Cameroon Ethno-Cultural Discovery(12 nights/13days)
Highlights: Different attributes of about 15 ethnic groupings in Cameroon, including the coastal dwellers, called the Sawas; indigenous occupants of the Equatorial Forest or Congo Basin, called Pygmies; and occupiers of the Western Highlands, called Bamouns & Bamilekes. These attributes include unique traditional architectural patterns, folklore and dance, traditional festivals, traditional gastronomy or culinary art, palaces and museums.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Douala airport and picked up by the guide and led to a hotel.
Day 2: Douala to Kribi Rise up at 7 a.m. and departure. Sightseeing along the way until one reaches the next major town called Edea, located about 75km, for breakfast(local culinary) in a traditional restaurant. Continue to Kribi,the Cameroon equivalent of Cote d’Azur in France, located about 110km from Edea, while riding along the Atlantic coastline and watching huge agro-industrial establishments(oil palms).While in Kribi visit the traditional ruler, Eko Roosevelt, who is one of the most renowned musicians in Cameroon, and may have supper in his palace or in the house of another local, made up of roasted fish, shrimps and a stuff made out of cassava. There is abundance of the local beverage called “33” Export (beer). Overnight in an ecolodge(Tara Plage) located by the coast.
Day 3: Kribi-Douala Early breakfast and departure to the Pygmy camp, where one is thrilled to traditional music and dance; some traditional practices such as hunting tactics, local pharmacopoeia and construction of houses. Return to Douala for overnight.
Day 4: Douala After breakfast sight-seeing around town before going to participate at the Ngondo Festival. This is the most important cultural festival that brings together the people that harbor the coastal parts of Cameroon, called the Sawas and whose most important King signed the Treaty of Annexation with the German colonizers in 1882. The Ngondo festival constitutes an event where different cultural riches are exhibited at the event site located along the River Wouri, which was named by the Portuguese, who were the first explorers to the Cameroon, as the river of prawns. (Rio dos Cameroes), which later metamorphosed to being the name of this country (Cameroon).
Day 5: Douala –Batoufam Early rise and departure. While on the way, discover large agro-industrial farms (oil palms, rubber, bananas, plantains, paw-paw) and also roadside markets. Stop over at Ekom-Nkam Waterfall, a very picturesque site which is popular for being a point where some of the scenes of the famous film called “Tarzan” were filmed. Visitors are welcomed by a ritual. Brief stop at a roadside market to buy various kinds of tropical fruits. Continue to Bana, which is the start of the “Chiefdom Route” of the Western Highlands. Visit the eco-lodge and have lunch. Visit the palace, which exhibits extra-ordinary traditional architecture and other works of art. May have the opportunity to meet the King. Continue to Bangou which is important for having relics of slave trade, and from where slaves were held on transit to the exit ports along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the pepper plantation, one of the largest in the country. Brief stopover at an eco-village (Biopharma) en route to Batoufam via Bandjoun. for overnight in the palace eco-lodges after supper.
Day 6: Batoufam-Baham-Bamendjou-Bansoa-Dschang Early breakfast and interact with the king and probably watch a traditional dance in the palace. Departure to Bamendjou via Baham. Bamendjou is one of the oldest chiefdoms of the Western Highlands and still has its cultural heritage intact, including the oldest king in the Region. May have the opportunity to meet him and listen to him exhibiting his story-telling acumen. Ride through other villages showcasing traditional values (architecture, landuse systems, roadside markets) to Dschang, which used to be the administrative capital of this region in the days of German colonial rule. Visit attractions such as the waterfall and the Djoutissa Tea Plantations respectively in neighbouring villages.
Return to Dschang for overnight in a hotel.
Day 7: Dschang – Mbouda (environs) Main attraction is indigenous Mbororo community located on hilltops. Their peculiar lifestyle is linked to the wellbeing of their animals(cattle and small ruminants). Have the opportunity to climb to some point on the Bamboutos mountain range by trekking or on horseback. May stay the night in an eco-lodge perched on a picturesque hill in one of the villages, or in a hotel in the capital town of the division (Mbouda).
Day 8: Mbouda – Bafoussam-Peptenoun Ecovillage Bafoussam is the administrative capital of this region(West)and is located about 50km from Mbouda. The Peptenoun ecovillage is found in the outskirts of a smaller community located some 45km from Bafoussam. While there, get involved in one or many activities (horse riding on the picturesque hills; golfing; boating on the lake, etc).
Overnight in the eco-lodges after supper.
Day 9: Peptenoun- Foumban-Batoufam. Partiticipate at the Nguon Festival (slated for the 10th to the 12th of December 2023 or 17th to 19th December, 2023.) Be part of this cultural jamboree , which is the most outstanding in Cameroon because of its rich cultural exhibition including a plethora of dance groups, different kings who come to pay homage to one of the most powerful kings in the country, traditional regalia, diverse local culinary, works of art and craft. From
Day 10 – Day 12: Visitors reside in the Batoufam Palace eco-lodge, from where they leave to Foumban each day for the cultural festival. Other side attractions may include visiting neighbouring villages, especially the one harbouring the small mystical house, and craft centres for souvenirs.
Day 13: Departure from Batoufam via the Batie picturesque hill to Douala and flight at midnight.
| Pax | Amount in $US/Pax |
| 2 | 3,856 |
| 3 | 3,146 |
| 4 | 3,146 |
| 5 | 2,268 |
| 6 | 2,048 |
| 7 | 1,832 |
| 8 | 1,778 |
Included: vehicles , fuel, driver, highway tax, entry fee, guiding , lodging , food/ beverage or water.
Excluded: Airport tax ( ) , honoraria , tips (not fixed).
Each tour package is customizable to fit the client's aspiration