The strict nature reserve was established in 1943 by Order No. 4190 SE/F in Côte d'Ivoire and in 1944 by decree in Guinea. The Guinean part was accepted as a biosphere reserve in 1980. Both reserves were combined to form one World Heritage Site in 1981 and 1982. Iron-ore exploration for mining in the most vulnerable montane zone started in 1982, the reserve was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in danger since then. For the sake of an improved protection, a conservation management centre is being built by Guinean Parks Foundation. The project was approved by the Guinean Government and CEGENS in 2016.
Geography
The Nimba Range is a narrow ridge extending approximately 40 km long, with an orientation of northeast–southwest; it forms a part of the southern extent of the Guinea Highlands. Its highest peak is Mount Richard-Molard at 1,752 m. Other peaks include Grand Rochers at 1694 m, Mont Sempéré at 1682 m, Mont Piérré Richaud at 1670 m, Mont Tô at 1675 m, and Mont LeClerc 1577 m. All of them are located in the Guinean part of the reserve. There are about fifty springs, including the origins of the Cavally, Cestos, and Sassandra Rivers. Mining of top-quality iron-ore poses the major threat to the unique geomorphology and wildlife.
Climate
The Nimba Range has a sub-equatorial montane climate. Temperature changes extremely with altitude, with a daytime maximum ranging between 24 °C and 33 °C, and the nightly minimum can fall below 10 °C. Some parts of the reserve receive significantly less precipitation, due to rain-shadow effect of the high ridge. In general, southern slopes are moister than the leeward northern ones which are affected by dry Harmattan wind from the Sahara. The Nimba Range, as well as the reserve has exceptional microclimatic diversity.
The lowland foothills are covered by the Western Guinean Lowland Forest up to 600 meters. The characteristic forest type is semi-deciduous high forest with a main canopy and an emergent layer. There are 40-70 tree species found in a single hectare, and up to 500 forest tree species recorded in the area.
Guinean Montane Forests are located between 600 and 1200–1400 meters. At lower levels, semi-deciduous high forests extend up to 900 meters; they are poorer in species compared to lowlands. Short dry forests can be found in the eastern end of the ridge. From 900 meters altitude, where the mountain is covered by clouds almost most of the year, mossy forests are present, which can be divided into three types: Parinari exclesa forests, summit forests, and tree fern forests in the valleys where ground water is abundant. Above the tree zone, there is a transition of Protea bushland to grassland.
Isolated high-altitude grassland extends from 1200–1400 meters to the highest peaks. There is the most famous endemic vertebrates are the Nimba viviparous toad, and the Lamotte's roundleaf bat, the latter recorded from only one mining site. Endemic plants include among others Asplenium schnellii, Osbeckia porteresii and Blaeria nimbana.
Tourism
The Mount Nimba lies along the trination border of Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Liberia, far away from the capital of each countries. To reach the mountain, a tiring multi-day driving is required with a 4×4 car in all three countries on unpaved roads across the rainforest. This isolation is the main reason for the low number of annual visitors, despite its extraordinary landscapes and wildife, that is considered to be unique on African level. The best country to start climbing the Nimba is Guinea, because the Guinean Park Foundation organizes with aircraft transfer from Conakry.
