 THE LITTORAL: BUSINESS AND RELAXATION
Can we really talk of tourism in the Littoral Province, the business province par excellence, where a third of Cameroon’s economics activity is carried out ?
Without hesitation, officials of the Littoral tourism sector answer in the affirmative
Not at all, maintains an individual questioned at random. Here we do business.
Indeed, tourism and business are two obvious and inseparable realities here. For one thing, the three-piece suit worn to negotiate a contract or to attend a board of directors meeting is quickly discarded for light clothing. In any case, even if one would rather keep one’s jacket on, the sheer heat and humidity of Douala would force one to part with it.
More than 35 % of the nation’s hotels are in the Littoral Province. The existence of the international airport favours the transit of tourists travelling for pleasure.
Moreover, Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, is a destination for businessmen who soon become more tourists during their leisure time.
In addition, the Littoral Province, just like in rest of the country, offers many tourist attractions and resorts such as:
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The old 180 metre long German bridge at Edea, built in 1903
The Marienberg Catholic Mission in Mouanko Subdivision and its old German school built in 1890.
The Ngog Lituba cave, with an entry at an altitude of 800 metres on the side of a 1,500 metre high hill
Lake Ossa, 10 kilometres from Dizangue, is the place for sports fishing and water sports.
The Nkam and Moungo Divisions, where agriculture is the main stay of the people
The Douala-Edea wildlife reserve
The 80 metre high Ekom fall
The Douala municipal museum
The Steta of King Akwa Dika Mpondo
The Wouri Bridge, which is an integral part of the décor of Douala just as the Eiffel tower, is to Paris.
Tanguy village. Formerly famous for its fresh fruit and foodstuff market, it is even more so today thanks to the mineral water plant which has been set up there.
The old Maka castle, built by the Germans, 8 kilometres from Dibombari. A 30-metre high tower and a 300-metre long tunnel under the Djouki River flank it. This tunnel might have served as a bunker for German soldiers during the First World War.
Mouamenan canton, 19 kilometres from Manjo, is a small village in a basin situated at sea level.
The various Douala markets and Bois des Singes
Kupe Mountain, 2,050 metres high. A crater lake found there gives rise to a torrent that rushes down one of the sides.
Finally, after a tiring day, friends, on time mates or relatives, make it a point of honour to have their “stranger” discover this beautiful city of Douala. As soon as it is nightfall, the luxury of international class hotels is quickly abandoned for the numerous “chicken parlous”. But one must be careful. One would certainly disappoint one’s host if one does not perform the ritual which consists in choosing a live fish that the mistress of the “parlour” will braise for you all in a short while; The meal is finished by midnight and it is time to go again: the numerous nightclubs have just opened their doors.
From all appearances, Douala is one haven for late-night rovers. |
