Cameroon & Chad

Upon arrival at Douala International Airport, meet and transfer to Best West Hotel or similar for check-in and overnight.

After breakfast, head west to the picturesque Ekom Falls in the stunning, unspoiled primary forest. We later drive to Dschang and visit the Civilization museum of Dschang. The museum tells the story of Cameroon and how it came about to be. The west is home to the Bamiléké people, one of Cameroon’s largest ethnic groups, as well as great artisans and agriculturalists. They are organized into chiefdoms, and the chief, or “fon,” is considered the spiritual, political, judicial, and military leader. Make a stop at the Bafoussam. Overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, begin the drive to Batoufam, and head to visit the Royal Palace and its living museum to learn about the history of the Batoufam people. Continue the the Matchie waterfall. This is an amazing waterfalls charged with a lot of history. We continu to the Bamoun King Palace and its museum. It is one of the oldest kingdoms in Black Africa. Its royal palace, a careful blend of baroque and local architectural styles is a MUST SEE attraction in the region. We then drive to Yaounde (4 hrs.), the capital city. Stopping en route to enjoy local attractions and see the diversity of the landscape. upon arrival, transfer to Franco Hotel or similar for check- in, dinner, and overnight. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, enjoy a quick city tour of Yaounde, visit the National Museum, The National Museum, The Place of Independence Monument, A Place to Celebrate Patriotic Monument. Drive to the Nkolandom Tourisc Center and discover the wonders of African antiquity and return to ancient times, in a setting that is both prehistoric and modern. overnight. (B,L,D)

Begin the day with a drive back to Douala, We will spend this day traveling to arrive the beach town of Kribi through Douala. Enjoy lunch in Douala and then continue the drive to Kribi, a town on the Gulf of Guinea, for some leisure time. Upon arrival, transfer to Hotel Le Lagone or similar for check-in, dinner, and over- night. (B,L,D)

Free morning at leisure, where you can enjoy swimming and relax, then head to visit the Lobe Waterfalls, the only place in the world where a river flows directly into the sea by cascades. Visit the Bagyeli Pygmies at the shore of the lush forest bordering the Lobe Waterfalls Enjoy a fish and prawns lunch on the beach, then drive to Douala in the afternoon and, upon arrival, transfer to Best West Hotel or similar for check-in, rest, and enjoy dinner. For those continuing to Chad, you will be transferred to the airport in the late afternoon for your flight to Chad (5:00pm). Upon arrival at N’Djamena International Airport, meet and transfer to Mercure Hotel or similar for check-in and overnight (B,L,D)

Begin the day with a tour of N'Djamena, formerly known as "Fort Lamy," located on the banks of the Chari River facing Cameroon. Founded by the French at the turn of the 20th century, N'Djamena is Chad's capital and largest city. Over the years, it has seen its fair share of conflict, largely destroyed during the civil war of the 1980s and stormed by rebel forces in 2008. Its wide boulevards were once flanked with trees, but these were cut down to deprive attackers of cover, and only in recent years did its dusty streets become paved. It is the most ethnically diverse place in Chad, with people from southern and northern ethnic groups and Lebanese, European, and, more recently, Chinese populations. Explore the large and sprawling central Market, a great place to watch locals do their daily business. The National Museum contains a small but interesting collection of pre- historic artifacts from the surrounding area. Walk past several mosques, including the impressive N'Djamena Grand Mosque and perhaps the lovely Our Lady of Peace Cathedral. Return to the Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Begin the day with a drive to the Dourbali region, where the fascinating Gerewol Festival takes place. The Wodaabe means “People of the Taboo,” which form part of the largest group of semi-nomadic people in Africa - stretching from Senegal to Sudan and follow a nomadic lifestyle in search of grazing for their cattle. They are split into several clans, and only eight or nine exist in Chad. Two of the most significant are the Sudosukai and the Njapto, the more traditional of the two - their faces and bodies are more heavily tattooed. Generally, we will spend our time with the Sudosukai, but often the Njapto are close by, and if there is an opportunity, we may be able to meet both. Also, we will be able to set up our campsite together with the Wadaabe people and spend the overnight. (B,L,D)

While the animals are treated with salts, known as the “Salt Cure” (Cure Salée), which helps rid them of para- sites, the Wodaabe men devote their time to showing off and displaying their handsome features. We will take part in the original and spontaneous celebrations. The Wodaabe are very traditional and emphasize beauty and charm; this mating ritual and beauty contest allows them to show it off. The dancers, generally men aged 17-25, will spend hours painting their faces and adorning them- selves with jewellery. The dances involve the men standing in a row, singing traditional rhythmic songs and chants while doing their best to show the whites of their eyes and baring their teeth, two great symbols of male beauty. Young girls, usually between the ages of 14 and 16, will approach the dancers and touch the man they have chosen. The Gerewol is a beautiful celebration and something that few people will ever witness up close, and we will get a first-hand look into the lives of the Wodaabe and absorb the different facets of the celebrations. Spend the night in the tents. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, drive back to N’Djamena, transfer to the Hotel for check-in, and have some rest before transferring to the airport for your departure flight . (B,L) “We reserve the right to change the order of activities or places visited due to unforeseen schedule conflicts or in order to make the itinerary run smoothly