Things to see and do Cameroon

TOURISMO CAMEROUN, based in Douala, is a tourism agency specializing in the organization of tailor-made individual and group trips since 2016. Distinguished by its commitment to ethical and sustainable tourism, it designs atypical and out-of-the-ordinary experiences with respect for the human condition, the preservation of ecosystems, the protection of cultural heritage and the valorization of people's history. The agency also offers car rental, specialized guide services, event tourism, hotel reservations, travel consulting and tourism engineering.

The best time to discover them is when the flow is at its maximum, i.e. during the rainy season (September to November), and then the spectacle is magnificent, as you discover not just a mouth but a magnificent waterfall over 100 m wide. All the way up, the river seems to be taking off to join the salty waters of the Gulf of Guinea in the middle of a cove. The guides will undoubtedly suggest that you see the pygmies, a sad "attraction" that has done the little people no favours. Prefer a pirogue trip.

A futuristic architecture inspired by traditional art.

Around 60 km east of Ngaoundéré, on the Bélel track towards Mbalang, the Tello waterfalls are well worth a visit. At the edge of the track (which is best approached by 4x4, especially in the rainy season), access to the falls is indicated by a sign and a landscaped area with parking and boukarous. These spectacular falls feature a 45 m-high waterfall, behind which lies a vast cavern dug into a 15 m-thick rocky plateau, which can be accessed from the side of the waterfall!

Still little known to tourists, this natural site is well worth a visit. Stroll along the impressive rocky gorges, which stretch over some 3 hectares, to the delight of your eyes. These improbably shaped rock formations are as if painted by the palette of a surrealist artist. Bathed in water, they soar skyward and seem to engulf you. It's a landscape like few others, a walk like no other and a site of sheer beauty. All in all, a must-see in the Garoua area.

Easily accessible, the Vina waterfalls, some fifteen kilometers from Ngaoundéré on the road to Meiganga, are less spectacular than those at Tello, but can still be the subject of a short excursion, to enjoy the panoramic view that opens up over the falls in the foreground, whose red waters rush below in an eternal broth resembling the cauldron of a mystical creature. All around the falls, lush vegetation and rolling valleys in the distance bring a little calm to the landscape.

The Lala camps (less interesting than those in Cameroon, however), in the region of Elog-Batindi, and the village of Bipindi, about 70 km from Kribi, can be the occasion for a pleasant walk in the region. The Pygmies of Bipindi are particularly famous for their artistic know-how and their traditional medicine that they pass from father to son.

The Réserve du Dja office provides a professional tracker who will be at your side during your visit to the nature reserve: he will guide you and give you all the knowledge you need about the history of the reserve and the species it shelters. The office is often difficult to reach, but once on site, you'll find the resources you need to access the reserve with an experienced guide who will lead you into the heart of the jungle.

This garden is not unique in itself, but if you are in Buea, it can be the occasion of a pleasant walk in the middle of flowers and coconut trees.

Some 15 km from town nestles this tree-lined crater lake. A peaceful spot where the word tranquility takes on its full meaning, it is overlooked by a small refreshment bar which also serves as a toll booth, and the view from the terrace is magnificent. Legend has it that the lake's waters change color for mystical reasons. Walks are possible along the lake, but swimming is strongly discouraged, as the stagnant waters are conducive to the development of numerous bacteria. A magnificent site, but difficult to access in the rainy season.

It is an amusement park built in the backyard of the Supermarché Elig-Essono supermarket. Adults can come there free to take care of their children. Count 1 000 - 1 500 FCFA per child. 

This children's amusement park is located behind the offices of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI).

The Adamaoua province is rich in interesting caves. These include the Hosseré de Tchoubal cave in the Tibati region, where it's possible to bivouac (coolness guaranteed); the Damougaré caves, former refuge of the Koutine people; and the Nyem Nyem caves, located on the summit of Mount Djim near Galim Tignéré, which served as a refuge for the Nyem Nyem people when they were fighting the Germans. Celebrations are now held every year to commemorate these events.

Also of note are the artisanal honey-producing areas of Bawoua and Ngaoundal, which are more easily accessible by train; the Damougaré caves, on the road 20 km from Tignère, a place of sacrifice for the Koutine people; and Lake Mbella Assom, a crater lake located one kilometer from the village of Assom. Served by a track laid out by the Ministry of Tourism, a pied-à-terre has been built here to accommodate water sports enthusiasts and hippo admirers.

And let's not forget the thermal spring on the Mayo-Baléo road. The water is very hot, flowing from the plateaus at a temperature of 70°C.

Finally, on the way to Garoua, you can stop off at the large Bénoué National Park, 124 km from Ngaoundéré, where you can still admire the many species of animal that inhabit the reserve. On the same route, you can discover the Faro reserve and the Bouba Ndjida park, which are more difficult to access.

It was created in 1932 and extends along the coast over 160 000 ha. Although it does not have as much interest as the large natural reserves of the north or that the national park of Korup, it can be a pleasant excursion, only 1 hour of Édéa, for nature lovers and marshes of marshy forests… provided that the rainy season is avoided, to bear the climate and to be well equipped against the mosquitoes. With some luck, you can see manatees and crocodiles.

For those who love waterfalls (and have enough time), you can go to Bougoui, on the Central African border, on the road from Meiganga to Bocaranga in the Central African Republic. It's a one-day drive from Ngaoundéré. Situated on the Ngou River, a tributary of the Mbéré River and a natural border with CAR, the deafening 100 m-high waterfall and the impressive influx of water immediately give you that feeling of being tiny that you get from the world's great natural sites. An unforgettable spectacle.

The Bini waterfall is located a few kilometers from Ndoktouto, on the road linking Ngaoundéré to Touboro. Just over 5 metres high, its powerful flow gives it all the characteristics of a waterfall, and means that the same precautions need to be taken once approaching the site. A natural excavation allows you to walk behind the thick wall of water, but this is only for the most intrepid, for although the experience is attractive, it remains somewhat risky. Nevertheless, the site allows you to get really close to the falls, which is very pleasant.

Located on the Garoua road, some ten kilometers from the town center and close to the university, it extends over several hectares. Although it is drying out, the Mboum and Sara people still fish there, with great difficulty, as the proliferation of water hyacinth prevents fish from circulating and developing in its waters. This problem threatens the activities of local fishermen. In the 1980s and 1990s, hippopotamuses would emerge from the water at around 12 and 5 p.m. to feed.

Located on the Vina Plateau, the lake of the same name (sometimes also known as Lake Mayam) is a crater lake on the classic tourist itinerary, making it easy to get to. From Nagaoundéré, it's a one-day round trip, taking your time to enjoy the site and spend some time there, but be warned, the program won't be a picnic day by the lake: hippos and crocodiles are the main residents, so don't bring your bathing suit.

Located some thirty kilometers west of the city, Lake Mballang is a pretty crater lake with a small wooded island in its midst. It's a peaceful and pleasant place where tourists come to admire the view and enjoy the peace and quiet. On the road to Maballang, a sign points the way to the site. Lake Mballang is an integral part of the incredible diversity of Cameroon's landscapes, which, although you might expect just a stretch of water, will captivate you with their absolute beauty.