Cameroon
Cameroon – Kingdoms of Cameroon Tour – a 14 day Small Group Tour.
Cameroon encompasses Central and West Africa, deep primary forest and wild Atlantic coast, the people of forest tribes and farmers. The country also melds Francophone and Anglophone communities, vestiges of a colonial overlay.
The country’s economic growth and the desires and aspirations of a growing population can be both at odds with environmental protection and a major driving force behind it. There’s much to interpret. Cameroon offers a total immersion in planet Earth.
Come with Undiscovered Destinations to explore the Kingdoms of Cameroon. Explore the unique tribal kingdoms of Cameroon, a land of ancient traditions and colourful customs. Experience the hospitality of local villagers and learn about their lives by staying in a village in the picturesque highlands. In the south, this group tour explores the forests of Dja Reserve and stays in a remote pygmy community. A fantastic chance to explore this little visited African jewel.
This tour spends time in two different regions of the country. In the highlands area we explore the traditional chieftaincy of Foumban, an incredibly colourful place with a fascinating history. We then head east, through thick rainforests to the homelands of the Ba’Aka. We spend a couple of days as guests of a local community, learning about their forest lifestyle and how they have maintained their unique traditions – this is a chance to meet one of Africa’s most interesting ethnic groups.
In between we visit the primate sanctuary at Mefou and the Edea Reserve which is home to several endangered species of primate. Finally we head to the coast at Kribi, before returning to Douala.Cameroon is often ignored by travellers, but its amazing variety of landscape and people place it among Africa’s most spectacular countries.
- Fitness
- Off the beaten track
- Culture
- History
- Wildlife
Tour Pace
Busy
Tour style
Traveller
Relaxed Pace
Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.
Moderate Pace
Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.
Busy Pace
A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.
Pioneer Class Tours
On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.
Traveller Class Tours
Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.
Itinerary.
Day 1 – Arrival in Douala
On arrival in Douala you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore this lively city. Overnight at Aquarius Hotel or similar. No guiding arrangements nor meals are included today.
Day 2 – Douala- Mboroukou
(approx. 3 hours overall driving time)
The drive today takes us through rubber, banana, pawpaw, pineapple, cocoa and coffee plantations, visiting a palm oil mill and a tropical flower plantation. We arrive at Ekom village in time for a picnic lunch from where we can see the beautiful, 80m high Ekom Waterfalls. We continue to the village of Mboroukou which sits at the foot of the Manengouba Mountains. Overnight at Villa Luciole Lodge or similar. (BD)
Day 3 – Mboroukou- Baham-Foumban
(approx. 3 hours overall driving time)
After breakfast we depart for Baham to visit the palace of a traditional Bamileke chief. We continue on to Foumban, renowned for its excellent traditional crafts it is rich in history, with good museums and a superb royal palace, and we spend time exploring the town’s key sites. Overnight at Paradise Hotel Koutaba or similar. (BD)
Day 4- Foumban- Batoufam
(approx. 2 hours overall driving time)
After breakfast, we visit a Bororo village to gain some insight into rural life in Cameroon. Here, life is dominated by activities that reflect the people´s lifestyle, such as small-scale production of milk which is one of their main food items and is used by the women to produce butter. These people, especially the women, are renowned for their skill in braiding. Depart for Batoufam via Bafoussam visiting the sacred Mectchie waterfalls en route, where local Bamileke people come to make sacrifices in the hope that their wishes will be granted. Overnight at the chief’s palace in Batoufam. (BD)
Day 5 – Batoufam- Yaounde – Mbalmayo Forest Reserve
(approx. 5 hours overall driving time)
Today we leave for Yaounde stopping at the small town of Makenene on the way. On arrival in Yaounde we will take a short city tour and then continue to the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, about 70kms outside Yaounde, and the eco- tourism village of Ebogo. Overnight at the Centre d’Acueil Lodge. (BD)
Day 6 – Nyong River- Mefou Primate Sanctuary
(approx. 1.5 hours overall driving time)
This morning we take a pirogue along the Nyong River and walk through the rainforest to learn something of the medicinal qualities of some of the plants. From here we will visit the Mefou Sanctuary which cares for rescued and orphaned primates such as chimpanzees and gorillas. We end the day by returning to Yaounde. Overnight at Merina Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 7 –Yaounde- Abongbang – Lomie
(approx. 6.5 hours overall driving time)
Leave Yaounde and drive to Lomie, via Ayos and Abongbang. This is a long drive which cuts through thick equatorial rainforest and passes picturesque Ba’Aka and Bantu villages. Overnight at Raphia hotel or similar. (BD)
Days 8 & 9 – Dja Reserve
(approx. 15 mins driving time)
Drive to the Ba’Aka village of Matisson where we will be welcomed by the community and spend the next two days immersing ourselves in their unique and complex culture, taking walks in the forest, learning about traditional hunting techniques, discovering local folklore and more. This is a superb opportunity to spend time with a fascinating people. Overnight in huts in the village. (BLD)
Please note that conditions in the village are very basic, with squat drop toilets and limited washing facilities.
Day 10 – Yaounde
(approx. 7 hours overall driving time)
After bidding farewell to our Ba’Aka hosts we begin the drive back to Yaounde. Overnight at Merina Hotel or similar. (BD)
Day 11 - Douala- Edea Park
(approx. 4.5 hours overall driving time)
We leave Yaounde and drive via Edea to the Douala-Edea reserve with its sanctuary, which is home to the endangered Central Chimpanzee, one of West Africa’s most threatened primates. The sanctuary is managed by an association that subsequently releases young chimpanzees onto Pongo Songo Island on the Sanaga River when they become adults- we can take a boat ride to the island to watch the chimpanzees. Overnight at Hostelerie de la Sanaga or similar. (B)
Day 12- Edea Reserve- Kribi
(approx. 1.5 hours overall driving time)
Today sees us head to the coastal town of Kribi. In the afternoon we take a boat ride on the Lobe River, and visit the Lobe Falls which flow directly into the sea, a rare natural phenomenon. Overnight at Tara Plage Hotel or similar. (BD)
Day 13 – Kribi - Douala
(approx. 2.5 hours overall driving time)
Spend a relaxing morning at leisure before transferring back to Douala, visiting the fishing village of Londji on the way. Overnight at Aquarius Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 14- Douala - Departure from Cameroon
Depending on your time of departure, there may be time to take a boat ride through the nearby mangrove forests and visit some local fishing villages. Tour ends with a transfer to the airport. (B)
Please note that the driving times shown are approximate and can vary according to local conditions at the time of travel. They do not include the time allocated for stops along the way.
Dates & Price.
Tour Notes
Single Supplement
Single Supplement from £360
Flights
Return flights from London to Douala start at £600. Contact us for a quotation.
Download PDF.
Download the full tour dossier for this trip here.
For expert advice get in touch now with our passionate,
well-travelled team.
+44(0) 191 296 2674 from THE UK
1-800-614-2967 from THE US & CANADA
1-300-956-415 from AUSTRALIA
Tour inclusions.
- Arrival and departure transfers at the beginning and end of the tour
- All accommodation
- Transport throughout the tour in private minibuses.
- Services of English speaking guide / tour leader
- Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
- Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Tour exclusions.
- International flights
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Visas
- Tips
- Drinks
Read more about Cameroon and our other West African tours
Undiscovered Destinations
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