Visit tribal kingdoms full of colourful people, stay in a village to experience rural Cameroon and search for lions and elephants in Waza National Park.
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Price Includes All accommodation based on twin/double share All transport (4WD vehicles throughout) and transfers Domestic flights Meals as listed above Park entrance fees An English speaking guide
Price does not include International flights Travel insurance Drinks Visa Single Supplement
Our unique relationship with our tour operators ensures only people who have participated in a trip after making an enquiry for it at The Africa Guide can leave a review.
The email we send you when you make an enquiry has full instructions for registering a booking and leaving a review - both are free services.
Feel free to read through the reviews for any trip you like the look of.
Trips with no reviews are usually new to the The Africa Guide but are normally operated by a tour operator who is established here. Most tour operators listing here will usually have gained reviews about other trips they have listed here.
Thanks for visiting, happy travels and don't forget to send us your reviews...
Our trip was wonderful- The staff in Angola met all of our expectations and went above and beyond- a special thanks to Ray who met us at airport, got us started on our trip, entertained us at the Flamigo Lodge and met us again on our return to Lumabgo and took us to airport for our departure to Namibia
