Cameroon is located in Central Africa. Neighboring countries are
Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo,
Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Before Europeans conquered territories
in Africa as colonies, most tribes were independent. Only the
northern area was connected to the neighboring areas of northern
Nigeria and Chad. These areas formed the Islamic state of
Kanem-Bornu. In the south, missionaries began to spread the
Christian faith (e.g. Alfred Saker, later Heinrich Bohner).
In 1884, the German Empire concluded a protection agreement with the
King of the Dualas (Manga Bell) and thus forestalled a planned
seizure by Great Britain. Therefore, this colony was called the
“German Protected Area of Cameroon.” The German Reich laid claim to
the entire hinterland and enforced it militarily. A termination of
the protection agreement was prevented by a treason trial and ended
with the execution of Manga Bell, although many representatives of
the Christian churches protested against it or at least demanded
leniency. During the German colonial period, railway construction
began, a functioning administration was established and plantations
were established. During the First World War there were fierce
battles between the numerically inferior German-Cameroonian troops
and the British and French colonial troops until the German colony
surrendered in 1916.
After World War I, Cameroon was divided,
with Britain taking over just a strip along the border with Nigeria
and France taking over everything else. French rule was much more
repressive than German rule.
During the Second World War,
French-Cameroonian troops were also deployed alongside the Allies
against the Axis powers and their vassals (Vichy France).
Cameroon gained independence from France in 1960. In 1961 part of
the British-administered area returned to Cameroon (north-west and
south-west). The first president was Ahidjo. President Biya (*1933)
has been in power since 1982. The economy is concentrated in Douala
and Yaounde.
Cameroon is administratively divided into regions: Littoral, South,
Centre, Sudouest-Southwestern Province, Nordouest-Nortwestern Province,
Ouest, Amdamaoua, Nord, Extrème Nord, Est. The 1 Bakassi Peninsula was
ceded from Nigeria to Cameroon in 2008 after long-standing border
disputes.
Adamaoua
Adamaoua is a region well suited for
mountaineering.
Cameroon's coast
Region with beaches.
Northern Cameroon
Religiously mixed region in the north.
Northwest Highlands
English-speaking region, currently in a state of
war (as of 2023).
Southern Cameroon
Region with the capital
Yaounde and the main entry point for tourists.
Big cities
1 Yaounde – capital
2 Douala
Cities:
3
Bamenda
4 Bertoua
5 Foumban
Bafia, Bafoussam, Bamenda,
Bandjoun, Bellabo, Bertoua, Boumnyebel, Mt. Cameroon, Ebolowa, Edéa,
Dschang, Garoua, Kribi, Mt. Cameroon, Maroua, Ngaoundéré, Nkongsamba,
Sangmélima.
Mandara Mountains (Monts Mandara) in northern Cameroon near the
border with Nigeria.
In Bafoussam, especially the Chefferie, that is,
the impressive palace of the pre-colonial king that was converted into a
museum. The city is easily accessible from Douala and Yaundé, although
the Gare routière is just outside on the N4. To Foumban about an hour,
to Yaoundé in three and Douala in five hours.
The Chefferie de
Bandjoun is a little less impressive. Residence of the traditional king
of the Bamiléké. The town is also located on the main roads to the two
large cities.
Near the small town of Nyanon, a good hundred
kilometers from Yaoundé, there is a 1500 m high mountain where the Ngog
Lituba cave is located at 800 m. It is sacred to the Elog-Mpo'o, Bassa
and Douala tribesmen because their creation myths locate the origins of
Africans here.
It is one of the wettest areas in the world; the annual rainfall,
often in the form of drizzle lasting for days, varies between 6350 and
8900 mm. The coastal village of Debunsha receives over ten liters of
rain per year.
Buea, near the coast, was the official residence
of the German governor since 1901. The university town, in the vicinity
of which tea is planted, is now in the Anglophone part of Cameroon. The
CTE Tea plantation can be visited,[3] although written reservations are
requested.
The town can be reached with the Morango buses at the
Mile 17 Motorpark. There are at least eight accommodations in the
mid-price segment.
The Chariot Hotel is also home to the Spyce Night
Club.
At the Executive Hotel Bakweri Town Road, there seem to be
regular problems with the electricity and water supply - for 10,000 CFA
(2018) you can't expect too much in Africa. Right on the corner is the
Str33tmob nightclub. You can camp at the Presbyterian Mission.
The national park administration, where you can buy a permit and the
start of the climb up the mountain at 1100 meters, is next to the old
post office.
Mount Cameroon (4,095 m; “Kamerunberg,” formerly
“Albertspitze”) is a still active volcano. The area was protected as a
national park in 2009. The lower elevations are a buffer zone to the
farms. There were eight major eruptions in the 20th century alone.
Impatiens etindensis, and I. grandisepala, are only plants found here in
an area where, thanks to volcanic activity, little else grows.
Although the climb is possible in a one-day forced march if you start at
4:30 a.m., three to four day tours to the mountain are usually offered
in Buea, with a guide and porters the cost in 2015 is 75,000-400,000
CFA. The season is mid-January to May. Hut 1 can be reached in three
hours. The actual climb begins from Hut 2 at 2800 m. It can be reached
on foot in six hours or by car along a dirt road. The actual climb is
considered strenuous. Hut 3 is almost an hour below the summit. Many
tours lead down through the “elephant forest,” even though these animals
are rarely seen. There are bamboo forests on the lower slopes.
Since
1973, a brewery has sponsored a 38 km run up the mountain. Several
hundred participants are fighting for 10 million CFA prize money. Around
5,000 visitors come during the event, which is held in January or
February.
Toxic gases can escape from the crater lakes Lac Nyos
and Monoum.
In Limbé, the eastern part of the town is still
called Victoria, there is a rough beach. The town's naval barracks and
oil refinery do not affect water quality. There are a number of
mid-range accommodation options, as well as the luxurious Musango Beach
Hotel. Self-drivers camp directly on the beach.
Not far from the
botanical garden, which is worth seeing, is the Limbé Wildlife Center.
Around 250 primates are being prepared for release into the wild here,
and attempts are also being made to preserve the population of the
African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus). Between the two complexes is
the post office and the Costal Beach Annex with pool, which costs 15,000
CFA (2018).
The bus stop is at Mile 4 in the Bonadikombo district.
To the north is Seme Beach (Bight of Bonny; on the coastal road from
Limbé around the Cameroon Mountain. The end of the N3 is at Idenau).
There the upscale Hotel Seme Beach, Mile 11 Route d'Idenau.
A
little further down the coast to the south is the small harbor of
Bimbia. Slaves used to be shipped from here. There are still the ruins
of a prison on the offshore Île Nicole.
Getting there
(Since
the beginning of the uprising, which is less about armed struggle than
passive resistance, in the region, it has become more difficult to find
direct minibuses from Douala. You can get there easily if you change
trains.)
Coming from Doula, you can get to Mutengene on the N3 in a
maximum of three hours. In this village is the simple Plakinen Hotel.
Here the road forks, towards the sea it goes 18 km to Limbé, up the hill
you come to Buea, 12 km away.
In the city of Foumban, the eponymous people had their own script and
made a good living from the trade in natural pigments, the traditional
sultan of the pre-colonial kingdom of Bamum still resides today in a
palace built around 1917 in North German brick construction. The ruler
at the time was inspired by German postcards. Every Friday, His Highness
and his court march in procession to the mosque. Near the palace is the
Musée de Foumban, which presents the history of the tribe and the
region.
A quarter of the city focuses on the production of
handicrafts, often artificially aged, for the world market. (Note the
10% export duty on carvings.)
The Hotel Pekassa de Karche, 100m
from the museum on the main street, has 2018 rooms for 15000CFA, with
air conditioning 25000CFA.
Getting there
From Douala on the N5
to Bafoussam, then continue on the N6. This can be combined with a
detour to the Chutes d'Ekom Nkam waterfalls. This is almost exactly
halfway, 165km from Douala and about 180km from Foudam. Particularly
impressive towards the end of the rainy season, a Tarzan film was shot
here in 1983.
Coming from Yaundé, first take the N4 to Bafoussam,
then continue as above.
In the highlands, the so-called grasslands, is Bamenda, the capital
of the North-West Province. On the outskirts of the city there is a
well-kept park that is somewhat exaggeratedly called a “botanical
garden”. Starting from this city, a 367 km long route known as the Ring
Road has been designated, which connects numerous places of tourist
interest and natural beauties. That doesn't mean that the roads are
particularly good, they are impassable in the rainy season and dusty in
the dry season. You can either rent a four-wheel drive car or bring
plenty of time if you want to travel with bush taxis.
The route,
for which you should plan 4-5 days, leads, counterclockwise, from
Bamenda, past Sabga Hill to Bamessing and Ndop. In Kumbo there is a
Catholic church, the Mus'art Gallery and the chefferie to visit.
Further north you come to Nkambe and Missaje, whereby the road, and
especially the bridges, become increasingly worse. You can only get to
We in the dry season, and even then you should carry enough supplies
with you. About halfway is the small Kimbi Wildlife Reserve. It would be
a good idea to hike from Missaje to We, passing Lac Nyos, notorious for
the 1,700 deaths after a CO2 eruption in 1986.[4] The area is therefore
largely uninhabited today. Further south you come to Wum. The Menchum
waterfall is at least worth a photo stop.
Bafut undoubtedly
offers the most attractive sight, the palace of the traditional ruler,
called Fon. Part museum and “ecovillage,” part still inhabited. The
Tikar tribe was regionally very strong; the dynasty looks back on 700
years of history. The museum, in a colonial-era stone building above the
palace, is also worth a visit.
A four-day traditional festival takes
place at the end of December.
The city is a pilgrimage
destination for the Islamic festival of sacrifice Tabaski (June 16,
2024), and the rites are celebrated mixed with Bamoun traditions.
If you don't have much time, you can alternatively complete the
“short” Ring Road in two days. This route connects the Bamenda, Bafut,
Wum, We, Fundong, Belo and Bambui stages in a clockwise direction.
Getting there
Bamenda Airport (aéroport de Bamenda, IATA: BPC;
halfway between Bafut and Bamenda) . The long-neglected military landing
site has been served by Camair-co from Douala three times a week since
July 2017 for 32,000 CFA.
Guaranti Express Bus Station, Food Market
Rd., Bamenda. Next door is the Vatican Bus stop.
Nkwen Motor Park.
Minibuses along the western part of the Ring Road from Ntarikon
Motor Park. To Wum it takes about 6 hours.
Towards Mamfe (127 km)
and Bali (18 km), about 1km outside on Bali Rd.
Plain Hotel, Plain Hotel St., Ndop. Tel.: +237 6 76 31 95 34. The
name says it all.
Green Valley Hotel, Green Valley Hotel St., Ndop.
Dominion Hotel, Foncha St., Mulang Mankon, Bamenda. A little out of the
way, but well cared for.
Jeps Hotel, Fon's Street, Bamenda (Central
near bus stop and market).
Kribi is the most famous “seaside resort,” also known for wealthy
Cameroonians, in the country. The Edéa road is paved. There are long
sandy beaches as well as good seafood. Auberges and mid-range hotels are
numerous.
Long-distance buses stop in front of the offices on Rue du
Marché.
To the north is Londji Beach with the upscale Hotel Costa
Blanca.
Almost seven kilometers south, at Bwambe Beach, you can
visit the Lobé waterfalls; these fall directly into the sea.
52km
further south along the P8 along the coast is the village of Ébodjé, an
ecotourism destination because of the sea turtles found here. The season
during which females lay their eggs ends at the beginning of June. When
the first animals begin to hatch in mid-July, areas of the beach are
fenced off.
There are a total of sixteen designated protected areas in Cameroon.
The more important ones are:
Bénoué National Park established in
2001. The dry Sudan zone dominates the flora. Dry forests of Anogeissus
leiocarpa are widespread. There are rocky buttes, woodland and some
bodies of water in the park. During the dry season from November to May,
wild animals crowd the waterholes. Mammals include hippos (in herds),
baboons, occasionally elephants, bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) but
also particularly endangered species such as the African wild dog
(Lycaon pictus), the manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) and the giant
eland (Taurotragus derbianus).
Campo Ma’an National Park 2,640 km²,
just before the border with Equatorial Guinea, directly on the Atlantic
consists of barely touched rainforest. Gorillas also live here. The
construction of an oil pipeline nearby and the ban on hunting have put
the three pygmy tribes living here in severe distress. The protected
area can only be reached via 150 km of poor road from Kribi. It is
doubtful whether a tourism infrastructure, which was still missing in
2017, will be created. At least one “hotel” financed by the WWF has
already fallen into disrepair. Officially, the fee for the park is 5000
CFA per person plus 2000 CFA per vehicle. Guides whose price should be
10000 CFA can quickly charge several hundred dollars for a tour. There
are three beachfront accommodations in Campo. However, it is cheapest in
the guesthouse attached to the Supermarché Les Bonnes.
Wildlife
Reserva Dja Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site within a 5260 km²
loop on the upper reaches of the Dja River. Almost completely untouched
tropical rainforest. In addition to numerous species of primates and
vervet monkeys, you can also find a variety of amphibians and reptiles.
The Pygmies living here are still allowed to practice traditional
hunting.
Waza National Park (Parc national de Waza) in the Lake Chad
basin, the core of which was designated in 1934 and is now a biosphere
reserve. Probably the most animal-rich park in the country with classic
African big game: lions, elephants, giraffes and some cheetahs. Buffon
cobantelopes are common. (Rhinoceros, Cape buffalo and hippos are
extinct here.) The vast grassy areas in the eastern part of Waza
National Park are flooded during the rainy season. The western part has
varying densities, mostly forested with acacias. The not uncontroversial
construction of the Maga Dam has affected part of the park, but on the
other hand the reservoir has developed into a breeding area for water
bird species that are affected by the increasing drying out of Lake
Chad.
Entry requirements
There has been an online portal for consular
services since 2023. This is mandatory to use. Here, entry permits are
not issued like in other countries, but you receive approval in advance
with which you can then get the visa at the consulate. Processing time
should be a maximum of 72 hours.
Consular Department of the
Cameroonian Embassy, Ulmenallee 32, 14050 Berlin. Tel.: +49 30 89 06 80
90, email: consulaire@ambacamer.de. Responsible for all of Germany,
Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland
and the Czech Republic. The two honorary consulates in Germany are no
longer allowed to issue visas. Open: Personal consultations are only
possible by appointment: Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Cameroonian
Consulate, Villa Flora, Hüttelbergstraße 23A, 1140 Vienna. Tel.: +43 1
914 77 44-0. Visa is no longer issued. Berlin is responsible. Open:
Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for appointments.
Section consulaire
de l'Ambassade de Cameroun, Brunnadernrain 29, 3006 Bern. Also
responsible for Greece, Slovenia, Albania and Liechtenstein. Open:
Mon-Thurs 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., pickup 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
In
any case, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required. If you miss it,
you will be vaccinated at the airport for a fee.
When entering
the country by air, a valid return or onward ticket is required.
Anyone who has a long-term work/residence permit including a residence
card (Carte de séjour), which is normally valid for 2 years, must apply
for a re-entry permit in order not to lose their status when they leave
the country.
Customs regulations
For vehicle import, see the
information below. The usual import bans apply to pornography, drugs,
weapons and explosives, as well as oil and food.
More than one
million CFA cash must be declared upon entry. An unlimited amount of CFA
can be exported to countries in the monetary union, otherwise the cash
limit is 25,000CFA for tourists and 400,000CFA for business travelers.
The import of (hunting) weapons for big game hunting must be applied
for via the Cameroonian embassy in Berlin or one of the two honorary
consuls (€100 fee).
Wood carvings are subject to an export duty
of 10%. Fruits should be carried in checked baggage and not in carry-on
baggage.
Allowances (without age limit)
400 cigarettes or 50
cigars or 5 packs of tobacco.
1 bottle of alcohol.
5 bottles of
perfume.
By plane
The main airport in Cameroon is Douala
(DLA), followed by Yaoundé-Nsimalen.
The state flag carrier
Camair-co flies Douala-Yaoundé-Paris CDG and surrounding African
capitals several times a week. You have a monopoly on domestic routes.
Despite its name, the airport in Garoua currently does not offer any
international flights.
By train
There are no cross-border rail
connections.
On the street
Entry into Cameroon by land is
currently considered highly dangerous due to armed conflicts; the
Foreign Office advises against all entry by land. It is comparatively
safe to enter Rio Campo from Equatorial Guinea (but practically
impossible due to the visa policy there) and Gabon.
When entering
the country with your own vehicle, you must have third-party insurance
that is valid in Cameroon (it is best to also take proof of payment and
a copy of the insurance policy with you). Standard insurance policies
taken out in Europe are generally not valid in Cameroon.
A Carnet de
Passage is also recommended. The import of right-hand drive vehicles is
generally prohibited.
A vignette must also be purchased, which as
of 2008 amounts to 25,000 CAF or 100,000 CAF for larger cars.
The
rest is standard: a driver's license and international driving license,
as well as a vehicle ID card and a passport/identity card are regularly
required during the very frequent checks. The presence of a breakdown
triangle, fire extinguisher and first aid kit is now checked. 2 warning
triangles, 1 fire extinguisher (Extenteur) are mandatory and the first
aid package should also contain paracetamol, alcohol 95% and a yellow
bottle of Betadine (Beta-Isadona).
Registration of the vehicle is
only required if you are staying for more than three months.
Also
read the Driving in Yaoundé section.
During the rainy season
(June to September) many of the unpaved roads are impassable.
Diesel is around 5-10% cheaper than (leaded) petrol. There are enough
gas stations in cities.
By boat
There have been opportunities
in the past to travel from Nigeria across the Gulf of Guinea to the
Cameroonian port city of Limbe. However, the connections were canceled
due to the precarious security situation in Nigeria; unofficial
ride-sharing services should not be used due to the risk of kidnapping
in Nigerian territorial waters.
In the rainy season it should
also be possible to get to the city of Garoua via the Benue River; here
too, the security situation in the neighboring country is considered the
biggest obstacle.
The main means of transport in Cameroon are buses, taxis, cars,
trucks and motorcycles. Taxis and motorbikes go to individual
destinations, buses follow fixed routes.
The price of taxis and
motos is negotiated before the start. The real price should be known in
advance, as Europeans usually charge twice the price. Licensed taxis are
usually yellow. The previously common Peugeots were gradually replaced
by Japanese small cars.
Chinese companies have been building
numerous new or better roads for about ten years, but this has not yet
been reflected on all maps.
The numerous bus agencies pay a fixed price for a seat and a piece of
luggage. The road network is of very different quality.
Many
routes are served by minibuses, now often also of Japanese origin,
so-called bush taxis. Overcrowding and massive overloading are common.
In larger towns there are central departure points. If you wait long
enough you will always find a bush taxi in the direction you want. The
departure only takes place when, in African terms, it is “full”.
A large number of private bus companies offer intercity connections
to larger cities that are connected to the hard surface road network.
Traveling to places that can only be reached via slopes usually involves
switching to bush taxis. It is not recommended to travel to the north
(provinces of Adamaoua, Nord and Extreme Nord) by bus, as there are
several hundred kilometers of dusty roads in the dry season, which turn
into morass in the rainy season.
Bus stations at rush hour are
vibrant places of African life. Young people try to recruit passengers
for “their” bus company at the bus station. Sometimes the competition is
harsh and packers try to snatch passengers' luggage in order to win them
as customers. Here it is important to stay calm and keep a firm hand on
your luggage. The prices for tickets vary depending on the time of day
and the number of passengers. Before you travel, check with other
travelers about the current daily prices.
The benches on the
buses are usually filled with passengers until no one can fit in them
anymore. In practice this means that five seats are sold on benches of
four. For comfortable travel, it is recommended to buy 2 seats or an
entire bench so that you don't travel like a sardine in a can for hours.
When loading the bus, you have to keep your extra space free and
occasionally defend it against the packers, but this usually works
without any problems.
The Garantie, Buca Voyage and Central Voyage companies offer
air-conditioned VIP buses with decent and hygienic catering. The waiting
rooms are clean and air-conditioned. Newspapers are usually also
provided. These buses usually respect higher safety standards regarding
maintenance and overloading. In 2012, Buca Voyages was the best
organized (also in terms of safety and predictability) and most
comfortable bus company.
Prices vary depending on the time of day
and general travel volume (traveling is more expensive before holidays
and in the morning). Trips during the day and during the week are
cheaper. VIP buses cost about twice as much and are worth the money.
Sometimes unsuspecting (European) passengers are asked to pay money
to transport their luggage, but this usually does not correspond to the
bus operator's tariff policy. Larger companies issue a ticket for each
piece of luggage, which proves that it was transported.
Safety in bus transport is generally precarious and accidents are
common. Due to the very high competitive pressure, most companies save
on chauffeurs (poor training and too short rest periods) and on vehicle
maintenance. The choice of company is important for the safety of the
trip. It's best to ask the local population and other travelers which
company has the best current reputation. When providing information, it
should be noted that the ethnic origin of the respondent also plays an
important role in the preferences for a bus company.
Buses that
make a bad visual impression should be avoided. The companies Kami and
Mariama (their own) had a particularly bad reputation in 2010.
Attacks on buses are possible in northern Cameroon. The security forces
are trying to combat the evil with varying degrees of commitment. The
security situation must be inquired about before traveling. In the rest
of the country, robberies are most likely to take place at night.
Traveling by train in Cameroon is a real adventure and therefore fun.
The slow journey means you can see a lot of the country and come into
contact with the colorful hawkers at the train stations or even start a
conversation during a longer stop. If you prefer to travel in comfort,
use the VIP buses or plane for a trip to the north.
The trains
derail quite often. This is usually not very dangerous given the low
speeds (typically around 60 km/h) of the trains. Theft is common on
trains, especially in second class. (Passenger) trains often have to
wait in stations to cross with freight trains, as the latter are
preferred through the network due to greater profitability. Therefore,
allow enough time for the journey.
There are three trains a day
between Yaoundé and Douala (263 km), scheduled to take 3½-4 hours. Two
are non-stop Intercity, another express stops in Edea. Prices are
3000-9000 CFA in 2018, depending on the class.
There is a pair of
night trains (seats only) between Yaoundé and Ngaoundéré (N’déré) that
depart daily shortly after 7:15 p.m. in each direction. Scheduled
arrival after 667 km is at 9:00 a.m. the next morning; more
realistically you should plan sixteen hours of travel time. There are
intermediate stops in Nanga Eboko, Belabo and Mbitom. Unreserved 2nd
class costs 17000 CFA in 2018; Couchette 25-28000 CFA (if in operation).
There are also morning trains between Belabo ↔ N’déré for 4620 CFA.
Three local trains (omnibus) with wooden bench class run daily on
the 66 km from Doula ↔ Mbanga ↔ Kumba for 500 CFA.
The counter
clerks occasionally create artificial shortages of train tickets in
order to sell them on their own account through bootleggers shortly
before the departure date. The price lists at the counters are generally
correct and apply.
In principle, a car in Cameroon is always rented with a driver;
rental cars without a driver are very rare. In big cities and tourist
places, tourists can also get vehicles on their own. You need an
international and domestic driving license.
“Renting” can take
various forms: In the provincial capitals there are travel agencies that
offer rental car contracts.
In the short term, you can simply
negotiate a daily rate with a taxi driver. Assume a tariff of
approximately 2000F CFA/h (2008). With a little negotiating skills, this
is the cheaper option. In addition, e.g. For example, off-road vehicles
can be rented privately quite easily. Simply ask in a pub or at a kiosk.
Basically, French traffic rules apply. The vehicle drivers generally
drive “on sight” and systematically respect only a few traffic rules.
These are then v. a. relevant in traffic accidents. Minor paint damage,
dents and broken exterior mirrors are the order of the day because the
handlebars drive and park “on contact”. In the eyes of local drivers,
scratches are not considered damage and are therefore hardly a reason
for compensation. So be flexible in the event of minor collisions or if
someone hits the body of your vehicle when opening the door. At
intersections you usually have to drive as if you were in an imaginary
roundabout, even if the intersection is not signposted as a roundabout
("faire le rondpoint"). In roundabouts, right of way applies (is usually
respected), i.e. H. Vehicles entering the roundabout have the right of
way. Vehicles already in the roundabout must brake. At intersections
with red lights, you can and must turn right when the light is red.
Stopping is considered a traffic violation. Red lights are not always
observed, so caution should always be exercised when driving through
intersections with traffic lights.
The typical speed is around
40-50 km/h and should not be exceeded even on a clear road. Children,
disabled and elderly people, animals and vehicles can get directly onto
the road at any time and without warning.
Cycling is possible, but extremely dangerous; cars and trucks pay little attention to cyclists and often push them onto sidewalks, sewers that run parallel to the street or into ditches. Numerous deep potholes, leaking oil and theft of bicycle parts make the journey a risky adventure. Foreign bicycle handlers are occasionally seen. They usually know in advance what to expect and are prepared accordingly.
Cameroon has two official languages: French and English. English is spoken in the South-West and North-West provinces, the other eight provinces are Francophone. Since the official languages are also the mandatory languages of instruction, most Cameroonians (with the exception of the older rural population) speak these languages. However, the lingua franca is Pidgin English (Kamtok), a simplified English with various influences. The same applies to French. CAMpidginFrench (Franc-anglais), a mixture of pidgin English and French (e.g. "on go" => <on> French we, <go> English go => "Go.), has recently become established as a youth language we?"). In addition, the more than 200 tribal languages and dialects play an important role, especially away from the cities.
Big game hunting
Cameroon allows the temporary import of hunting
weapons. Shooting permits and corresponding safaris will usually have to
be booked through specialized providers who can also provide information
regarding the export regulations for trophies and CITES rules. The
yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor) is completely protected.
Lions, hippos and elephants can still be hunted, but the EU has banned
all trophy imports since May 2015.
General hunting rules prohibit
shooting at night, with artificial light or from a vehicle. There are
also species-specific quotas, classes of animals and minimum stays as
well as caliber regulations, which in combination affect the permit.
Only animals for which permission has been granted in advance may be
shot. The fee doubles if a wounded animal escapes.
Hunting times
are from January 1st to March 31st in the savannah and from March 1st to
June 30th in forest areas. There are different types of territories
depending on who gets the shooting fee:
ZIC (Zone d'Intérêt
Cynégétique): Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Nature Conservation
ZICGC (Zone d'Intérêt Cynégétique à Gestion Communautaire): Half to the
local municipality and the Ministry of Nature Conservation
COZIC
(Cogestion Zone d'Intérêt Cynégétique): Completely to the Ministry of
Nature Conservation, additional fee for the surrounding communities.
Most of the territories are in the Nord and Est provinces near the
border with the Central African Republic.
In the north there are
special quarters for hunters. The preferred way to hunt here is in a
four-wheel drive car.
In the east and south, stalking is mainly done
on foot in the forest, which can be strenuous given the heat.
The CFA franc is tied directly to the EUR at a rate of almost €1 =
656 CFA, which is excessive for political reasons. Please note the
applicable cash import restrictions.
It is advisable to bring cash in
euros with you. There is a chronic shortage of small change in Cameroon.
Supermarkets and gas stations can exchange larger notes. The easiest way
to exchange the euro for CFA is at banks, free of charge. US$ and SFR
are bought relatively well but with purchase costs. Avoid street
exchanges, which are often accompanied by fraud or robbery. Banks and
authorities open between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Withdrawing cash
from ATMs (almost only Visa) and paying with credit cards are only
possible in very rare cases in expensive hotels. In rural areas, cards
can still be used to a very limited extent. ATM logistics (network
connection, stock of banknotes, defects) will occasionally cause
difficulties. Therefore, always keep some cash in reserve. Longer queues
can be expected from the 25th of the month.
Larger money
transfers from abroad up to approx. 20,000 CHF / 13,000 EUR per year
(depending on the country-specific regulations on money laundering -
meaning the regulations of the sending country) can be sent via Western
Union or via other service providers such as MoneyGram, Express Union
International within minutes be transferred on working days. Holders of
a Swiss postal account can initiate a Western Union transfer to Cameroon
via the Internet and are therefore less dependent on carrying cash with
them.
Domestic money transfers. In addition to the channels
mentioned above, domestic transfers can also be made via SMS/app via
mobile phone transfer systems (Orange Money and MTN MoMo - mobile
money).
During a longer stay, you should consider opening an
account with a larger bank. To open, you will need a passport or
residence permit and a copy of it. The opening takes about 1-2 hours.
The cheapest way to transfer money to Cameroonian institutions is from
French banks, as there are no fees for intermediary correspondent banks.
Afriland, Ecobank, Credit Agricole and Standard Chartered also offer
local bank cards, which you can use to easily withdraw money from ATMs.
Do not buy food in pieces or kilograms at the market (exception:
meat and fish), but rather in the units offered: fruits and vegetables
are bought in piles (French: un tas) or in cauldrons (French: saut).
Peanuts, spices, rice or grain are bought in cups (French: goblet). You
buy bananas in perennials (French: régime), as part of a perennial
(French: main) or you guessed it, in pieces (French: doigt). When
shopping at the market, take a porter (French: pousseur or porteur) who
can advise you where to buy what and protect you from pickpockets.
Younger carriers cost around 200 CFA, older ones around 500 CFA.
Negotiate the price before hiring and leave an additional tip
afterwards.
Cameroonian cuisine is part of the general West African cuisine, so
yams, corn (also called couscous or polenta-like), cocoyam, plantains
and foufou are among the staple foods. Joloff rice is also popular.
Peanuts and palm oil are important components of meals.
For
bobolo (syn. bâton de manioc), cassava is mashed, fermented and then
steamed wrapped in a leaf. It is the traditional side dish for Ndolé.
This type of stew with slightly bitter leaves comes from the Douala
area, but has now become a national dish.
Ikok is a dish particularly
popular among the Bantus of the Bassa tribe. The basis is formed by
liana species of the Gnetum family. Suya are grilled meat skewers,
seasoned in the style of the Hausa tribe living in the north. A common
side dish is masa, a steamed rice cake. The low heat used when street
vendors prepare beef further spreads the tapeworm.
Other commonly
available dishes include: Poisson brézè, fish fried on the charcoal
grill. Poulet DG chicken in sauce. Tripes tripe in tomato or peanut
sauce. Sauce arachide, peanut sauce with rice and meat. Brochettes, like
everywhere in West Africa, shrimp, beef or liver skewers on the wood
grill (usually grilled on barrels of oil). Kilichi, dried, seasoned
cured meat from beef, in the Sahel regions also often from dromedary.
Safu or Prune are grilled or cooked safou fruits.
French-style
bread is often eaten for breakfast. Street vendors in particular sell
the pastries “ça va se savoir” for 50 CFA each.
Bush meat (Viande
de brousse), e.g. B. the highly valued pangolins, Gambia giant hamster
rats, porcupines, chimpanzees and gorillas still exist, but they have
become expensive delicacies due to increasing shortages.
Odontol
is the local fire water distilled from palm wine and grains, which is
very popular because of its affordable price. The added flavor is the
added Essok (Garcinia lucida), a mangosteen. The main product on offer
is home-distilled booze, the production of which has been banned since
1970 but is tolerated “as medicine”. A few hundred dead or blind people
every year are victims of the methyl it may contain.
Gambling is allowed. There is a casino each in Yaoundé and Douala.
Due to the overvaluation of the local currency, accommodation in
Cameroon is only slightly cheaper than in Germany (approx. 20,000 CFA
per night) with a significantly lower standard. Only in the luxury
segment can you expect Western standards. Camping is possible, but
should be avoided if possible due to the security situation in the
country.
Most hotels do not accept credit cards. In hotels under
the 4-star category, hot water is not always available (either not
installed or the installation is defective). For children or those who
don't like warm showers (for once, we mean to be kind) you can order hot
water in buckets from the hotel (please give a small tip). Hot water can
also be provided by yourself using a stick kettle (approx. 2000 CFA) and
a bucket.
You can have your dirty laundry cleaned in all hotels.
Either there is a service from the hotel (more expensive) or you ask the
hotel employees (cheaper) who will do this for additional income.
Remember that this is hand washing, which is less suitable for delicate
items of clothing (intensive scrubbing). If you want boiled linen, this
must be ordered separately. Laundry must definitely be ironed if it is
dried outdoors (see also the Health section => Woodflies).
The security situation in Cameroon has deteriorated significantly in
recent years, but you can still move around the country relatively
freely if you follow a few tips:
Valuables and jewelry should not be
displayed openly.
You should only take as much cash with you as you
need for the day; the cash should be divided into different bags.
Important documents such as passports and visas should not be carried in
their original form, but should be left in the hotel safe. You can copy
your passport and visa and have the copy officially certified at a
police station (cost: 1000 CFA), the copy will be recognized as a valid
ID. The German embassy in Yaoundé also offers this service.
A taxi
should not be hailed on the street (danger of muggings), it is best to
ask the hotel/host to order a taxi. If you are planning longer trips
across the country, you should consider renting a car with a driver.
Fake police officers are common in the country. You should ensure that
the officer is genuine and insist on being allowed to contact the
embassy.
You should not be outdoors after dark.
In the event of a
robbery: Do not resist and hand over the demanded money or valuables to
the robbers.
The rifts between the English-speaking minority on
the border with Nigeria and the French-speaking majority in the rest of
the country are currently breaking out again and there are violent
clashes. Since many of Cameroon's neighboring countries do not have
functioning governments (Chad, Central African Republic) and the
extensive border can hardly be monitored, there is a risk of kidnappings
by armed militias in the border areas with neighboring countries.
Traveling to destinations outside the two large cities of Yaounde and
Douala needs to be carefully considered.
A yellow fever vaccination is necessary to travel to Cameroon. This
vaccination has been valid for life since 2017 (entry in the
international vaccination card). It used to be ten years. It is not
clear to what extent word of the change has spread to remote borders.
This must be shown when applying for the visa and upon entry. In
addition, if you have been in the country for four weeks or longer, you
must prove that you have been vaccinated against polio (polio) when you
leave. It makes sense to have the vaccination done before your trip.
Tap water is not drinkable. Because of the impurities, a special
small water filter makes more sense than chemical agents. Otherwise, you
only drink bottled water, which costs 300-400 CFA for 1½ liters (2018).
Be careful with street vendors to make sure they are not refilled
bottles. Brands are Tangui or Supermont.
The Cameroonian
healthcare system is well equipped to deal with tropical diseases. The
quality level in healthcare is very variable. There are many very good
facilities but also many bad ones. Common sense is required when
assessing performance - but don't panic. Cameroonian doctors and health
workers immediately fight any bacterial infections with antibiotics.
An advance payment is required in hospitals. You also have to
purchase your own medication and bandages. Most small and medium-sized
clinics or dispensaries do not have their own laboratories. Therefore,
it is important to know their locations. If you suspect you have an
illness, you can order analyzes directly without consulting a doctor.
In large cities, the names of the service pharmacies are listed on
the pharmacy doors. Ask locals about the location. As a rule, pharmacies
do not require a doctor's prescription: If you feel confident enough,
you can - at your own risk - buy any medication available in the
pharmacy. This can be advantageous in emergency situations or when the
person concerned is clear about the indications and posology of the
medication.
For travelers who regularly need certain medications,
it is very important to bring enough of them with them (e.g. insulin or
prescribed medication). However, in larger cities there are pharmacies
where you can buy French-made medicines quite cheaply. To do this, you
should find out the French or international name of the respective
medication or active ingredient, which may differ from the brand name in
German-speaking countries.
Cameroon is a high-risk country for
malaria. Before you travel, you should therefore find out about malaria
prophylaxis options in tropical medicine and, if necessary, have
appropriate medication prescribed. You should also always protect
yourself from insect bites. If you still notice symptoms of malaria, you
should go to one of the country's numerous hospitals immediately. The
entire spectrum of tropical diseases is also available. The HIV
prevalence in the population is between 5 and 12% nationwide.
If
possible, when using swimming pools, always use ear plugs or tight
swimming caps to protect against water getting into your ears. Due to
the mostly medium to poor water quality, sensitive people are at risk of
infections in the ear, nose and throat area.
The amoeba is an organism between 0.1 and 2mm in size. Amoebas lead to painful diseases in the digestive tract. White mucus in the excrement and painful bowel movements are typical symptoms of amoebic disease. The amoebas usually enter the body through unhygienically stored foods (salad, water, peeled fruits sold openly and cold, already prepared foods in general). By adhering to the tropical eating rule (see: Healthy travel) you can effectively avoid amoebic diseases. Amoebic remedies can be purchased at any pharmacy for approximately 2500 CFA.
The warbler fly lays its eggs on laundry hanging outside to dry. The
maggots hatch upon contact with the skin and penetrate the skin where
they develop. They feed on the host's skin. The erosion of the skin
manifests itself in itching and sometimes painful stings. After a few
days or weeks, a fly emerges from the affected area of skin. This
disease is visually disgusting, but if no sensitive parts of the body
are affected, it is usually harmless.
Avoid infestation by drying
laundry indoors or by ironing laundry thoroughly.
When infested, they
can use a few simple methods to “force” the maggots to come out of the
skin by suffocating them. This can be done by smearing the area of skin
with frying fat, oil, butter or a piece of meat. Lemon juice and tobacco
smoke are commonly recommended. Approximately 15 minutes of treatment
are sufficient. You can then squeeze the entire maggot out of the skin.
Do not cut the maggot - it must be removed as a whole. Local nurses
usually take care of the problem quickly and without pain. Fly
infections are rare. Treat the infestation preferably during your stay
by experienced staff and not after a return trip to Europe or the USA.
Doctors in these countries have little experience in treating the
infestation and often remove it surgically with a scalpel. This
definitely results in high costs, but possibly also pain and
inflammation caused by the procedure.
A good two hundred tribes live in the country, some of which have
their own culture. In addition, there are a large number of Muslims who
react very unpleasantly to violations of their moral codes.
Interlocutors often avoid direct eye contact. Insulting the president
and his family is prohibited by law and punishable by law. Paul Biya
(*1933) has been in office since 1982.
Before photographing
people, always ask the person for consent. It is almost always given -
perhaps in return for a symbolic tip or an invitation to a drink. Taking
photos without consent can lead to serious conflict. Anything that has
any military significance (e.g. bridges) should definitely not be
included.
Africans are generally not numbers people - so don't
expect precise answers to questions about the number of inhabitants,
unemployment rates, distances in (kilo) meters or the exact duration of
a trip. Be pragmatic and average multiple pieces of information.
Although there are some street names, hardly anyone knows them. So if
you e.g. For example, if you want to take a taxi to “Avenue Foch”, ask
for the “Pharmacie du Soleil” or the “Commissariat de l'Elysée” and not
the street name.
The practice of breast ironing is particularly
widespread in the Littoral province. About half of adolescent girls are
subjected to this cultural practice. By placing hot stones or something
similar, the breast growth is supposed to be reduced and the girls are
made unattractive to potential rapists. Normal breastfeeding is often
not possible later. Long-term effects include damage to connective
tissue, pain, impaired self-esteem, infections, cysts and increased risk
of cancer.
Invitations to dinner can certainly be formal occasions. Cameroonians
value a well-groomed appearance. In government offices, good hotels or
bars, avoid shorts, flip-flops, sleeveless T-shirts or swimwear.
The different Cameroonian ethnic groups celebrate various celebrations
and ceremonies, which - no one is surprised - have their origin in the
turning points of life: birth, wedding, death, etc. As many guests are
always invited as the budget allows, and opulent meals are served served
and long speeches are given and there is dancing in the traditional way.
If you are invited to this, it is worth accepting the invitation.
Despite similar names, most of the events differ greatly from those
known in the Western world and are therefore worth an experience.
Funérailles are commemorations of the deceased that are celebrated
by the Bamiléké, Bamoun and other grassland peoples. The celebration is
accompanied by traditional music and dances and provides a colorful
insight into the traditions of the mentioned peoples. These celebrations
take place between December and early March. You have to have someone
invite you, which is usually not a problem, as these celebrations are
based on the principle that the more participants the better and a
well-traveled guest is always welcome.
There are no area codes; all telephone numbers have nine digits. Landlines start with 2 or 3, mobile phones with 7, 8 or 9.
Of Campost's 232 post offices, 58 accept foreign parcels. Letters
sent abroad usually also arrive. The international parcel service has
been outsourced to EMS. This courier company has similar prices to DHL.
The state postal service is suitable for sending documents cheaply where
any loss will not cause major problems. Many pieces of mail are lost,
and packages in particular are completely or partially looted by
employees.
Because of problems with the state postal service,
intercity bus companies are offering alternative shipping services. At
every major bus station there is a courier service counter that accepts
parcels and letters. The dispatched goods are entered into a register.
Postage depends on the declared value of the shipment and sometimes on
the sender. These services are usually quite reliable. However, delays
are possible. The possible shipping destinations depend on the company's
route network.
There are hardly any landline telephones in Cameroon. The state-owned
CAMTEL, with high access costs, is also responsible for landlines. The
quality of the network (disconnections, overload, noise, channel
crosstalk) is very poor due to poor maintenance, lack of investment and
poor operational management. The number of connections has hardly
changed for years. The telephone exchanges in Yaoundé are digital (first
generation), the terminals are analog.
The mobile network is
quite well developed. In 2014 there were four providers: Orange, MTN, E
(formerly nextel) and Camtel. The network of the first two is the best
developed. All offer prepaid cards or electronic transfer of credit.
The state-owned Camtel is mainly present in Douala and Yaoundé (the
Vodafone LTE network there was taken over in 2017), but also offers
internet, with fiber optics in all provincial capitals since 2015.
Prepaid cards are also available everywhere in the country.
In
larger cities there are countless call boxes, i.e. H. simple kiosks
where you can make calls using your cell phone. This is often cheaper
than using a personal cell phone!
MTN (Mobile Telephone Network),
Orange Communications, Nextel operate a rapidly growing GSM 900/1800
network (standards: GSM; 3G and 4G since December 2015). Mobile phones
common in Europe can be used. The per-minute prices for domestic calls
are around CFA 100/minute. Credits can be transferred among end users
via messages for CFA 50 / transaction ("transfert de crédit"). The
quality of the networks is good in the urban area and outside. A monthly
data subscription for 3G or 4G networks costs 8'000-10'000 CFA (as of
January 1, 2015) and is recommended. It works with prepaid.
Local
SIM cards can be purchased cheaply by presenting a passport or
Cameroonian identity card. The quality of mobile data connections has
increased significantly since 2016 with the introduction of 4G
standards. WhatsApp, Skype, Messenger & Co receive enough bandwidth and
network stability. However, the reliability of the networks is
significantly worse than in Central Europe. Individual services (SMS,
voice or data) may sporadically fail for a few hours. The “insurgent”
Anglophone regions were completely cut off from the internet for months
in 2018.
If you plan to travel in Cameroon or Central Africa for a longer period of time, it may be worth importing a vehicle that will later be sold locally. However, this procedure is only recommended for travelers with good knowledge of Africa, sufficient time budget and good nerves. Most vehicles are imported by sea via Doula. This process is described here in the article. It is advisable to commission an international logistics company to handle the customs clearance procedure, which will then carry it out in full transparency and at a slightly higher price.
It is best to book shipping through a specialized car exporter. These
are usually Lebanese businessmen, but sometimes also black Africans.
Before shipping, the vehicle must be registered and assessed by the
company SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance) (this is done according
to a standard assessment table (“Argus”)). The vehicle is photographed
and a dossier is created for the attention of Cameroon Customs and SGS
in Douala.
The vehicle can then be shipped to Cameroon. The typical
shipping ports are Antwerp, Rotterdam, Le Havre and Marseille.
The
port handling fees must be paid before the ship arrives - you must
present the shipping documents (Bill of Lading) which identify you as
the owner. In the port, the Socomar company is responsible for the
vehicle; its employees are considered extremely corrupt. A visit is
carried out by customs, during which it is determined that the value
does not differ significantly from the SGS estimate and that there are
no other goods in the vehicle that would require additional customs
clearance.
The customs officer’s report is then recorded in
“Informatique” and a customs clearance report is created. With this
customs clearance report you checkout and pay the customs amount against
a receipt. This is 58% up to 2000 cc, above that it is 77% [probably
increased by a further 10% in 2018]). Depending on the Argus list, the
customs amount can be 1-2 million CFA - in addition to the import tax of
100-200,000 CFA. By presenting the receipt, you can apply to customs to
release the vehicle from the port.
A parking fee must be paid for
each day that the vehicle is in the port. In 2018, this was 500-1850
CFA, depending on size.
You will then receive a corresponding stamp
on the customs dossier and can leave the port.
The process described in “Standard Process” is the one normally intended. Since Cameroon is still recognized by Transparency International as one of the more corrupt countries in the world, the corruption factor must be taken into account, the epicenter of which in Cameroon is the port of Douala. The author recommends the strategy of doing the above as precisely as possible. Please follow the standard procedure and not take any of the abbreviations that are offered everywhere. In your own interest, never try to bribe an official - the advantages of a clean transaction usually outweigh the disadvantages. The following statements are therefore based on a bribe-free practice process.
In Cameroon there are only spare parts and repair know-how for a limited number of brands and models. It is best to choose the brands Toyota, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai or Mercedes. You can also find spare parts for other Japanese brands, Land Rovers and French brands (especially Peugeot). Audi and Jeep were coming in 2008. It is best to avoid other brands as you would then have to order the spare parts via DHL abroad or through a local garage and finding a mechanic can be very difficult. Remember that there are only a few workshops with car electronics analysis and parameterization devices.
If possible, send the vehicle empty, otherwise an additional customs
clearance procedure will be required for the goods carried.
Try to
book a ship with the freight forwarder that goes directly to Douala,
i.e. H. no stops in West Africa. During these stops, parts are often
unscrewed or goods are stolen from the vehicle. Remove particularly
expensive accessories (e.g. car radio) or the lighting system.
Book
transport insurance that protects against total loss, but not against
minor transport damage or individual parts being unscrewed
Certain
carriers offer a VIP shipping option, which also insures the unscrewing
of smaller parts and shipping takes place with special security
precautions.
The whole procedure takes around 3 working days if all the necessary
papers and a professional customs agent are present.
The name of the
person who actually clears the car at the port must be listed on the
Bill of Lading (BL) - otherwise there must be a certified power of
attorney (certification, e.g. at a local police commissioner's office).
An ETCN (“electronic cargo tracking note”) is also necessary.
Use the
services of an international logistics company (expensive) or a local
customs agent (“Transitaire”) (cheaper) who knows the procedure.
Self-clearance is definitely not recommended for those who are not
familiar with Cameroon and can lead to weeks of torture, including
customs fines and vehicles being gutted while waiting. Negotiate the fee
in advance. Around 50,000 CFA were appropriate in 2008. Add at least the
same additional amount for taxi rides in the port (only special taxis
with a port vignette operate there), paying for meals for the
transitaire and yourself, port fees upon entry and all sorts of small
expenses.
If you are carrying goods in the vehicle, apply in writing
to customs for a “visit conjointe,” which then also includes a
simultaneous customs visit for the goods. For such goods, a statement in
French is required. Electrical appliances, etc. (computers duty-free if
6 months old must be documented with an invoice; import ban for
televisions with Braun tubes) must be listed with serial number and
value. Anyone who enters the country temporarily for work purposes
(present an employment contract) can bring their used household items
with them duty-free, although a flat rate fee of 2.5% will be charged.
In addition, the items must remain in the possession of the importer
(certified by a “Certificate of free entry”), which then also applies to
cars.
Before clearing customs, take out liability insurance from a local
insurance company and purchase a road tax vignette. The vignette is
available from the local direction of the impot.
Purchase a temporary
vehicle plate from a handyman. Write down the characters CH (for
chassis) and then the last 6 to 8 characters of the frame number
(chassis number). You can find relevant craftsmen near the harbor
entrance.
Install the sign before leaving the port. Take the
appropriate tools with you - they are usually not available locally.
Register the vehicle with the Ministry of Transportation with the
help of an administrative scout who will guide you through the
administrative thicket.
If you are importing a car with a
displacement of less than 2 liters, ask the Ministry of Transport
official for a tax output of 13 HP (“13CV”). Then you can buy the
vignette for 25,000 CFA [2018 - 35,000 CFA] instead of the one for
100,000 CFA.
Once you have received the vehicle registration card
(Carte grise), purchase a definitive vehicle plate from an authorized
manufacturer. The order period lasts approx. 2 months. Keep the receipt
and show it to the police during checks.
The name of the country comes from the hydronym "Rio dos Camarões" (port. Rio dos Camarões - "shrimp river"). This hydronym arose after the discovery by Portuguese navigators in the 1480s of the mouth of the Vouri River, where a large number of shrimp were found. Subsequently, the hydronym was transformed into the form "Cameroon".
The natural environment of Cameroon can be described as “Africa in
miniature” as it contains all the main climate zones and vegetation of
the continent: sea coast at the Bay of Bonny, mountains, tropical
rainforest, savanna and, in the extreme north, desert. The interior
consists mainly of flat plateaus, which rise northwards to the Adamaua
Highlands and the Mandara Mountains, and then gradually slope down to
the Lake Chad lowland in the extreme north, of which Cameroon still has
smaller shares.
The west and northwest of Cameroon are dominated
by volcanic mountains along the Cameroon Line, which are overlooked by
an active volcano near the coast: the 4095 m high Cameroon Mountain is
the highest peak in West Africa. The Oku volcanic field, which is up to
3011 m high and contains Lake Nyos and Lake Manoun, rises along the
Cameroon line. The Oku volcanic field is located in the Bamenda
Highlands, which contains the highest mountain rainforests in West
Africa. The third highest peak in Cameroon is the Bambouto massif (2740
m). Other important mountains in the Cameroon Mountains are the sacred
mountains of Bakossi, Manengouba and Kupe. The southern plateaus are
covered with tropical rainforest and slope down to broad coastal plains.
The soils found in the south and center of Cameroon are ferrallitic
soils, i.e. equatorial brown clay soils in the ever-humid tropics. In
the north, the area of the dry and thorn savannah, there are typical
reddish-brown and red soils of the dry savannah.
The climate is tropical with high temperatures that are moderated at
higher altitudes. The rainy periods are predominantly rainy, but with
large regional differences. A total of five regional climate zones can
be distinguished (see map).
In the north of the country it is
variable humid with a dry season from October to April and an average
rainfall of around 700 mm per year. The period of low rainfall is from
July to September. The average temperature is 32.2 °C. Due to the high
temperatures and the relatively low rainfall, there is a medium
probability of drought in this area (every two to five years). In the
far north, near Lake Chad, the climate is dry. Here lie Cameroon's
shares in the Chad Basin with the floodplains of the Logone in the east
of the Waza Plain. From November, the El Beid River, which forms the
border with Nigeria in the west, receives water for its peak flood
season.
In the inner highlands to the south (1000 to 1500 m above
sea level) the temperature reaches an average of 22 °C per year and
rainfall of 1500 to 1600 mm falls annually. This is where the change
from the savannas of the north to the rainforest of the south takes
place. The following West Cameroon mountainous region has constant
rainfall between 2000 and 11,000 mm. The area at the southern foothills
of Mount Cameroon has average rainfall of 11,000 mm, making it one of
the wettest areas in the world. In these two regions there is a “dry
season” between December and February, although this period is not
completely without rainfall.
The coastal plain in the south has
an equatorial climate with rainfall between 1500 and 2000 mm and an
average temperature of 25 °C. There is dense tropical rainforest here.
The drier months are December and January.
Basically, Cameroon is divided into four large catchment areas (in
addition to various coastal rivers). The watershed of these four major
catchments is in the Adamaua highlands. In a northeasterly direction,
the “northern” Vina and the Mbéré drain into the Chad Basin. The
“southern” Vina and the Lom flow in a southerly direction and drain into
the Sanaga. In the north of the highlands the Benue and in the northwest
the Faro, a tributary of the Benue, have their headwaters that flow into
the Niger system. There are also the Kadéï and Mambéré rivers, which
drain southeast into the Congo via the Sangha.
Flora and fauna
According to a 2001 study by Bernard Foahom, Cameroon is home to at
least 542 different fish species, 96 of which are endemic. In addition,
over 15,000 species of butterflies, 281 species of mammals, 165 of the
275 reptiles existing in Africa, three species of crocodile and 190 to
200 species of frogs were counted. Among the 885 bird species there are
223 migratory bird species and seven endemic species (as of 2017). In
the western mountains, the Bakossi Mountains and the Manengouba form a
biodiversity hotspot.
The central part of the country is located
in the so-called forest-savanna mosaic ecoregion of northern Congo.
The country's natural resources include petroleum, bauxite, iron ore,
gold and diamonds, among others. These mineral resources have not yet
been used intensively. The first impulses were given by the United
Nations Development Program in the 1980s.
The development of oil
reserves has declined since 1986.
Until 1884, the area that is now the state of Cameroon was populated
by a large number of differently organized societies.
European
influence began in 1472 when Portuguese sailors landed on the coast of
Cameroon. Cameroon got its name because of the many crabs in the Wouri
River (then Rio dos Camarões, Crab River). Around 1520, trade began with
the Portuguese, particularly in ivory and sugar cane. The slave trade
never achieved any particular importance on the Cameroon coast; The
slave trade was abolished as early as 1820 and the slave traders were
persecuted. Finally, on July 10, 1840, the Douala kings signed the
international treaties with Great Britain for the worldwide ban on human
trafficking and slavery. (For comparison, slavery was abolished in the
USA in 1865, in Brazil in 1888 and in Saudi Arabia in 1963.) The slave
trade was replaced by the trade in palm oil and palm kernels in the 19th
century. The strong demand was a result of the industrial revolutions in
parts of Europe.
In 1868, German influence on Cameroon became increasingly stronger
with the establishment of trading branches by the Hamburg trading
company Woermann at the mouth of the Wouri. On July 14, 1884, the German
Consul General Gustav Nachtigal, as Imperial Commissioner, concluded
protection agreements with several headmen of the Duala and other
regional rulers and thereby proclaimed the protected area of Cameroon as
a German colony. The naming initially referred to the protection of
German economic interests. The de facto occupation of the hinterland and
the violent or cooperative integration of the societies there took place
over the course of the following 30 years and had not yet been finally
completed at the outbreak of the First World War.
In 1911, the
Morocco-Congo Agreement resulted in a significant expansion of the
colony (New Cameroon) at the expense of the French colonies in Central
Africa. In the Treaty of Versailles (Article 125) these territories were
reassigned to France.
During the First World War, the numerically
and materially inferior German protection force was able to hold out in
Cameroon for two years. In 1916 the last garrison in Mora (Northern
Cameroon) surrendered to the British colonial army.
During the
German colonial period between 1884 and 1919, Cameroon lost tens of
thousands of cultural and artistic objects, of which around 40,000 are
now in German museums.
Through the Treaty of Versailles of 1919, Cameroon officially became
the property of the League of Nations, which in turn gave a mandate for
administration to Great Britain and France. The country was divided,
with France receiving four fifths.
France pursued a massive
assimilation policy. The use of local languages in schools was banned.
After 1929, as a result of the global economic crisis, mobility was
restricted and a forced labor statute was imposed, which was reminiscent
of the German forced labor system before the First World War.
After 1919, the banana and cocoa plantations on the Cameroon Mountains
were in the British mandate. They were expropriated, but in 1924 the
German companies were able to buy back the plantations at a London
auction. After 1933, the Cameroon plantations became a testing ground
for a future National Socialist colonial economy (“German Cameroon
bananas”).
In 1940, the Vichy government's high commissioner for
the French mandate defected to the France Libre movement.
After
the Second World War (1945), both League of Nations mandates were
converted into trust mandates by the UN. The goal of the UN was to
achieve gradual self-government or independence for the area.
The
path to women's suffrage was different in the two mandated territories:
The French territory followed the pattern of other French colonies in
West Africa: With the founding of the French Union and the Fourth
Republic, women were given the right to vote on October 27, 1946. The
right to stand for election was not expressly mentioned in the law, but
it was not excluded either. According to the Loi Lamine Guèye, all
citizens had the right to vote in elections to the French parliament and
also in local elections, but voting was carried out in two classes,
which gave the population of French origin an advantage. This two-class
voting right was only abolished on June 23, 1956 by the loi-cadre
Defferre and confirmed upon independence. The British territory was
administered by Nigeria until 1954. In 1954, the Southern Cameroon House
of Assembly was created, which guaranteed full universal suffrage in
1959. In 1961, the southern part of the British territory joined the
newly independent Federal Republic of Cameroon, the northern part joined
the predominantly Muslim northern part of Nigeria. As a result, women
there only received the right to vote in 1976.
In 1947, France
created the Assemblée représentative du Cameroun, whose members were
determined by a dual electoral college (24 seats for the “Cameroonians”
and 16 seats for the “settlers”).
In 1956, the Defferre framework
law (loi-cadre Defferre) granted the French colonies and mandated
territories (Togo and Cameroon) internal and limited autonomy.
In
1957, the Assemblée législative du Cameroun (German for “Cameroon
Constituent Assembly”) was determined by general elections. On May 10,
1957, the French High Commissioner (Pierre Messmer) appointed André
Marie Mbida as Prime Minister of the first Cameroonian government, which
had limited powers (in particular the areas of security, foreign policy
and monetary policy remained with France). After the fall of the Mbida
government in 1958, he was replaced by Pierre Messmer with Ahmadou
Ahidjo. In October 1959, a state of emergency (état d'urgence) was
declared, which gave him extensive powers. On March 13, 1959, even after
pressure from the mandated power of France, the United Nations General
Assembly decided in Resolution 1349 that no referendum would have to be
held before independence to elect the first president after
independence.
From 1945 onwards there were repeated uprisings against the French
security forces and the fight for the independence of the French trust
territory. In 1948, the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC) emerged
from the environment of the trade union movement, which used political
means to campaign for the independence of the mandated territory until
it was banned by the High Commissioner Roland Pré on July 13, 1955. The
armed struggle of the UPC, or more precisely its military arm the ANLK
(Armée National de Liberation du Cameroon, note the German spelling)
first against the mandated power of France and later against the Ahidjo
government began in mid-1955 and ended in 1971 with the execution of
Ernest Ouandié January 1971 in Bafoussam.
On January 1, 1960,
after a referendum and after the UN mandate expired, French Cameroon
gained independence and called itself the Republic of Cameroon. In the
15th General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1960 it was
decided that the trust territories should also be granted independence.
This could be achieved through complete independence, free association
with an already independent state, or integration into an independent
state. The British trustees denied their trust territories the first
option, complete independence. The north of the British mandate trust
territory therefore voted in a referendum to join Nigeria, while the
southern part decided to join the Republic of Cameroon in the form of a
federation. Independence and simultaneous annexation took place on
October 1, 1961. The state thus formed was called the Federal Republic
of Cameroon. This is the reason why two official languages, French and
English, are now recognized in Cameroon.
The Fulani Ahmadou Ahidjo, who rose from prime minister to
Cameroonian president, established a dictatorship. In terms of foreign
policy, the country's leadership followed France closely. With the help
of covert and overt French support and brutal repression, Ahidjo managed
to consolidate his regime. On September 1, 1966, the Union Nationale
Camerounaise (UNC) was founded, which has been called the Rassemblement
démocratique du Peuple Camerounais or Cameroon People's Democratic
Movement (RDPC) since 1985.
In 1972 a referendum was held on the
future form of government. As a result, the Federal Republic of Cameroon
was transformed into a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon.
After President Ahidjo resigned on November 6, 1982, his Prime Minister
Paul Biya became head of state and chairman of the UNC unity party. He
won the 1984 elections and was able to thwart an attempted coup. With
the newly founded unity party RDPC, Biya promised the democratization of
the country and more social justice. Biya won the 1988 elections because
there was no opposing candidate. The country's economic and social
crisis during the 1980s was blamed on him and his cabinet; it burdened
the government. The demands for freedom of the press and an end to the
one-party system became louder and louder. With freedom of the press
allowed, many critical newspapers appeared and the opposition in the
country became increasingly stronger. At the beginning of the 1990s
there were increasing riots and general strikes demanding an end to the
RDPC's monopoly position. Biya hesitantly gave in to the pressure from
the street and allowed opposition parties to be formed, so that the
first free elections took place in 1992, in which Biya won again. The
opposition suspected electoral fraud because foreign election observers
were obstructed. However, it is more likely that the opposition parties
were too fragmented (32 parties took part in the election) to pool their
votes. Nevertheless, the election result meant that the RDPC (89 seats)
had to form a coalition with the largest opposition party, the National
Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP) (65 seats). Thanks to French
support and clever outplaying of his political opponents, Biya was able
to maintain his majority in parliament until 1997 and was confirmed in
the elections that same year. The amended constitution of 1996 provided
for the decentralization of the state, including the introduction of a
second chamber of representatives, the Senate.
Since
independence, in particular the creation of a unitary state and the
renaming of the “United Republic of Cameroon” as the Republic of
Cameroon in 1984, there have been repeated attempts at autonomy in the
English-speaking part of Southern Cameroon. The South Cameroons National
Council and the South Cameroons Ambazonia Consortium United Front
(SCACUP) are fighting for a state of Ambazonia, whose name is derived
from the local name Ambas Bay of the Cameroon estuary. The Republic of
Ambazonia was proclaimed for the first time in 1984. There were protests
from 2016 to 2018; in 2017 they were bloodily suppressed by the army.
According to Amnesty International, 20 Ambazonia supporters had been
killed by the army by June 2018 and 44 on the army side.