Douala
Cameroon · Littoral · 13 m
Description
Douala is the largest city of Cameroon and the port that handles most of the trade of the whole region, a hot and humid place on the Wouri estuary where almost every visitor arrives. It is a working city rather than a sightseeing one, best taken as markets, music and food. The Marché des Fleurs and the vast Marché Central sell everything, the Doual'art centre shows contemporary Cameroonian work, and the pagoda that King Manga Bell built survives in Bonanjo. Ferries leave for Malabo and Bata across the bight. Bonapriso and Akwa fill with makossa bars after dark.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Marché Central and Marché des Fleurs
- La Pagode of King Manga Bell in Bonanjo
- Makossa and bikutsi bars in Akwa
- Grilled fish and ndolé in the street kitchens
- Doual'art contemporary art centre
- Musée Maritime de Douala
- Cathédrale Saints-Pierre-et-Paul
- La Nouvelle Liberté sculpture at the Deido roundabout
- Bonanjo colonial quarter and the old governor's palace
- Wouri bridge and the estuary waterfront
- Ferry to Malabo and Bata
- Jardin Botanique et Zoologique de Douala
- Ngondo festival of the Sawa people (December)
- Craft stalls of the Marché Artisanal
- Express train to Yaoundé
Getting there
- Airports:
- DLA
- Train stations:
- Douala
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry