Cameroon

Often referred to as “Africa in miniature,” Cameroon is in the interface of West and Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the West; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the East; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the South. Cameroon’s coastline lies on the Bight of Bonny, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. It lies between latitudes 1° and 13°N, and longitudes 8° and 17°E. Reflecting the old colonial spirit of the country, Cameroon has two official languages, English, and French. The official currency used is the CFA franc while Yaounde is the country’s capital.

With over 250 ethnic groups that live in the 10 provinces of Cameroon, the major ethnicities are Fang 19.6%, Bamileke and Bamum 18.5%, Duala, Luanda and Basa 14.7%, Fulani 9.6%, Tikar 7.4%, Mandara 5.7%, Maka 4.9%, Chamba 2.4%, Mbum 1.3%, Hausa 1.2%, other 14.7%.

Notable Places to Visit

MOUNT CAMEROON

It’s the highest peak both in West and Central Africa, an active volcano in Cameroon and near the Gulf of Guinea reaching 4, 040 metres (13, 355 ft) above the coast of West Cameroon. Also referred to as Fako (the name of the higher of its two peaks) or called by its native name, Mongo ma Ndemi (meaning Mountain of Greatness), the Peak can be reached by hikers, climbers and tourists who enjoy the long trek to the top. The stepping-off point for climbing Mt. Cameroon is the city of Buea. There are several tin-roofed huts for hikers to sleep in during their trek up the mountain.

PARC NATIONAL DE WAZA

This UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Department of Logone-et-Chari, in Far North Region, Cameroon is bounded by the town of Waza to its west, the border with Nigeria, and Chad is only 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away. The prominent wildlife that inhabits the park and draws on visitors are lion, elephant, hyena, hartebeest, roan, Buffon’s kob, waterbuck, reed, gazelle, giraffe, geese, egrets, ostriches, herons, pelicans, jabirus, and ibis.

LOBEKE NATIONAL PARK

Situated on the extreme southeast region of Cameroon, it covers a surface area of 1,838 sq km (709.87 sq mi). Lobeke forms part of the trans-boundary conservation initiative, known as Sangha River Tri-National Park, a priority landscape that includes Dzangha-Ndoki National Park in Central African Republic, and Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in Congo-Brazzaville. This protected area of primary forest is the largest undestroyed tropical forest in Africa, and the best place to observe Western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, red forest buffaloes, leopards, chimpanzees, and the endangered bongo, a beautiful orange antelope with white stripes. The Baka pygmies have lived in this forest area since immemorial times.

NKI NATIONAL PARK

Located in south-eastern Cameroon, East Province, Nki has been described as “the last true wilderness.” It covers a surface area of 3, 093km2 (1, 194 sq mi) and falls within the Sangha eco-region. Nki is crossed by several large rivers, including the Dja River. It has never been completely explored. A waterfall, Nki falls, is located on the river in the park, giving “a tinge of exoticism to the landscape.” The forests of Cameroon contain some of the highest population density of forest elephants of any nation, and Nki is no different, with an elephant density of roughly 2.5 per square kilometre for Boumba Bek national park and Nki combined.

NATIONAL MUSEUM

Right in the heart of the country’s capital sits the national museum of Yaounde. Cultural and ecological treasures are housed in this building.

LOBE WATERFALL

Touted as the only place in the world where a waterfall enters the Atlantic Ocean through a water Cascade, the waterfall gushes brightly with its beautiful rapid sceneries of the sea and relaxation on the beach. There are also menu items of lunch in a restaurant nearby where visitors can enjoy fresh sea products. Located at around 300km south-west of Yaoundé, Lobe cascades over 1 kilometre, which forms a majestic cloud around the falls, the highest part of the falls measure 20 metres in height before tumbling into the Atlantic Ocean. The waterfalls of Lobé represent a strong basis of the symbolic beliefs of the Batanga, Maabi and Pygmee peoples that live in the environs and associate the falls with various cultural rites.

GRAND BATANGA MUSEUM

Visit to the Grand Batanga Museum with very varied and diversified artifacts.