There’s a reason why visitors have long referred to Cameroon as ‘Africa in miniature’. Located just north of the equator, Cameroon is one of the most diverse countries on the continent. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to live there for four years, and during this time I fell in love with many things about the rich culture that this country has to offer. If you have never had the opportunity to step foot onto Cameroon, here are 5 reasons why you should definitely consider visiting!
1. The Food
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Hands down, my favorite thing about living in Cameroon was definitely the food. If you’ve never had the pleasure of eating Ndole, then let me enlighten you on one of the most flavorful dishes I’ve ever eaten. The national dish of the country, Ndole is a stew made from bitterleaves and peanuts. Because Cameroon has so much agricultural diversity, there are a wide variety of plant-based dishes featuring all types of delicious vegetables. From Eru and Ndole to Poulet DG and Kati Kati, Cameroonian food will have you feeling all types of finger-licking goodness.
2. The Beaches
Cameroon is known for its pristine beaches and crystal clear waters. Kribi is definitely a tourist favorite, but Limbe and Grande Batanga have stunning coastlines as well. And in comparison to the beaches I’ve visited in other African countries, Cameroon definitely has some of the cleanest waters I’ve seen.
3. The Weather
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Cameroon has some of the most diverse vegetation on the continent, and the climate varies between different regions. For the most part though, it really is sunny all year-round! The weather in Yaounde is especially nice, and the temperature hovers in the 70s and 80s.
4. The Music
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Makossa is a popular urban music style that is native to Cameroon. In the Douala language, Makossa translates to ‘dance’- but that becomes pretty obvious once you hear Makossa music! And what I love about Cameroon is that you get to hear all kinds of African music, including Coupe Decale, Afro-pop, Congolese Rumba and other styes.
5. Nightlife
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Although nightlife probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your head when you think of Cameroon, it’s definitely a big scene in the major cities of Douala and Yaounde. While I lived there, Club Safari in Yaounde and Opium in Douala were some of the nicest clubs to go to. There are also a ton of bars and lounges that are popular with both locals and foreigners. As far as the music goes, Cameroonian clubs play everything from Makossa to rap and house music.