[2][3][4][5] The ecoregion includes the lowland forests extending from the Atlantic Ocean a few hundred kilometres inland, and from western Ivory Coast across Liberia, southeastern Guinea, most of Sierra Leone, and into southwest Guinea.

The terrain is relatively flat, with a mean elevation of 2,225 meters and a few isolated mountains that reach a high point of 1,290 metres (4,230 ft).

[6][7] Closed forest covers two thirds of the ecoregion, mostly broadleaf evergreen trees, but much of this is second-growth or otherwise disturbed by human activities.

[2] Common trees include Dacroydes klaineana, Strombosia glaucescens, Allanblackia floribunda, Coula edulis and Diospyros sanza-minika.

[2] Because the wet areas expanded and contracted during the Ice Age, 'islands' of specialized species developed.