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 – Douala
Arrive in Douala and transfer to hotel accommodation. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore this lively city. Overnight at Aquarius Hotel or similar.
Day 2 – Douala- Mboroukou
(180 kms, approx. 3 hours driving time)
Today’s journey passes through rubber, banana, pawpaw, pineapple, cocoa and coffee plantations. And there’s time to investigate newer and cash crops, increasingly contentious palm oil and even tropical flowers. Arriving at the village of Ekom, we enjoy a picnic lunch at the foot of the magnificent, 80m high ‘Chutes d’Ekom’ waterfalls, used as a location for recent Tarzan movies. Our drive continues to the village of Mboroukou in the foothills of the Manengouba Mountains. Overnight at Villa Luciole Lodge or similar. (BD)
Day 3 – Mboroukou- Baham-Foumban
(195 kms, approx. 3 hours driving time)
After breakfast we depart for Baham in the Hauts-Plateaux, and the palace of a traditional Bamileke chief. Later, we continue to Foumban, in relative Central African terms, a tourist hotspot. Sights include the Foumban Royal Palace, built in 1917 by King Ibrahim Njoya, and now a museum recording royal lineage from the 14th century. Elsewhere, though Foumban’s economy is rooted in agriculture, it’s also known for artisan wood workers and visual artists – there is time to visit both. Overnight at Paradise Hotel Koutaba or similar. (BD)
Day 4- Foumban- Batoufam
(120 kms, approx. 2 hours driving time)
After breakfast, we visit a Bororo village and gain insights into rural life in Cameroon. Here, cattle husbandry is an important mainstay, milk being used by women to produce butter and yoghurt. Bororo women are also skilled in hair braiding, creating some striking styles. Later, we depart for Batoufam via Bafoussam, visiting Metchie waterfalls where Bamileke people make sacrifices in the hope their wishes will be granted. Overnight at the chief’s palace in Batoufam. (BD)
Day 5 – Batoufam- Yaounde – Mbalmayo Forest Reserve
(340 kms, approx. 5 hours driving time)
After a stop at the small town of Makenene to stretch our legs we arrive in Yaounde, Cameroon’s capital, in time for a short city tour. Continuing through the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, one of Cameroon’s oldest protected areas, our destination is the eco-tourism village of Ebogo. Overnight at the “Centre d’Acueil” Lodge. (BD)
Day 6 – Nyong River- Mefou Primate Sanctuary
(90 kms, approx. 1 hour 30 mins driving time)
This morning we take a pirogue on the Nyong River and then join a guided walk through the rainforest to discover medicinal plant species. Later, we visit Mefou Primate Sanctuary which cares for rescued and orphaned chimpanzees and gorillas. We end the day by returning to Yaounde. Overnight at Merina Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 7 –Yaounde- Abongbang – Lomie
(363 kms, approx. 6hrs 30mins driving time)
Today’s journey to Lomie, via Ayos and Abongbang entails a long drive. However, the route cuts through thick equatorial rainforest via fascinating Baka and Bantu villages. Overnight at Raphia hotel or similar. (BD)
Days 8 & 9 – Dja Reserve
(10 kms, approx. 15 mins driving time)
This morning we visit the village of Matisson, where a community tourism project educates visitors about the Baka people’s unique and complex culture. During our stay we take walks in the forest, learn about hunting techniques, discover local folklore and much more. This is a superb opportunity to spend time with a fascinating people. Overnight in huts in the village. (BLD)
Please note: conditions in the village are very basic, with squat drop toilets and limited washing facilities. Please contact us for further information.
Day 10 – Yaounde
(373km, approx. 6hrs 45mins 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
(280 kms, approx. 4 hours 30 mins driving time)
Today we head west towards the coast, via Edea, to the Douala-Edea National Park, home to the endangered Central Chimpanzees, one of West Africa’s most threatened primates. A dedicated sanctuary within the park cares for orphaned chimpanzees, releasing them into the wild at Pongo Songo Island on the Sanaga River when they become adults. We take a boat ride to the island to observe the chimpanzees. Overnight at Hostellerie de la Sanaga. (B)
Day 12- Edea Reserve- Kribi
(105 kms, approx. 1 hour 30 mins driving time)
On the Gulf of Guinea, Kribi is a beach resort and Cameroon’s main port. Arriving in the afternoon, there’s time for a boat ride on the Lobe River to visit Lobe Falls which possess the unusual attribute of discharging directly into the sea. Overnight at Tara Plage Hotel or similar. (BD)
Day 13 – Kribi - Douala
(165km, approx. 2hrs 30mins driving time)
Kribi’s palm-lined beaches provide a relaxing stroll before driving to Douala early afternoon. There’s time to stretch our legs along the way during a stop at the fishing village of Londji. Overnight at Aquarius Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 14- Douala
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: 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
Minimum Group Size
This group tour operates subject to a minimum group size of 3 travellers.
Single Supplement
Single Supplement from £345.
Flights
Return flights from London to Douala start at £600. Contact us for a quotation.
Transfers
Airport transfers are included if you are booking pre and/or post tour accommodation at the hotel mentioned in our tour dossier.
Extra Accommodation
Extra night accommodation pre and/or post tour in Douala costs from £45 per person, per night sharing a twin/double room and £60 per person in a solo occupancy room.
Please note that the prices quoted above are for the category of accommodation and hotel used for this particular tour. Depending on the hotel eventually confirmed there may be some difference in the rate advertised by the hotel, and the prices available through Undiscovered Destinations. It should be noted we will not apply a surcharge should more expensive accommodation be used. At the same time in the event that a lower rate is available for the confirmed hotel we are unable to offer a refund.
Kingdoms of Cameroon Private tour
If you do not wish to be part of a group tour then you can do the same tour on a private basis. Please contact us for prices. Kindly note that we can also tailor a similar or totally different itinerary to meet your requirements. Please get in touch with us so we can tailor your perfect tour of Cameroon.
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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