15 Best Places to Visit in Cameroon
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Loading... - Emmanuel Landry
- 16 Aug 2022
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Cameroon, often referred to as the heart of Africa, is a buzzing country with life and soul in abundance. The large and industrious cities here are complemented by vast areas of mountains, rainforest and beaches. The terrain here is as varied as the language with over 230 local languages complementing the English and French speaking regions.
The variety of wildlife at the large number of natural parks in the country provide nature lovers with plenty of chances to spot rare and exotic creatures. Gorillas are common in the south of the country in the Campo Ma’an National Park and elephants, hyenas and giraffes make an appearance at other parks.
Hiring and driving your own vehicle here is much easier than in other parts of Africa due to the good road conditions. The public transport is also better than in many other African countries meaning that you will never be stuck in one place in the country.
Overall the mix of music, epic terrain and more culture than you can possibly hope to soak up, makes Cameroon a great place to visit in Africa and it is immediately clear that you are at the very epicenter of this fascinating continent.
Lets explore the best places to visit in Cameroon:
1. Yaounde
West Africa may not be known for beautiful cities but Cameroon’s capital Yaounde certainly is one. The city is immaculately planned to be spread over seven hills meaning that the numerous buildings in the city are separated by stretches of lush green and rising terrain. In addition to its layout, the city is clean and safe with plenty of points of interest. The 1970’s government buildings here will appeal to culture buffs and are unusual looking to say the least. Given the central location of Yaounde it is also a perfect city to include in any tour of the country.
2. Maroua
Nowhere near as lush and green, Maroua still has an appeal of its own. The streets are remarkably red, sandy and dusty and the buildings are a dull beige colour but the colours of the locals clothing brings plenty of colour to the city. Maroua is a great place to experience the culture of Cameroon and its bustling markets are some of the best in the country. The city is also a great base for travllers wishing to visit the Mandara Mountains in the north of the country.
3. Limbe
Occupying the slopes of Mount Cameroon, an active volcanic mountain, Limbe is a city that acts as a great base for travellers who are looking to explore the beauty of the area. The botanical gardens in the city are a great place to learn about the nature and plants in the area before exploring the nearby waterfalls and national park. The mountain itself has a summit height of over 4,000m and is therefore a serious challenge but walks for novices are still possible around the base of the mountain without making a full ascent. If you are a lover of nature and wildlife then this is the place for you in Cameroon.
4. Douala
Douala has a reputation for being a bit grimey and insalubrious but this should not put you off visiting. This is the major city in Cameroon in most aspects; the airport is the biggest in the country, as is the port and the business centre here is the main one in the country. All of these hubs result in a chaotic and overactive feel and it is likely that you will not relax much whilst you are here. With that being said however the city is a great place to witness modern Cameroon and the few charms it offers.
5. Waza National Park
About 180 miles to the north of Maroua is Waza National Park. This park looks very different during the four seasons but is always a good place to witness some of the country’s most spectacular wildlife including elephants, giraffes and hyenas. Self-drive vehicles are allowed to explore the park but you will need a guide. This is not necarasilly a bad thing as you are much more likely to see the wildlife with a local guide that knows their stuff. Read More...
