[dropcap background=”yes” color=”#333333″ size=”16px”]If there[/dropcap] is a city in Africa where children are born with a football in their hands, then it has to be Douala. The impeccable Roger Milla, who scored four goals at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, started his football career playing for a Douala club. He’s not the only one–the most trophied African footballer of all time, Samuel Eto’o, the man of gold and goals is Douala born, Douala raised. The youngest ever goal scorer in the Spanish league is Douala born Fabrice Olinga. He did that for his first division side, FC Malaga at a baby-aged sixteen years and ninety eight days.
The place where these futbol stars , start harnessing their kicking skills is the Douala based Kadji Sports Academy, once again, the best football academy in Cameroon. This is just a long-winded way of saying, well, Douala is awesome. And not just at Football.
Located in the Littoral Region, Douala (pop. 4 mill) is the pounding, bustling, economic heart of Cameroon. Cameroon’s widest river, the River Wouri cuts through the city’s flat terrain emptying itself into the Atlantic. The two sides of town are linked together by the Bonaberi Bridge. Douala is not only the the largest city in Cameroon, it is also the richest city in the whole of the six-country CEMAC region. This metropolis attracts thousands of foreign souls, including communities of Nigerians, Malians, French and Lebanese. It is also the most strategically placed city in Central Africa, aerially linking Lagos, Malabo, Libreville, Brazzaville, Cotonou and Bangui in just over one hour flights from any angle.
[pullquote align=”left” background=”on”] And if the music isn’t enough, the flowing drinks make sure that hook-ups are a central part of the young nightlife.[/pullquote]
There are seven districts in total. You may find many white collar officers in multiple storey buildings in the swanky Bonanjo administrative district managing the affairs of the rich and fabulous business moguls like Fotso Victor and Wily Chamba. Traders, mostly Chinese and Cameroonians of Bamileke extraction conduct commerce in the scores of giant shops in the Akwa and Bonapriso business districts which boast a number of exquisite hotels, the most notable being Hotel Akwa Palace.
Along the city’s main thoroughfare lie some of Cameroon’s best restaurants, coffee houses and French-style patisseries. Many bars and bistros may be found spanning the waterfront commanding views of the gulf of Guinea and mangrove swamps. Chic residential houses are found in the Bali and Bonamoussadi vicinities and the working class in the Bonaberi, Deido, New Bell and Bassa districts. Crime exists in some of the neighbourhoods but it is generally minimal. You can enjoy a solitary night out without getting robbed or shot at.
Douala is also linked by rail to four other Cameroonian towns but these are some slow moving trains—walking will probably get you there faster. The best option for cross country travel is by using the extensive but fairly frayed road network.
A night on the town is serious business in Douala. Numerous bars, hotels and nightclubs especially those of Roue de la Joie (Street of Joy) attract huge crowds to listen to music and dance to never ending Makossa music. Some of the most ubiquitous sounds on the world music scene come from Douala born and bred musicians. On a typical night out you’ll hear from the likes of Petit Pays and members of his “Les Sans Visa” band. You’ll also hear music from Samy Diko, Sergeo Polo, Mathematik, Njohreur and many others. On the international scene, Douala girl Charlotte Dipanda is a huge star and the Doualian King of World Music, Manu Dibango beats on with his “Soul Makossa”. Factoid: Michael Jackson sampled Manu Dibangos’ “Soul Makossa” in his song, “Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’ ”. The Fugees, Akon and Rihanna followed suit, copying the melody, “mama ko mama sa maka makoosa” . Remember that chorus? Michael Jackson stole it from Douala’s own Manu Dibango.
And if the music isn’t enough, the flowing drinks make sure that hook-ups are a central part of the young nightlife. This is after all, the country where a local liquor brand proudly boasts that, “Cameroon is famous for beer, football and corruption.” Right on.
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Stay
This hotel combines gives a nod to the past but with feet firmly in the modern. Close to the cultural hub of the city, Akwa Palace is centrally located in the heart of the business and cultural district.
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Eat&Drink
An atmospheric, upmarket restaurant specializing in local and traditional dishes. Great ambiance
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See
Eko Market which is Cameroons’ largest marketplace and one of the largest in West Africa and the black sand beaches of the Mile Six area
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Africa Redux Founder Chi Kaitano.
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