When people picture forests, they often envision the vast woodlands of the Americas or Asia, overlooking the lush African forests. Many associate Africa with arid deserts in the north or bushveld in the south, yet the continent’s heart hides a dense, impenetrable forest—one of Earth’s three great forest masses. In this blog, we’ll uncover the wonders of African forests, from their origins and vibrant vegetation to their secretive inhabitants, making them a must-visit on a Wandering Thru safari.
How the African Forests Came About
Over millions of years, African forests have expanded and contracted due to climatic and geological shifts. For example, the central Congo forest, now a lush expanse, was once a vast lake until the Kalahari sands dried it up around 60,000 years ago. Forest growth relies on high temperatures, abundant rainfall, and fertile soils, conditions found in Africa’s tropical regions. Even slight changes, like a drop in temperature, can increase humidity, encouraging forests to expand.
Unlike the two-dimensional savanna, measured by length and breadth, forests are three-dimensional ecosystems, with height adding a unique layer of complexity. This makes African forest safaris a thrilling, immersive experience.
Vegetation Growth in African Forests
The dense canopy of African forests limits sunlight, preventing grasses from thriving except in small clearings where a tree falls. Trees grow so closely that visibility is often limited to 30–40 meters, and aerial views reveal only a thick green carpet. This density has historically made studying these forests challenging, with early research confined to riverbanks or forest edges.
Unlike other global forests with uniform tree species, African forests boast incredible diversity, with adjacent trees rarely of the same species. This ensures year-round fruit availability, supporting fruit-eating animals and active seed dispersal. The forest’s hot, humid environment fosters microorganisms that rapidly decompose dead material into nutrient-rich humus, fueling rapid vegetation growth.
The Boundary Line
Unlike gradual transitions in other habitats, the boundary between African forests and surrounding savannas is stark, often visible to the untrained eye. Near the edges, forests may thin into small, grassy islands—remnants of once-larger woodlands. This clear divide separates two worlds: the open plains with herds and predators versus the forest’s shadowy, elusive creatures.
Secretive Inhabitants of African Forests
African forests teem with elusive wildlife, from Great Apes and forest elephants to specialized antelopes like the bongo, duikers, and countless monkey species. These animals are often heard but rarely seen, even by daily forest visitors. Birdwatching is challenging due to dense foliage, but knowing bird calls can help spot rare species.
Insects, however, are the forest’s unsung heroes. From safari ants to wood-boring beetles and vibrant butterflies, they sustain the ecosystem as a vital food source. Termites thrive here, building mounds at tree bases with ingenious “porches” to divert rainwater. Despite heavy rainfall, the forest floor often stays dry, soaked up by soils and vegetation, while high humidity supports frogs and toads
In a world where there is so much wood and perfect climatic conditions, numerous species of termites thrive in the forest. Rather than building their mounds in the open, these termite species usually build their mounds at the base of a large tree. Rain water rushing down the trunk of a tree could wash them away, but these small creatures have come up with ways of combating this. They have created little porches or water flows that sit above the mound. These help redirect the water away from the mound and so keep them from flooding.
Rain can cause a lot of insects that live in the open or high up in the canopy a big problem. A large storm, with strong winds can be quite violent and insects high up run the risk of being torn apart. It makes it a lot safer to live lower down in the forest, where the water would have run through leaves and branches, calming closer to the ground. In some places, even with high rainfall, the ground itself can remain completely dry as the water is quickly soaked up by the soils and vegetation. Small ponds may be far more scarce than what one would assume. This however has very little effect on frogs and toads, that can survive well simply on the high humidity levels in the forest itself.
African forests are a unique, vibrant world, offering a different perspective from the open savanna. Specialized lodges in Congo and Gabon provide access to these ecosystems, revealing both iconic animals like forest elephants and smaller, lesser-known species. Whether you’re drawn to the big mammals or the weird and wonderful insects, an African forest safari is an unforgettable adventure.
Ready to explore the heart of Africa’s forests? Book your Wandering Thru safari today and uncover the secrets of this hidden world. Plan your journey now!
