Travel in Cameroon – Hotels, Cameroon Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide

Sightseeing in Cameroon

The Republic of Cameroon is located central and western Africa. Because of its cultural diversity and geological variety, Cameroon is called, “Africa in miniature”. Cameroons natural landscape includes beaches, deserts, savannas, rainforests and mountains. In Cameroon, there are over two hundred different ethnic groups and languages. The official languages of Cameroon are French and English.

Waza National Park is to the extreme north and covers over 17,000 hectares of land. This place is the home of the “big five” animals in Africa, the lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo. Originally founded as a hunting reserve in 1934, it became a national park in 1968, and is now a World Heritage Site and UNESCO biosphere reserve.

On the border of Chad is the Boubandjidda National Park. Some of the largest colonies of black rhinoceros in the wild can be found roaming in the 22,000 hectares here. During the turn of the century there were also dinosaur fossils found in the park, marking its place on the archaeological maps of the world. The best time to visit the park is during the months of April and May the temperatures make for pleasant conditions for guests and animals both.

Nearby in the city of Garoua, is the Benoue National Park. The park is open to tourists May through December and covers over 18,000 hectares of land. Here visitors can take in the sights of such wild life as water buffalo, lions, elephants, wart hogs, crocodiles and large rhinoceros colonies.

Baka, in Cameroon is home to lowland gorillas and pygmies. Tourists can view the wildlife in this area from watchtowers that have been built at the edge of the park. An expedition to this region will allow guests to discover the local pygmies and their way of life. They can observe as pygmies hunt, collect herbs, how they build their huts and watch them as the do traditional dances, the most popular one being the tortoise dance or the ritual dance, which they perform on request.

Korup National Park is a huge area of rainforest close to the border of Nigeria. The park was founded in 1986 and has over fifty species of large mammals. Korup National Forest is also part of the Korup Project, which also includes three other reserves called; Nita-Ali, Rumpi Hills and Ejigham. The most unique thing about this park is that it is an example of humans and nature coexisting.

Mount Cameroon is one of the highest mountains in West Africa. This mountain is actually an active volcano that has erupted six times in the past century, the last eruption taking place in March of 1999. The movie “Greystoke Legend of Tarzan”, was filmed on this mountain in 1982. Every year, a race is held on Mount Cameroon, this event attracts numerous tourists from all over the world, who come to race up and down the mountain.

One of the most popular landmarks in Cameroon would have to be the four-star Hotel Akawa Palace. This historical building remains exactly as it was fifty years ago and is rich in colonial tradition. Inside the hotel, guests will find the Le Bistrot du Palace, a quaint French styled eatery which features some of the most appetizing food in the region.

There are several hotels in Cameroon and the surrounding areas that offer quality amenities and comfort for travelers. The Meridien Hotel, the Ibis, and the Sawa are all located in Douala. Tourists staying in the capital city of Yaounde may find suitable accommodations at the Yaounde Hilton or Monte Febe Sofitel. If staying in the government district is desired then the Hotel Des Deputes, the Central Hotel, the Prestige or the Royal are all delightful choices. Cameroon is full of adventure, nature, waterfalls and wildlife and the best months to visit are November and March.