Maroua
Cameroon · Africa
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About Maroua
Maroua (Fula: Marwa, مَرْوَ, 𞤥𞤢𞤪𞤱𞤢) is the capital of the Far North Region of Cameroon, stretching along the banks of the Ferngo and Kaliao Rivers, in the foothills of the Mandara Mountains. The city had 201,371 inhabitants at the 2005 census, consisting mainly of the Fulbe/Fulani ethnic group.
The city was occupied by the Guiziga in the 17th century and the Mofu in the 18th century.
The Maroua Declaration, a maritime boundary agreement between Nigeria and Cameroon, was signed in Maroua on 1 June 1975.
Embroidery, leather goods, jewelry, pottery are the important economic activities in the city of Maroua.
The city also has the Maroua Salak Airport.
The University of Maroua is based in the city.
Among the places of worship, they are predominantly Muslim mosques. There are also Christian churches and temples: Roman Catholic Diocese of Maroua–Mokolo (Catholic Church), Evangelical Church of Cameroon (World Communion of Reformed Churches), Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (World Communion of Reformed Churches), Cameroon Baptist Convention (Baptist World Alliance), Full Gospel Mission Cameroon (Assemblies...
Maroua travel guide
Understand
Maroua is famous for its artisanal activity and its market where tanners, potters, tailors, weavers and blacksmiths gather daily. The craft center at the entrance to the market brings together about fifty artisans who offer on their shelves embroidered or hand-woven tablecloths, leather rugs, slippers, crocodile skin handbags. or snake, etc. Another more modern craft center is found at the entrance to the city. Maroua is known in particular for its imposing ginger fields, and for the manufacture of ginger liqueur.
Getting there
The N1 Highway is nearby. It connects Maroua with Garoua, Kousseri, Ndjamena and Maiduguri. This road is in bad condition which doubles the journey times. 1 Maroua Salak International Airport (MVR IATA), at Salak (15 km southwest of Maroua). (updated Oct 2021)
Getting around
The easiest way to get around Maroua is by motorbike, locally called benskin (local English expression for: "trembling skin"). It is not allowed to share your motorcycle taxi. A trip within the city costs between 100 and 300 FCFA, more if the distance is important). A "deposit" (unshared motorbike taxi) varies depending on the duration and starts at 500 FCFA and goes up to 2000 FCFA (Sep 2021). Prices are to be discussed before getting on the vehicle. The city has thousands of motorcycle taxis, it is a very economical means of transport. It is nonetheless dangerous, in fact many accidents involving this means of transport. Hiring a car at the airport or in town can also be a pleasant way to get around Maroua.
See
1 Mont Maroua. Hiking area. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Place des Fetes de Maroua. Historical landmark (updated Feb 2023) 3 Village artisanal de Maroua, ☏ +237 6 94 53 31 56. M 24 hr, Tu-Sa 09:00-17:30, Su closed. A place with a collection of different artworks especially those of culture. (updated Feb 2023)
Buy
Marché central de Maroua, Highway P2. Su-Th 08:30-17:50. Central market. (updated Oct 2021) 1 Supermarché shop smart maroua, ☏ +237 6 94 05 63 66. Daily 09:00-22:00. Shopping mall. (updated Feb 2023) 2 GIC des tanneurs de Maroua. M-Sa 08:00-19:00, Su closed. General store. (updated Feb 2023) 3 Mini Marché, Marché central, ☏ +237 6 93 95 67 93. Daily 08:30-21:00. Supermarket. (updated Feb 2023) 4 Sté des Ets A. Nziko Maroua, ☏ +237 6 98 21 63 74. Daily 08:00-18:00. Shopping mall. (updated Feb 2023)
Eat
1 Restaurant le Noumou de Maroua, Ave de Kakatare, ☏ +237 6 78 66 15 15. Daily 08:00-22:00. Restaurant. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Le Noumou. Daily 24 hr. Restaurant. (updated Feb 2023) 3 Restaurant la Fourchette, Sekandé. (updated Feb 2023) 4 Mamma Bouba Restaurant, N1, ☏ +237 6 91 78 55 00. (updated Feb 2023) 5 Miam-Miam, ☏ +237 6 99 03 74 60. M-Sa 06:00-19:00, Su closed. (updated Feb 2023) 6 Restaurant Hadja, Avenue des Banques, ☏ +237 6 92 43 15 40. Daily 24 hr. (updated Feb 2023) 7 Restaurant Le Baobab, P 2. Daily 08:00-23:00. (updated Feb 2023) 8 Restaurant Makkah. (updated Feb 2023) 9 Restaurant Salam, Blvd de Renouveau. Daily 08:00-22:00. (updated Feb 2023) 10 Restaurant La Bonne Adresse, ☏ +237 6 58 46 35 79. Daily 24 hr. (updated Feb 2023)
Drink & nightlife
1 Fotambo Bar, ☏ +237 6 99 88 14 88. Daily 24 hr. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Stade Annexe Bar-restaurant, ☏ +237 6 99 62 06 55. Daily 07:00-23:00. (updated Feb 2023) 3 Nollywood Bar, ☏ +237 6 77 91 70 99. (updated Feb 2023) 4 Cathie Bar. (updated Feb 2023) 5 Soudure bar. (updated Feb 2023) 6 Google Bar. (updated Feb 2023) 7 Bar Kama, Eglise baptiste UEBC Maroua, Palar jeudi, ☏ +237 6 55 83 72 28. Daily 24 hr. (updated Feb 2023) 8 Bar Chez La Mere. M-Sa 09:00-23:00, Su 11:30-23:00. (updated Feb 2023) 9 Djarako Bar. Daily 09:00-23:00. (updated Feb 2023) 10 Chez Dylan, P2. (updated Feb 2023)
Sleep
1 Maroua Palace, ☏ +237 6 99 06 38 28. Hotel with pool, free parking, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioned rooms. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Mizao Hotel, ☏ +237 6 90 00 00 00. Hotel with pool, free parking, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioned rooms. (updated Feb 2023) 3 Hotel du Sahel, ☏ +237 6 78 66 15 15. Hotel with pool, free parking, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioned rooms. (updated Feb 2023) 4 Relais de la Porte Mayo, Domayo, ☏ +237 6 99 50 01 49. Hotel with fast food, free parking, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioned rooms. (updated Feb 2023) 5 Fabrik Hotel. (updated Feb 2023) 6 Hotel Mizao, Quartier Baouliwol, ☏ +237 6 99 93 88 69. (updated Feb 2023) 7 Hotel Saphir, Pont Rouge, ☏ +237 6 95 11 49 51. (updated Feb 2023) 8 Hotel Maroua Palace, Boulevard du 20 mai, ☏ +237 6 65 09 77 11. (updated Feb 2023) 9 Hotel Savano, Quartier Pitoaré, ☏ +237 6 96 88 26 85. (updated Feb 2023)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.