Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1 Chapter 1 Background Information 3 Geography 3, Climate 5, History 6, Government andpolitics 10, Economy 11, People 13, Language 17, Religion 17, Education 18, Culture 18 Chapter 2 Natural History 23 Reserves, national parks and conservation areas 23, Conservation of the natural world 24, Wildlife guide 29 Chapter 3 Practical Information 45 When to visit 45, Highlights 45, Suggested itineraries 45, Tourist information 46, Tour operators 46, Red tape 49, Embassies 51, Getting there and away 52, Safety 56, Focus for specifi c groups 59, What to take 60, Money 61, Budgeting 63, Getting around 63, Accommodation 73, Eating and drinking 75, Public holidays, special events and festivals 78, Shopping 79, Sports and activities 80, Photography 80, Media and communications 81, Business 83, Cultural etiquette 83, Travelling positively 86 Chapter 4 Health 87 Preparations 87, In Cameroon 91 PART TWO THE GUIDE 103 Chapter 5 Littoral Region 105 Douala 105, Edea 117, Nkongsamba 117 Chapter 6 Southwest Region 119 Limbe 119, Around Limbe 127, Buéa 129, Mount Cameroon 130, Kumba 134, Mount Kupe 136, Bakossi Mountains 138, Korup National Park 138, Mamfé 141 Chapter 7 West Region 143 Bafoussam 143, Bandjoun 149, Bafang 150, Bangangté 151, Dschang 151, Foumban 152 Chapter 8 Northwest Region 157 Bamenda 157, The Bamenda Highlands Ring Road 163 Chapter 9 Centre Region 171 Yaoundé 171, Mefou Primate Sanctuary 186, Nachtigal Falls and Nanga Eboko 188, Mbalmayo 188, Ayos 189 Chapter 10 South Region 191 The coast 191, The coast north of Kribi 195, The coast south of Kribi 196, The interior 197 Chapter 11 East Region 201 Exploring the region 201, Bertoua 202, Belabo 203, Garoua-Boulai 203, Batouri 204, Dja Reserve 204, Yokadouma 205, Moloundou 206, Nki and Boumba Bek forest reserves and Lobéké National Park 206 Chapter 12 Adamawa Region 209 Ngaoundéré 209, Tibati 215, Banyo 215 Chapter 13 North Region 217 Garoua 217, Th e national parks and reserve 220 Chapter 14 Far North Region 223 Maroua 223, Villages around the Mandara Mountains 227, Mozogo-Gokoro National Park 231, Waza National Park 231, Kousseri and around 232 Appendix 1 Language 235 Appendix 2 Charitable Organisations Working in Cameroon 239 Appendix 3 Birding Site Guide 242 Appendix 4 Further Information 251 Index 260.