DOUALA, or  DUALA
Douala, or Duala, situated on the Wouri River, 24km (15 miles) from the sea, is the largest city of Cameroon. It is sometimes dubbed "Armpit of Africa" and we have to admit it is a sweaty place. It lacks major sights, but the Akwa district is lively enough and has quite some good African restaurants.

Douala is not the capital of Cameroon, but the most significant city by its population, and by its economic role. The city was probably named after the Duala, an African ethnic group that originally settled in the area. The chief commercial centre, Douala has an airport and extensive docks, and is a terminus for two railway lines extending into the interior. Industries include the manufacture of aluminium products, beer, soft drinks, textiles, and the processing of timber and cacao beans. Douala's port handles some 95 percent of the country's maritime traffic, and is second only to Kinshasa as Central Africa's largest city. Douala is  divided into quarters or quartiers: Akwa, is the center of the city and the place where you will be spending most of your time, the Stand Municipal Artisanal, and Banajo the administrative district.

The major attraction in town is the Hotel Akwa Palace. To sit on the terrace and have coffee is the best way to spend a relaxing morning. The Musee de Doula is in the Hotel de Ville on the second floor. It gives you a pretty good intro in Bamoun and Bamileke art, very useful if you want to buy something later on. Close to the Museum is the Place du Gouvernement whith its "Chinese Pagoda" - built by Rudlof Douala Manga Bell, a local ruler who was executed by the Germans in 1914.

Daytrips from Douala can be made to the mountain resort of Mt Abu and to the beach resort of Limbe both only an hour away. Better beaches are in Kribi three to four hours by bush taxi.

KRIBI
Kribi is loacted in the south-west of Cameroon some 80 km south of Doula. The main reason to visit Kribi are its sandy beaches where you can tan and relax.

From Kribi you can travel on to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea via the border town of Ebolowa.

FOUMBAN
The Royal Palace is the reason why you have come to Foumban. In the palace you will find the personal belongings of 18 royal dynasties, going all the way back to the 14-th century. Anyone who thought that Africa has no history before the arrival of the Europeans should have a look here.

If you want to shop a bit, Foumban has many artisan shops where you can get great deals if you take the time to haggle.

LIMBE
Limbe is a great beach resort close to Douala. In the weekend it can get pretty crowded with people from the big city.

The beach in town itself is too rocky, but Mile Six has a good black sand beach that is free of oil. There are a few hotels and restaurants.

Bush taxis from Douala take an hour and leave from the Blv de la Reunification.

BAMENDA
Bamenda is a city with over 200,000 inhabitants. Located between the hills it has a great climate. Bamenda can be reached by road from Yaounde and Douala. Although the city does have its own airport this is rarely used and flights are very irregular.

The countryside around Bamenda is dotted with Tea plantations and is ideal for hiking.

The local inhabitants rely on farming for their existence and sometimes have to walk miles to get to their farms.

NGAOUNDERE
Ngaoundere is the end of the railroad north form Yaounde, some 800 km northeast. You're pretty close to the Benoue Park here and well on your way to Maroua in the north.

Nagouandere has few sights. The Palace du Lamido is the main attraction. It's especially interesting in weekends when the locals come here to pay thier tribute to the Lamido.

The centre is pretty small and easliy explored on foot. On the main drag you find many cheap places to stay and eat, such as L`Epi d`Or (between the Grand Mosque and the Cameroun Airlines office). About a block away you find the New Jersey dance club, and a block south you find the street which leads to the Petite Marche and the railway station.

Set at an elevation of 1100 meters, Ngaoundere has a nice climate. Meiganga, some 30 km away is some 200 meters higher and some sort of a resort. The Ranch de Ngaoundaba is a popular place to stay.