MAIN ATTRACTIONS

Cameroon stands out with a genuine identity expressing diversity and stability, modernity and traditions, dynamism and calm, at once. In short, the country concentrates all the beauties of Africa; which explains why people consider that nobody could really discover Africa without having visited Cameroon.

Dubbed as the 'minature Africa', the country is full of melting and contrasting views, which provide tourists with a unique spectacle. This ancestral land relies on a symbiosis between sea and desert, waterfalls and Sahara area witnesses temperate climate in the South and great heat in the North.

The relation between tribal societies and modern cities, the exceptional variety of the flora and fauna, the cohabitation of traditional and democratic leadership etc. This always gives tourists the impression that they are visiting several countries at the same time. During the trip, they may feel in harmony with art, nature and people to an extent that they feel they have even given in to the Soul of Africa before finding themselves again.

The immense tourist wealth is based on many attractions and highly diversified tourism products. The perfect blend of human, natural and cultural variety has brought about many forms of tourism, open all year round.

Seaside Resorts

You might prefer relaxing along the 400km of picturesque coastline that is open to the Atlantic. Whether its the natural sandy beaches of Kribi and Limbe, or the Mangrove Swamps, as well as the falls that empty directly into the sea (the only in the world).

Driving to Limbe you are surrounded by miles of lush greenery. With views of the Atlantic Ocean, clear blues skies and Mount Cameroon in the background the landscape is simply stunning and the photo opportunities endless.

The black sand beaches are home to beach lovers and local fisherman, and it is fascinating to sit back and watch the fishermen going about their chores. Be sure to ask before you take any pictures of the fisherman as they may not take kindly to the intrusion.

Wildlife, Nature & National Parks

Cameroon has seven national parks rich in animal species and representative of the wildlife that is found in Africa. It has elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, hippopotami, giraffes, gorillas etc.

Hunting is forbidden in these national parks. However, there are 14 hunting zones comprising more than 500 km of serviced hunting tracks. Hunting is open from December to May in strict compliance with the convention on the protection of endangered species.

• Waza National Park

The Waza National Park covers an area of 170,000 hectares and includes lions, giraffes, elephants, cobs, ostriches, sassabies (antelopes), leopards, waterbuck, etc. It is the most famous park in Cameroon and one of the most spectacular in French-speaking Africa. Located in the Far North Region, 120km from Maroua, it is a haven for the big cats and other animal species as well for many varieties of birds. This park is an absolute must to discover.

• The Bouba Ndjida National Park

The Bouba Ndjida National Park extends over 220,000 hectares. Rhinos, lions, Lord Derby Eland antelopes, elephants, etc. are all found here. It is situated in the Northern Region, 270km from Garoua and is considered the area for rhinos.

• Limbe Botanical Garden

 Founded by a group of Germans in 1892, the Limbe Botanic Garden served initially as a test center for crop species foreign to Cameroon, among them are coffee, cocoa, rubber, and sugarcane. A 1988 renovation of the garden brought a new focus on conservation to the organization, encouraging the protection of Cameroonian forests and sustainable agricultural practices. It makes for a peaceful escape from bustling Limbe and features thematic gardens, large trees, and picturesque views of nearby Mountains in Cameroon.

• The Kalamaloué National Park

With its 45,000 hectares on the Mokolo road in the Far North, is above all, a special place for botany enthusiasts.

• Mangrove Swamps

One of the most easily accessible West African bird-watching locations, the Cameroon’s mangrove swamps is also some of the richest. Because of its awesome variety of about 900 species of birds, we recommend covering a combination of both highland and lowland areas for the best mixture of specialty and prevalent species.

• The Korup National Park

Is located in the South-West Region, and is a forest reserve known throughout the world covering an area of 125,600 hectares. It is considered as one of the oldest and most beautiful tropical forests in the world. Its variety in flora and fauna is derived from the fact that Korup survived the ice age and is now a true ecological treasure.

• Lobe Waterfalls

Nestled in the coastal town of Kribi, about 93 miles from Douala, is the Lobe waterfalls. Lobe has the distinction of being the only waterfall that empties in to an ocean. As a visitor, one can get in to a canoe for an up close look at the natural wonder, with its fresh air, clusters of foam that resemble soap bubbles, and its calming rumblings. Afterward, tourists can treat themselves to ornate ankle bracelets, necklaces, waist beads, earrings, and art at the adjacent market. The destination also boasts of an outside dining area, where visitors can eat fresh shrimp with plantain, fried banana etc.

• The Bénoué National Par

With a surface area of 180,000 hectares are inhabited by large number of hippos, Lord Derby Eland (antelopes), hyenas, panthers, etc. This place is situated in the centre of the North Region, 170km from Garoua, it is the favourite place for the largest antelopes such as the Lord Derby Eland.

• Limbe Zoological Garden

This zoo has a wide array of primates, such as gorillas and chimpanzees, which are illegally detained and traded. Visitors can also see cages that the animals lived in before their rescue as well as a moody crocodile and an imposing python.

• The Mozoko Gokoro National Park

 Covering 1,400 hectares is the exceptional site by way of its wealth of plant and animal species. It is situated in the Mayo Tsanaga Département, in the Far North Region.

• The Lobéké National Park

Extending over 4,300 hectares is a forest and animal reserve, as well as a gorilla sanctuary, toward the east of the country.

• Ring Road

 The path that connects the most well-known attractions of Cameroon is known as Ring Road. Located in Bamenda in the Northwest province of Cameroon, the area has a picturesque, hilly horizon and an English-speaking population. Ring Road makes for an easily accessible (but slightly bumpy) way of seeing a number of attractions in a defined setting.

• The Campo Ma'an National Park

 In the south of the country, the country can boast of rich variety of animal species, being inhabited by elephants and chimpanzees which take advantage of the luxuriant forest.

• The Dja reserve

This is a sanctuary for gorillas and chimpanzees and various other animal and plant species may be found here

• Mefou Primate Sanctuary

In order to counter the illegal pet and bush meat trades, the Mefou Sanctuary takes in orphaned baby primates in order to protect them from harm. While walking through a number of nature trails, one can see chimpanzeesand gorillas. The Sanctuary is effective in maintaining an authentic environment for these rescued primates and thankfully, the word zoo doesn’t even come to mind here.

•  The Faro National Park

 225km from Garoua, extending over 330,000 hectares, is a park where rhinos, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, etc. may easily be spotted.

• Tea Plantation Factory

The Tea Plantation Factory is located in Limbe on acres and acres of tea leaves with a remarkable mountainous backdrop. The plantation manufactures tea for CTE Tea, Cameroonians’ premier tea company. Visitors can take a tour of the factory watching the leaves get sorted, ground, and dried. At the end of the tour, tourists are rewarded with a cup of hot tea and biscuits to savor the final product.

• Ebogo Village

Located in the town of Mbalmayo, Ebogo Village is a breathtaking respite from the hustle and bustle. After traveling about five miles on rough road, one will arrive at the village of Ebogo. The village boasts of an outdoor restaurant that serves avocado that melts in your mouth, kanga fish, and fried plantain and potatoes. There is lodging that overlooks Lake Nyong, with a master, large windows, and a porch. And while the food and lodging appear to be both the icing on the cake, the lake is a heart stopper with mangrove trees, leaf canopies, and a bird soundtrack that is a sure ticket to relaxation.

 Mountains

The chain of mountains lying to the West offers a suitable environment with the Cameroon mountains which peaks 4092 km above sea level, Mt Manengouba at the junction between the Littoral and SouthWest province and the Dschang Climatic Centre built on a plateau 1800 m high. The Adamawa region is also reputed for its thermal springs.

• Mount Cameroon

Mount Cameroon, at 13,353 feet (4,070 meters,) is the highest point in Cameroon. It rises almost straight out of the coast, through a tropical rain forest, and has a bare summit that is sometimes dusted with snow. An active volcano, Mount Cameroon trickles lava down almost all the way to the sea, although it’s difficult to see the peak of the mountain because of cloud cover. Debuncha, at the southwestern corner of the mountain, is said to be the second-wettest place in the world.

Arts, Culture & History

Cameroon is a mosaic of different tribes with different customs and traditions. Tourism also profit from the diversity in tradition architecture, religion, cuisines, handicrafts etc. The rich historical heritage also lends itself to tourism with monuments and vestiges from the country’s tripple German, British and French colonial past.

• Musée de Douala

A must-see for art aficionados, this museum is located inside Douala City Hall, also known as the Hôtel de Ville de Douala. Featuring collections of Bamoun and Bamileke art, the Musée de Douala contains thrones, statues, and more relics from the country’s pre-colonial period. The building also has a shopping area with wood and brass sculptures available for purchase.

• Cameroon Art Museum

At the Benedictine monastery on Mt Fébé, north of the city centre, the ‘Musée d'Art Camerounais’ has an impressive collection of masks, bronze- and woodwork and other examples of Cameroonian art.

• “La Pagode” of Douala

The palaces of kings Manga Bell, nicknamed “The Pagoda” because of its architecture is an emblematic figure of Douala. It is located in the administrative district of Bonanjo the corner from the Government. Pagoda is the nickname of the French writer Louis Ferdinand Destouches who visited Douala from 1916 to 1917 and refers to it in his novel as, “Journey to the End of the Night”.

• Doual'art

Doual'art was registered as a nonprofit organization in 1991 and it was established by Marilyn Douala Bell and Didier Schaub. In 1995 they create Espace doual'art, an exhibition space and gallery in the neighborhood of Bonanjo. In 1996 they produced La Nouvelle Liberté by Joseph-Francis Sumégné, considered a landmark in Douala.

• Bimbia Slave Trade Site

Just as Senegal and Ghana have Goree and Elmina, respectively, Cameroon has Bimbia, the slave port that was active during the infamous Atlantic Slave Trade. Those who want to become educated about the African captive’s experience are immediately thrown in to the era when they are made to walk the same path that the unsuspecting victims walked. While you can witness a re-enactment of the enslavement of Africans at the site, a moment of silence is all that is needed to either bring one to tears or make one’s skin covered in goose pimples.

• Place du Gouvernement

Business & Sports Tourism

The quality of reception and intake facilities (international airports, Conference Centre, World-class hotels), allow metropolitan cities like Yaoundé and Douala every year to host congresses and conferences attended by businessmen and officials from the four corners of the earth.

Apart from football on which Cameroon’s reputation is built, other tourist-related sports exist:

• Fishing sports off the coast of Douala
• Gulf courses in Yaoundé and Tiko
• Annual Cameroon mountain race
• Horse-riding clubs of Yaoundé, Douala and Garoua