Cameroon

The Southwest region

Limbe region

The Limbe region is a splendid site surrounded by miles of lush greenery with a view of the Atlantic Ocean, and Mount Cameroon in the background, with beautiful black and grey sandy beaches, many islands, and Botanical Park and the historical site of Bimbia, classified as the largest former slave deportation site in Africa.

Mount Cameroon

Once called the “Chariot of the Gods” by the father of history, Herodotus, it is considered the tenth highest African peak, after Jebel Toubkal in Morocco. It remains an active volcano and the highest point on the border between Central Africa, Cameroon, and West Africa, at nearly 4,095 meters. Mount Cameroon is located in the city of Buea with 100 m altitude; it is not only the highest peak in West Africa but also the most active volcano.

The Western Region

The Western Region is hilly with beautiful rivers interspersed with impressive falls, and crater lakes. It is a region of traditions and cultures. The Western Region is characterized by the richness and enhancement of its cultural heritage; a network of several national and community museums, chiefdoms, and festivals (e.g. Ngoun – a gathering celebration of the Bamoun people in November/December with traditional dance).

Bandjoun Chiefdom

Bafoussam is a true Bamiléké cultural masterpiece, which constitutes the most imposing and beautiful chieftaincy in the country. It is made up of several traditional huts, recognizable by their conical tin roofs. A large hut that dominates the village is 17 m high and still serves as a meeting place for the chief and his assembly of notables. There is also a museum with a collection of objects representative of Bandjoun’s cultural and artistic heritage (royal thrones, masks, beaded objects, and fabrics with enigmatic motifs).

Chiefdom of Foumban

Foumban, thanks to its internationally renowned craftsmanship, is also known as the city of the arts in Cameroon. The city is endowed with a magnificent Royal Palace, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was built in 1917 by the famous Bamoun king, Sultan Ibrahim Njoya. It also contains two museums: the Palace Museum and the Museum of Arts. The Palace Museum tells the story of the Bamoun dynasty. It is famous for its long history, its remarkable quality of art, and the conservation and restoration of its magnificent collections. This museum houses a collection unique in Africa that belonged to the Bamoun rulers, of which King Njoya Ibrahim was one of the most famous. The Museum of Arts has nearly 3,000 works of art and historical pieces, some of which are over 600 years old and tell the story of one of the oldest kingdoms in Africa.

Further reading

“Cameroon Travel Guide: Culture – Sightseeing – Activities – Hotels – Nightlife – Restaurants – Transportation” by Alex Pitt: This guidebook provides practical information for travelers exploring Cameroon, including details about attractions, accommodations, and local culture.

“Cameroon: The Bradt Travel Guide” by Ben West: Bradt Travel Guides are known for their in-depth coverage of various destinations. This guide offers insights into Cameroon’s natural wonders, cultural heritage, and practical travel advice.

“Cameroon: The Story of a Country and Its People” by Michael Lambert: While not solely focused on tourism, this book provides a comprehensive overview of Cameroon’s history, culture, and geography, which can be useful for travelers seeking to understand the context of the places they visit.

“Cameroon Adventure Guide” by Annelies M. Gentile: This guidebook aims to help adventurous travelers explore Cameroon’s diverse landscapes, cultures, and outdoor activities.

The development of entrepreneurship as a major issue in Cameroon

Cameroon is often talked about for its national football team, the “Indomitable Lions”, but Samuel Etoo’s country is striving to be known also for the development of its local know-how. The creation of companies and start-ups in Cameroon appears to be a solution to the problem of youth unemployment. The new panacea of African development has arrived, it is the company perceived as the new vector of growth, the generator of employment, and the engine of socio-economic progress to put forward the African know-how in general and that of Cameroonians in particular. However, at a time when industry is based on production, entrepreneurship in Cameroon remains essentially based on simple trade. Those who start a business very quickly encounter numerous financial, administrative, or personal difficulties. The risk of abandonment or failure remains high.

The stagnant development of entrepreneurship in Cameroon is linked to the lack of support for young entrepreneurs (e.g. the absence of business incubators), the difficult access to information on business opportunities, and the lack of qualified personnel for the management of the business. In short, Cameroonian entrepreneurship needs real support to allow the blossoming of Cameroonian know-how. Entrepreneurship plays a key role because of the contribution that enterprises, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs), make to the economic growth of a country. A country like Cameroon, which is striving for emergence by 2035, needs action to ensure the rapid growth of these SMEs.
Samuel Etoo’s country is endowed with intellectual wealth [Cameroonian talents] because the development of entrepreneurship and young know-how will make Cameroon even better known. This makes Cameroon a land of opportunity.

Food

Cameroon boasts of gastronomic diversity with nearly 200 culinary varieties, each of them special and delicious. Many ethnicities live in Cameroon, and each of them has its own cuisine and traditions. Most foods include meat, fish, and spices. If you visit Cameroon, do not return home before trying meals such as Ndole, Sangha, Eru, Kati Kati, Mbongo soup, Achu. On the shores of the ocean, people prefer seafood, especially fish, just to name a few.

Population

Cameroon has more than 240 tribes which are part of three main ethnic groups: Bantus (e.g. Beti, Bassa, Bakundu, Maka, Douala, Pigmies), Semi-Bantu (e.g. Bamileke, Gbaya, Bamoun, Tikar), Sudanese (e.g. Fulbe, Mafa, Toupouri, Shoa-Arabs, Moundang, Massa, Mousgoum).

Transport

Means of transport include railways, roadways, waterways, and airlines. In urban centers like Yaoundé and Douala, online booked taxi services like yango are constantly increasing. Nevertheless, common means of transport like taxis, mini-buses and motorcycles are frequently used by Cameroonians within the town. For long distances, buses are available for a comfortable trip. Fares are handed in cash to the conductor or the travelling agency.

Meet the Cultural Consultant

Meet the Guide

Partner organisation

Home Coming Africans (HCA)

Founded in 2018, Home Coming Africans (HCA), is a non-profit, socio-humanitarian association whose general objective is to support the public policies of African states, particularly Cameroon:

1. In terms of immigration, by promoting the return/reintegration of the African diaspora/migrants through appropriate support measures;
2. Flight/irregular immigration of young people by raising awareness and setting up employment/self-employment initiatives;
3. Promotion of regular immigration of young Africans to the West/World by setting up a network to provide help and information on job offers and grants, as well as enrolment in qualified universities.
   The association Home Coming Africans (HCA), the parent association based in Germany, and Home Coming Cameroun (HC-Cameroon), based in Yaoundé.

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