Buea

Buea is the capital of the South-West Region of Cameroon, sitting on the eastern slope of Mount Cameroon in Fako Division at roughly 900m elevation, with a population of around 47,000. The Germans moved their colonial capital here from Douala in 1901, largely because Buea's cooler highland climate was healthier than the fever-prone coast, and it remained the capital of German Kamerun until 1919. A handful of colonial-era buildings survive from that period, including the former palatial residence of German governor Jesko von Puttkamer. Buea went on to serve as the capital of the British-administered Southern Cameroons from 1949 to 1961, and of the State of West Cameroon until the federation was dissolved in 1972.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Douala International Airport, roughly 80km east; onward travel to Buea is by road.

By Car / Road

Buea is well connected by tarred road to Douala, Limbe, and Kumba.

Central Buea is walkable; shared taxis and moto-taxis cover the rest of town and the surrounding slopes.

• Mount Cameroon — West Africa's highest peak (4,040m) and an active volcano, with Buea as the main gateway for the multi-day trek to the summit.

• Former German Governor's residence — the surviving palatial residence built for governor Jesko von Puttkamer, one of the few remaining colonial-era buildings from Buea's time as capital of German Kamerun.

• Trek Mount Cameroon — guided multi-day hikes to the summit start from Buea; the dry season (November–February) offers the best conditions.

• Limbe — 20km south-west, coastal town known for its black-sand beaches.
• Mount Cameroon — trekking to the summit.
• Douala — 80km east.