You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Mar 25, 2005 07:00 PM Where to stay in Douala - Cameroon...
In the capital city of Yaounde gare routiere /bus station/ is located on the outskirts of the town. The yellow taxi to get there will cost you 1500 CFA. Take care on arrival! You will be attacked bu the hord of touts trying to take your luggage and you to their favourite bus. There is a lot of competition. Make a choice of the bus which is almost full - you will not wait hours in the heat for departure...
The ticket from Yaounde to Douala cost me only 2000 CFA. plus 500 for the backpack.
In Douala there is a place to stay I would like recommend to all backpackers: Catholic Mission in the commercial quarter Akwa, rue Franceville. They offer a/c rooms capacity 2-4 for 6000 per bed or 8000 if you want to stay alone... Clean, friendly, silent and they even have swiming pool in the garden - good place if you need short rest after your adventures in the desert and the jungle...
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Mar 24, 2005 07:00 PM Good Friday in Yaounde
One more big african city. Hot and humid, noisy, crowded streets - after 2-hous walk aroud the centre you will have enough... Notre Dame Catherdal is worth to visit - there were a lot of people - but very few whites on the streets. People are not happy to be photographed... And the police do not allow to take the pisc of Hilton Hotel Area... Time to escape!
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Mar 23, 2005 07:00 PM Yaounde Express - Cameroon
This is one of the few and famous african railways.
We started from the town of Ngaoundere...
Well, not so fast! First you must stay in the line of the booking office - they open it at 10 am... Then you will be asked if you made the reservation /48 hours prior to the departure/
You did not - you were treking in the Mountains! It works -
they will sell you you ticket anyway: the couchette cost 25000 CFA and 1cl seat - 17000.
Depârture was at the sunset /18.20 pm - but delayed till 18.45.. Government workers in the same car were little noisy and it was very hot in the compartments but what a experience! In the dining car they even serve meals for 2500 CFA and a coffee in the morning!
We reached Yaounde - the capital city of Cameroon at 10.30 am /with 4-hours delay - but remember - it is AFRICA!/
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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!
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