Abuh forest treck - NW province near Fundong and other Cameroon Things to Do Tips

There are 11 protected forests in the North West province of Cameroon. None are yet developed for tourists, except one (Abuh) and then it is only possible to enter with a guide. This is an absolute must for any trek/hike/wildlife enthusiasts and garauntees an experience of a life time.
The trek itself begins in Abuh village with a steep climb up the side of the valley through the small farms of mangos, bananas, passion fruit, corn and coffee. Arrival at the top is a welcome relief but the hard earned views for miles around are spectacular. The views across the forest down to the Fon's (chief's) palace is beautiful. Entrance to the forest is well concealed and the guide produces a machette and goes to work leading the way. After pushing through the 7ft grass, shrubs and undergrowth a magic kingdom is revealed. A flat grassy plataeu in the middle of the forest with a lone Fulani Herdsmans house in the corner, enclosed by a hedge of angel wing flowers (a bit like tall waterlillies).
Entering back into the forest again we passed through a few streams, a swamp, and a big pile of monkey poo, unfortunately no monkeys that day. We then decended down through the thick under growth to visit a sacred cave containing thousands of fruit bats which had a beautiful waterfall flowing over the top of it. From here it was a steep decsent back to Abuh village (often on my backside).

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Address: Abuh Village (2 hrs walk from Fundong)
Directions: You need to arrange the trek at least 2 days before by getting in touch with BERUDEP in Belo, Njinikom or Fundong, either by phone or email to arrange the guide and get permission to enter the forest.
From Bamenda see 'Off the beaten path tips'
Website: www.berudep.org
Other Contact: aburgerseed@lycos.co.uk

Trek up into the mountains around Fundong and meet a family from the Fulani tribe.
Walk through the village and meet the friends and relatives (there are many!!)
Walk for water with the children.
Stop at the local market and buy some fresh fruit.
Walk to the waterfalls and caves.
Ride horses and milk cows.
Pound fufu-corn for dinner.
Talk and roast corn round a fire pit.
Share dinner with the family and listen to stories from long ago.
Sleep in the traditional Mud brick house with a real Fulani family.......

The simple life is an experience few of us know.........but for me turned out to be the best.

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Address: Fundong, Belo & Mbingo (near Bamenda N/W)
Directions: To to a homstay experience you need to get in touch with BERUDEP in Belo, Njinikom or Fundong to arrange the homestay with the family you choose (there are several from different tribes with different cultures).
Website: www.berudep.org
Other Contact: aburgerseed@lycos.co.uk

Have an audience with the Fon - King of the Kom tribe. It's a 2 hour trek from Fundong up to the Impenatrable palace sitting in the clouds overlooking the kingdom of Kom.
You need to arrange the visit with BERUDEP in Belo or Fundong and buy a bottle of wine as a 'gift' to send to the Fon in advance to see if he will accept your wish for an audience. You will also have to take with you a gift of money in an envelope to present to him when you arrive (the amount is up to you). After this you will be invited to stay in the kings court and watch the proceedings of traditional cases, tribal matters, disputes as well as enjoy lunch, beer, wine, fanta or whatever other gifts the Fon has been given that day.

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Address: Fundong near Belo
Directions: From Fundong you can trek 2 hours up to the palace, take a motorbike taxi, or in the dry season a taxi if you are feeling adventureous (we tried in the wet and had lots of fun - see the photo!)
Website: www.berudep.org
Other Contact: aburgerseed@lycos.co.uk

Situated 45 mins shared taxi ride from Bamenda in the North West province is the picturesque highland village of Belo 3 Corners. Although not mentioned in any guidebooks yet this beautiful village is the access point to a secret paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. The vast opportunity for trekking, mountain biking, camping, birdwatching, and walking is superb. Add to this the Unique cultures of the Kom tribe and the Fulani herdsmen, juju death celebration dances and christian accapellas, the opportunities off the beaten track are still as yet largely undiscovered.

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Address: Belo near Bamenda
Directions: From Bamenda take a shared taxi to Belo 3 Corners. It should cost around 900cfa and takes 45 mins.

Trek from Belo up to the mysterious lake Oku. Hike through the villages and into the forest where the natural world waits to be discovered. Sit on the shores of the sacred lake without another soul in sight . Swimming is not allowed in the lake as it is believed to be the home of an old man who decended into the lake after being given permission to live there by the Fon of the Oku people. Sacrafices are still made one day a year to the 'god' of the lake.

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Address: Belo NW province
Directions: The trek starts in Belo and can be arranged through the Belo visitor centre. You need to arrange a guide and pay a fee to the FMI (forest management institute) to enter the forest.
Website: www.berudep.org
Other Contact: aburgerseed@lycos.co.uk

Go horse riding in the Bamenda Highlands around Fundong. You can pick your horse from the herd, saddle up and head out for a hack. You can ride by yourself if you are experienced or go with a guide if you are not. The guy who owns the horses is great, speaks good english, can arrange lunch, show you round his farm and introduce you to his 3 wives and many children!

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Phone: 5728127
Address: Near Fundong
Directions: It's a 2 hour walk from fundong or half hour on a motorbike taxi. You need to book the horse riding in advance through one of the Berudep offices either in Fundong, or Belo. Or you can go to the visitors centre in Belo.
Website: www.berudep.org
Other Contact: aburgerseed@lycos.co.uk

Trek along the cliff top ridges overlooking the rural villages of Belo and Njinikom. A Beautiful trek giving a birdseye view of the land of the Kom tribe.

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Address: Belo, 45 mins from Bamenda, N/W province
Directions: Book a guide in Belo and take a taxi to mbingo to start the trek. Trek should take around 4 hours and is off the beaten track. Start the trek in Mbingo and hike back to Belo.
Website: www.berudep.org
Other Contact: berudep@gmail.com

Trek up the beautiful hill dominating the N/E skyline of Belo. It's a nice easy 2 hour trek to the summit where there is a monument depicting the crusifixion on Calvery hill. The views from the top are magnificent and if you do the tour through berudep they include a visit to a traditional carvers on the way back down.

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Phone: 5728127
Address: Belo 3 Corners - near Bamenda
Directions: You need to arrange a guide through the visitors centre in Belo 3 corners. Approx 2,000 CFA
Website: www.berudep.org
Other Contact: berudep@gmail.com

If you would like to explore the countryside, do some trekking or go horse riding then head to the village of Belo (45 mins taxi from Bamenda). Visit the Berudep Visitors Centre and Tourist Information to get details on walks and treks. Berudep are a non profit organisation with a focus on developing eco tourism.

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Phone: 5728127
Address: Belo 3 Corners - near Bamenda
Directions: Take a taxi from Nkwen Park in Bamenda to Belo village (45 mins). The Visitors centre is on the way into the village on your right hand side.
Website: www.berudep.org
Other Contact: berudep@gmail.com

The Belo Public Walk is the first developed public walk route in Cameroon. It is a two and a half hour walk route through the countryside surrounding the village of Belo. It has route markers along the paths directing the trekker and information boards about local landmarks. Along the route you can see waterfalls and pools, the quarter head's traditional compound and the road built by the Germans. The best bit about it.....................It's free!

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Phone: 5728127
Address: Belo 3 Corners - near Bamenda
Directions: Belo 3 corners, Belo Sub Division, Boyo Division, Bamenda, N/W Province
Website: www.berudep.org
Other Contact: berudep@gmail.com