Cameroon Travel Guide: All you need to know to visit Cameroon in 2023

With over 200 ethnic groups living within the same borders, diverse landscapes, and varied flora and fauna, Cameroon is truly a great place to start your trip throughout the African continent.

Discover the capital city, Yaounde, sail along the Atlantic coast, or go on a thrilling safari. In this ultimate Cameroon travel guide, we'll tell you everything you need to know to explore this magical country.

Document checklist for Cameroon

To visit Cameroon, you would need to have all these documents handy.

• Visa
• International Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
• Valid passport
• Sufficient funds
• Return airline ticket

Essential Cameroon travel information

• Currency - Central African Franc (F.CFA). $1 is equivalent to approx. 658.548 F.CFA.

• Daily budget for 1 person - F.CFA 45,440 (USD $69)

• Languages - There are two official languages: English and French. However, there are over 200 languages and dialects spoken all over Cameroon.

• Socket type - Type C and E, with a voltage of 220 volts and a frequency of 50 Hz.

• Time zone - UTC+1 (WAT)

• Top 3 cities to visit - Douala, Yaounde, and Kribi.

• Top 3 landmarks/monuments - Fon's Palace, Palais Royal, and Chefferie.

Visa information for Cameroon

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Cameroon. As of now, there are no electronic visas available. The Cameroon visa application will reportedly be launched by the end of 2023. You will need to reach out to the nearest Cameroon Embassy to obtain a tourist or business visa.

Cameroon Tourist Visa explained

If you're ready to visit Cameroon for tourism, you can apply for a tourist visa. You will need a valid passport, passport photos, sufficient travel funds, and a return ticket. You can use this visa to explore the country or visit friends or family.

Cameroon Business Visa explained

Suppose you travel to Cameroon to meet with a business partner or participate in business training. In that case, you can apply for a business visa. Besides the requirements already listed for the tourist visa, you will need an invitation letter from the company you're visiting.

If you want to see if you're eligible to obtain any of these visas, take advantage of our visa checker tool or reach out to our customer support team.

Typical costs and budget for Cameroon

The final cost of your adventure around Cameroon will depend on how frugal or luxurious you want to travel. However, we will share with you how much it would cost a mid-range tourist to travel around Cameroon so that you can create your budget.

Daily spending per person - F.CFA 45,440 ($69)

• Meals - F.CFA 15,147 ($23)
• Transport - F.CFA 1,646 ($2.50)
• Hotel - F.CFA 22,388 ($34)
• Activities and Sightseeing - F.CFA 5,926 ($9)

On average, you should expect to pay around F.CFA 90,867 ($138) for a week-long trip for two people.

Transport and ways to travel around Cameroon

Unlike some of its neighboring countries, transport to and within Cameroon works reasonably well. The country has three international airports: Douala International Airport (DLA), Nsimalen International Airport (NSI), and Yaounde International Airport (YAO). Most flights come in through Douala Airport because it is Cameroon's largest city and most important international port. But from there, you can connect with domestic flights to go almost anywhere in the country.

Cameroon also has a railway system that connects some of its major cities. From Douala, you can catch a train to go to Yaounde, Ngaoundere, and Kumba. You can also travel by bus or car. Cameroon has a good road infrastructure that makes it simple to explore the country.

Safety in Cameroon

Traveling to Cameroon can be risky, like any other country in Central and West Africa. Some regions are better to avoid, like the Far North Region and the Northwest and Southwest Regions across the Nigerian border. Primarily due to terrorist groups and armed violence.

But besides those regions, visiting major towns in Cameroon can be an enjoyable experience. You do have to follow some recommendations to have a safe trip:

• Get travel and health insurance. This will help cover your medical and travel expenses in an emergency or if you require medical evacuation.

• Avoid traveling by car or bus at night.

• Keep your belongings close to you when exploring around town.

• Make sure you have mobile phone coverage in the cities and towns you visit and have your emergency contacts handy.

• Learn how to contact local authorities before your trip. Most trips to Cameroon are uneventful. If you follow these precautions, you'll surely have a memorable experience.

Weather in Cameroon

Cameroon's weather is generally warm, with temperatures ranging from 20 °C/68 °F to 30 °C/86 °F. The country enjoys a tropical climate all year long, with the dry season going from December to March and the rainy season going from April to November.

The best time of the year to visit is between December and February, when the days are clear and comfortably warm, and the weather is mainly dry.

Popular cities and towns in Cameroon

• Douala - It is the largest city in Cameroon and home to the largest port in Central Africa. This city boasts a multiethnic population, significant cultural and historical attractions, several beaches, and five-star hotels for an unforgettable experience.

• Yaounde - This is the country's capital city. The city was carefully planned and expanded across seven forested hills. Yaounde is home to numerous open-air markets where you can get the perfect local souvenir and many museums and cultural attractions to learn more about the vibrant Cameroonian culture.

• Limbe - Formerly known as “Victoria," the city is home to beautiful beaches, botanical gardens, and amazing wildlife. This is the perfect destination for an outdoor adventure.

• Kribi - Also known as the Cameroonian Riviera, Kribi is well-known for its fantastic resorts, warm sand, and clear waters. Here visitors can enjoy the traditional roasted fish and many water sports and activities.

• Bafoussam - It is the third most significant financial center in Cameroon, after Douala and Yaounde. The city boasts excellent restaurants, entertainment centers, and supermarkets where you can try the local cuisine.

Must do and see in Cameroon

1. Fon's Palace - Located in north Bamenda, the Fon's (local chief's) palace represents a 700-year-old dynasty. The palace was home to the chief, nobles, advisors, and wives.

2. Limbe Wildlife Center - This is the place to be if you want to witness Cameroon's varied fauna. The center is home to chimpanzees and gorillas, among other primates. The center is also great for learning about local wildlife and the community's preservation efforts.

3. Palais Royal - Built in the 20th century by Sultan Njoya, this magnificent building houses ancient artifacts that tell the region's fascinating history.

4. Chefferie - This impressive compound, which includes the modern palace and a museum, is an excellent example of Cameroonian culture and traditions. The roof is supported by wooden pillars carved with figures of former chiefs, dancers, and musicians.

5. Musée de la Blackitude - It's a must-see attraction if visiting Yaounde. The museum is a tribute to Cameroon's tribal heritage. Here you can take a guided tour (in French) to learn about life in the grasslands and admire the museum's private collections of artifacts.

Typical Cameroon food to try

• Ndolé - This comforting dish is a beef stew cooked with bitter leaf greens (local spinach) and a paste made of groundnuts (peanuts). It's served warm with rice or fried plantains.

• Fufu - It's a dough made with cassava and plantain flour. It's mostly served alongside soups or sauces for flavor.

• Achu - It's a bright yellow soup made with beef tripe, palm oil, and spices, including Habanero pepper. It's typically served with mashed cocoyam tubers.

• Soya - They're the staple Cameroonian street food. Soya is made with skewered beef, mutton, or chicken cooked on an open fire.

• Jollof rice - This is one of the most popular African dishes and is also commonly prepared in Cameroon. Jollof rice usually includes chopped tomatoes, onions, red peppers, garlic, ginger, and chilies, all cooked together in a pan until the rice is soft.

Vaccine information for Cameroon

If traveling to Cameroon, you should have all your regular vaccines up-to-date, including Chickenpox (Varicella), Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Flu (influenza), Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Polio, and Shingles. You will also need to get a yellow fever vaccine before your trip.

Please check out other internet sites, like the CDC Traveler's review, for more specific information about health measures before your trip to Cameroon.

Cameroon is rich in biodiversity

This African country is one of the most biodiverse in the world. Cameroon boasts 220,000 sq km of tropical forests with at least 9,000 plant species, approximately 900 bird species, and around 320 mammals.

We can find the Goliath frog among the most exciting animals in Cameroon's incredible wildlife. This unique amphibian can grow up to 34 cm long and weigh up to 3.2 kg. They live near streams and build their nests there. The nest-building process seems to include moving around heavy rocks weighing up to 2 kg. Scientists believe this might explain the frogs' large size.

Fun facts about Cameroon

If you still haven't decided to plan your trip to Cameroon yet, here are some fun facts about the country that will convince you to travel.

• Cameroon is often referred to as “Africa in miniature” due to its geographical and cultural diversity.

• According to archeological evidence, Cameroon has been inhabited by humans for at least 50,000 years.

• Cameroon has the second-best soccer team in Africa and was the first African team to reach the quarter-finals in the FIFA World Tournament in 1990.

• Cameroon is home to one of the largest and best-protected rainforests in Africa. The Dja Reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.