Nigeria to Cameroon - Takum-Nkambe possible?
 

Hi everyone,

Looking at routes from Nigeria to Cameroon, I know the road from Ikom to Mamfé is now paved and easy, I'm looking elsewhere.

I'm looking a little further North - the Reise West Africa map I have shows a border crossing south and a little East of Takum. It looks like a real road down to a town called Bissaula in Nigeria near the border, then turns into a dotted line (Track - 4WD required) to cross the border. Soon after is a town called Dumbo then more track into Missaje, which is just West of the bigger looking Nkambe.

Google maps is useless in this area.

Open Street maps actually shows a good road a bit further to the East, crossing at Abong(Nigeria) to Abonshie(Cameroon)

Has anyone ever been in this area? Is it possible to cross here?

I'm in a well-equipped 4x4 if it makes any difference.

-Dan

We crossed Ekok border two days ago, but this does not help for your question. Why are you trying to avoid this border crossing?

I think you should be able to cross at Gembu. But Takum is probably also feasible. (Traveled to Serti ten years ago, I think they told me there it was possibe to cross at Gembu and Takum).

I was looking forward to the old nasty road, that is now paved and quite mundane I'm told.

I'm looking for a bit of adventure.

-Dan

Thanks, I had not looked that far over. Even google maps shows a very big road going that way, and it goes right through the Mambilla Plateau - Wikipedia

which is actually one of the major reasons I want to get over that way.

Wicked, thanks, that's great information.
Would you recommend a trip to Serti? Reading up it sounds like a great area.

I'll be sure to report back here when I do it (not for quite a few months)

-Dan

We crossed from Takum over Bissaula to Nkambe in 2012. It's deffenitely 4x4 country. There's a very steep hill in the middle which I had trouble with on the motorbike, the landrover and landcruiser, and the mercedes 4x4 bus managed though.
I posted a video of the road on YouTube, search for 'the road to cameroun'

Area around Serti is great. Beautifull. And very nice people.

The road from Calabar to Ekok is adventurous enough right now :) Took us 6 hour+ for about 100 km

I heard the potholes are nasty and it turns into a lake when it rains.

Where did you stay in Calabar? I assume you got the Cameroon visa there?

Thanks,
-Dan

Yes, don´t forget your gumboots :rain:

We stayed in Tinapa Lakeside Hotel, outside the city. Big business style place, safe hotel and good rooms. Not cheap though.

Cameroon visa we got in Berlin via visa service.

Hi Nandor,

Are those photos on the route from Calabar – Ugep – Ikom – Ekok – Mamfe? Not Ekang?

I heard that route is all paved and easy. Does that change like this in wet season? The road seems not to be paved in your photos…

Could you tell me the detailed route? I am in Calabar now, and planning a route to Cameroon.

Regards,
yuko

Hi Yuko,

no, this pictures are before Calabar (Aba, Uyo to Calabar) we had to take a detour, the main road was flooded. From Calabar on everything was fine all the way to Capetown :), you should not experience any problems even in rainy season.

Good luck for your trip, enjoy.

Details of our trip and GPS Tracks you can find at:

Unsere Pfade - Unsere Pfade

Hi Nandor, thank you for your reply.
I was relieved to hear it.

Anyway, why did it take 6 hours+ for about 100 km? Because of potholes?

Thank you for sharing your route. That is amazing!!
Hope we can follow your route.

You are welcome, all the best for your trip. Maybe we meet you in SA somewhere (we are in port Elisabeth right now). 6 hours + was only because the road was closed and the detour was tough. If you take the regular road u should be alright

Oh, I see. It is clear now. Thank you:)

Hope see you on the road!!
Yuko