DOLA Cameroun

Northen Route: Culture, tradition, safari and ecotourism

(14 days / 13 nights)

This classic circuit will allow you to discover the cultural richness and traditions of different ethnic groups, such as the Komas, the Dupa, the Mbororo, the Massa, the Toupouri or the Mosgoun; the Chefferies of the Far North of Cameroon, the Sultanates and Lamidates (a form of Islamic government). It also offers the possibility of discovering the flora and fauna wealth of different National Parks (Waza, Bouba- Ndjida, Faro, Benoué, etc), not to mention the scenic beauty of the old villas and colourful outdoor markets where different ethnic groups gather to sell and buy food and other manufactured products.

1st Day:

Arrival at Douala or Yaoundé International Airport. Welcome and transfer to hotel. Tour of the village to visit the sights, should there be time available and should you feel like. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

2nd Day:

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Yaoundé (party arriving at Douala) Those arriving at Yaoundé may visit the La Mefou National Park, 40 minutes away from Yaoundé, to watch chimpanzees, gorillas and baboons in semi freedom. Later, we will confirm and buy our train tickets. Lunch. In the afternoon, visit to the National Museum, the Atangana Charle Chefferie Superior (administrative district), meet the Ewondo chief, visit the Mont Febe monastery and its art exhibition. At 17.00 hours, departure by train to Ngaoundéré. Dinner and accommodation on the train.

3rd Day:

Breakfast on the train. Arrival at Ngaounderé and transfer to the hotel. Tour of the city and the lake Tyson. Lunch. In the afternoon, guided visit to the Ngaounderé Lamidate, Mount Ngaounderé and the Vina Waterfalls. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

4th Day:

Breakfast at the hotel. Day trip to the village of Idol where we’ll learn about the traditions and culture of the Fulani people. Picnic lunch. Visit to the Taylor Falls, some of the most renowned Cameroon waterfalls and, if it's Sunday, visit of the weekly market. Return to Ngaounderé. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

5th Day:

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Garoua. Stopover for visiting the Gouna market or some other sight in the surrounding area. They are very rich and colourful markets, as they gather different tribes of the region: the Mbororo Toupouri, Massa... many of these markets are attended by shepherds and their herds. Arrival at Garoua. Lodging at the hotel. Lunch and city tour; visit of the Garoua Lamidate palace, the craft market or the traditional medicine market. In the afternoon, free time to relax by the river Benoué, where you can watch the hippos. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

6th Day:

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to the famous Pitoa weekly market. This well-supplied and very colourful market is one of the most important ones in the region. The market is attended by the northern tribes to sell their crops and livestock. Visit to the Garoua central market followed by lunch. Departure for Bouba-Ndjida. On our way, we will visit the Lagdo hydroelectric dam which supplies energy to the far north, and even to some areas of Chad. Arrival at the Bouba-Ndjida camp where we will spend the night. Dinner and accommodation at the camp.

7th Day:

Breakfast and tour of the village to visit the Lamidate, the most important in northern Cameroon, guided by the Lamido. Departure to Bouba-Ndjida National Park. Picnic at the river Mayo bank which will enable us to observe the herds of hippos that live in the park. Back to the camp for dinner and accommodation.

8th Day:

Breakfast and departure to the Mandara mountains. Arrival at Rumsiki; set up of the camp. Lunch. Tour of the village’s craftsmen (potters, spinners, weavers, blacksmiths ...). We will visit Mount Nsiki and meet the famous wizard who can predict our future. Later, we’ll watch the sunset at Kapsiki (about 10 kms/6,2 miles away from Rumsiki) a place that could be defined as "the most beautiful lunar landscape of Central Africa." Dinner and accommodation at the camp in Rumsiki.

9th Day:

Breakfast and departure to Mokolo. Set up of the camp and visit to the weekly market (true ethnic groups melting pot, where you can find all the tribes of Mount Mandara), the Lamidate and Museum. Lunch. In the afternoon we will visit Tourou, where we’ll find yet another colourful market which has the peculiarity that all women cover their heads with pumpkins. Dinner and accommodation at the Mokolo camp.

10th Day:

Breakfast (early in the morning) and departure to Waza crossing the Koza hill for admiring the beauty of this village. Stopover at Ouazilla, visit of the the Chefferie and attendance to the ’Awakening of the Chief’ ceremony, a dance performed every morning by his fifty wives. If possible, visit to the craftsmen cooperative Djingliya to learn about the Mafa country arts. Lunch in Mora and then we’ll continue our journey to Waza, where we’ll set up the camp. Departure to the Waza National Park to discover the wildlife diversity of this natural area. Dinner and accommodation at the camp in Waza.

11th Day:

Breakfast. Departure to Maroua going past Maga. Stopover in Zina to discover its desert landscape; call on Pousse to visit the Sultanate, the Museum, the Tuesday Weekly Market and the hippos reservoir. Picnic at the lake shore. We’ll continue to Maga where we’ll visit the homes of the Mosgoun people, called shell houses due to their pointed shape. We’ll also visit the man-made lake of Maga. We’ll pursue our journey to Maroua. Lodging at the hotel, dinner and accommodation.

12th Day:

Breakfast. Tour of Maroua, visiting the different craftsmen neighbourhoods: the leather tanners’ and leatherworkers’ quarter, blacksmiths quarter, and the local craft market. Lunch and departure for Garoua. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

13th Day:

Departure to Ngaoundéré. Confirmation of our train tickets. Lunch followed by a visit to the central market of Ngaoundéré. If it's Friday, we’ll have the chance to watch a stunning religious ceremony at the Lamidate palace: the departure of the Lamido and his entourage to the big mosque to attend the prayer. At 5PM boarding of the train to return to Yaoundé. Dinner and accommodation on the train.

14th Day:

Breakfast aboard the train. Arrival in Yaoundé and day off for those taking the flight back to the capital. The rest of the party will continue to Douala, stopping for lunch on the banks of river Sanaga at Edéa. Departure to Yaoundé (or Douala) international airport three hours ahead boarding time. Return flight to your home country.