A Tour to the Hilly Mountains of the Northwest Region

Lets Navigate through the high plains of the Northwest region, dominated by mountains such as Mount Oku at over 3,000 meters. Basically, this region has an average altitude of 1,550 meters above sea level. Consequently, making it pretty fresh and seemingly cold with temperatures hovering around 22°C.

With the exception of the rainy season, the region offers a climate conducive to tourism and travel all year round. Additionally, these mountains are covered with lush vegetation and grasslands, making for a fascinating landscape.

The North-West region is characterized by the panoramic contrast of plains surrounded by mountains. In addition, containing crater lakes and deep valleys through which streams and rivers often flow over majestic waterfalls.

Divisions

Bamenda, the capital city of the North West has a population of over 1,968,578 people. It is spread on an estimated hectare of 34,263 km2. The 7 divisions include;

Bui (Kumbo)
Donga – Mantung (Nkambe)
Menchum (Wum)
Mezam (Bamenda)
Momo (Mbengwi)
Boyo (Fundong)
Ngo – Ketunjia (Ndop)

Furthermore, Bamenda being the main urban area is a modern yet traditional city with the major road junction leading to most of the divisions and sub-divisions. Also, it has the important commercial center of the town. A 350 km highway, also known as the Ring Road, enables visitors to visit and admire the region in all its tourist diversity, traditional chieftaincies, landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, game reserves, etc.

Moreover, the North-West region combines its ancestral heritage with the influence of British and German colonization. Eventually, it shares an authentic lifestyle with the Nigerian neighboring country. The population of the North-West region is very attached to its cultural values. And, its local customs are particularly respected, with elaborate and singular styles of clothing and cuisine.

Chiefdoms and Museums

Under its cultural heritage, it is dominated by chiefdoms and museums. Englobed with beautiful palaces and structures, The Mankon chiefdom is in the Mezam department. It is one of the oldest monarchies of the grassland inhabitants of the North-West region. Chiefly, it is rule by Fons and preserving important relics from colonial times, is a must-see attraction in the region.

Afterward, is the Bafut chiefdom founded by King Mfor Feurlu, by unifying the Bukari and the Mbebili community is over 500 years now. Again, is the Bali chiefdom (20 km from Bamenda), generally known as the cradle of local culture. Still, is the Bafut chiefdom about 20 km from Bamenda, on the road to Wum, with its architecture blending traditional and colonial heritage. To add, is the Babessi chiefdom, with its rich museum of antiquities. finally, is the Fundong chiefdom and the Laîkom chiefdom.

Lakes

The North West region is encompassed with lakes, waterfalls and mountains. the Lake Awing in the Santa district, about 7 km along the road from Santa to Bamenda, Lake Oku, a crater lake in the Oku district, Mount Kilum (Oku), the second highest peak in Cameroon and West Africa, culminates at 3,000 meters above sea level, the Menchum Falls, on the Bamenda-Wum road (about 20 km from Wum), Lake Wum, in the town of Wum, Lake Bambalang, in the Balikumbat district being the result of the Bamendji dam which was rebuilt with the help of the Germans.

Touristic Sites of the North West

Not limited to its sumptuous crafty sophisticated areas mention above, other very interesting sites are made available for its visitors like the Oku Reserve which is a forest reserve with a number of indigenous species, the Ring Road major road network linking all the divisions in the region, offering fantastic panoramic views of the area, the Ndu tea plantation and the last but not the least the Ndop Rice plantation are also well worth a visiting.

Meals of the North West

Not forgetting its delicacies proposed by these regions, Achu is the Master food cooked and enjoyed by most of the sub-divisions. It serves other meals like, Fufu and Kati Kati, Nangtaru (stewed Cocoyam with red oil and bitter leaf), Fufu and Vegetables, Pounded Irish and beans, and Pounded Cocoyam and Vegetables.