- Destinations
- Africa
- Cameroon
Cameroon
Situated on the Gulf of Guinea, on the west coast of Africa,
Cameroon is sandwiched between its powerful neighbour Nigeria to
the north and Equatorial Guinea to the south.
The area was a German protectorate until after World War I, when
it was divided between the British and the French, with the French
receiving the larger share and Britain controlling the northernmost
strip along the Nigerian border. French Cameroon achieved
independence in 1960, and the largely Christian southern third of
British Cameroon voted to join the Republic of Cameroon the
following year. The northern two-thirds of British Cameroon, mainly
Muslim, eventually joined Nigeria.
Tourism is limited, but those who venture to Cameroon will find
a nation of remarkable diversity, from its varying landscapes of
tropical rainforests and beaches, mountains and desert, to its
assortment of people and cultures. National parks and reserves lay
claim to some of the richest flora and fauna in Africa. Southwest
Cameroon is a mountainous region dominated by the highest mountain
in West Africa, and Africa's highest active volcano, Mt Cameroon,
which sits on the edge of the Gulf of Guinea and is a popular
mountaineering destination. On the coast there are beautiful
beaches around Limbé and at Kribi while the north of the country
boasts Cameroon's most famous national park, Waza National Park,
with its huge numbers of elephant, giraffe, lion, antelope and
birdlife (open from mid-November to mid-June). Yaoundé, the capital
city situated on seven hills, has modern hotels, shops and markets,
but it is Douala that is the biggest city and Cameroon's economic
capital, positioned on the Wouri River a few miles from the
coast.
Whether going to the cities, the beaches or exploring its
natural resources, visitors to this land they call 'Africa in One
Country' can be sure that they will be pleasantly welcomed by a
people whose custom is to receive strangers as if they were
friends; a country where hospitality is the golden rule.
Information & Facts
Climate
The climate varies according to the region. In the south, the
dry season runs from November to February, the little rainy season
from March to June and the big rains come between August and
September. The average temperature is 79°F (26°C). The tropical
coastal areas receive a lot of rain that can reach in excess of
30ft (9m). In the north the rainy season is spread out from May to
the end of September, but receives very little over the year and
drought is a way of life in the far north.
Communications
The international dialling code for Cameroon is +237. The
outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0027 for South Africa). City codes are not required. International
phone calls can be made from CAMTEL offices. A GSM 900 network
provides cellphone coverage mainly in Yaoundé, Malabo and the
southwest of the country. Internet cafes are available in the main
towns.
Customs
Law requires that everyone carry identification at all times. It
is forbidden to take photographs of ports, airports, government
buildings and military sites. Homosexuality is illegal.
Duty Free
Travellers to Cameroon do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes
or 50 cigars or 5 packs tobacco; 1 bottle of alcohol; and 5 bottles
perfume. Entry to the country with sporting guns has to be
accompanied by a license.
Electricity
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin
attachment plugs are in use.
Health
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all
travellers older than one year of age to Cameroon. There is a risk
of malaria throughout the country and prophylaxis is recommended
for all travellers. Cholera outbreaks do occur in Cameroon,
particularly between the months of December and June. Travellers
should drink only boiled or bottled water. Medical facilities are
very limited with frequent shortages of medication and outdated
equipment; visitors should ensure they have comprehensive medical
insurance, which includes emergency air evacuation. Doctors and
hospitals generally expect immediate cash payment.
Language
French and English are the official languages, although
French is more commonly spoken and is the language of business.
There are also numerous other African dialects.
Money
The official currency is the Central Africa CFA Franc (XAF),
which is divided into 100 centimes. The CFA franc is tied to the
Euro at a rate of EUR1 = CFA 655.957, or CFA 100 = EUR0.152449.
Cash is easier to exchange than travellers cheques, and Euros are
by far the easiest currency to change for CFA francs. Credit cards
have limited acceptance and ATMs are few and far between.
Passport Visa
All travellers require confirmed onward or return tickets and
all necessary documents for next destination. Visas on arrival can
only be issued to those holding a prior approval from Le Delegue
General de L'Immigration. All other visas must be acquired before
travel to Cameroon.
Safety
Occurrences of banditry and mugging are serious problems
throughout the country, and car hijacking and robbery along roads
has resulted in several deaths. Foreign governments advise against
travel to the areas bordering the Central African Republic and
Chad, as well as to the area bordering Nigeria in the region of the
Bakassi Peninsula. If travelling in the north it is advisable to do
so in a convoy and to limit travel to daylight hours only.
Incidents, often armed, are common in towns and cities and visitors
should be vigilant in public places. Armed attacks have occurred at
restaurants and hotels where foreigners are known to stay and eat,
and travellers are advised to avoid carrying valuables or wearing
jewellery in public, and to keep cash on person to a minimum. Petty
theft is also common on public transport and travellers should try
and avoid travelling alone in taxis, especially at night. The
safety and reliability of internal flights in Cameroon cannot be
vouched for.
Time
Tipping
If service charges are not included then 10% is customary.