Kribi
The country's beach resort, where a river falls into the ocean
South Region (capital: Ebolowa) · Océan department (capital: Kribi)
Kribi is a coastal town in southern Cameroon, in the Océan department, on the Gulf of Guinea. It is the country's main beach destination, roughly 150 to 180 kilometres south of Douala depending on the route. The town has around 80,000 inhabitants.
History and origin of the name
This is Batanga country, on the coast. German missionaries settled here in 1889, and the town still has buildings from the colonial period, including a lighthouse. The Bagyeli, traditional hunter-gatherers, live in the neighbouring forest.
What to see
- The Lobé Falls, a few kilometres away, where the river tumbles into the Atlantic in cascades: a rarity worldwide.
- The beaches of Kribi and Grand Batanga, wilder to the north of town.
- Ebodjé, a fishing village where sea turtles come to lay eggs from October to March, with a protection programme open to visitors.
- Campo-Ma'an National Park, a little further south.
Economy and local life
Fishing and tourism sustain the town. Kribi also hosts the country's first deep-water port, which came into service in the 2010s and is meant to relieve Douala's.
What to eat
Fresh fish and seafood, often grilled, are the speciality of the coast.
Practical information
The climate is very wet: around 2,900 mm of rain a year, with September the wettest month.