Discover Cameroon The Spirit of Africa
 Introduction |
 Cameroon: a tourist wonderland
Because it stretches from the depths of the Gulf of Guinea to lake Chad, Cameroon occupies a favoured position on the African continent with allows its territory to include forest, savannah land, steppes, plains and mountains with the result that it has an exceptional variety of flora and fauna. To this must be added an ethnic variety, which is illustrated by the customs and traditions of more than 200 ethnic groups.
The landscapes of the northern part of the country are marked by picturesque sites, such as the volcanic dikes of the Kapsikis scenery that is both unusual and fantastic, seeming to rise out of the bowels of the earth to break up the monotony of the surrounding steppes. According to the famous French author, Andre Gide, the Kapsikis are “ one of the noblest landscapes that can be seen; one of the most eloquent and most desolate … “
In the South West, the majesty of Mount Cameroon dominates the coastal region.
This “Chariot of the Gods “ as Hanno the Carthaginian called it, according to legend, is the highest point in the country. Its 4,070 metres are climbed annually in a competition christened “the Race of Hope “, in which runners from all over the world take part, filmed by international television camera crews.
At Kribi, the wolf rock is the legendary patron of the sea, at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. With fresh breezes under a welcoming sun, the beach at Kribi is of fine, golden sand that is already famous. The ultimate place to relax, tourist circuits in Cameroon generally end in this mythical spot, which has remained unspoiled.
Water holds a very important place in the tourist riches of Cameroon, to the extent that crater lakes such as lake Manengouba or waterfalls like those of the Metche, near Bafoussam, or the Metchum are included in various tourist circuits.
The sea also has its waterfalls. A unique phenomenon in the world, a watercourse that falls in a cascade into the sea, the Lobé falls south of Kribi are famous world- wide, with a reputation that scores of visitors maintain. A visit to this natural curiosity will enrich your knowledge of the world.
Between the contemplation of Cameroon marvellous natural tourist sites and the discovery of its rich variety of wildlife, history as represented by the German bridge at Edea reminds us that a number of traces can be found in this country whose diversity is so well established.
Let us return, however, to the exceptional attraction of the wildlife in the national parks and various reserves where the animals live in perfect tranquillity and safaris and even hunting expeditions can be organised.
Paradoxically, because of its lack of tourist development, Cameroon is a paradise for ecological tourism. In this field, the south has two sites whose fame has spread beyond Cameroon’s national frontiers for years: the Dja reserve, which was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, and the Korup national park. Korup resembles a living museum dating back more than 60 million years and is considered to be one of the finest and oldest tropical forest in the world.
Studies have enabled more 400 varieties of trees to be identified, including several medicinal plants. With regard to the wildlife, more than 300 species of birds have been recorded in the park and 100 others in the surrounding areas, in addition to 174 species of reptiles and amphibians and 140 species of fish in the watercourses flowing through the park.
The western area of Cameroon is unusual. Above all, it reminds you of the French Auvergne region, with its undulating scenery and its temperate climate. It is however the land of folklore and tradition. From Bamenda to Foumban, via Dschang, Bafoussan and Bandjoun, the traditional architecture expresses an ethnographic philosophy, which contributes to a balance in the community in accordance with a hierarchical pyramid system.
This region has maintained strong traditions, similar to those of social organisation in the North, or the time- honoured traditions of the Baka Pygmies in East Cameroon.
Huts in the West have remained typical in spite of a few modern touches, which reinforce the contrast. The grand houses in the North, for their part, retain the style of the great Sudanese empires of former times. The shell shaped hut is a living example of this.
The sultanate of Rey Bouba in the North is one of those organisations within which ancient rites are still practised with a feudalism that is highly original.
The Palace of the Sultan at Foumban houses a museum whose artistic artefacts retrace the history and epic saga of the BAMOUN people . One of its chiefs, sultan Njoya, invented an original form of writing based signs.
The Bamoun people also organise the “Nguon” every two years. This is a grand festival which is aimed at perpetrating tradition and which is in itself a special attraction.
This is also of the funeral ceremonies of the Bamileke peoples, the festivals of “Lela” at Bali, of the Nyem- Nyem at Ngaoundere or of the “Ngondo” in Douala.
One of the relics retracing the history of Cameroon through the Douala people remains the pagoda, the palace of the chief of the bell canton, which was built in 1904/1905.
The French author Louis Ferdinand Celine describes it as “the most famous monument in Douala”. Its courtyard is still the royal mausoleum of the bell kings.
Today the town has been modernised. It remains nevertheless one of the main ports of entry to Cameroon, along with Yaoundé and Garoua, which also have international airports that are now open to charter flights from abroad.
It is simple to come to Cameroon and your stay is made trouble free through a network of high performance communication systems linking all the provincial capitals and most of the departments, whether by road, rail or air.
Tourism in Cameroon provides many pleasant surprises. There are several types of souvenirs for you to take home. They range from a length of fabric that a weaver has specially woven for you from pure cotton to handicraft figurines that you can buy in craft centres. Not forgetting the variety of photos you can take on your travels to astonish your neighbours or even the special revelations of the “crab sorcerer”.
All this makes up Cameroon; a fully rounded tourist destination where its ever-changing landscape, the variety of its climate and the diversity of its culture make it an Eldorado to be visited at the dawn of this new millennium and throughout the years to come.
| WELCOME TO CAMEROON |
The best sites to visit
THE LITTORAL: BUSINESS AND RELAXATION
THE NORTH: THE NEW REVOLVING CENTRE
THE FAR NORTH: AN IDEAL SETTING FOR TOURISM
THE ADAMOUA: A TOUISTIC PARADISE
THE WEST: MANY TOURIST POTENTIALS
THE NORTH WEST: MODERNITY AND TRADITIONS
THE EAST: AN IRRESITIBL CHARM OF CAMEROON’S HINTERLAND
THE SOUTHWEST: THE SEA AND THE MOUNTAIN
THE SOUTH: KRIBI’S ATTRACTIVE BEACHES
THE CENTRE: A CHOICE DESTINATION
THE ECOTOURISM IN CAMEROUN
The environmental preoccupations of the Ministry of Tourism have conducted to the protection of exceptional sites such as:
The national park of Korup, which contains very old vegetal species.
The reserve of Dja, classified by UNESCO
The Mount Cameroon
The sites of Mayo Rey, where you can find footprints of Dinosaur
Many travel agencies propose ecotourism tours to discover the untouched beauties of this country.
THE INFRASTRUCTURES
120 establishments for a full capacity of 4988 rooms and 6984 beds
193 restaurants
Many leisure spots: night clubs, gulf, stadiums, water sport centres
40 travel agencies
HOTELS
HILTON HOTEL 5*
Po box 11852 YAOUNDE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 23.36.46
Fax (237) 23.32.46
MONT FEBE HOTEL 5*
Po box 711 YAOUNDE-CAMEROON
Tel (237) 21.40.02
Fax (237) 21.15.00
HOTEL LE MERCURE 5*
Po Box 14304 YAOUNDE – CAMEROON
Tel (237) 22 21 31
HOTELS LES DEPUTES 3*
Po box24 YAOUNDE- CAMEROON
Tel (237) 23.15.55
Fax (237) 23.37.10
CENTRAL HOTEL 3*
Po box 06 YAOUNDE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 22.65.98
Fax (237) 22.64.98
MANSEL HOTEL 2*
Po box 2060 YAOUNDE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 20.21.62
PRESTIGE HOTEL 2*
Po box 2060 YAOUNDE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 22.60.39
Fax (237) 22.60.40
MEUMI HOTEL 2*
Po box 1225 YAOUNDE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 20.02.21/ 20.68.20
Fax (237) 20.67.46
HAUTS FLEURIS D’ODZA ce
Po box 1026 YAOUNDE CAMEROON
Tel 30.20.92
MVOLYE PALACE 1
Po box 4252 YAOUNDE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 31.91.05
Fax (237) 31.91.04
HOTEL SOMATEL 2*
Po box 4252 YAOUNDE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 20.95.36
Fax (237) 21.98.34
Email hotel @ camnet.cm
HOTEL LE FIBI 2*
Po box 5413 YAOUNDE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 21.75.80
CABLYS HOTEL 2*
Po box 6478 YAOUNDE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 22.61.09
Fax (237) 70.61.87
HOTEL LE MAKOMBE 2*
Po box 5413 YAOUNDE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 20.08.44
HOTEL ELMA OMBESSA CAMEROON
HOTEL SAWA 4*
Po box 2345 DOUALA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.44.41
HOTEL MERIDIEN 5*
Po box 3232 DOUALA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.61.36
Fax (237) 42.35.05
HOTEL AKWA PALACE 4*
Po box 4007 DOUALA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.07.49/42.89.05
Fax (237) 42.74.16
HOTEL IBIS 3*
Po box 12350 DOUALA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.58.00
Fax (237) 42.36.05
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HOTEL ARCADE 3*
Po box 1212O DOUALA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.40.25
Fax (237) 42.20.09
RESIDENCE LA FALAISE 3*
Po box 5300 DOUALA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.04.45/ 43.28.32/ 43.28.38/43.28.39
HOTEL BEAUSEJOUR MIRABEL 3*
Po box 5368 DOUALA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.38.85
Fax (237) 42.96.09
LEWAT HOTEL 2*
Po box 12536 DOUALA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.63.57/ 42.83.98
Fax (237) 40.16.77
PARFAIT GARDEN HOTEL 3*
Po box 5350 DOUALA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.83.98/ 42.63.57
Fax (237) 43.02.65
HOTEL LA FALAISE 3*
Po box 5300 DOUALA CAMEROON
Tel 42.46.46
HOSTELLERIE LA SANAGA
Po box 54 EDEA CAMEROON
TEL(237) 46 .43.11
HOTEL RESIDENCE SARE 2*
Po box 739 BAFOUSSAM CAMEROON
Tel fax (237) 44.25.99
HOTEL LA FALAISE 3*
Po box BAFANG CAMEROON
Tel (237) 48…63.11
CENTRE CLIMATIQUE BANDJOUN
Po box BANDJOUN CAMEROON
Tel fax (237) 44.67.50
HOTEL LE CALYPSO 2*
Po box 211 BAFANG CAMEROON
Tel fax (237) 48.62.11
HOTEL LE CONTINENTAL 1*
Po box 136 BAFOUSSAM CAMEROON
Tel (237) 44.14.58
MOTEL LES TUILERIES
Po box BAFOUSSAM CAMEROON
HOTEL REPOS DU BATTANT
Po box DSCHANG CAMEROON
HOTEL CONSTELLATION
Po box 22 DSCHANG CAMEROON
Tel (237) 45.10.61
MANSA HOTEL
Po box 285 BERTOUA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 04.16.50 fax (237) 24.15.88
RESIDENCE JULLY 3*
Po box 195 KRIBI CAMEROON
Tel (237) 46.15.62 fax (237) 46.19.62
CENTRE D’ACCEUIL 3*
Po box 302 KRIBI CAMEROON
Tel (237) 46.16.35
COCO BEACH
Po box 302 KRIBI CAMEROON
Tel (237) 46.15.84 fax (237) 46.18..19
FRAMOTEL 3*
Po box 355 KRIBI CAMEROON
Tel (237) 46.18.40
LES POLYGONES D’ALICE 3*
Po box 97 KRIBI CAMEROON
Tel (237) 46.15.64
HOTEL LE RANCH 2*
Po box 690 EBOLOWA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 28.35.17
PALM BEACH PLUS
Po box KRIBI CAMEROON
Tel (237) 46.14.47
AYABA HOTEL 3*
Po box 315 BAMENDA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 36.13.21
BENOUE HOTEL 3*
Po box 291 GAROUA CAMEROON
Tel fax (237) 27.15.53
RELAIS ST HUBERT
Po box GAROUA CAMEROON
TOURIST MOTEL 3*
Po box 1169 GAROUA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 27.32.44 fax (237) 27.27.78
MOUNTAIN HOTEL 3*
Po box 71 BUEA CAMEROON
TEL (237) 32.22.35
ATLANTIC BEACH HOTEL
Po box 63 LIMBE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 33.26.89
INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
Po box 124 BAMENDA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 36.25.27
TIP TOP SAVANNAH
Po box 227 BAMENDA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 36.12.76
TRANSCAM HOTEL
Po box 179 NGAOUDERE CAMEROON
Tel (237) 25.11.73
HOTEL MIZAO
Po box 205 MAROUA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 29.13.00
MAROUA PALACE
Po box 381 MAROUA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 29.12.00
MOTEL LE SARE
Po box 11 MAROUA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 29.11.94
TRAVEL AGENCIES
CAMEROON TOURS AND SAFARIS LTD
Po Box 1198 YAOUNDE- CAMEROON
Tel (237) 20.50.75/ 20.50.70
Fax (237) 23.59.25
http: www.respublica.fr.camtours
e-mail Camtours@ICCNET.CM
e-mail camtours@respublica.fr
CAMEROON TRAVEL CENTER
Tel 22.62.21/ 22.97.58
Po box 6977 YAOUNDE
JULLY VOYAGES
Po Box 6064 YAOUNDE-CAMEROON
Tel (237) 22.14.48/ 23.36.46
Fax (237) 22.27.17
SAFAR TOURS
Po Box 11852 YAOUNDE-CAMEROON
Tel (237) 22.87.06/ 23.36.46
Fax (237) 22.87.61
Http: www.Safartour.com
email info@safartours.com
CAP EVASION VOYAGES.
Po Box 6064 YAOUNDE- CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.52.09
Fax (237) 42.95.06
M.T.A
Po Box 3176 YAOUNDE- CAMEROON
Tel (237) 23.97.65
Fax (237) 23.46.42
CAMEROON SAFARI AGENCY
Po Box1050 GAROUA-CAMEROON
Tel (237) 27.23.26
Fax (237) 27.21.22
NORD CAMEROON EXPRESS TOUR
Po Box 423 MAROUA-CAMEROON
Tel (237) 29.10.95. / 29.30.87
Fax (237) 29.29.11
CAMEROON REV’TOURS
Pot Box LIMBE-CAMEROON
Tel (237) 70.88.47/ (237) 42.10.05
Fax (237) 43.09.39
INTER VOYAGES
PoBox127 YAOUNDE-CAMEROON
Tel (237) 22.03.01
Fax (237) 23.56.42
MOABI VOYAGES
Po Box 2374 YAOUNDE-CAMEROON
Tel (237) 22.87.37
Fax (237) 22.87.32
CAMEROON HORIZON
Po Box 3237 DOUALA- CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.94.24Fax (237) 43.09.80
Email: camhoriz @ camnet.cm
EBENE VOYAGES
Po Box 446 DOUALA-CAMEROON
Tel /fax (237) 42.33.12
Email: ebene.voyages @ camnet.cm
PRESTIGE TOURS CAMEROON
Po Box 1766 DOUALA- CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.11.64/ 42.83.40
Fax (237) 42.09.47
TANDEL VOYAGES
Po box 994 BAFOUSSAM- CAMEROON
Tel (237) 44.64.58/ 44.65.85
Fax (237) 44.51.20
WEST CAMTOUR
Po box 731 BAFOUSSAM- CAMEROON
Tel (237) 44.25.99
CAMEROON AIRLINES / CAMAIR
Po box 4092 DOUALA- CAMEROON/YAOUNDE- CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.49.49/ 42.31.69
AIR FRANCE
Po box DOUALA- CAMEROON/ YAOUNDE- CAMEROON
Tel (237) 23.43.78
Fax(237) 42.15.55/ 42.80.20
SWISSAIR / SABENA
Po box DOUALA- CAMEROON/ YAOUNDE DE- CAMEROON
Tel (237) 42.29.29/23.47.35/22.97.07
CAMRAIL
Po box 304 DOUALA-CAMEROON
Tel (237) 40.30.80/ 42.73.67
WAZA
Po box 13 MAROUA CAMEROON
Tel 29.10.07
RHUMSIKI
Po box 27 RHUMSIKI CAMEROON
Tel 29.16.46
BUFFFLE NOIR
Po box 50 GAROUA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 27.22.90
BOUBANDJIDA
Po box 50 GAROUA CAMEROON
Tel (237) 27.22.90
RANCH DE NGAOUNDABA
Po box NGAOUNDERE CAMEROON
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Regarding the potentials in the sector of tourism, numerous opportunities are offered to the European operators:
Construction of hotels in the urban areas
Constructions of holiday resorts on the coastal area
Concession of touristic sites
Development of the infrastructures in order to organise cruises on the main rivers
Organisation of charter flight |
