Introducing Cameroon
Cameroon’s tourist industry is a victim of geography. It sits in a tough neighbourhood, bordered by some problematic countries. But this shouldn’t put you off, as Cameroon really has just about everything a traveller could want. One of the most culturally diverse countries on the continent, its people include ancient tribal kingdoms, Muslim pastoralists and forest-dwelling pygmies.
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The landscape is no less dizzying in its diversity. Mt Cameroon (4095m) is the highest peak in West Africa and attracts plenty of trekking interest. A still-active volcano, it rises almost straight from the sea in a spectacular manner. Further north are the rolling grassfields of the Ring Road area, while the Mandara Mountains are a complete contrast again – dry and rocky, with isolated villages eking out a living. Fringing all of this are some of Africa’s oldest rainforests, and the excellent Parc National de Waza, with abundant mammal and birdlife, and large herds of elephants gathering at water holes in the dry season.
If all this exhausts you, you can retire to some fine palm-fringed beaches and fantastic seafood, which should help to recharge your batteries. Throw in a cold beer or two, some lively home-grown makossa music and the Indomitable Lions of the national football team, and you’ll be revelling in your discovery.
Last updated: Jul 16, 2010
Tips & articles
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West Africa: travel books to read before you go
1 October 2010
This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s West Africa guide provides a selection of travel literature to get you in the mood...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Harare (Zim) to Mali by road
by BushShrike 13 September 2011
Arrived the 10th of September in Bamako after some lengthy diversions in Cameroon due to rain. I'll try and get my blog back updated in…
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RE: What is your favorite country in Africa?
by Helen_of_Troy 12 September 2011
Cameroon is a great country and at times asks a lot from the traveler. We got stuck in horrible road conditions entering Cameroon from…
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RE: Tour operators in Cameroon: any recommendations?
by globalbushtours 12 September 2011
Hello Hulili The Best and Authorised travel agent and tour operator in Cameroon is Global Bush travel and Tourism Agency with website…
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Cameroon
Things to do
- All things to do (22)
- Activities (0)
- Entertainment (0)
- Restaurants (8)
- Shopping (1)
- Sights (8)
- Tours (5)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Cameroon
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1 Mount Cameroon
Don your hiking boots to climb the mist-shrouded slopes of West Africa’s highest peak.
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2 Kribi
Chill on the white beaches and practise your French with the locals over grilled fish.
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3 Ring Road
Explore the cool green scenery and rolling countryside near Bamenda.
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4 Mandara Mountains
Head into the remote landscape and trek from village to village.
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5 Parc National de Waza
Watch elephants at the water holes of one of the region’s best national parks.
Fast Facts about Cameroon
- Time
GMT/UTC +1
- Population
16.4 million
- Borders
Nigeria, Chad, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa Republic (CAR) all open; borders with Democratic Republic of Congo sometime closed, check in advance
- Seasons
Hot year-round; north: wet (April to September); south: heavy rain (June to October)
- Telephone
Country code 237, international access code 00
- ATMs
At banks in large cities, linked to Visa
- Budget
US$40 per day
- Visas
Required by all, available in neighbouring countries for US$60
- Capital
- Languages
French, English and many local languages
- Area
469,440 sq km (a little smaller than Spain, a little bigger than California)
- Money
Central African CFA; US$1 = CFA498
Our favourite Cameroon Blogs (beta)
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Too Crude? Or, Just Reality.
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 5 August 2011
Common Latrine in Northwest Cameroon This photo may not be recognized immediately as a toilet, bathroom, or water closet. Or, it may be considered indecent for publishing on a civilized blog such as the Kiva Fellows Blog. Justifiably, blogs typically highlight the hardworking entrepreneurs who are fighting poverty.
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Bafut by Foot
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 20 July 2011
At GHAPE, new borrower centers are established only in areas identified as mostly poor. Individual borrowers are also screened using a tool called the Basic Needs Test to determine whether they qualify as potential GHAPE borrowers - very poor based on a variety of measurable factors. Recently I had the opportunity to accompany GHAPE’s Chief of Administration and Finance and the Assistant Field Manager to conduct a Basic Needs Test for a new borrower center in Bafut, outside Bamenda.
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Update from the Field: Dangerous Streets, New Vocabulary + A Senegalese Spring
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 11 July 2011
Compiled by Kathrin Gerner, KF15, Togo This week, the Kiva fellows invite you to accompany them across Africa and South and Central America: Take a walk in the streets of San Salvador. Improve your language skills by adding a few words in three of South Africa's most widely spoken languages to your vocabulary. Look poverty in the face in Cameroon. Continue by learning more about the latest riots in Senegal. Find out how money helps to provide dignity in Ecuador. And finish by learning about the importance of family unity in El Salvador.
