Cameroon is a center of African wood sculpture—shop for masks and other wood carvings (some with glass beads). If you're interested in buying African sculpture, first visit a museum with an African collection or get a library book about African art to familiarize yourself with what's available. No matter what the salesperson says, don't be fooled into thinking you're getting an original art treasure: Everything is an imitation of objects once used in traditional ceremonies. (That doesn't mean you shouldn't consider purchasing what's available—many of today's copies are nicely executed—and bargains, to boot.) Other locally made objects include pottery, leather, copper statues, engraved
abbia stones, batiks, brassware, pipes, carved and painted calabashes and baskets. Tie-dyed material can be bought by the yard or made up into dresses and shirts in the local markets. "Friping," or shopping for secondhand clothes from Western countries, is a popular pastime in Cameroon, and you'll see lots of old but wearable items for sale in local markets. If you're not shopping in a Western-style store, be prepared to bargain. Generally speaking, the shopping is better in Douala than in Yaounde, but most items are less expensive in smaller regional centers.
Shopping Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 am-noon and 2:30-6 pm. Hours may vary from store to store.
Day By Day
A minimum of one week is required to see Cameroon. We suggest the following as a basic itinerary:
Day 1—Arrive Douala.
Day 2—Drive to Foumban in the morning, stopping in Bandjoun on the way. Overnight in Bafoussam.
Day 3—Drive to Bamenda and visit Bafut. Overnight in Bamenda.
Day 4—Drive to Buea, stopping at Ekom Falls along the way.
Day 5—Drive to Korup National Park and spend the night there.
Day 6—Korup National Park.
Day 7—Drive to Limbe and lounge on black-sand beaches.
Day 8—Return to Douala and depart Cameroon.
If time allows, rather than returning to Douala on Day 8, consider the following:
Day 8—Fly to Maroua in the Extreme North province. Tour Maroua and overnight there.
Day 9—Drive through the Mandara Mountains via Mabas and Djingliya to Rhumsiki.
Day 10—Spend the day in Rhumsiki and return to Maroua.
Day 11—Fly from Maroua to Douala and depart Cameroon.
Adventurous travelers who have no time pressures may want to take the train from Yaounde to N'gaoundere (and overnight there) before going on by car to the Extreme North. If it's not possible to travel on the days the train runs, go by car with a private driver (it will take at least two days, but it's worth it). You'll pass over the Adamaoua Plateau and through the Mandara Mountains.
When in the south, you might consider a few days on the beach at Kribi. Travelers pressed for time can fly to N'gaoundere and rent a car and driver there to visit the game parks and other northern points of interest. You may also arrange to depart from Douala by road or air, bypassing Yaounde.
