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Overview

The Republic of Cameroon is a French and English speaking country situated in Central Africa. Its coastline lies on the Bight of Biafra, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. Known as ‘Africa in Miniature’, Cameroon famously contains ‘all of Africa’ within its borders. The country boasts exquisite terrain, cultural diversity, a vast assortment of flavours and cuisines, and modernity, all rolled into one vibrant, bustling, wonderfully chaotic package.

Waza National Park, a UNESCO biosphere area, is one of the most visited places in the far north of Africa. This massive park covers 170,000 acres and is so huge that travellers need two to three days to explore it thoroughly. The park is located in the transition zone between the Sahel and Sudan savanna, containing acacia and open Yaéré savannah forests. The best time of year to visit is between December and March when the wildlife gather around waterholes to get shade, cool off and quench their thirst. In this area, spot giraffes, elephants, hyaenas, gazelles, and if you are in luck, the mighty lion too! In this park enjoy exciting nature walks with a tracker, swim in one of the beautiful waterfalls and relax on leisurely safari drives.

Located in North-Eastern Cameroon, Bénoué National Park is a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve. This park is made up of wooded grassland and tropical woodland savanna and is the home of around 30 endangered West African lions, so be sure to keep your eyes wide open – you don’t want to miss these majestic creatures. In Bénoué, also expect to see giraffe, cheetah, eland, zebra, red river hog and hippo. There are also a staggering 300 bird species to be spotted in the area, so if you’re a bird-lover be sure to bring your binoculars.

The most accessible park in Cameroon, Korup National Park, contains one of the oldest and richest tropical forests on the continent of Africa in terms of flora and fauna. The park is an extremely popular bird-watching area, and also provides excellent primate viewing with 14 different primate species. An extensive network of trails allow visitors to reach every part of this park and all visitors must brave the Mana suspension bridge in order to enter – an thrilling experience guaranteed to get the heart racing! Other wildlife to be spotted inside the park include leopards, duikers, buffalos and elephants. In this park, enjoy hikes, walks, boat trips and safari drives through the exquisite terrain.

Travel Seasons

  • Nov–Feb High Season. Dry but not too hot. The end of November to the middle of March is the harmattan season when a dry and dusty northeasterly trade wind blows from the Sahara Desert over West Africa into the Gulf of Guinea.
  • Mar & Oct Shoulder Season. March sees light rains in the grasslands. Temperatures can hit 40 degrees in the north. March and April are good times to visit for wildlife viewing, before the rains come.
  • Apr–Oct Low Season. This is the season of intense rainfall, though October should be drier in the north/northwest. Road travel is slow, muddy and at times impossible.

General Information

  • Capital – Yaounde
  • Currency – Central African CFA franc
  • Languages – French, English, local African languages (French is by far the most understood language, more than 80%)
  • Size – 475,442 km2 (183,569 sq mi)
  • Population: 25.22 million (2018)

Travel Insurance

  • Travel insurance is essential for all international travel. Click below to find out more:

Travel Health

  • The CDC recommends the following vaccinations for Cameroon: measles, polio, hepatitis A and typhoid. Check with your doctor which other vaccinations you might need and make sure your routine vaccinations are all up-to-date.
  • Malaria is a risk throughout the country – get medical advice on which prophylaxis you should take before, during and after your trip.
  • A yellow fever certificate is required for travellers from all countries.
  • It’s best to stick to bottled drinking water.

Pros

  • Diverse climate, culture and geography
  • Beautiful forested wilderness and wildlife
  • Several wildlife reserves with varying scenery and fauna
  • Gorillas and chimpanzees can be found in the jungles in the south
  • Excellent craftsmanship including carving and basketwork

Cons

  • Poor transport infrastructure
  • Corrupt officials
  • Forest reserves in the south have little tourist-oriented infrastructure
  • Risk of crime in the cities and police regularly check for ID, so travellers should have their passports or certified copies, as well as the yellow fever vaccination certificate, with them at all times

Arriving in Cameroon

  • Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport (NSI) is 20km south of Yaoundé.
  • Douala Airport (DLA) is the country’s air hub, 10km from Douala city centre.
  • Buses and taxis are available at the airports.

Getting Around

  • Domestic flights are available throughout the country, operated by Camair-Co, connecting Douala and Yaoundé to Maroua and Garoua.
  • Domestic flights are expensive, but a safe form of transport.
  • There is also a well-organised bus system with fixed prices and reserved seats.

Visas

  • Foreign passport holders require a visa to travel to Cameroon. Visas need to be applied for prior to travel, application forms can be downloaded from the High Commission.
  • Check your local High Commission for more information.
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