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|  | CAMEROON COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Situated on the west coast of Africa, Cameroon is bounded by the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The country to the northwest is beautiful; volcanic peaks covered by bamboo forest rise to over 2000m (6500ft), with waterfalls and villages scattered over the lower slopes. The capital, Yaoundé, stands on seven hills. There are several modern hotels and many markets, shops and cinemas. Luna Park, a fun-fair and weekend holiday resort 40km (25 miles) north of the capital, can be found on the road to Obala. Douala, Cameroon's economic capital, is 24km (15 miles) from the sea and dominated by Mount Cameroon, West Africa's highest mountain (4095m/14,435ft). The cathedral, the Artisanat National (a craft/souvenir market) and Wouri Bridge are well worth visiting. The Kalamaloue Reserve, in northern Cameroon, is small but offers plentiful opportunities for viewing antelope, monkey and warthog. Cooking is predominantly French or Lebanese, though local food can be very tasty. Avocado pears, pineapples and mangoes are frequently used ingredients. In Douala and Yaoundé, nightclubs and casinos can be found independently or within most good hotels. The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy. Because of its oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however, the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. International oil and cocoa prices have considerable impact on the economy. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | The Centre & East
Yaoundé, the capital city, stands on seven hills. There are 13 modern hotels and many markets, shops and cinemas. Museums include the Musée des Bénédictins, a collection of traditional arts and crafts housed in a Benedictine Monastery on Mont Fébé, and the newer Yaoundé National Museum. To the northwest, jungle-clad mountains rise to an altitude of 1000m (3280ft). Mont Fébé, which overlooks the city, has been developed as a resort, with a luxury hotel, nightclub, casino, gardens and golf course. Its high altitude ensures a pleasant climate.
Luna Park, a permanent fun-fair and weekend holiday resort 40km (25 miles) north of the capital, can be found on the road to Obala. Further on, one can view the Nachtigal Falls on the River Sanga and continue to Bertoua, Yokadouma and Moloundou with its abundant wildlife, most notably a small population of lowland gorillas.
The West
Douala, Cameroon's economic capital, is 24km (15 miles) from the sea, on the left bank of the Wouri and dominated by Mount Cameroon. The cathedral, the shopping avenues, the Artisanat National (a craft/souvenir market), Deido market, the harbour, the museum, Wouri Bridge and the electric coffee-grading plant are worth visiting.
Buéa is a charming town situated on the slopes of Mount Cameroon (4095m/14,435ft), West Africa's highest mountain and the highest active volcano in Africa. For those interested in climbing the mountain, which is relatively easy, a permit from the local tourist office is necessary (these are not issued during the rainy season from March to November).
Limbé (formerly Victoria) is a pleasant port with a botanical garden and 'jungle village'. There are beautiful white sandy beaches a short drive out of town. The tourist season runs between November and February.
Dschang is a mountain resort at an altitude of 1400m (4600ft) where the temperature is pleasantly cool. The road southwards to Nkongsamba and Douala passes through some splendid scenery - spectacular valleys and waterfalls.
Bamenda, in the highlands north of Dschang, has a museum and a craft market.
Foumban, northeast of Dschang, has many traditional buildings dating from its period of German colonisation, including Fon's Palace which includes a craft centre. There is also the Musée du Palais, whose collection includes bejewelled thrones, armaments, musical instruments and dancing masks, the Musée des Arts et des traditions Bamoun, and a market. The town serves as an excellent base for experiencing the Bamileke region's colourful Bamoun festivals and feast days.
Kribi, a small port and beach resort south of Douala, has perhaps the finest beach in Cameroon, Londji Beach. It is also a convenient starting point for tours to local villages and the Campo Game Reserve region. Buffaloes, lions and elephants roam the virgin forests inland.
The North
North Cameroon presents unexpected natural landscapes, with an average altitude of 1500m (4900ft) and plains, reaching an altitude of 300m (1000ft), covered by savannah.
Maroua is located in the foothills of the Mandara Mountains, along the Mayo River. Places worth visiting include the market, the Diamare Museum (mainly an ethnographic museum where local craftwares are on sale: jewellery, tooled leather articles, etc), the various African quarters and the banks of the Mayo Kaliao. There is a National Park nearby (see below).
Mokolo is a picturesque town in a rugged rocky landscape. Approximately 55km (34 miles) away is the village of Rhumsiki, which features a maze of paths linking the small farms known as the Kapsiki; the Kirdi live here, whose customs and folklore have changed little for centuries.
Going further north, there is a very typical village called Koza located at an altitude of 1100m (3600ft). From here the road continues to the village of Mabas which gives a panoramic view on the large Bornou plain of Nigeria and where one can still see primitive blast furnaces.
National Parks
The Kalamaloué Reserve is small but offers opportunities for viewing several species of antelopes, monkeys and warthogs; some elephants cross the reserve. Waza National Park covers 170,000 hectares. There is a forest area (open from November to March) and a vast expanse of grassy and wet plains, called Yaeres (open from February to June). Elephants, giraffes, antelopes, hartebeest, cobs, lions, cheetahs and warthogs are numerous. There is also a rich variety of birds: eagles, crested cranes, maribous, pelicans, ducks, geese and numerous guinea-fowl. Accommodation and other facilities are available. There are no vehicles for hire at the park, but buses run from Maroua.
The Bénoué National Park, situated just off the Ngaoundere-Garoua main road, has buffalo, hippopotami, crocodiles, hyena, giraffes, panthers, lions and a variety of primates, and can be visited all year round.
Korup National Park is Cameroon's newest national park, home to Africa's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforest. Accessible by bush taxi, it is located in the westernmost corner of the country, along the Nigerian border near the town of Mundemba, which is about 150km (93miles) north-west of Douala. A wide variety of primates, birds, trees and other plants, including dozens of recently discovered species are there. Travellers should dress to cope with the 100 per cent humidity and the fording of waist-high pools.
The Boubandjidah National Park is on the banks of Mayo Lidi River in the very far north of the country; its wildlife includes elan and buffalo, rhinoceri, elephants and lions. There are several other parks and reserves which are not open to the public. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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