mandrill, drill, western lowland gorilla and chimpanzee. It adjoins onto the Congolese reserve of the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and the Gabonese Minkébé National Park to form the TRIDOMarea, an important zone for the protection of the African rainforest habitat of the Congo basin.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Dja Faunal Reserve (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Key Facts
| Established | 1987 |
|---|---|
| Area | 5,260 km² |
Facts from Wikidata Q843147 (CC0).
Diy-Gid-Biy
Cameroon · 10.9167° N, 13.8333° E · 25 km² · 64 km from Maroua
The Diy-Gid-Biy (DGB) sites are archaeological sites located around the Mandara Mountains of northern Cameroon and Nigeria, overlooking the several kilometers long Shikewe watershed. These sites get their name Diy-Gid-Biy from the Mafa language, which can be translated as "place of chiefly residence." There are 16 of these DGB sites which date back to around the 15th century AD. While knowledge of these sites has existed for some time, only in 2001 archaeologists began to investigate the sites and their cultural heritage in relation to the region.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Diy-Gid-Biy (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Why Diy-Gid-Biy Is Listed
- (iii)
- A unique testimony to a cultural tradition or civilisation.
More about Diy-Gid-Biy
UNESCO's Description
Located in the Far North Region of Cameroon, the property includes sixteen archaeological sites across seven villages. Known as Diy-Gid-Biy (meaning “Ruin of the Chief’s Residence” in the Mafa language), these dry-stone architectural structures were likely built between the 12th and 17th centuries. While their original builders remain unknown, the area has been inhabited by the Mafa people since the 15th century. The surrounding landscape features agricultural terraces, homes, tombs, places of worship, and artisan activities, reflecting a long-standing cultural and spiritual connection between the people and their environment.
From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
World Heritage in Cameroon: Quick Answers
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Cameroon?
- Cameroon has 2 World Heritage Sites: 1 cultural and 1 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Cameroon?
- Dja Faunal Reserve, inscribed in 1987. The most recent is Diy-Gid-Biy, inscribed in 2025.
- What are the natural World Heritage Sites in Cameroon?
- Dja Faunal Reserve.
- Are any World Heritage Sites in Cameroon in danger?
- None of the World Heritage Sites in Cameroon is on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.