The highlands sit at between 1,000 and 2,500 metres above sea level, which means the climate is remarkably pleasant — cool mornings, warm afternoons and misty evenings. This makes the region perfect for growing tea, coffee and vegetables. Walking through the tea plantations at Ndu or Djuttitsa feels like stepping into a patchwork quilt of deep green.
Dozens of waterfalls tumble down the highland valleys. The most famous, Menchum Falls (sometimes called the Niagara of Africa), crashes down a rocky gorge in a rush of white water and spray. The highlands are also home to crater lakes — perfectly round lakes sitting in the tops of ancient extinct volcanoes, reflecting the sky like giant mirrors.
The highlands are home to many different ethnic groups, each with their own traditions, dances and festivals. Markets in highland towns are colourful, noisy and full of hand-woven baskets, kola nuts, fresh vegetables and handmade cloth. Buying and selling in a Bamenda market is a social event as much as a shopping trip.
The ring road — a winding road that loops through the highlands connecting many villages — is one of the most scenic drives in all of Central Africa. On one side you might look down into a deep valley; on the other, up at a misty cliff face. Every bend reveals something new.