The South Region of Cameroon
It is found in the south east of the country. It is bordered to the North West by the Littoral Region, the north by the Centre Region and the east by the East Region and the southern part is delimited by 3 countries; Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Congo Republic.
Ebolowa is the head quarter of the South Region. It is made up of four divisions:
DJA AND LOBO (SANGMELIMA)
MVILA (EBOLOWA)
OCEAN (KRIBI)
NTEM VALLEY (AMBAM)
The South Region is a complete destination in relation to the image of Cameroon. Its immersed vegetal mantle, the tropical forest, makes this region an excellent agritourism and ecotourism haven, offering to visitors, a rendez – vous with the pygmies, the first forest habitant.
Numerous watercourses reinforce the humid climate of this region, with spectacular waterfalls and cascades at some places such as the Lobe Waterfalls and the Memve’ele Waterfalls. The opening to the Atlantic Ocean, with about 150 km of coastlines covered with grey fin sand, favour beach resort tourism.
You can visit the South region to discover the vestiges and monuments that marked the first installations of the missionaries and history of Cameroon colonisation, found notably in Kribi and Campo. You can also visit this region to admire the splendour of the natural forest of the Dja Reserve, declared World Humanity Heritage by UNESCO.
ECOTOURISM
This region is endowed with dense tropical forest and natural forest islands. It offers to tourists an appropriate relaxation framework at the sea shores of fine grey beaches, and strolling in the forest. The Cameroonian coastline is made up mainly of virgin forest. Visitors shall be seduced by the flora (mangroves) and the aquatic fauna of the South Region, which is favourable for beach tourism. The camping grounds at the Dja and Campo reserves as well as the Gorillas Sanctuary of Mengame are very rich ecotourism attractions in the region.
THE CAMPO MA’AN RESERVE
It is a forest reserve at the borders of Equatorial Guinea which is very rich in animal biodiversity (elephants and chimpanzees).
THE DJA RESERVE
It is midway between the Centre and South regions. It is a heritage with an exceptional flora and fauna. The Dja Reserve is a MUST SEE site in Cameroon.
THE EBODJE ECOTOURISM SITE
It is a village made up fishermen. This region is made up of large beaches of fine sand where two species of marine turtles (the luth and olivatre turtles) come and lay their eggs.
THE LOBE WATERFALLS
It has an escapement of about 30 meters and empties itself into the Atlantic Ocean in the form of an admirable cascade. It is unique in the world, as a result of the fact that the River Lobe empties itself directly into the ocean.
THE PYGMIES CAMPINGS
They are found at some few kilometers from Kribi. You can discover and share in the way of life of these ancient forest dwellers as from traditional songs, dances and secret forest expeditions.
SPORT TOURISM
Sport tourism is mostly practised in cities like Kribi where tournaments are regularly organised for amateurs at the Kribi Merina, giving rise to the capture of beautiful species such as the thons, marlins, barracudas, etc. Artisanal fishing is also widely practised by the riverside population. Canoe race is also included in the cultural manifestations such as the BATANGA FESTIVAL.
BEACH RESORT TOURISM
Kribi is the most important beach resort city in Cameroon and one of the very first in Equatorial Africa. Its marvellous fine sand beaches which border the ocean for several kilometers is opened to all those who dream of having a sea bath in a relaxing and paradise atmosphere, under the coconuts that bordered the coastline.
AGROTOURISM
Ebolowa, Sangmelima, and Ambam are areas which are essentially agricultural and forested, where a lot of forest exploitations take place. There are ideal for the discovery of wild nature. Tourism is favourable here during the dry season.
CULTURAL TOURISM
The South Region has diverse cultures, rites and traditions that the tourists shall have the pleasure to discover in different villages.
CAVES, MOUNTS AND PEAKS
The Caves of Nkolandom, at 20 km from Ebolowa, towards Ambam;
The Mount Ebolow’o, which overlooks the city of Ebolowa and gave it its name;
The Mezesse Rock, with its summit covered with pineapples is found in the Dja and Lobo Division;
The Ako’okass Rocks, located few kilometres from Nkolandom is found in the Mvilla Division;
The Abmina II and Aka’afan rocks;
The Meyo Madjom Caves, with a height of about 150 meters and a circumference of 2 000 meters, dominating the equatorial forest;
The Bounou mineral water catchment at Njikom.
WATERFALLS
The Memve’ele Waterfalls, made up of a series of three spectacular waterfalls, with the bigger one having a magnetic field;
The Nkoumouqui Waterfalls, which falls in the form of cascades and forms a water body which is considered as a lake.
OTHER SITES
The Abang Minlo Frontier Markets at Kyeossi, very rich and colourful markets, which permit exchanges between Cameroon, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
The Foulassi School, attended by Mikio Bamba Samuel and Nyatte Nko’o, two out of three Cameroonians who composed the Cameroon National Anthem.
