The Mandara Mountains (Monts Mandara) are a volcanic range extending about 200km (about 125 mi) along the northern part of the Cameroon-Nigeria border, from the Benue River in the south to the north-west of Maroua in the north. The highest elevation is 1,494 m (4,900 ft), the summit of Mount Oupay.

The region is densely populated, mainly by speakers of Chadic languages. The Mofu ethnic group lives in the Mandara Mountains.

Writer and explorer André Gide wrote that Rhumsiki's surroundings are "one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world."The spectacular effect is created by surrounding volcanic plugs (the remnants of long-dormant volcanoes), basalt outcroppings, and the Mandara Mountains. The largest (and most photographed) of these rocks is Kapsiki Peak, a plug standing 1,224 m (4,016 ft) tall.

The Rhumsiki 'plug' is very obviously phallic and both traditionally (barren women making sacrifices at its foot) and in the modern world (selling the hotel as a honeymoon destination) this has been one of the main features of Rhumsiki.

Rhumsiki, also spelt Rumsiki and Roumsiki, is a village in the Far North Province of Cameroon. Rhumsiki is located in the Mandara Mountains 55 km (34 mi) from Mokolo and 3 km (2 mi) from the border with Nigeria. The village is similar to many others in northern Cameroon. The inhabitants, members of the Kapsiki ethnic group, live in small houses built from local stone and topped with thatched roofs; these homes are scattered throughout the village and surrounding valley. Nevertheless, Rhumsiki is one of Cameroon's most popular tourist attractions and "the most touristic place in northern Cameroon".

GALLERY