Cameroon

by Ben West

Overview

This new, thoroughly updated fourth edition of Bradt’s Cameroon remains the only standalone English-language guide to this intriguing country. Essential information on nature, culture and staying healthy is included, plus practical details such as getting around and accommodation options in the city and countryside. Also covered are wildlife and bird sites, ancient tribal kingdoms, colourful trading towns, 'pygmy' hunting camps and where to see the endangered lowland gorilla. With ancient chiefdoms tucked between terraced fields and volcanic mountains, Mount Cameroon – Africa's highest peak, the impressive Waza National Park with its herds of elephants, and the coast's sleepy palm-fringed beaches, Cameroon has no shortage of attractions, yet is also not your usual tourist haunt.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781841629285
Publisher:	Globe Pequot
Publication date:	03/15/2026
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ben West has written on a wide variety of subjects for numerous newspapers and magazines including The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Daily Mail, Vogue and Readers’ Digest. Travel writing has taken him to more than 50 countries, including 11 in Africa, and his first trip to Cameroon in 1986 netted him four tropical diseases.

Read an Excerpt

My first visit to Cameroon was my first contact with Africa, leading to a fascination with the continent that remains unabated. In 1986 I joined a friend who was visiting his father, who lived in the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé.

I was instantly captivated by the country, not least due to its diversity, and the great contrasts to the way of life I knew. That first trip was certainly eventful. After an excursion to the north of the country I returned to Britain with two types of malaria, blackwater fever and another tropical illness, filariasis. My friend ended up in a Yaoundé hospital, also having contracted malaria and dysentery.

Despite this, the strong force Africa seems to take hold on many people applied with us, and both of us have returned to Africa a number of times.

Inexplicably, Cameroon seldom features on travelers' plans despite the huge wealth of cultural and geographical treasures it possesses. To non-travelers it also remains a little-known country, and indeed the impressive performance of its football team from 1990 onwards, the Lake Nyos tragedy of 1986 (where volcanic toxic gas claimed hundreds of Cameroonian lives) and celebrated makossa musician Manu Dibango are about the only things many people can associate with it.

Much of the year, and during the rainy season especially, there are indeed very few travelers (as most people like to call themselves) or tourists (as others call most travelers). In September, for example, in many areas you may only see one tourist a week, if that.

To enjoy it most, accept that life in Cameroon, as in the whole of Africa, runs at a slower pace than most of us are probably used to. Patience is a massive virtue here. Cameroonians do not pay as much attention to time and punctuality as the typical Westerner, as they feel that one need not be enslaved by a clock. So slow down, and you'll take it all in and enjoy it so much more.

Table of Contents

Introduction

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1

Chapter 1 Background Information 3
Geography 3, Climate 5, History 6, Government andpolitics 10, Economy 11, People 13, Language 17, Religion 17, Education 18, Culture 18

Chapter 2 Natural History 23
Reserves, national parks and conservation areas 23, Conservation of the natural world 24, Wildlife guide 29

Chapter 3 Practical Information 45
When to visit 45, Highlights 45, Suggested itineraries 45, Tourist information 46, Tour operators 46, Red tape 49, Embassies 51, Getting there and away 52, Safety 56, Focus for specifi c groups 59, What to take 60, Money 61, Budgeting 63, Getting around 63, Accommodation 73, Eating and drinking 75, Public holidays, special events and festivals 78, Shopping 79, Sports and activities 80, Photography 80, Media and communications 81, Business 83, Cultural etiquette 83, Travelling positively 86

Chapter 4 Health 87
Preparations 87, In Cameroon 91

PART TWO THE GUIDE 103
Chapter 5 Littoral Region 105
Douala 105, Edea 117, Nkongsamba 117

Chapter 6 Southwest Region 119
Limbe 119, Around Limbe 127, Buéa 129, Mount Cameroon 130, Kumba 134, Mount Kupe 136, Bakossi Mountains 138, Korup National Park 138, Mamfé 141

Chapter 7 West Region 143
Bafoussam 143, Bandjoun 149, Bafang 150, Bangangté 151, Dschang 151, Foumban 152

Chapter 8 Northwest Region 157
Bamenda 157, The Bamenda Highlands Ring Road 163

Chapter 9 Centre Region 171
Yaoundé 171, Mefou Primate Sanctuary 186, Nachtigal Falls and Nanga Eboko 188, Mbalmayo 188, Ayos 189

Chapter 10 South Region 191
The coast 191, The coast north of Kribi 195, The coast south of Kribi 196, The interior 197

Chapter 11 East Region 201
Exploring the region 201, Bertoua 202, Belabo 203, Garoua-Boulai 203, Batouri 204, Dja Reserve 204, Yokadouma 205, Moloundou 206, Nki and Boumba Bek forest reserves and Lobéké National Park 206

Chapter 12 Adamawa Region 209
Ngaoundéré 209, Tibati 215, Banyo 215

Chapter 13 North Region 217
Garoua 217, Th e national parks and reserve 220

Chapter 14 Far North Region 223
Maroua 223, Villages around the Mandara Mountains 227, Mozogo-Gokoro National Park 231, Waza National Park 231, Kousseri and around 232

Appendix 1 Language 235
Appendix 2 Charitable Organisations Working in Cameroon 239
Appendix 3 Birding Site Guide 242
Appendix 4 Further Information 251

Index 260

Editorial Reviews

'Essential'

London The Observer

Essential.”

The Observer

From the Publisher