The ecoregion is characterized by the presence of Afromontane species, which have an archipelago-like distribution across the highlands of Africa and are distinct from the lowland flora.
Typical afromontane tree species are Nuxia congesta, Olea capensis, Podocarpus milanjianus, Prunus africana, Myrsine melanophloeos, and Syzygium staudtii.
Trees in the lower Afromontane forests include species of Astropanax, Alchornea, Myrica, and Ilex, and the palm Elaeis guineensis.
In the upper montane forest from 2500 to 2945 meters elevation Podocarpus milanjianus and Astropanax are predominant, together with Myrsine melanophloeos, Syzygium, Prunus africana, Ixora, and shrubs and herbs like Isoglossa, Pavetta, Rubus, and Impatiens.
Afromontane forests on the Hosséré Vokré and Alantika mountains are mostly limited to stream valleys and ravines, separated by areas of montane savanna or grassland.
[6][7] The ericaceous belt is a transition between the upper montane forests and high-elevation grasslands, ranging from approximately 2750 up to 2950 meters elevation.
[5] Subalpine grasslands grow above 2800 meters elevation, with many grasses, and herbs in the genera Alchemilla and Anthospermum and the families Caryophyllaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae.
Six species of birds are strictly endemic: the Bamenda apalis (Apalis bamendae), white-throated mountain-babbler (Kupeornis gilberti), banded wattle-eye (Platysteira laticincta), Bannerman's weaver (Ploceus bannermani), Mount Kupe bush-shrike (Telophorus kupeensis) and Bannerman's turaco (Tauraco bannermani), which is a cultural icon for the Kom people who live in the area.
Seven species are endemic to the Cameroon Highlands forests and Mount Cameroon: Cameroon greenbul (Arizelocichla montana), Bangwa forest warbler (Bradypterus bangwaensis), grey-headed greenbul (Phyllastrephus poliocephalus), yellow-breasted boubou (Laniarius atroflavus), green-breasted bushshrike (Malaconotus gladiator), mountain robin-chat (Cossyphicula isabellae) and a subspecies of Chubb's cisticola, Cisticola chubbi discolor (sometimes considered a separate species C. discolor).
[8] In Cameroon the mountains are quite heavily populated and used for farming and grazing; much of this ecoregion lies in the Northwest and Adamawa Regions.
In Nigeria the ecoregion is located mainly on the Mambila Plateau, an area of agricultural and grazing land in Taraba State.