Africa in Miniature!
Such is its climatic, geological and cultural diversity that the tourist board slogan of “Africa in Miniature” sits up comfortably for the Republic of Cameroon.
At the crossroads of West and Central Africa, the country is a melange of ancient tribal kingdoms, rainforests, beaches, deserts, wildlife, rocky outcrops, mountains, savannas, terraced hillsides and hobbit-like villages.
After a chequered history where Cameroon became Portuguese, German, French and British in turn, the country gained independence in 1961.
Compared with some other African countries, Cameroon enjoys relatively high social and political stability with a democratically elected government. It also has a high level of religious freedom and diversity. This general stability has allowed the development of the country’s infrastructure.
It is the World’s 53rd largest country and is similar in size to the state of California. The largest cities are Douala, Yaounde (the capital) and Garoua. The population is approximately twenty million, including five thousand pigmies roaming the south eastern and coastal rainforests.
Cameroon has a high percentage of literacy and the highest school attendance record in Africa. There are eight state run universities and more than seventy thousand enrolled students. National languages are English (spoken mostly in the west) and French (spoken mostly elsewhere). However, there are additionally over 200 ethnic languages!
Tourism thrives in this climate of stability and is well-established with an effective Ministry of Tourism encouraging investment in airlines, hotels and other tourist-related activities.
Cameroon
What To See & Do
- Visit the Pagoda in Douala, which is the headquarters of the traditional rulers of the city, and was made the administrative headquarters after the First World War.
- The lava flows of the 1999 volcanic eruption of Bakingili Limbe and the Limbe Botanic Gardens and the Wildlife Centre should be visited.
- Shop in the Fish markets set up on the beach, and then have your purchases cooked before you for lunch.
- Seme new beach is for those seeking sea-side relaxation and ocean or water activities including exhilarating canoe rides.
- Relax on the stunning white sands of Kribi beach.
When To Go
The best time to visit is between November and May.
The best time to see lions is in April before the rains begin and the lions disappear into the long grass.
The best time to see lions is in April before the rains begin and the lions disappear into the long grass.