Hello Alarinkas,
welcome back to another episode of #Nigeria2Namibia by road aw we continue on the story of getting into Cameroon.
if you didn’t read part one READ HERE! Getting into Cameroon by Boat
I left the hotel Mr. H had lodged me in, packed my bags & because of its heaviness, dropped them at the reception, and promised to come back for them once I got my passport stamped.
I asked for directions and headed out as early as I could. I took the bike to Limbe Port, where most people go through immigration to get their passports stamped.
Upon getting there, I met this unruly lady who asked me to pay for entry before going into the port where immigration is located.
There were two nice locals by the entrance who insisted I did not have to pay and instead called one of the immigration guys, Mr Richard, to come out and meet me by the gate.
Meeting Mr. Richard at the gate, I greeted him with a warm smile, optimistic that my passport would be stamped and I could go about my journey.
He asked about my journey, and I narrated it to him. He took my passport, went in, and came back saying my passport couldn’t be stamped. I asked why. He said nothing, just that it couldn’t be stamped there because it seemed I came in illegally.
“Is this port not for you guys? Thousands come into this place every year using this same facility. Are you saying your government doesn’t approve this? Are you saying your borders are closed and you’re running an illegal venture?” All these questions were definitely running in my head with a certainty that they wouldn’t get answered.
So I asked what the solution was. He suggested I go to the other port at Tiko to get it stamped. Later, I would learn this was a trap, but my God was bigger.
When he mentioned that port, I remembered a friend called a man who also had a boat I should have followed initially, but I didn’t because he was going to Tiko and I was going to Limbe.
I called him and narrated my ordeal. He turned out to be the real savior and God-sent for us on this journey.
He said, “Don’t worry, I got you. Relax.”
He called one of his contacts, Mr. Jerry, who got into action immediately. He made me feel so relaxed that I believed my problem had received instant prayers. I ordered pepper soup and plantain, which would be my first meal in the last 48 hours.
Mr. Jerry went in, and after about an hour, he came back out with sad news: my passport had been rejected again. Mr. Richard had said the commissioner was not stamping it.
On what basis or ground, they wouldn’t say. But stylishly, Mr. Jerry had mentioned what I was wearing, which was my Red Cross uniform. Oh, now I understand—I’m a tear.
I called our Helper again, and he said, “No! Wait there. I have an uncle who can help you.” He gave me his uncle’s contact, I called him, and he came for me. He took my passport, called one of his guys, gave them money, and asked them to go.
This man we will call an Angel: he is quite an influential and respectable man in this community.
His man came back and said my passport had been rejected by the commissioner again. On what basis, he asked. They said I lied about how I got in. Ha! Lied how? But again, what wouldn’t they say?
The man asked me not to worry and told me to get my bag from the hotel and meet him back at the port. I took a bike to the hotel, got my bags, and went to him. He took me to the hotel he was staying at, and he was an extreme gentleman.
Although I had my fears of suffering advances from him due to the terror I had experienced from Mr. H and the passive statements his brother (our Helper) had made, overall, he was like a father—a kind man at heart.
The next morning, which was now day 4 of my travel from Nigeria to Cameroon, our Angel had called a cab man to take me from Limbe to Tiko, where I would get my passport stamped. The driver came and drove me to the port, but unfortunately, it was a Sunday, and the commissioner wasn’t on site to stamp my passport. So, I had to lodge in a hotel again with Mr. Angel till the next day.
On Monday, Mr. Angel left for Equatorial Guinea, and the driver helped me get my passport stamped and took me to the park to get a bus going to Douala, where my host had been waiting for four days.
This journey took a toll on my mental stability. It shouldn’t have started this way, and honestly, I am grateful for all the helpers who came through on this journey.
This is not how we will tell this journey, but the challenges are worth highlighting to demand change and a unified Africa.
HERE ARE MY ADVICE IF YOU ARE COMING INTO CAMEROON: HOW TO TRAVEL TO CAMEROON HASSLE-FREE
- Go by road; it might be stressful at the land border but you’ll be certain that you’ll get your passport stamped, pay the fee and keep it moving.
- If you’re going to go by boat: Go by Ship; They are certain ship that leaves Calabar once a week. You can follow them, you’ll be charged for transportation and passport stamping. It is better and safer use it..
- Here is a contact to call: Mr EDG: +234 703 648 9218 he helped me with mine.
- Or reacch out to this company; Jennifer Ringsco sea travel: +234 907 255 8231
- Another option is a new direct bus from Calabar to Cameroon called Afrique con.
- Most Importantly; Make sure you stamp your passport out of Nigeria either from the Oron boat port, Ibaka port or the Ekon border.
Make sure you take all these measures and you’ll be fine .This is the easiest way of getting into cameroon
If you follow me on social media you’ll noticed I’ve been exploring Cameroon & it has been lovely so far.
Will be sharing more of that with you here also in the mean time connect with me on Ig @thattokelady