Buea

Buea sits at around a thousand metres on the south-eastern flank of Mount Cameroon, high enough to be cool and often in cloud, and it was the seat of the German colonial administration in the first years of the twentieth century, which left a set of buildings including the substantial governor's residence still standing above the town. Its main function for visitors is as the base for climbing the mountain: guides, porters and permits are arranged here, and the ascent to the summit at four thousand and ninety-five metres takes two or three days. In February the Race of Hope runs to the summit and back in a single morning, which puts the climb in perspective.

History

By tradition Buea was founded by a hunter from the Bomboko side of the mountain, and its first people were mostly Bakweri. It was the capital of German Kamerun from 1901 to 1919, though the German administration left it from 28 April until June 1909 during an eruption of Mount Cameroon, and it was later the capital of the Southern Cameroons from 1949 to 1961 and of West Cameroon until 1972 (Wikipedia, Buea).

What to look for

• The German-era governor's residence - the colonial building above the town.
• The base for climbing Mount Cameroon - guides, porters and permits.
• The February mountain race - summit and return in one morning.
• Cloud on the mountain flank - the climate at a thousand metres.

When to go

December to February for the driest window on the mountain. A day in the town, two to three days for the climb. Permits and guides are compulsory and arranged in Buea.

What to expect

The mountain climb is hard, cold at the top and frequently wet; people underestimate it badly. Facilities in the town are basic.

Nearby

Limbe is south; Douala lies east.

Key facts