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| Viewing: Peoples of Northern Cameroon |
Package ID: 1137 |
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| Peoples of Northern Cameroon |
The far north of Cameroon, or "le Grande Nord," as the local folks say, is a fascinating and little-known corner of West Africa. This area has remained relatively unknown by tourists
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PEOPLES OF NORTHERN CAMEROON - 14 days
This itinerary is currently being offered at 3500 US$ per person (discounted from 5495 US $) for bookings made prior to December 25, 2006)
TENTATIVE ITINERARY, ACTUAL SCHEDULE & ROUTE MAY VARY
The far north of Cameroon, or "le Grande Nord," as the local folks say, is a fascinating and little-known corner of West Africa. Although mentioned in several guidebooks, this area has remained relatively unknown by tourists, especially Americans. Colorful villagemarkets; interestingly beautiful stark landscapes; proud yet warm and friendly people; and a fascinating local culture and history make this trip one of our best. Waza Park is probably the best big-game park in West Africa, boasting most of the big game species for which East Africa is known, but receiving far fewer visitors, making for a much more relaxed, one-of-a-kind quality experience.
Day 1 - 2 § US to Douala - Jan. 26-27
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Jet Hotel. Orientation session and then enjoy your first dinner at the hotel. If you wish to refresh yourself after a very long flight, treat yourself to a swim in the pool. Douala is located in the middle of Cameroon's Atlantic coast, a few kilometers inland on the southern shore of the Wouri River (D)
Day 3 § Douala/Yaoundé/night train to Ngaoundéré - Jan. 28
Travel to Yaoundé (picnic lunch), visit Mfou National Park and CWAF’s gorilla and chimp rehabilitation project near Yaoundé; then board the night train for Ngaoundéré (B,L,D,)
Note: You will be traveling first class on the night train, in the best available accommodations. That said, conditions will not be as comfortable as one might expect for first class. You will share a two or four-bunk sleeper. We will try to get you a two-bunk, but there is no guarantee. Bathrooms are also shared.
Day 4 § Ngaoundéré/Garoua/Maroua - Jan. 29
Arrive in the early morning in Ngaoundére where we’ll be met by our drivers in 4X4 vehicles and begin your long day’s (475 kilometers) drive to Maroua. Night at the Relais Porte Mayo. (B,L,D)
Day 5 § Maroua/Maga-Pouss/Waza Park - Jan. 30
Early morning departure for Pouss, where we’ll visit the market and the museum featuring the traditional huts of the Obus and their customs. Lunch at the Safari ? in Maga and visit the Muzugum port on the Logone River, where you’ll find Muzgum fishermen from Cameroon and Chad. On to the Park National de Waza. Enjoy an evening drive to view wildlife, with the possibility of seeing giraffes, elephants, hippos, lions, sable antelope, warthogs, baboons, monkeys, and many bird species. Overnight at the Waza Campement, with its comfortable boukarous and good food. (B,L,D)
Day 6 § Waza Park/Oudjila/Mokolo - Jan. 31
Enjoy an early morning wildlife tour of the Park, then depart for the Podoko of D’Oudjila, whose animist chief has 40 wives and more than 150 children. Visit his house to learn more about animist beliefs and customs. Continuing onward and passing by the incredible terrain and traditional agriculture of the Kol de Koza, you’ll arrive in Mokolo, the center of the Mafa and Matakam people. Wednesday is the big market day for the people of the Mokolo area. They come down from their mountain villages to sell their local craft and produce (millet, peanuts, beans, traditional oil), and also to buy provisions to take back to the mountains (soap, salt, matches, fish, etc.). Overnight at the Campement Flamboyant Hotel, the most comfortable (swimming pool!) in town. Traditional Cameroonian food for dinner chez DADA ASTA. (B,L,D)
Day 7 § § Mokolo/Tourou/Rhumsiki – Feb. 1
Depart in the early morning for the Thursday market in Tourou, where the Hide and Gre wear calabash hats, reminding one of soldiers with their helmets. These hats contain markings which provide information such as whether the woman is married and whether she has children. This is a typical traditional small market of northern Cameroon, with a beautiful view over the savannah to Nigeria. Continue on to Rhumsiki, with its moonscape terrain of ancient volcanic “needles”, and the home of the Margui or Kapsiki people. Overnight at the Campement of Rhumsiki, one of the more upscale places in town, with nice views and comfortable air-conditioned boukarous. Keep in mind that air conditioning and electricity may not always work in Cameroon. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Rhumsiki/Gova/KilaGamba Feb. 2
After breakfast, you’ll go trekking in the Mandara Mountains. Approximately 5 hours of hiking will bring you to Gamba. On the way, you will pass by the villages of Gova and Kila, in the heart of Kirdi country. The Kirdi are known to be staunchly animist, refusing to be “islamized” by Moslem immigrants. Spend the night in Gamba with families in traditional Margui huts or return to the Campement and more creature comfort. There is no electricity, bath is by bucket, no modern toilet, and sleeping is on a grass mat or sleeping pad (if you bring one). If you do not wish to do the trek, you may opt to stay in Rhuminsiki for the day. Optional activities for those who choose to stay in Rhumsiki are seeing traditional pottery demonstrations, visiting a local school, traditional bronze working in the village of Amsa, or visiting the small village market at Mogode where the Lamidat de Kapsiki (traditional regional chief of the Kapsiki region) resides (B,L,D)
Day 9 § Rhumsiki/Bourha/Guder/Garoua - Feb. 3
Depart for Garoua, passing through numerous villages which have changed little over the last centuries. Rest stop at the dam at Dzahoura, where you’ll have a beautiful view across the border into Nigeria. Special surprise lunch! Overnight in Garoua at the Relais St. Hubert (or Motel de Tourism, if the St. Hubert is not ready after it’s renovation). (B,L,D)
Day 10 § Garoua/Ngaoundaba Ranch - Feb. 4
Travel to Ngaoundaba Ranch (~4 ½ hrs. on the road), with stop in Ngaoundéré for lunch. Enjoy the friendly ambiance and beautiful views, as well as the great food and service! Lounge around the fireplace, share thoughts on the trip so far, and discuss upcoming days. Opportunity for an afternoon swim &/or hike (B,L,D)
Day 11 § Ngaoundaba/night train - Feb. 5
Morning walk, swim, boat ride, or just relax on the veranda. Good chance that monkeys will pay you a visit! Afternoon departure for Ngaoundéré, visit the palace of the traditional Moslem leader of the region, the Lamidat, the market, and then transfer to the train station and the night train to Yaoundé. (B,L)
Day 12 § Night train/Yaoundé/Kribi - Feb. 6
Arrive in Yaoundé in the early morning; leisurely breakfast and then off to Kribi, a beautiful seaside village. Installation at Jully Hotel, lunch at hotel, then relax on the beach for the pm. Dinner & night at Jully Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 13 § Kribi/Bageilly Pygmy Campement - Feb. 7
Today you’ll take a motorized dugout canoe (pirogue) up the Lobé River to visit a traditional Pygmy camp. After your visit, you’ll return to the coast and a wonderful fresh seafood lunch on the beach. Late afternoon relax or take a short tour of the town. (B,L,D)
Day 14 § Kribi/Douala/Departure - Feb. 8
Options of just relaxing or heading down the coast to visit a Pygmy village and have a fresh seafood lunch on the beach; then its back in the car for the drive to Douala and the airport for your flight home. (B,L)
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