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Cameroon

Cameroon

by Ben West
Cameroon

Cameroon

by Ben West

Overview

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 it somehow fails to be a tourist haunt. The only full-length, English-language guide, this book contains essential information on nature, culture, and staying healthy plus practical details like getting around and accommodation options in the city and countryside. It includes details of wildlife and bird sites, ancient tribal kingdoms, colorful trading towns, 'pygmy' hunting camps, and even where to see the endangered lowland gorilla.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781841623535
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date: 10/18/2011
Series: Bradt Travel Guide
Edition description: Third Edition
Pages: 272
Product dimensions: 5.30(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Ben West writes on travel for newspapers and magazines. Travel writing has taken him to more than 20 countries, including six in Africa. His first trip to Cameroon in 1986 netted him four tropical diseases.

Read an Excerpt

Cameroon, 3rd

By Ben West

Bradt Travel Guides

Copyright © 2011 Ben West
All right reserved.
ISBN: 9781841623535

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.



Continues...
Excerpted from Cameroon, 3rd by Ben West Copyright © 2011 by Ben West. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Table of Contents

IntroductionPART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1Chapter 1 Background Information 3 Geography 3, Climate 5, History 6, Government andpolitics 10, Economy 11, People 13, Language 17, Religion 17, Education 18, Culture 18Chapter 2 Natural History 23 Reserves, national parks and conservation areas 23, Conservation of the natural world 24, Wildlife guide 29Chapter 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 86Chapter 4 Health 87 Preparations 87, In Cameroon 91PART TWO THE GUIDE 103 Chapter 5 Littoral Region 105 Douala 105, Edea 117, Nkongsamba 117Chapter 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 141Chapter 7 West Region 143 Bafoussam 143, Bandjoun 149, Bafang 150, Bangangté 151, Dschang 151, Foumban 152Chapter 8 Northwest Region 157 Bamenda 157, The Bamenda Highlands Ring Road 163Chapter 9 Centre Region 171 Yaoundé 171, Mefou Primate Sanctuary 186, Nachtigal Falls and Nanga Eboko 188, Mbalmayo 188, Ayos 189Chapter 10 South Region 191 The coast 191, The coast north of Kribi 195, The coast south of Kribi 196, The interior 197Chapter 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 206Chapter 12 Adamawa Region 209 Ngaoundéré 209, Tibati 215, Banyo 215Chapter 13 North Region 217 Garoua 217, Th e national parks and reserve 220Chapter 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 232Appendix 1 Language 235 Appendix 2 Charitable Organisations Working in Cameroon 239 Appendix 3 Birding Site Guide 242 Appendix 4 Further Information 251Index 260
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