You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............
Mar 21, 2005 07:00 PM Trek in the Mandara Mountains
We spend 3 days on the trek in the Mandara Mts - in the Northern Cameroon - enjoying the landscapes and visiting unspoiled villages. The village of Rhumsiki acts as a base - there you can find your guide - I recommend Daud an Napoleon, your cook and your donkey to carry sufficient supply of mineral water - take min 4 ltr per day - it is very hot and dry here!. The landscape of rocky towers and pinnacles are wonderful. We spent nights in the courtyards of the local people - tasting local food - I found millet beer the best...
It is far from Douala and few tourist come here - but is is definitely worth - this is real, colorful Cameroon. Plan to spend min 15000 per day - all included but it is worth!
|
Mar 18, 2005 07:00 PM Visiting Waza National Park - Cameroon
There is few National Parks with plenty of animals in Western Africa. Waza is one of them - definitely worth to visit.
About 2 km south of the village Waza turn left at the sign and you will reach mini-hotel at the park gate - it is lovely place to stay with 10 stone rondavels, showers and fans - they charge only 7000 CFA per double rondavel.
Arrange a car rental at the village /25000 CFA per 6 hours drive by junk truck into the park/
Start early to see more animals at the waterholes. Be prepared for terrible bumpy roads in the park!
And enjoy the wildlife. I did! - the park entry fee is 5000,
camera 2000 extra, car fee 2000 extra and obligatory guide
will get 3500 per day... Still worth if you are in the little group!
|
Mar 17, 2005 07:00 PM How to cross the border to Cameroon...
Ndjamena - the capital of Chad lies close to the border.
First you must obtain the visa to Cameroon - there is the embassy and it will cost you hefty 50000 CFA /USD 100/.
Then at the bridge you will take a crowded public minibus to the Chadian control post. It cost only 200 CFA.
Do not pay any money to the Chadian immigration or customs - it is illegal! Get your passport stamped and walk along the second bridge - you are in Cameroon now. Here formalities goes much easier - nobody ask for money /or was I just lucky?/
Take a motocycle taxi /250 CFA/ to the nearest town of Kousseri - there is no other transport... and enjoy Cameroon!
|
Mar 16, 2005 07:00 PM Sailing Lake Chad....
Yes - it is possible to rent a pirogue in the small remote village
on the coast of the lake. But the main problem is how to get to the lake! It is like 120 km from the capital city of Ndjamena -
no local transport available for foreigner....
You can rent a car in the Novotel hotel in Ndjamena - after bargaining it is like 120000 CFA per good a/c landcruiser.
In the villege you will pay 10000 to the local corrupted policeman and 10000 per hour for the pirogue... It is worth!
What a unusual place! The lake is shallow but there is a lot of birds, local people fishing - and the lanscape on the way is also attractive....
|
Mar 13, 2005 07:00 PM I am in Ndjamena!
Yes, after two days of the driving by junk 4WD cars I reached the capital city of Chad. It is police country... Go to the main olice station just after arrival. You need 2 photos and 2 forms to fill until you will be registered. Ndjamena is very hot place.
There is suprisely nice cathedral, long Cherles de Gaulle main street and Marche where you will find fruits and vegetables - after your desert adventures. I stay at the Aurora Hotel for 8000 CFA /room with fan and bath/; the city is located on the Chari river - you will not see famous Lake Chad here...
|
Mar 11, 2005 07:00 PM Waiting in the desert...
Niuigimi is Niger border town. No hotel. But there is a guy who know some english and he will be ready to host you in his house while waiting for the truck to Chad. Ask for Modo Gaptia.
You will sleep on the sand in their courtyard... If you are lucky you will find your truck after day o two... If you have companions you will be able to rent a 4WD car to nearest settlement in Chad: BOL - it cost us 250 000 CFA and full day of desert driving...
|
Mar 10, 2005 07:00 PM How to get overland to Chad?
You will get your Chad visa in Niamey in one day...
Then travel trough Niger overland; From Zinder you must reach remote village of Diffa - there is local bus once a week - on Thu - I was lucky to jump on...
Departure in the dark at 5 am - arrival to Diffa at 4 pm.
Then look for the transport to Nuigimi. If you are lucky to find companions you can rent a 4WD car - write a contract in french. Make sure that petrol is included in the price.
After hard bargaining it was 66 USD for bumpy and sandy 130 km - like 5 hours drive... It is real African Outback!
|
Mar 09, 2005 07:00 PM Zinder - Niger - 42 deg Celsius...
We were lucky! The once-a-week local bus passed throuth the sannds, gravels of the desert and after 7 hours ride in the dust and heat with friendly local people I landed yesterday in Zinder Niger. Central Hotel is colonial, run-down but charges me 6500 per room with noisy fan. Water is present in the early morning and late afternoon only; showers do not work....
I visited sultan s palace made of mud... Interesting...
Very few tourist call here.
One MINUTE of internet cost 200 CFA!!!
Now the new problem appears: how to enter the Tchad?
Fortunately there is again once-a -week public bus to Diffa at just tomorrow at 4.30 am - then there will be not public transport... It rises like the biggest challenge of this voyage... I am sure there will not be internet untill Ndjamena... Keep your fingers crossed, please!
|
Mar 03, 2005 07:00 PM Tenere - The Desert of The Deserts...
It will cost you from 120 000 per day incl fuel to rent the landcruiser withe guide and local driver. 4-5 people share...
We spent 5 days driving through Air Mountains and TENERE Desert - the most beautiful part of Sahara. They call it in the literature The Desert of The Deserts.
Can You imagine 400-m high orange sand dunes? Here they are... close to the dark mountains... The scenery is unforgettable... We were driving from the morning till evening and sleeping under the starry sky of Sahara just on the sand...
Yes I can recommend our reliable guide from Agadez: ATTAMAN Hadja Ahamada and his driver Bashir
Phone +227440506 atman_hadja@hotmail.com - both inteligent, representing high skills - just try them
|
Mar 01, 2005 07:00 PM Agadez Niger - what a place!
It is fantastic place, but avoid to stay in the center of the town - you will meet nasty souvenirs sellers every hour... The best option for the backpackers is Agreboun Hotel - 15 min walk from gare routiere - they charge 7 000 CFA per double with shower... We started from the animal market - camels, donkeys, goats, dust... But nice Tuareg people - proud and always ready for your photo...
Sandy, dusty streets reminds Timbuktu... The highlight is Grand Mosque with its mud minaret - you can even climb the tower paying some money to the guardian. But the best place to be is the terrace of the Air hotel at the evening where they serve cold Niger Beer for 1000 CFA so you can sip it and listen to the voices of Saharan town...
|
