- Duration: 7 Days (approx.)
- Location: Yaounde
- Product code: northcam
Discover North Cameroon
AT THE MOMENT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO BOOK THIS TOUR DUE TO SECURITY REASONS
From the exciting and cosmopolitan city of Yaoundé in Central Africa, you will have the opportunity to explore more of Cameroon's history, culture, and daily life through this nine day tour package which you can book through our agency from Cameroon.
Though there is an extraordinary amount of incredible Cameroon landscape to be covered, over the next seven days you will have a chance to explore the best of North Cameroon. One of the biggest parks in West Africa, Waza National Park, is a part of our adventure and is an incredible highlight to experience. Only a few kilometers from the borders of Nigeria and Chad, the park is a UNESCO reserve with an incredible variety of flora and fauna. The protection of this park has been in extreme focus since its inception and continues to be so today.
Experience the famous peaks of Rhumsiki within the Mandara Mountains and much more over the next week. The tour involves plenty of driving that offers a great opportunity to take in the Cameroonian landscape. This week, you can look forward to spending quality time with locals in their villages and exploring the art of different handicrafts that many of them are experts in.
Cameroon Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Today you will be welcomed at the Yaounde airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in and overnight.
Day 2: Yaoundé- Maroua
From your desired location in Yaounde this morning, you will be transferred to Nsimalen airport to depart by CAMAIRCO flight to Maroua. As you arrive in Maroua, you will be greeted and then off to explore the city of Maroua. Later this afternoon, we will transfer to the hotel to check-in and for dinner. Maroua is quite well known for being a gateway city the Waza National Park that lies just to the North of it, and also the city is somewhat the foothills of the Mandara Mountains.
Day 3: Maroua- Rhumsiki(135 km)
After breakfast this morning, we will drive to Rhumsik, a village most famous for the multiple lunar style peaks, a unique spot here in Cameroon that is a must see! Located in the Mandara Mountains and just a few miles from the border of Nigeria, the peaks are a unique landscape with the most famous peak, Kapsiki Peak, reaching 1224 m.
Next, we will do some hiking to explore the village and discover its hidden treasures. This evening is free for you to explore and enjoy. Dinner at the Rhumsiki camp tonight.
Day 4: Rhumsiki- Oudjilla- Waza (200 km)
This morning will be an early wake up to admire the beautiful and glowing sunrise in Rhumsiki village. We will visit the potters and weavers of the village and discover the objects they create. We will then drive from Rhumsiki, after breakfast, to Djingliya, then continue to Oudjilla. Here, we will visit the Chief Palace of Oudjilla and chat with the Chief of the village. After, we will continue driving through the fascinating landscape to Waza. Free evening, dinner and overnight in Waza camp.
Day 5: Waza National Park
Explore the great Waza National Park the whole day. With an area of 170.000 hectares, Waza offers a diverse wildlife including lions, elephants, giraffes, ostriches, antelopes, several species of birds, etc. return to Waza camp for dinner and overnight.
The park initially began as a hunting reserve and became a national park in 1968. In 1979 the park achieved UNESCO status as a biosphere reserve.
Day 6: Waza- Maga- Pouss- Maga (160 km)
Drive to Pouss village, the best site to admire the Mousgoum shell hut architecture. Visit the Sultanate of Pouss, and study the culture of the Mousgoum people. Drive to Maga, and visit the lake. Explore the fishing village and fish market. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Maga- Mindif- Maroua (145 km)
Drive to Mindif and discover its teeth-shaped mountains offering a unique view. Meet artists and calabash carvers renowned for the quality of their art. Return to Maroua and visit the handicraft center for souvenirs. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Maroua- Bidzar- Kola- Garoua (260 km)
Morning drive to the archeological site of Bidzar, which offers its marble paintings and carvings dating thousands of years back. Visit the gorges de Kola, gigantic and impressive rocky rifts. Drive to Garoua and visit the city, where you will have a free afternoon/evening. Dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Garoua- Yaoundé- return flight
This morning you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Yaounde or international departure.
End of tour.
Included:
Transportation in a comfortable vehicle with driver and fuel
Shared accommodation
Breakfasts, lunch, and dinners
Tour guide
All visits and activities mentioned in the program
Excluded:
Travel/medical/cancellation insurance
Personal items such as sunscreen, insect repellent, souvenirs, etc
Additional food and drinks not mentioned
Visas
Flights
“Hey Chris and company,This correspondence is long overdue but I wanted to write a review of my trip to Cameroon. It can be described in three words: educational, incomplete, and life-changing. It was nice as a teacher to become a student in an environment that I was totally unfamiliar with. My friends and family were surprised and concerned that I would take a solo trip to what is considered volatile and dangerous. I appreciate you addressing all concerns, while selling the trip without being a salesperson. Daniel Mbevo is by far the best tour guide I’ve ever had and I consider him as a lifelong friend. From the moment we introduced, he answered every question I posed with care, thoroughness, seriousness of purpose, and in griot-like fashion. I still can still remember the colorful history of the founding of Yaoundé as a result of a man’s love for a woman after the original capital would be moved due to earthquakes. He expanded and enhanced the little history that I that realized I knew given that I studied African History in college. This learning has now been transferred to my middle school students and has not stopped as I am able to share lessons in History, Science, Geography, Politics, and Conflict Resolution. There was even an intrapersonal lesson that I learned from Daniel that one must contact and treat a friend without looking for something in return; the seed is planted when you really need help. (Not often happens in the society that I live in). There were many experiences that were not on the itinerary that turned out to be memorable and good for storytelling at home that showcase patience, perseverance, and living outside of one’s comfort zone. The other reason is that Daniel genuinely was apologetic for what I missed due to his vehicle. And finally, this trip changed my life relative to how our work, use my resources, and respond to difficulties. When I stepped foot on the continent in Morocco, I asked someone to give me advice on my first trip to Africa and I was told “Be patient!” Contrary to my American culture of “your way, right away”, the patience that I heeded has allowed me to keep an open mind while allowing the culture, the people, the forest, and experience enhance my personal life. From taking a bath in a cold river to trying to explain why I don’t have my yellow card to French-speaking military so I won’t be detained to helping a bush taxi driver fix an alternator on a road in the rain forest were not expected but has positively made in indelible impression on how I address challenges back home. The few challenges in Cameroon have allowed me to complain less and be content in whatever situation life deals me. Initially, I was interested in Brazil for next summer; however, several factors pulled me to return to Cameroon: the friendly people, the food, the fauna in a new deeper location (a day’s hike) in Lobeke, the museum visit that I just missed, the African Cup, and the opportunity to teach English in Daniel’s hometown. With these opportunities, I am considering to stay for at least 2 months in the Summer of 2019. I am assisting Daniel in the creation of brochures that can be dispersed in America and other places advertised. I believe a second trip would bode well in the promotion and awareness of Cameroon as a new destination for Americans. Happy Thanksgiving,”
- Alton J. Willis, US High School Teacher, Cameroon Tristate Forest Expedition
