Things to Do in Cameroon in April

Morning seas sit glass-calm between 6 AM and 10 AM before clouds pile up. You'll glide past black-sand beaches with Mount Cameroon smoking behind and pause to watch rescued drills and mandrills feed at the wildlife centre. April's moderate swell keeps even beginners upright.

Start at 7 PM when the heat backs off; April evenings stay dry long enough to graze roasted plantain stands, peppery ndolé stew pots, and sizzling brochettes scented with mbongo spice. The humidity makes cold Beaufort beer taste even better between stops.

Leave at 5 AM to beat the clouds that normally smother the peak by noon. April's dry mornings give you the best shot at 360-degree views across the Gulf of Guinea, and the trail's volcanic gravel hasn't yet turned into the slippery mess it becomes in May.

Paddle the black-water lagoon where the Lobé River drops straight into the Atlantic. April's lighter rainfall keeps the river current gentle enough for photos under the twin waterfalls without risking a dunking.

Cool April mornings mean gorillas and chimpanzees stay active instead of dozing in the shade. Raised walkways through the forest canopy keep you dry when light drizzle starts, and the moist air sharpens the smell of damp earth and wild ginger.

Thread narrow alleys stacked with bright Dutch wax prints and pyramids of mbongo, country onions, and fiery yellow peppers. April is when fresh peanut harvests arrive, so vendors roast them in blackened drums, follow the smoke and salt.