Travel Guide Bamenda

Bamenda, founded in 1901 by the Germans, is today the capital of the North-West Province. Divided into two parts, the lower and upper parts, the city is surrounded by mountains and valleys that give it its relief and temperate climate, although exposed to rising waters due to global warming. The lower part, Manton Town, includes Mankon, the commercial center and the "Palace" chieftaincies. This is also where the town's main hotels are located. The upper part, Bafreng-Manton, is the town's administrative center and houses most of the public services. It is located at the entrance to the town, overlooking the entire city and culminating in the Sacred Rock. Bamenda is surrounded by forests of eucalyptus and raffia, which is of course used in local handicrafts and in the manufacture of many everyday objects. But raffia is also a species of palm from which sap is extracted and fermented to make raffia wine, a local specialty.Bamenda has long been known for its nightlife and economic dynamism. Since the separatist conflicts that broke out in 2017, the city has been under curfew for several years and has yet to regain its former fervor. At least, that's what the locals who have always known it say.