Located on the coast of West Africa, Cameroon's wonderfully diverse geography has earned it the title of 'Africa in miniature'. Although a household name for its successful national football team, its natural beauty, culture and history are less well known, not having found its way on to the regular traveller's itinerary for an African tour. But actually, Cameroon displays many of the fantastic features of this great continent within an area roughly the size of California. You can discover secluded tropical beaches on the Gulf of Guinea, rugged mountains and volcanoes, great game parks with roaming forest elephant, buffalo and giraffe, as well as dense rainforests inhabited by chimpanzee and gorilla. Savannah grasslands and lakes complete the vast range of landscapes to be experienced. The only factor holding back its tourist industry is its sensitive location, neighbouring some of Africa's more volatile and unsettled nations such as Nigeria and Chad.
 |
|
Fishing boat in Cameroon
|
Cameroon itself is one of Africa's wealthiest countries, with an amazing assortment of peoples and cultures. They are united in their custom of welcoming foreigners and visitors as if they were friends. Yaounde is their capital, situated on seven hills, with modern shops, hotels and markets, while the economic hub is Douala, located on the Wouri River just inland. The country was controlled in turn by Germany, then the British and French after World War I, with independence arriving in 1960 and 1961. While around 200 different languages exist within the current population, English and French are the official languages. Many of the ethnic groups have preserved their ancient traditions including music, dance and art.
A trip to Cameroon should take you to some of its most exciting National Parks: visit the Lowland gorillas in the Lobeke National Park, Africa's oldest rainforest at Korup National Park and almost every animal you associate with Africa at Benoue and Waza National Parks. Mount Cameroon is the highest mountain in West Africa and a popular mountaineering destination with the added thrill of knowing that it is an active volcano. Hiking and climbing are also the favourite pastimes of visitors to the northern park of Mindif and the region near Mora as well as the area around Bamenda in the southwest. The Jungle Village in Limbe Botanic Gardens has a number of wonderful trekking routes. Also not far from Limbe is the beautiful resort of Londji Beach in Kribi, if the humidity is just getting too much and you need to cool off in the refreshing ocean.
The Mandara Mountains in the north of the country are home to some of the indigenous peoples living in remote villages, while there are some ancient tribal kingdoms in the west and villages inhabited by pygmies in the south. It is possible to experience the way of life of the Baka pygmies first-hand, during week-long expeditions into their settlements where you will learn of traditional hunting methods, medicine and rituals. Those fascinated by these amazing communities can also visit Rhumsiki, a village of the Kirdi people with a stunning setting, framed by the Kapsiki mountains. It too seems frozen in time, its customs having remained almost unchanged for centuries.
Located on the coast of West Africa, Cameroon's wonderfully diverse geography has earned it the title of 'Africa in miniature'. Although a household name for its successful national football team, its natural beauty, culture and history are less well known, not having found its way on to the regular traveller's itinerary for an African tour. But actually, Cameroon displays many of the fantastic features of this great continent within an area roughly the size of California. You can discover secluded tropical beaches on the Gulf of Guinea, rugged mountains and volcanoes, great game parks with roaming forest elephant, buffalo and giraffe, as well as dense rainforests inhabited by chimpanzee and gorilla. Savannah grasslands and lakes complete the vast range of landscapes to be experienced. The only factor holding back its tourist industry is its sensitive location, neighbouring some of Africa's more volatile and unsettled nations such as Nigeria and Chad.
|
|
Fishing boat in Cameroon
|
Cameroon itself is one of Africa's wealthiest countries, with an amazing assortment of peoples and cultures. They are united in their custom of welcoming foreigners and visitors as if they were friends. Yaounde is their capital, situated on seven hills, with modern shops, hotels and markets, while the economic hub is Douala, located on the Wouri River just inland. The country was controlled in turn by Germany, then the British and French after World War I, with independence arriving in 1960 and 1961. While around 200 different languages exist within the current population, English and French are the official languages. Many of the ethnic groups have preserved their ancient traditions including music, dance and art.
A trip to Cameroon should take you to some of its most exciting National Parks: visit the Lowland gorillas in the Lobeke National Park, Africa's oldest rainforest at Korup National Park and almost every animal you associate with Africa at Benoue and Waza National Parks. Mount Cameroon is the highest mountain in West Africa and a popular mountaineering destination with the added thrill of knowing that it is an active volcano. Hiking and climbing are also the favourite pastimes of visitors to the northern park of Mindif and the region near Mora as well as the area around Bamenda in the southwest. The Jungle Village in Limbe Botanic Gardens has a number of wonderful trekking routes. Also not far from Limbe is the beautiful resort of Londji Beach in Kribi, if the humidity is just getting too much and you need to cool off in the refreshing ocean.
The Mandara Mountains in the north of the country are home to some of the indigenous peoples living in remote villages, while there are some ancient tribal kingdoms in the west and villages inhabited by pygmies in the south. It is possible to experience the way of life of the Baka pygmies first-hand, during week-long expeditions into their settlements where you will learn of traditional hunting methods, medicine and rituals. Those fascinated by these amazing communities can also visit Rhumsiki, a village of the Kirdi people with a stunning setting, framed by the Kapsiki mountains. It too seems frozen in time, its customs having remained almost unchanged for centuries.