Kingdoms and Wildlife of Cameroon

Kingdoms and Wildlife of Cameroon

Style: TravellerCultural discovery away from the crowds
Duration: 14 days
Type: GroupSmall group tours with a maximum of 12 travellers

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Dossier

Cameroon stands at a crossroads, absorbing elements of both West and central Africa but with a charming character all of its own. Home to some of the most traditional societies on the continent, in much of Cameroon the word of the local chief or sultan still holds more weight than that of the government, and visitors here find themselves transported back to a time when the land was divided into numerous separate kingdoms. This tour spends time in both the north and the south of the country. In the highlands area we explore the traditional chieftaincies of Bafoussam, Bamenda and Foumban, incredibly colourful places with fascinating histories and packed full of tradition. We spend time in a small village to soak up the rhythms of rural Cameroon, and then head north to a completely different world. We search for lions, elephants and giraffes in Waza National Park – one of the region’s best – and spend a couple of days in the awe-inspiring Mandara Mountains, a scenically stunning area which harbours an incredible diversity of ethnic groups. Cameroon is often ignored by travellers, but its amazing variety of landscape and people place it among Africa’s most spectacular countries.

Day 1 – Douala
On arrival in Douala you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore this lively city. Overnight Aquarius Hotel or similar.

Douala
Douala is Cameroon’s largest city, although it is not the official capital – this honour falls to Yaoundé. A large, brash and vibrant city, Douala can be a rather blunt introduction to the country, but there is no better way to get to grips with modern Cameroon. Lacking in conventional sights, Douala makes up for it with excellent nightlife and restaurants and a zest for life which can be intoxicating. The city was originally born out of the small settlements established by Portuguese traders who arrived here back in the 15th century, and went on from humble beginnings to become an important port and the economic powerhouse of Cameroon. Although not the most attractive of Africa cities, in the right light the tropical ambience of Douala can be rather pleasant.

Day 2 - Bafoussam
Drive through rubber, banana and coffee plantations on the road to Bafoussam. We visit a tropical flower plantation as well as the impressive Ekom Waterfalls. Later we stop at Baham to visit the palace of a traditional Bamileke chief. At the end of the day we arrive in Bafoussam. Overnight Hotel Altitel or similar. (BD)

Bafoussam
Bafoussam is a stronghold of the Bamileke people, known for their rich cultural traditions and ceremonial arts. The people here are renowned as excellent traders, deriving their prosperity from coffee grown in the surrounding region, and as a Bamileke tradition prohibits selling land the city is quite culturally homogenous. Bafoussam is home to a chief’s palace and a lively market which is held every four days.

Day 3 - Bamenda
After breakfast we leave for Bamenda, visiting the sacred Mectchie waterfalls en route, where local Bamileke people come to make sacrifices in the hopes that their wishes will be granted. On arrival in Bamenda we visit the local markets and the chief’s palace at nearby Bafut, where we see traditional dances by the princes and princesses. Overnight Ayaba Hotel or similar. (BD)

Bamenda
Bamenda is the capital of North West Province and is situated amidst beautiful scenery, with scores of traditional chiefdoms within easy reach making it an excellent base for exploring the vibrant local culture of Cameroon’s highlands. It was originally an amalgamation of three villages and its principal ethnic group are the Tihar people. Evidence of German colonisation can be seen in the form of a fort at the railways station. In contrast to Bafoussam, Bamenda is principally English speaking, and is the base of Cameroon’s main opposition party the SDF, who demand greater rights for Anglophone Cameroonians.

Day 4 – Wum - Okpwa
We continue on the ‘Ring Road’ to Wum, visiting Menchum Falls along the way. The scenery of this area is quite beautiful, with meadows, mountains and lakes, punctuated with Fulani herders tending their livestock. At Wum we set off on foot to reach the village of Okpwa, our base for the next two nights. Overnight in tents or a village house. (BD)

Day 5 - Okpwa
We spend today in Okpwa, settling into the rhythm of village life and learning about the traditions and customs of the Bororo people that live here. This is a fantastic insight into the intricacies of life in rural Cameroon, and one of the highlights of the trip. Overnight in tents or a village house. (BLD)

Day 6 – Wum – Bamenda – Babungo
We say goodbye to our hosts and walk back to Wum, where we visit the beautiful crate lake. From there we drive to Bamenda and take a short tour of the city’s sights before heading to Babungo. We visit the museum at the Fon’s palace, home to more than 3000 traditional masks. Overnight at the Babungo Foundation guesthouse. (BLD)

Day 7 – Babungo - Foumban
This morning we visit some of the projects of the Babungo Foundation, a village community initiative which includes a pig farm, a traditional and modern clinic and a school. We then drive to Foumban. The town is renowned for its excellent traditional crafts and is rich in history, with good museums and a superb royal palace, and we spend time exploring the town’s key sites. Overnight Paradise Hotel, Koutaba or similar. (BLD)

Foumban
Foumban is an important centre for African art and one of Cameroon’s most culturally rich towns. The centrepiece of the town is the sultan’s palace, which resembles a medieval chateau and is the seat of power for the Bamoun people. Foumban’s museums hold excellent examples of Bamoun arts and crafts as well as exhibits on local history, masks, traditional dress and every day items that have been used in Bamoun life. The Rue des Artisans is home to all manner of small shops and workshops and is one of the best places in Central Africa to buy wood carvings. Foumban is a predominantly Moslem town and one of the oldest towns in Cameroon.

Day 8 – Dschang - Douala
Drive back to Douala via Bafoussam and Dschang, where we visit the small market. Overnight Aquarius Hotel or similar. (BD)

Day 9 – Maroua – Oudjilla – Waza National Park
We leave the south behind and fly to Maroua in the far north of Cameroon. The landscape here is utterly different to that which we have already seen, and much more arid. We visit the village of Oudjilla with its chief’s palace, set in a walled compound and home to his family. Oudjilla is set amidst stunning scenery, and if we are lucky we may meet the chief, who has more than forty wives. Later we drive to Waza National Park where we spend the night. Overnight at Campement de Waza or similar. (BD)

Waza National Park
Sandwiched between the borders with Nigeria and Chad, Waza is Cameroon’s most popular national park and offers good opportunities for spotting wildlife. The sparse vegetation makes game viewing relatively easy, and while it can’t compare with the parks of East Africa it does hold a good diversity of species. Elephants are found here in large numbers, and Waza is home to one of the last populations of Western giraffes. Antelope species are on the increase following a decline in the 1980s, and include waterbuck, topi and roan among others. With a bit of luck it is also possible to see lions here. Waza is also known for its birdlife, with a recorded 379 species being found here.

Day 10 – Waza National Park
We spend the day on game drives through the park, looking for elephants, antelopes, giraffes and lion as well as other species. Waza is one of the region’s best national parks and large herds of elephants can often be seen at the waterholes here, while chances to spot lions are good. Overnight Campement de Waza or similar. (BD)

Days 11 – 12 – Mandara Mountains
We head into the hauntingly beautiful landscape of the Mandara Mountains, where villages are dotted around volcanic plugs jutting into the sky. We stop first at Djinglya and visit a traditional Mafa home as well as a handicraft co-operative. We then travel to the village of Rhumsiki, set amidst some of Cameroon’s most stunning scenery. We visit the potters, weavers and the crab sorcerer, who predicts the future using crabs. Spend time exploring this traditional area before heading back to Maroua on Day 12. Overnights at La Maison de l’Amitie, Rhumsiki and Hotel Le Sare, Maroua or similar. (BD)

Mandara Mountains
The Mandara Mountains are a volcanic range stretching along the northern border of Cameroon and Nigeria. With craggy peaks, steep terraced hillsides and volcanic plugs, it is a supremely picturesque area and home to a variety of ethnic groups, mostly non-Moslems who retreated here during wars in the 19th century. Rhumsiki is a very pretty little village with thatched huts, and home to the Kapsiki people.

Day 13 – Douala
Fly back to Douala for our final night in Cameroon. (BD)

Day 14 – Douala
Depending on your time of departure, there may be time to take a boat ride through nearby mangrove forests and visit local fishing villages. Tour ends with a transfer to the airport. (B)

Tour style: Traveller

Inclusions:
Arrival and departure transfers
Domestic flights
All accommodation on twin share basis
Services of English speaking guide / tour leader (please note that there are two separate guides for this trip – one for the southern section and one for the northern section)
Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Excluded:
International flights
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visas
Drinks

Please note that you should also read the Country Notes in association with this itinerary for practical information about your trip and the destination you will be visiting.

The itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and does not form part of a contract between the client and Undiscovered Destinations.