A brand new walking holiday in Cameroon in West Africa. With its immense geological and cultural diversity, Cameroon is all of Africa in miniature. Cameroon`s natural features include beaches, deserts, mountains, rainforests, and savannas while its culture embraces ancient tribal kingdoms, forest-dwelling pygmies and Muslim pastoralists. Mount Cameroon, an active volcano, is the highest peak in West Africa rising almost out of the sea to a height of 4095 metres. This great new Africa trekking holiday aims to climb Mount Cameroon as well as exploring some of the best areas of this scenically diverse country. Starting from the town of Buea at the foot of Mount Cameroon, we trek from tropical forest to the world of craters and steaming fumaroles of Mount Cameroon`s summit plateau. To ensure good acclimatisation we will spend a day hiking on the plateau, exploring this other-worldly landscape prior to our ascent of Mount Cameroon. Following the climb of the mountain we return to Buea and then enjoy three days exploring the Western Cameroon province of Upper Nkam meeting the fascinating Bamileke tribe and hiking into the mountains of Manengouba, famous for their two crater lakes. This superb trekking holiday in an exciting new adventure travel destination will surely appeal to those looking for ‘the road less travelled'.
Additional Information
The group size for this holiday is: 5-14
Note: Prices and itineraries shown for holidays departing in 2013 may be subject to change, although we will endeavour to keep any price increases to a minimum. 2013 prices will be confirmed in October 2012.
Day 1: Arrive Douala
The group will rendezvous at Douala International Airport. KE Land Only services begin with a group transfer to the group hotel. Note that meals are not included on this day. Overnight at the hotel
Day 2: City tour and transfer to Buea
After breakfast in the hotel we have our first experience of the hustle and bustle of this lively city with a guided tour. There will be some free time to take lunch before boarding our vehicle for the 2 hour transfer to the town of Buea at the foot of Mount Cameroon. We check into our hotel here and the rest of the day is free for final preparation for the climb. Overnight and dinner at the group hotel. Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner. (B,D)
Day 3: Trek to Man’s Spring
From Buea we transfer to the starting point for our trek at approximately 1000 meters in the tropical forest that covers the lower slopes of Mount Cameroon. Even up here it will be hot and with high humidity it will be necessary to adopt a slow and steady pace as we climb gradually trough magnificent trees to the first black lava flows. As we gain height and the forest diminishes the views behind become more extensive and we can look down on the black-sand beaches of Limbe, a small fishing port and seaside resort. Eventually we emerge from the forest to a world of lava flows which are being colonised by the encroaching vegetation providing a vivid contrast between black earth and the green tuft grass. We have some steep ascents over volcanic ash and rock to reach ‘Hut 2’, a basic mountain refuge and we set up camp a little way beyond, near the source of ‘Man's Spring’ (2300m.). 6 – 7 hours walking. Approximate ascent: 1350 m. / approximate descent: 700 m. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Acclimatisation hike
In order to assist acclimatisation and prepare for our summit attempt, we have a full day of hiking visiting the craters, cinder cones and volcanic vents of the major eruptions of 1982 and 1999. The scenery around these recently active areas of the mountain is more akin to a lunar landscape than the heart of West Africa. During today’s hike we will encounter steaming fumaroles which produce a rolling mist adding to the other-worldly feel of this place.. Returning to our camp at ‘Man’s Spring’ after a fascinating day of trekking we enjoy a hearty dinner and make final preparations for tomorrow’s summit attempt. 5 - 6 hours walking. Approximate ascent / descent: 700 m. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Ascent of Mount Cameroon
We have an early morning wake up call and set off after breakfast. Mount Cameroon is one of Africa's most active volcanoes, erupting 8 times over the last 100 years, most recently in Spring 2000 and the fumaroles and lava flows all around are a constant reminder that we tread on a sleeping giant. The climbing today is easier and less steep than the trek to Hut 2 but the thinness of the air will mean that an equally slow and steady pace is required. The angle of the slope eases further as we near the top. Several craters and cinder cones require detours before we finally reach the summit of Mount Cameroon, the highest point in West Africa at 4095 metres. If we are favoured by good weather we can see the plain below, often covered by swirling mists. While we have been making our ascent the trek crew have brought our camp another 500 metres up the mountain which will be appreciated by tired legs and sore knees as we make our descent as far as the new camp at 2850 meters. We will have a celebratory camp dinner before retiring to the tents for a third and final night on the mountain. 7 hours hiking. Ascent: 1750m. Descent: 1200 m. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Downhill to Buea
A lot of downhill today starting with 500 metres down to Hut 2, then some steep loose ground to reach the ‘savannah-like’ grasslands of the lower slopes and finally as the gradient eases, we plunge through the jungle to arrive at our starting point in the town of Beau. Incredibly there is an annual race up and down the mountain from Beau in one day! Our descent can take anywhere between 4 and 6 hours but while coming down, take comfort in the thought that people run up and down this mountain and the fastest time is currently just four hours! In Buea we check into a hotel and enjoy the luxury of a shower for the first time in three days. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Drive via Bafang to Nkongsamba
Today is a day for rest and recuperation following the climb but it is also a day for some spectacular scenery and fascinating insights into the life of the people of Cameroon. From Buea we travel to Upper Nkam in the Western Province, the heart of Bamileke territory. The Bamileke form the largest ethnic group in Cameroon and are principally farmers although renowned for their skilled craftsmen and business acumen as traders. Each Bamileke village is governed by a chief who is supported by a council of elders. Traditionally, the chief was believed to have supernatural powers that allowed him to turn into an animal usually an elephant, or a leopard. The Bamileke have a strong tradition of art and sculpture and of highly decorative head-dresses, necklaces, masks and beadwork mainly displayed during royal ceremonies. The Bamileke are also famous for their secret societies. We head to Bafang, the capital of Upper Nkam where we learn about these secret societies and their rituals and perhaps witness a traditional Bamileke masked dance. In the late afternoon we continue to our hotel near the village of Nkongsamba in the Manengouba Mountains. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Hike in the Manengouba Mountains
We have a full day explore the stunning landscape of the Manengouba Mountains. This range of volcanic mountains rising to over 2000 metres contains two spectacular crater lakes known as the "male" and "female". We will visit viewpoints for the lakes and stroll around the old volcanic cones and through the grasslands which form the middle slopes of the mountains above the forest. In the late afternoon, we descend to our overnight stop in Villa Luciole (Firefly) a charming and tranquil eco resort constructed in traditional style and set in gardens within the forest near Mbouroukou. 7 hours. Ascent / descent approx. 1250m. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Return to Douala, transfer to airport
We drive back to Douala with stops in several villages en-route. On arrival we will have the use of shared 'day rooms' at the group hotel to freshen up prior to the homeward journey. The guide can give us some suggestions for places to enjoy our farewell dinner (not included) KE Land Only package services end with a timed group transfer to the airport. (B)