Kingdoms of Cameroon
Cameroon Small Group Tour
Tour Overview
Between the mighty Congo basin and the Atlantic Ocean lies a land of untainted equatorial rainforest where rare primates still roam, and local people pass on timeless skills in villages that are little changed for centuries.
To roam through the wonderful landscape and to meet and befriend the deeply welcoming people of Cameroon is an experience that totally immerses you in the rich and vibrant culture and leaves you awe-struck at the natural wonders that abound.
From volcanic mountain ridges to broad, glassy rivers, from forest canopies that throb to the call of the rarest of species to golden sandy palm-fringed shores, this is a land which will steal your heart away.
Tour Highlights
• Relish the verdant beauty of the Cameroon countryside
• Meet the amazing peoples who call Cameroon home, including those of the Dja Reserve
• Immerse yourself in the histories and traditions of the ancient chieftaincies
• Finish the tour by the wonderful beaches of Kribi
Tour Rating
To help our travellers choose the right tour for them we have applied a grading system of 1 to 5. Tours with a fitness level of 1 will generally be suitable for all ages and will not be particularly strenuous, whereas tours with a fitness level of 5 are likely to be physically challenging. To find out more please contact our well-travelled team who will often have first-hand experience of the destination.
Fitness
3/5
Unexplored
4/5
Culture
4/5
History
3/5
Wildlife
1/5
Tour Pace
4/5
Map + Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Douala
On arrival in Douala you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore this lively city. Overnight at Aquarius Hotel or similar. No guiding arrangements nor meals are included today.
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 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 African cities, in the right light the tropical ambience of Douala can be rather pleasant.
Day 2: Douala - Mboroukou (approx. 3 hours overall driving time)
The drive today takes us through rubber, banana, pawpaw, pineapple, cocoa and coffee plantations, visiting a palm oil mill and a tropical flower plantation. We arrive at Ekom village in time for a picnic lunch from where we can see the beautiful, 80m high Ekom Waterfalls. We continue to the village of Mboroukou which sits at the foot of the Manengouba Mountains. Overnight at Villa Luciole Lodge or similar. (BD)
Day 3: Mboroukou- Baham-Foumban (approx. 3 hours overall driving time)
After breakfast we depart for Baham to visit the palace of a traditional Bamileke chief. We continue on to Foumban, renowned for its excellent traditional crafts it is rich in history, with good museums and a superb royal palace, and we spend time exploring the town’s key sites. Overnight at Paradise Hotel Koutaba or similar. (BD)
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 everyday 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 Muslim town and one of the oldest in Cameroon.
Day 4: Foumban- Batoufam (approx. 2 hours overall driving time)
After breakfast, we visit a Bororo village to gain some insight into rural life in Cameroon. Here, life is dominated by activities that reflect the people´s lifestyle, such as small-scale production of milk which is one of their main food items and is used by the women to produce butter. These people, especially the women, are renowned for their skill in braiding. Depart for Batoufam via Bafoussam visiting the sacred Mectchie waterfalls en route, where local Bamileke people come to make sacrifices in the hope that their wishes will be granted. Overnight at the chief’s palace in Batoufam. (BD)
Day 5: Batoufam- Yaounde – Mbalmayo Forest Reserve (approx. 5 hours overall driving time)
Today we leave for Yaounde stopping at the small town of Makenene on the way. On arrival in Yaounde we will take a short city tour and then continue to the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, about 70kms outside Yaounde, and the eco- tourism village of Ebogo. Overnight at the Centre d'Acueil Lodge. (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.
Day 6: Nyong River - Mefou Primate Sanctuary (approx. 1.5 hours overall driving time)
This morning we take a pirogue along the Nyong River and walk through the rainforest to learn something of the medicinal qualities of some of the plants. From here we will visit the Mefou Sanctuary which cares for rescued and orphaned primates such as chimpanzees and gorillas. We end the day by returning to Yaounde. Overnight at Merina Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 7: Yaounde - Abongbang – Lomie (approx. 6.5 hours overall driving time)
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 at Raphia hotel or similar. (BD)
Days 8 and 9: Dja Reserve (approx. 15 mins driving time)
Drive to the Ba’Aka village of Matisson where we will be welcomed by the community and spend the next two days immersing ourselves in their unique and complex culture, taking walks in the forest, learning about traditional hunting techniques, discovering local folklore and more. This is a superb opportunity to spend time with a fascinating people. Overnight in huts in the village. (BLD)
Please note that conditions in the village are very basic, with squat drop toilets and limited washing facilities.
Ba’Aka (Pygmy) People
The Ba’aka 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. The villages are usually constructed from materials found in the jungle, with houses being simple affairs made from branches, leaves and animal hides. They 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 not used by the people themselves, who derive their names according to their particular ethnic group, such as Batwa or Ba’aka. In some areas Pygmy populations still live as virtual slaves 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.
Day 10: Yaounde (approx. 7 hours overall driving time)
After bidding farewell to our Ba’Aka hosts we begin the drive back to Yaounde. Overnight at Merina Hotel or similar. (BD)
Day 11: Douala - Edea Park (approx. 4.5 hours overall driving time)
We leave Yaounde and drive via Edea to the Douala-Edea reserve with its sanctuary, which is home to the endangered Central Chimpanzee, one of West Africa’s most threatened primates. The sanctuary is managed by an association that subsequently releases young chimpanzees onto Pongo Songo Island on the Sanaga River when they become adults- we can take a boat ride to the island to watch the chimpanzees. Overnight at Hostelerie de la Sanaga or similar. (B)
Day 12: Edea Reserve - Kribi (approx. 1.5 hours overall driving time)
Today sees us 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 flow directly into the sea, a rare natural phenomenon. Overnight at Tara Plage Hotel or similar. (BD)
Day 13: Kribi - Douala (approx. 2.5 hours overall driving time)
Spend a relaxing morning at leisure before transferring back to Douala, visiting the fishing village of Londji on the way. Overnight at Aquarius Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 14: Douala - Departure from Cameroon
Depending on your time of departure, there may be time to take a boat ride through the nearby mangrove forests and visit some local fishing villages. Tour ends with a transfer to the airport. (B)
Please note that the driving times shown are approximate and can vary according to local conditions at the time of travel. They do not include the time allocated for stops along the way.
Tour Inclusions
Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Feedback from our Travellers
Essential Info
Foreign Office Travel Warnings
Before booking your tour, please familiarise yourself with the country specific information provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. This includes important information such as latest immigration requirements, and details of any travel advisories.
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the FCDO. In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At present there are no warnings against travel to the parts of Cameroon that we visit on this tour. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.
It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.
Visa Information
At the time of writing British, US and Australian nationals require a visa for a tourist visit to Cameroon. For further details please visit the applicable website shown below.
British Nationals - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
US Nationals - travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Australian Nationals - www.smartraveller.gov.au
Other nationals should check the latest requirements with the authorities in their home country, or with the destination’s nearest embassy or consulate.
Should you require any documentation to support a visa application, such as a letter of invitation, upon request this will be provided by Undiscovered Destinations after receipt of your balance payment.
As it is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure that they meet all entry requirements it is essential that you check the rules and any other conditions at the time of booking and again when making your balance payment. In addition, we would strongly advise that you make a final check around two weeks before your arrival. This is important as requirements can change at short notice. Undiscovered Destinations, when possible, will provide guidance about entry rules, but in the first instance please contact the relevant authorities, including the applicable embassy or consulate for assistance.
Passports
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country.
We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. In addition, certain countries will stipulate that the two blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements, you may be refused boarding by your airline or denied entry by the immigration authorities.
For specific information about the requirements for your destination please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. Alternatively, UK citizens can visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Vaccinations & Protection
As with travel to most parts of Africa, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice, and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month, almost certainly you will be advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis. The use of a DEET-containing insect repellent is highly recommended.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in your home country can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Undiscovered Destinations that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses (including cover for Covid-19 conditions) and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday.
Local Conditions
When travelling to our destinations, many of which are underdeveloped and untouristed by mainstream tourism, a good deal of patience and a sense of humour is an important attribute. This will help you to cope with problems such as ageing or poor infrastructure and when maintenance may not be as high as we would always like.
The choice of appropriate accommodation in some towns and cities (particularly the smaller places) can be limited, and standards of both service and maintenance can be less than polished. Guides and other service providers in some of our destinations do not always have the decades of collective practice and experience that their counterparts in more developed countries can draw upon. Although we will always try and resolve any issues as quickly as possible, on occasions there may be some shortcomings which no matter how hard we try will be unavoidable.
