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Cameroon is one of the world’s less-visited safari destinations, offering travellers a ticket to untold adventures: gorilla tracking in the heart of the forest, searching for Cameroon’s diverse wildlife in their natural habitat, being a part of festivals and celebrations, visiting museums and local attractions, and participating in the mountain climbing competition. Regardless of the location you visit, Cameroon is filled with bountiful attractions that make it a year-round safari destination.
Your safari plans will depend on two things: the location and the time of the year you want to visit and with our handy guide you can find the best time to visit Cameroon to suit you.
Best Time To Visit Cameroon: National Parks And Game Reserves
The table below denotes the best months to visit some of Cameroon’s popular safari spots.
National Park/Game Reserve | Best time to visit Cameroon |
---|---|
Waza National Park | December to March |
Bénoué National Park | November to June |
Korup National Park | December to February |
Ndzanga Sangha National Park | November to March |
Cameroon Through The Months
The best time to visit Cameroon is from December to February when most of the country experiences dry and sunny weather with slightly cooler temperatures. Waza National Park is a huge park in northern Cameroon, the best time to visit being December to March when wildlife can be seen gathering around waterholes for water and shade.
North Cameroon is hottest from March to May, sometimes reaching 40°C. For more bearable temperatures, plan a visit from December to February when the weather is more pleasant. In the northern region, June to September are the peak rainfall months although precipitation is low here.
Along the Gulf of Guinea coastline, it’s usually hot, but there is often a cooling breeze blowing from the sea. The coast experiences rainfall from April to October.
In south Cameroon, in places such as Ngaoundere, it rains heavily from June to September. The coast experiences torrential rainfall lasting from April to October. Visitors who want to avoid the rains should plan accordingly.
✔ Dry Season (December to March)
December to February is a great time to visit Cameroon for a safari when the weather is dry but not too hot. In December, the locals celebrate the Ngondo Festival on the banks of the Wouri River. It is also the month for festivities such as weddings and graduation ceremonies. Visitors who plan to visit during December will also be lucky to witness the Christmas decorations throughout Cameroon, especially at their accommodations.
January and February are also dry months and therefore ideal for a wildlife safari in Cameroon. Athletes from all over the world visit Cameroon in February to participate in the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, an annual climbing competition.
One of the hottest dry months of the year, March, is good to visit wildlife reserves, such as Waza, Korup, Bénoué, Bouba Njda and Faro, before the rains come in April. The grasslands might see some light rainfall in March. On safari, spend the hot afternoons relaxing at your accommodation, taking full advantage of the complimentary amenities such as a spa or swimming pool.
December to March are also ideal months for gorilla trekking. The scarce vegetation and fruiting trees make it easier to spot gorillas as they hunt and search for food.
✔ Wet Season (April to November)
In Cameroon, April to November is the wet season when the country experiences rainfall depending on altitude: precipitation decreases from south to north. This is the low season for travellers as roads can be slow, muddy and sometimes impassable.
Despite the rainfall and cloudy skies, May is one of the busiest months in Cameroon. Cameroon celebrates Labour Day, Ascension Day, and National Day in May. On Cameroon’s National Day, the country hosts events and parades. Since the climate and rainfall pattern varies from region to region, visitors can visit wildlife reserves such as Waza and Benue. In June, visitors can witness another celebration, Eid al-Fitr while Ekom-Nkam Falls is one of the best Cameroon attractions to visit during the wet season.
As November begins, the clouds begin to disperse, skies start to clear, the vegetation starts drying, and dust builds up. It paves the way for Cameroon’s long dry season from December to March.
In Cameroon, some regions on the southern plateau, such as Yaounde, experience a short dry season from the middle of June to the middle of September. Although Yaounde doesn’t have a complete absence of rainfall during these months, it only experiences occasional showers.