Forêt du Banco

5.39323 , -4.05249

Cote d'Ivoire

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 5.3932/-4.0525 (2020-12-07 17:38:30 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Forêt Du Banco" (2020-12-07 17:38:30 )

Not available yet

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Not available yet
  • Timing and strategy

The Foret du Banco is a large expanse of primary and secondary forest.

The birding is usually best in the early morning, but birds remain active all day in the shelter of the forest. It can be worthwhile to spend half a day or a full day in the forest.

Birding can be good year-round. During the rainy seasons, you'll need to be prepared for wet weather. Abidjan has a rainy season from about April to July (with June being the peak) and a second rainy season from mid-September through November. The rainiest months of the year are June, May, and October, in that order. 

Walking is the best way to explore the forest. Stay on the major trails to ensure that you don't get lost. The trails are wide and mostly smooth. 

Guides are usually available for hire at the entrance gate. Fees are likely subject to negotiation. I think 10,000 francs (15 euros or $18 US) is typical for a day.

Carry an abundance of water. Conditions are hot and humid; you will sweat a great deal. Some refreshments are available in the center of the forest.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 17:16
The Foret du Banco is a large expanse of primary and secondary forest. The birding is usually best in the early morning, but birds remain active all day in the shelter of the forest. It can be worthwhile to spend half a day or a full day in the forest. Birding can be good year-round. During the rainy seasons, you'll need to be prepared for wet weather. Abidjan has a rainy season from about April to July (with June being the peak) and a second rainy season from mid-September through November. The rainiest months of the year are June, May, and October, in that order.  Walking is the best way to explore the forest. Stay on the major trails to ensure that you don't get lost. The trails are wide and mostly smooth.  Guides are usually available for hire at the entrance gate. Fees are likely subject to negotiation. I think 10,000 francs (15 euros or $18 US) is typical. typical for a day. Carry an abundance of water. Conditions are hot and humid; you will sweat a great deal. Some refreshments are available in the center of the forest.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 17:12
The Foret du Banco is a large expanse of primary and secondary forest. Birding can be good year-round. forest. The birding is usually best in the early morning, but birds remain active all day in the shelter of the forest. It can be worthwhile to spend half a day or a full day in the forest. Birding can be good year-round. During the rainy seasons, you'll need to be prepared for wet weather. Abidjan has a rainy season from about April to July (with June being the peak) and a second rainy season from mid-September through November. The rainiest months of the year are June, May, and October, in that order.  Walking is the best way to explore the forest. Stay on the major trails to ensure that you don't get lost. The trails are wide and mostly smooth.  Guides are usually available for hire at the entrance gate. Fees are likely subject to negotiation. I think 10,000 francs (15 euros or $18 US) is typical. Carry an abundance of water. Conditions are hot and humid; you will sweat a great deal. Some refreshments are available in the center of the forest.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 17:07
The Foret du Banco is a large expanse of primary and secondary forest. Birding can be good year-round. The birding is usually best in the early morning, but birds remain active all day in the shelter of the forest. It can be worthwhile to spend half a day or a full day in the forest. Walking is the best way to explore the forest. Stay on the major trails to ensure that you don't get lost. The trails are wide and mostly smooth.  Guides are usually available for hire at the entrance gate. Fees are likely subject to negotiation. I think 10,000 francs (15 euros or $18 US) is typical. Carry an abundance of water. Conditions are hot and humid; you will sweat a great deal. Some refreshments are available in the center of the forest.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 17:01
The birding is usually best in the early morning, but birds remain active all day in the shelter of the forest. It can be worthwhile to spend half a day or a full day in the forest. Walking is the best way to explore the forest. Stay on the major trails to ensure that you don't get lost. The trails are wide and mostly smooth.  Guides are usually available for hire at the entrance gate. Fees are likely subject to negotiation. I think 10,000 francs (15 euros or $18 US) is typical.typical. Carry an abundance of water. Conditions are hot and humid; you will sweat a great deal. Some refreshments are available in the center of the forest.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:56
The birding is usually best in the early morning, but birds remain active all day in the shelter of the forest. It can be worthwhile to spend half a day or a full day in the forest. Walking is the best way to explore the forest. Stay on the major trails to ensure that you don't get lost. lost. The trails are wide and mostly smooth.  Guides are usually available for hire at the entrance gate. Fees are likely subject to negotiation. I think 10,000 francs (15 euros or $18 US) is typical.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:52
The birding is usually best in the early morning, but birds remain active all day in the shelter of the forest. It can be worthwhile to spend half a day or a full day in the forest. Walking is the best way to explore the forest. Stay on the major trails to ensure that you don't get lost. Guides are usually available for hire at the entrance gate. Fees are likely subject to negotiation. I think 10,000 francs (15 euros or $18 US) is typical.
  • How to get there

The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. This is a busy highway and the entrance is not marked from the road, so it is easy to miss. You'll access the gate from the westbound lanes of traffic. The entrance is 100 meters east of (that is, before) a Shell gasoline station.

From anywhere in Abidjan, you can hail a taxi and ask them to take you to the "portail du Foret du Banco." Make sure that the taxi driver knows where it is. The Shell station is a good landmark. A taxi from anywhere in Abidjan should cost no more than 4,000 francs (prices are negotiable).

When leaving the forest, if you need a taxi, walk across the nearby bridge over the highway (visible from the gate) and look for a taxi at the first intersection above the bridge.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 17:14
The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. This is a busy highway and the entrance is not marked from the road, so it is easy to miss. You'll access the gate from the westbound lanes of traffic. The entrance is 100 meters east of (that is, before) a Shell gasoline station. From anywhere in Abidjan, you can hail a taxi and ask them to take you to the "portail du Foret du Banco." Make sure that the taxi driver knows where it is. The Shell station is a good landmark. A taxi from anywhere in Abidjan should cost no more than 4,000 francs (prices are negotiable). When leaving the forest, if you need a taxi, walk across the nearby pedestrian bridge nearby bridge over the highway (visible from the gate) and look for a taxi at the first intersection above the bridge.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 17:14
The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. This is a busy highway and the entrance is not marked from the road, so it is easy to miss. You'll access the gate from the westbound lanes of traffic. The entrance is 100 meters east of (that is, before) a Shell gasoline station. From anywhere in Abidjan, you can hail a taxi and ask them to take you to the "portail du Foret du Banco." Make sure that the taxi driver knows where it is. The Shell station is a good landmark. A taxi from anywhere in Abidjan should cost no more than 4,000 francs (prices are negotiable). When leaving the forest, if you need a taxi, walk across the nearby pedestrian bridge (visible from the gate) and look for a taxi at the first intersection above the bridge.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:35
The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. This is a busy highway and the entrance is not marked from the road, so it is easy to miss. You'll access the gate from the westbound lanes of traffic. The entrance is 100 meters east of (that is, before) a Shell gasoline station. From anywhere in Abidjan, you can hail a taxi and ask them to take you to the "portail du Foret du Banco." Make sure that the taxi driver knows where it is. The Shell station is a good landmark.

The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. There is also a gate on the west side of the park (on the Route de la Prison Civile), but this gate is less used and may not always be open. 

Daily entrance fee: 5,000 francs (7.65 euros; $9 US) for foreign nationals and 1,000 francs for Ivorian nationals.

Hours: The gate should open at 7:00 am but sometimes may not open until 7:30. The gate closes at 5:30 pm. It is open seven days a week.

From the gate, you can walk, drive or bike into the forest. Many people drive into the forest and park at the center, by the Ecole Forestiere. Therefore, while walking up the central road/path, it is important to be aware of approaching vehicles.

Phone: +225 01 01 20 22 13

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 17:17
The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. There is also a gate on the west side of the park (on the Route de la Prison Civile), but this gate is less used and may not always be open.  Daily entrance fee: 5,000 francs (7.65 euros; $9 US) for foreign nationals and 1,000 francs for Ivorian nationals. Hours: The gate should open at 7:00 am but sometimes may not open until 7:30. The gate closes at 5:30 pm. It is open seven days a week. From the gate, you can walk, drive or bike into the forest. Many people drive into the forest and park at the center, by the Ecole Forestiere. Therefore, while walking up the central road/path, it is important to be aware of approaching vehicles.vehicles. Phone: +225 01 01 20 22 13
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:58
The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. There is also a gate on the west side of the park (on the Route de la Prison Civile), but this gate is less used and may not always be open.  Daily entrance fee: 5,000 francs (7.65 euros; $9 US) for foreign nationals and 1,000 francs for Ivorian nationals. Hours: The gate should open at 7:00 am but sometimes may not open until 7:30. The gate closes at 5:30 pm. It is open seven days a week. From the gate, you can walk, drive or bike into the forest. Many people drive into the forest and park at the center, by the Ecole Forestiere. Therefore, while walking up the central road/path, it is important to be aware of approaching vehicles.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:53
The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. There is also a gate on the west side of the park (on the Route de la Prison Civile), but this gate is less used and may not always be open.  Daily entrance fee: 5,000 francs (7.65 euros; about $10 US) euros; $9 US) for foreign nationals and 1,000 francs for Ivorian nationals. The gate should open at 7:00 am but sometimes may not open until 7:30. The gate closes at 5:30 pm. It is open seven days a week. From the gate, you can walk, drive or bike into the forest. Many people drive into the forest and park at the center, by the Ecole Forestiere. Therefore, while walking up the central road/path, it is important to be aware of approaching vehicles.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:43
The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. There is also a gate on the west side of the park (on the Route de la Prison Civile), but this gate is less used and may not always be open.  Daily entrance fee: 5,000 francs (roughly (7.65 euros; about $10 US) for foreign nationals and 1,000 francs for Ivorian nationals. The gate should open at 7:00 am but sometimes may not open until 7:30. The gate closes at 5:30 pm. It is open seven days a week. From the gate, you can walk, drive or bike into the forest. Many people drive into the forest and park at the center, by the Ecole Forestiere. Therefore, while walking up the central road/path, it is important to be aware of approaching vehicles.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:42
The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. There is also a gate on the west side of the park (on the Route de la Prison Civile), but this gate is less used and may not always be open.  Daily entrance fee: 5,000 francs (roughly $10 US) for foreign nationals and 1,000 francs for Ivorian nationals. The gate should open at 7:00 am but sometimes may not open until 7:30. The gate closes at 5:30 pm. It is open seven days a week.week. From the gate, you can walk, drive or bike into the forest. Many people drive into the forest and park at the center, by the Ecole Forestiere. Therefore, while walking up the central road/path, it is important to be aware of approaching vehicles.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:37
The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. This There is also a busy highway gate on the west side of the park (on the Route de la Prison Civile), but this gate is less used and the entrance is may not marked from the road, so it is easy to miss. The entrance is 100 meters east of a Shell gasoline station. always be open.  Daily entrance fee: 5,000 francs (roughly $10 US) for foreign nationals and 1,000 francs for Ivorian nationals. The gate should open at 7:00 am but sometimes may not open until 7:30. The gate closes at 5:30 pm. It is open seven days a week.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:33
The main entrance gate is on the south side of the park, on the Autoroute du Nord. This is a busy highway and the entrance is not marked from the road, so it is easy to miss. The entrance is 100 meters east of a Shell gasoline station. Daily entrance fee: 5,000 francs (roughly $10 US) for foreign nationals and 1,000 francs for Ivorian nationals. The gate should open at 7:00 am but sometimes may not open until 7:30. The gate closes at 5:30 pm. It is open seven days a week.
  • Other attractions

Mammals: monkeys, squirrels.

Invertebrates: numerous butterflies, giant millipedes, centipedes, armies of ants.

Activities:

  • Many people visit the forest to hike or jog.
  • Bicycles are also permitted.
  • It is possible to drive a vehicle into the forest and park in the center at the Ecole Forestiere.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 17:15
Mammals: monkeys, squirrels. Invertebrates: numerous butterflies, giant millipedes, centipedes, armies of ants. Activities: Many people visit the forest to hike or jog. Bicycles are also permitted. It is possible to drive a vehicle into the forest and park in the center at the Ecole Forestiere.
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:40
Mammals: monkeys, squirrels. Invertebrates: numerous butterflies, giant millipedes, armies of ants. Activities: Many people visit the forest to hike or jog. Bicycles are also permitted. It is possible to drive a vehicle into the forest and park in the center at the Ecole Forestiere.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Not available yet

Cameras: In principle, you need authorization to take a camera (other than a smartphone) into the forest. You may need to fill out a form and pay a nominal fee to carry your camera. In my experience, the gatekeepers were laid-back and unconcerned about cameras. However, I was told that in the future, I would need to pay 500 francs ($1 US) for authorization to carry my camera.

Hazards:

  • Watch out for swarms of ants.
  • The trails may be muddy or have rain puddles in some places. 
  • Carry a rain jacket during the rainy seasons (April-July and September-November).

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 17:07
Cameras: In principle, you need authorization to take a camera (other than a smartphone) into the forest. You may need to fill out a form and pay a nominal fee to carry your camera. In my experience, the gatekeepers were laid-back and unconcerned about cameras. However, I was told that in the future, I would need to pay 500 francs ($1 US) for authorization to carry my camera. Hazards: Watch out for swarms of ants. The trails may be muddy or have rain puddles in some places.  Carry a rain jacket during the rainy seasons (April-July and September-November).
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:57
In principle, you need authorization to take a camera (other than a smartphone) into the forest. You may need to fill out a form and pay a nominal fee to carry your camera. In my experience, the gatekeepers were laid-back and unconcerned about cameras. However, I was told that in the future, I would need to pay 500 francs ($1 US) for authorization to carry my camera. Hazards: Hazards: Watch out for swarms of ants. ants. The trails may be muddy or have rain puddles in some places.   Carry a rain jacket during the rainy seasons (April-July and September-November).
Edited by Henry Burton on 2021-11-02 16:55
In principle, you need authorization to take a camera (other than a smartphone) into the forest. You may need to fill out a form and pay a nominal fee to carry your camera. In my experience, the gatekeepers were laid-back and unconcerned about cameras. However, I was told that in the future, I would need to pay 500 francs ($1 US) for authorization to carry my camera. Hazards: Watch out for swarms of ants. The trails may be muddy or have rain puddles in some places. 
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Local guides

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Forêt du Banco - Orniverse