Quailou - villaggio etnia Koma - granai

queenlerxst, on June 23, said:

Wonderful. How does one find out about lovely places like this? Are there guides?

maremagna, on June 23, said:

I travelled by jeep, trekking and train. Unfortunately, the area of Alantika mountains (Koma people) is accessible only by trekking, because land is covered with large stones and you have often to climb. That’s why that people have preserved their traditions. You can go in other parts of the region by bike, but it could be very hard. There is no drinkable water and there are no towns where you can buy it. No cold drinks because there is no electricity. I stayed for three weeks and I bought all the necessary water the first day. You need about 6 litres for day. Most nights I slept in tend and I carried by jeep all that I need for cooking too. Choose the right month to go there, because it could be very hot. I had 40°C in the shade, just like an hairdryer on the body, and trek was really hard. However Cameroon is peaceful… in the north and people friendly. In southern, pay attention to police. What a stress! Main roads are asphalted, others not so in good conditions. You can have good guides, English - german - italian or French speaking. For trekking in Alantika you need a special guide from that place and a few people carrying water and other. I hope to have been exhaustively. if you want to know something else, ask well!

pekin platinel, on June 24, said:

Maremagna you are a true explorer, thanks for the effort.

queenlerxst, on June 26, said:

Thanks for the info maremagna. I always bring my mountain bicycle, mosquito tent, and water filter when I travel, but maybe it is still too risky to attempt this? Hmmm, maybe I have to change my travel style...

Do you think the Bradt Guide for Cameroon is a good resource? I can't find many good books on this country.

Thanks in advance! :)

maremagna, on June 27, said:

I think it is difficult but not impossible. many villages have a well for water and you can use your filters. usually people are friendly, but I had a couple of not pleasant episodes. study carefully the route and choose a month between November and February to go there. when you arrive in a village, first of all, go and greet lamido (the head). he will open to you his village. it seems a farce, but it is not so. when i went to Lamido of Rey Bouba, I had to wait two days to meet him!! ask always permission to fix the tent. there are many differences between north and south in Cameroon. South is wet and green, with forests, rivers and rich. North, that I visited, is dry, without water, vegetation and very very poor. two different worlds in the same country. I'm sorry but I don't know Bradt Guide, so I can't help you. Surely Lonely Planet is not good for north Cameroon. If you go in the north, visit all the ethnic markets. The best markets I have ever seen in Africa.