Mount Cameroon -- At 4,095 meters, this is the highest peak in West Africa, and it rises almost directly from the sea near Limbe. You can climb it in two to three days with a local guide from Buea, passing through rainforest, alpine meadow, and bare volcanic rock. The mountain last erupted in 2000 and steam vents are still visible near the summit. The annual Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, held each February, draws runners from across Africa.
Waza National Park -- This is the most accessible big-game park in West Africa, set in the dry Sahel north of Maroua. From December to May, the park offers sightings of elephants, giraffes, lions, and a huge variety of birdlife concentrated around shrinking waterholes. Access depends on the security situation in the Far North region, so check conditions before planning a trip.
The Sultan's Palace in Foumban -- Foumban is the seat of the Bamoun kingdom, one of the most sophisticated traditional kingdoms in Central Africa. The Sultan's Palace is still an active royal court, and the adjoining museum holds centuries of Bamoun art, weapons, and royal regalia. The artisan quarter surrounding the palace is packed with brass-casters, wood-carvers, and weavers working in styles that go back generations.
The Ring Road -- Starting from Bamenda, this rough loop through the western highlands takes you past crater lakes, traditional chiefdoms, and rolling grassland that feels more like the Scottish Highlands than tropical Africa. Villages like Bafut, with its hilltop fon palace, and Oku, where the last high-altitude forest in West Africa harbors the rare Bannerman's turaco, are highlights. The road is slow and unpaved in sections, but that is the point.
Kribi beaches and the Lob Falls -- Kribi has the best beach scene in Cameroon: white sand, warm water, grilled fish shacks under the palms. But the real draw is a short drive south, where the Lob River drops directly into the Atlantic Ocean in a wide cascade. It is one of the few places in the world where a waterfall meets the sea. The Pygmy communities inland from Kribi can also be visited respectfully through local guides.
Limbe -- This small coastal town at the foot of Mount Cameroon has a completely different feel from anywhere else in the country. Black volcanic sand beaches, a botanical garden dating from the German colonial era, and the Limbe Wildlife Centre, which rehabilitates rescued primates including chimpanzees, gorillas, and drills. Limbe makes a good base for a few days, combining beach time with hikes into the foothills.