Bafoussam.
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Overview

Bafoussam is the capital of the West Region, in Northwest Highlands, Cameroon.

Understand

Bafoussam isn't the most clean, picturesque, or polite city in Cameroon, but because of Cameroon's hierarchical organization, it has a central location in the Grand West. It is a major hub for Bamiléké culture, especially French Bamiléké culture.

Get in

Bafoussam is located at the intersection of roads going to Douala, Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Foumban (and from there, the West Adamawa), and the road to Dschang is only a short ways away.

Most cities have cars going to Bafoussam. In Yaoundé, Binam ("the setting sun" in the local mother tongue) is well-reputed, but you can also try Merveilles, General, or any random car that seems to be going to Bafoussam. Most agences hire "loaders" to find passengers and to load their baggage, and that these loaders can be very aggressive! Keep a firm grip on your bags and respond firmly with a polite "Non, merci" or just "Merci" to anyone who wants to tell you where to go.

Get around

All within-Bafoussam travel is provided by taxis or moto-taxis. Most destinations will tell you "what to say" to a taxi. Taxis are cheap; you can get halfway across Bafoussam for 100 FCFA.

"Downtown" Bafoussam is located at the Rond Point Biao, or Marché A. From here there are the three roads, one going north (to carrefour Dschang and Bamenda; cars at Marché B), one going south (which forks into a road going to Bafang, Melong, and Douala, and another going to Bangangte, Bafia, and Yaoundé; cars at the Gare Routière), and one going west (which passes through Foumbot and Foumban before making its way into the West Adamawa; cars available at Carrefour Total).

See

Chutes de la Métché. Waterfall on the Miti River, where nationalists were reportedly thrown to their deaths during colonial times and where sacrifices are made to ward off curses, etc. The water falls 40-50 m. A walking trail leads from the parking area to the main viewing point. Wear closed shoes as the path can be slippery, especially during the rainy season. In addition to the waterfall, there is a memorial to those executed there. Local stands near the entrance sell handmade crafts, wooden carvings, and souvenirs, and there are small snack bars and local restaurants along the road leading to the waterfalls.

Chefferie Bandjoun. Chiefdom headquarters of Bandjoun: traditional huts first established by King Notouom I about four centuries ago, along with 'forest' and museum. A lot of history here.

Do

Grotte Fovu. An assortment of large boulders around which you may walk (rock grotto basically).

Buy

There are two major supermarchés in Bafoussam: Le Point Plus, located at Rond Point Biao, and Sim-Delices, located on the south side of Bafoussam (tell a taxi Sim-Delices; it's across from the PMUC building). Marchés A and B are mostly unremarkable, with your normal collection of local groceries, Chinese-imported goods, and African fabric.

Eat

Like most Cameroonian cities, there are vendors walking around selling munchies like peanuts ("ground nuts"), slices of coconut, beignets, or cookies. There are also some vendors with "carts" selling fresh fruit like slices of pineapple or papaya. Keep an eye out for spaghetti omelette carts (visible because of their stack of egg crates). They're cheap (500 FCFA for three eggs and spaghetti in bread) and nutritious.

If none of those options appeal to you, you can also check out the supermarkets/bakeries, which sometimes have "sandwiches" or other pre-made food. In particular the Boulangerie du Peuple has a pretty good (no-cheese, no-meat) "pizza" for 400 FCFA per "slice". Sim-Delice sells both bread and cold cuts and you can ask them to assemble the two if you like.

Akwa is the name of a quartier which is right next to Rond Point Biao, and there are often women there braising fish, chicken, or soya (beef brochettes). There is also a long building made of an old shipping container, painted the colors and motifs of Jadida Butter. It has been "divided" into a series of "greasy spoon" type spaces where individual chefs prepare omelettes and salads.

Maison Bambou. The shawarma aren't bad, although not "true" shawarma. Try the "fajita", 2000 FCFA, which is said to taste exactly like authentic Thai food.

Drink

Bars can be found everywhere. Notable ones include:

Easy-Look. Easy-Look is not the name of the bar but the name of the hotel above the bar, where Peace Corps volunteers tend to hang out.

Facebook. A very chic place trying to appeal to a more upscale clientele.

Boulangerie du Peuple. Has a very nice veranda where they serve drinks, but there isn't as much food as in Akwa.

Sleep

Hotel Zingana. Inspired by the traditions of the Bamileke people, Hotel Zingana is one of the most popular hotels in the city. Includes a shop selling traditional handicrafts and artifacts.