Travel Guide Rhumsiki

Rhumsiki, sometimes written Roumsiki, is a picturesque village. It's nestled in the heart of the Kapsikis, a high plateau where immense lava peaks from volcano chimneys rise as far as the eye can see, sometimes more than 1,000 m above the ground. The most famous of these is the aiguille de Mchirgué (1,224 m), also known as pic de Rhumsiki, which can be admired from the entrance to the village from Mokolo. This unique lunar landscape makes the village one of Cameroon's tourist hotspots, and a must on any tour of the Far North. At the end of the day, as the sun sets, the rocky peaks and surrounding savannah take on ochre and reddish hues, making the spectacle even more fascinating. A landscape like no other. It's easy to see why André Gide was so taken with the region. The inhabitants of Rhumsiki are Kapsikis, which literally means "those who have grown up". The vast majority of Kapsikis are animists. Today, some of them, who have often attended catechism classes in local schools, have converted to Christianity.Legend has it that Rhumsiki was founded by Siki, a native kapok hunter. He chose to go into exile in search of new lands, with the aim of saving his village from family and overpopulation. He found a welcoming site and settled there, before being joined by three other families of hunters fleeing the Muslims who had come from the north to forcibly convert the Kapsikis. They settled in what is now the village of Rhumsiki. In the village, expect to be followed by many children asking for gifts. We advise you not to give in to their advances. Although much frequented by Cameroonians and tourists alike, the village of Rhumsiki was, until a few years ago, only equipped with a single hotel. With its limited capacity, tourists were obliged to travel as far as Mokolo and even Maroua to find a vacant room. Since then, there have been a few more comfortable and welcoming establishments. Electricity problems are still frequent, however, and it's not uncommon to have to resort to old-fashioned kerosene lamps, which are not without their charm.