At 1,945 metres, Bintumani is the highest point in West Africa west of Cameroon and the roof of Sierra Leone. The summit sits within the Loma Mountains National Park, a protected area of montane forest, grassland, and rocky outcrops that is home to chimpanzees, western red colobus monkeys, pygmy hippos in the rivers, and over 300 bird species including the rare Nimba flycatcher.
The ascent from Kabala is a serious multi-day expedition. There are no marked trails, no accommodation on the mountain, and a guide is not optional — it is essential. The standard route takes three to four days return, with camping in the forest. The views from the summit across the highlands and into Guinea are extraordinary, and the forest on the upper slopes feels genuinely primeval. The dry season (November to April) is the only practical time to attempt it.