Travel to Cameroon

Cameroon at a glance

Why visit Cameroon

A whole continent's landscapes in one country

If you want to travel to Cameroon to see more than one type of Africa on a single trip, this is the place: the coastal plain is hot and humid, the western highlands are mild and wet, and the far north is dry.

Places to see

Douala, Yaounde, Limbe, Buea, Kribi and Waza

Distances are large, so most visitors build a trip around one or two regions.

Douala and Yaounde

Douala is the economic capital and the centre of international trade, with handicrafts at the Marche de Fleurs in Bonapriso and fresh fish and prawns at Youppe village early in the morning. Yaounde, the capital, is lively and bustling, and its main sights are the National Museum and the Cathedral. Yaounde is mostly French-speaking.

Limbe, Buea and Mount Cameroon

Limbe is a calm coastal town with black sand beaches, a botanic garden and a mostly English-speaking feel. Buea, also English-speaking, has a Bismarck well, a university campus and sits at the foot of Mount Cameroon, where the annual Race of Hope reaches the summit in around four and a half hours. The last eruption was brief, in February 2012. Check current travel advice before visiting the Southwest.

Kribi, Foumban and the north

Kribi is a beach town about 150 km by road south of Douala, with a strong seafood culture, a German colonial lighthouse from 1906 and the Lobe Falls nearby, where the river flows into the ocean. Foumban has a sultan's palace completed in 1917, a museum with royal gowns, masks and bead-covered thrones, and the Rue des Artisans, described as one of the best places in Central Africa to buy wood carvings. Far north, Waza National Park is known for elephants.

Getting around

Buses, trains and domestic flights

Modern buses link the main cities, some with air conditioning, but they often leave only when full, so allow extra time. Buses are quicker and more reliable than trains to Douala, while an overnight train from Yaounde is the best ground option to the north. Bush taxis serve remote areas and can be crowded.

Camair-Co operates domestic flights. A 4x4 is needed for the east and centre, and a private driver costs about USD 60 per day plus fuel, food and lodging.

Before you go

Climate by region and entry basics

Region	Climate	Notes
Coastal plain	Hot and humid with a short dry season, densely forested	Daily rain in the wet season
South Cameroon Plateau	Equatorial rainforest, less humid than the coast	Wet and dry seasons
Western highlands	Mild, with high rainfall	Cold nights on the mountains
Adamawa Plateau	22 to 25 °C on average, heavy rain from April to October	Peak in July and August

Most travellers need a visa, which usually takes up to a week to process, and a yellow fever certificate is required. Malaria is prevalent, so ask a doctor about prevention and drink only bottled water. Healthcare is below Western standards outside the main cities. Conditions vary a lot by region, so read your government's travel advice before booking.

Budget

Hotels, cash and bargaining

Rural accommodation can cost about FCFA 4,000 to 5,000 per night, while city hotels range from roughly FCFA 7,500 to 50,000. Most hotels do not accept credit cards, so carry cash, though Visa and Mastercard withdrawals work at some banks and Ecobank ATMs. Bargaining is expected outside shops and restaurants, and Wikivoyage suggests offering 20 to 50 percent of the first price.

Flying to Cameroon

Cameroonian airports covered by SniperAir

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Cameroon