Tourist Attractions - rhoko camp
www.cercopan.org
How long have you been working in Nigeria, but never seen the real Nigeria? Many of us have never left our compounds except to go to work or to go shopping, and there's a wealth of experience, far removed from the daily problems of the Delta, to be had in other parts of the country. One such experience that can be quite easily accessed is to visit the community rainforest at Rhoko, in Akampka LGA, Cross River State.
Managed by the Centre for Research, Education and Conservation of Primates and Nature (CERCOPAN), the research station at Rhoko Camp is a haven for people seeking a break with a difference. CERCOPAN has appeared on the OOL forum several times in the past, and they are now actively promoting ecotourism at Rhoko. Ecotourism is vital for economically supporting community conservation, and CERCOPAN's conservation project is at grass roots level; everyone will recognise that conservation - be it of the rainforest or of wildlife - is generally not viable without the support of the community where the conservation effort is based. Nor is it likely to be sustainable without education. This is the difference that CERCOPAN seeks to promote and their 'unique selling point' is just this - there are very few conservation-orientated NGOs based in the country that offer such a comprehensive package.
OOL are delighted to endorse CERCOPAN's commitment to conservation, and also to recommend a visit to Rhoko, where royalties from ecotourism can replace income from unsustainable logging and the illegal hunting of bushmeat. Two thirds of the entrance fees charged at Rhoko go directly to the community as ecotourism royalties, for community development projects. In addition, ecotourists make more employment possible for local people, and stimulate the local economy through purchases in the market place.
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You will find your Rhoko visit a very different experience to visiting a rainforest tourist resort - CERCOPAN's main focus remains research and conservation and at Rhoko you will get some unique insights into their work. You will be enchanted by the primates there, the beautiful forests and the night sounds of the rainforest which surround you, but you will also have a chance to talk to the people carrying out research and community conservation, or even join join them in their work, should want to choose that option! You may like to go for a cooling dip in Rhoko river - or if you are more adventurous, use an innertube to explore the river in a different way, go for a hike along the 1.5 km signed nature trail, or get yourself up into the canopy for a totally different view in our tree platform. Since they take a maximum of 8 visitors, you may indeed find you have the place to yourselves!
CERCOPAN offers different packages, and I am sure there will be one for you. Click here to find out more.
Getting There
Travel from PH, Abuja and Lagos to Calabar Airport is an easy hop by Virgin Nigeria, ACN, Arik or other local airlines. On arrival at the airport, you will immediately be struck by the lack of hassle and bustle of your departure point. Calabar has a local acronym - 'Come And Live And Be At Rest' - an acronym that is well deserved; it's a lot more peaceful than many other towns in southern Nigeria. On arrival, you can stay at a local hotel (very acceptable standards are available) or proceed straight to CERCOPAN's HQ site in town, a 10 minute taxi ride. Here you can get a briefing on your stay in the forest, view the forest monkeys in their enclosures on site and prepare for the journey.
The ride to Rhoko takes about 1.5 hours on metalled roads, heading North towards Ikom. At the Ibogo junction, the road changes to a laterite track, where the more adventurous tourist can hop on a machine driven by very skilful riders, or if not, stay on board the 4x4. Journey time to Iko Esai, the host community, is about an hour depending on the state of the road, and you will perhaps stop there for a break and to meet the Clan Head and the Village Head for a traditional blessing and perhaps some (very acceptable) kai-kai! Another half hour later and you are immersed in sights and sounds of the rainforest.
Accommodation is in purpose built sheds, with beds, mossie nets, and basic equipment provided. There is a kitchen - self catering or catered as you wish - toilet shed and shower enclosure. A 5-minute walk from here past the weather station takes you to the camp office and staff accommodation area.
Please download our Rhoko Brochure for more information about your visit, and contact us today!
