Happy Lama Travels eksklusive grupperejser i Cameroun foregår i små internationale grupper med lokal engelsktalende rejseleder. Derfor er rejsebeskrivelserne på engelsk.

En lokal rejseleder kender sit land bedre end en dansk rejseleder. Det er desuden vores erfaring at en lokal rejseleder giver dig et bedre indblik i, hvordan livet leves i Cameroun.

Passer rejsedatoerne dig ikke eller vil du selv have maksimal indflydelse på dit rejseprogram – Kontakt os hvis du ønsker et tilbud på en individuel rejse i Cameroun.

afrika@happylamatravel.com

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 two different regions 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 east, through thick rainforests to the homelands of the Ba’Aka. We spend a couple of days as guests of a local community, learning about their forest lifestyle and how they have maintained their unique traditions – this is a chance to meet one of Africa’s most interesting ethnic groups. Finally we head to the coast at Kribi, before returning to Douala. Cameroon is often ignored by travellers, but its amazing variety of landscape and people place it among Africa’s most spectacular countries.

Fitness*** | Adventure*** | Culture**** | History*** | Wildlife***

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.

Douala
Douala is Cameroon’s largest city, although it is not the official capital – this honour falls to Yaoundé. A large, brash and vibrant city, Douala can be a rather blunt introduction to the country, but there is no better way to get to grips with modern Cameroon. Lacking in conventional sights, Douala makes up for it with excellent nightlife and restaurants and a zest for life which can be intoxicating. The city was originally born out of the small settlements established by Portuguese traders who arrived here back in the 15th century, and went on from humble beginnings to become an important port and the economic powerhouse of Cameroon. Although not the most attractive of Africa cities, in the right light the tropical ambience of Douala can be rather pleasant.

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)

Bafoussam
Bafoussam is a stronghold of the Bamileke people, known for their rich cultural traditions and ceremonial arts. The people here are renowned as excellent traders, deriving their prosperity from coffee grown in the surrounding region, and as a Bamileke tradition prohibits selling land the city is quite culturally homogenous. Bafoussam is home to a chief’s palace and a lively market which is held every four days.

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)

Bamenda
Bamenda is the capital of North West Province and is situated amidst beautiful scenery, with scores of traditional chiefdoms within easy reach making it an excellent base for exploring the vibrant local culture of Cameroon’s highlands. It was originally an amalgamation of three villages and its principal ethnic group are the Tihar people. Evidence of German colonisation can be seen in the form of a fort at the railways station. In contrast to Bafoussam, Bamenda is principally English speaking, and is the base of Cameroon’s main opposition party the SDF, who demand greater rights for Anglophone Cameroonians.

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)

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)

We say goodbye to our hosts and walk back to Wum, where we visit the beautiful crater 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)

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)

Foumban
Foumban is an important centre for African art and one of Cameroon’s most culturally rich towns. The centrepiece of the town is the sultan’s palace, which resembles a medieval chateau and is the seat of power for the Bamoun people. Foumban’s museums hold excellent examples of Bamoun arts and crafts as well as exhibits on local history, masks, traditional dress and every day items that have been used in Bamoun life. The Rue des Artisans is home to all manner of small shops and workshops and is one of the best places in Central Africa to buy wood carvings. Foumban is a predominantly Moslem town and one of the oldest towns in Cameroon.

Drive to Yaounde via Bafoussam and Makenene, where we visit the small market. Overnight Merina Hotel or similar. (BD)

Yaounde
Cameroon’s official capital city is smaller and more pleasant than its rival Douala, which remains the most important city of the country – although the pace of life here can still be hectic it feels slightly more relaxed and its location on a series of leafy hills makes the climate here more conducive to exploring. Although it does not have too many specific attractions, there is an interesting museum of Cameroonian arts and crafts situated in a Benedictine monastery atop one of the hills, with some superb examples of masks from the many ethnic groups of the country.

Leave Yaounde and drive to Lomie, via Ayos and Abongbang. This is a long drive which cuts through thick equatorial rainforest and passes picturesque Ba’Aka and Bantu villages. Overnight Capitol Auberge or similar. (BD)

Drive to the village of Djoamedjo at the entrance of the Dja Reserve. From here continue on foot to the Ba’Aka village of Matisson. We are welcomed by the community and spend these days immersing ourselves in their unique and complex culture, taking walks in the forest, learning about traditional hunting techniques, discovering local folklore and more. A superb opportunity to spend time with a fascinating people. Overnight local huts. (BLD)

Pygmies
The Pygmy people are the original inhabitants of this region, having lived here for centuries before the great Bantu migrations which saw them eventually reduced to minority status in their traditional lands. Typically their villages are located in the forest, close to the flora and fauna that they hunt and gather by age old methods, and the villages are usually constructed from materials found in the jungle, with houses being simple affairs made from branches, leaves and animal hides. Pygmies are expert hunters and organise group hunts for animals as large as forest elephants, although with the encroachment of logging and mining firms into their lands, wildlife is becoming less plentiful than in previous years. The term pygmy is in fact not used by the people themselves, who name themselves according to their particular ethnic group, such as Batwa or Ba’aka. They have been systematically marginalised in all of the nations of Central Africa where they live, and there have even been reports of soldiers in Eastern DRC hunting and killing them for food. In some areas pygmy populations still live as virtual slaves, or serfs, to Bantu overlords. In recent years pygmy groups have become more organised and have sent representatives to the UN and the World Bank in order to lobby and defend their rights, and be allowed to maintain their traditional lifestyles.

We say goodbye to our Ba’Aka hosts and drive back to Yaounde. Overnight Merina Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Head to the coastal town of Kribi. In the afternoon we take a boat ride on the Lobe River and visit the Lobe Falls, which plunge directly into the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight Tara Plage Hotel or similar. (BD)

A relaxing morning before visiting the fishing village of Londji in the afternoon. Later, transfer back to Douala for your onward flight. (B)