The rarely visited West African country of Cameroon offers a great natural diversity from rainforests to savannas, and from long deserted beaches to large cities and high mountains. Having both English and French speaking regions and some of the best wildlife reserves and birdwatching opportunities in the continent, Cameroon is known as “Africa in miniature”.
Diverse African country located between western and central Africa bordering Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, and Gabon, Cameroon is home to over 250 different ethnic and language groups. It is a diverse and politically stable, although also poor country with little tourism and relatively undeveloped transport facilities. The largest cities in Cameroon are Douala, the capital Yaoundé and Garoua. Cameroon is known in the outside world mainly for its successful football team and its local styles of music.
Nature & outdoor destinations. Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in West Africa is also an active volcano. The World Heritage listed Dja Faunal Reserve is one of the largest remaining rainforests in Africa, hosting a variety of wildlife such as monkeys and rich birdlife, whereas Waza National Park offers great safari experiences in Cameroon with a diverse wildlife including elephants, giraffes, hippos and even occasional lions. Trekking in Cameroon is best in the Mandara Mountains that offer spectacular mountain views, traditional hillside villages and stone formations.
Travel to Cameroon can be done by air, by road or by boat. There are international airports in Douala, Yaoundé and Garoua, with direct flights to Cameroon from a few European and African cities. The main airport in Cameroon is in Douala. Cameroon can be reached by land from most neighboring countries, and there are minibuses and bush taxis to Cameroon from for example Chad, Nigeria and Gabon. There are also ferries to Limbe in Cameroon from Nigeria.
Once in Cameroon, the fastest way to move around is by air. There are domestic flights between all major cities in Cameroon, and train services between most of them.
Diverse African country located between western and central Africa bordering Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, and Gabon, Cameroon is home to over 250 different ethnic and language groups. It is a diverse and politically stable, although also poor country with little tourism and relatively undeveloped transport facilities. The largest cities in Cameroon are Douala, the capital Yaoundé and Garoua. Cameroon is known in the outside world mainly for its successful football team and its local styles of music.
Tourism attractions in Cameroon: wildlife, beaches, safaris and historical palaces
Cameroon offers great possibilities for wildlife viewing, trekking and birdwatching. There are also excellent quiet beaches in the coastal areas near Douala, the main port city and population center in Cameroon. Douala and other Cameroon cities such as Yaoundé and Garoua offer large markets, restaurants and nightlife, whereas the little seaside towns of Kribi and Limbe have lovely beaches and waterfalls. The highland communities of Bafut, Foumban and Bafoussam are famous for their old royal palaces.Nature & outdoor destinations. Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in West Africa is also an active volcano. The World Heritage listed Dja Faunal Reserve is one of the largest remaining rainforests in Africa, hosting a variety of wildlife such as monkeys and rich birdlife, whereas Waza National Park offers great safari experiences in Cameroon with a diverse wildlife including elephants, giraffes, hippos and even occasional lions. Trekking in Cameroon is best in the Mandara Mountains that offer spectacular mountain views, traditional hillside villages and stone formations.
Cameroon travel information and practical tips
Cameroon is a large country with a varied climate from the tropical humid coast to cooler highlands and dry and hot northern parts of the country. The main wet season in Cameroon is between July and October, during which road travel is often very difficult. There are some rains also from March to June, which is also the hottest time of the year, with very high temperatures especially on the tropical coast. There is a dry season from November to February, during which the temperatures are cooler, but some dust storms might appear as the Harmattan winds blow sand from the Sahara particularly from December to February.Travel to Cameroon can be done by air, by road or by boat. There are international airports in Douala, Yaoundé and Garoua, with direct flights to Cameroon from a few European and African cities. The main airport in Cameroon is in Douala. Cameroon can be reached by land from most neighboring countries, and there are minibuses and bush taxis to Cameroon from for example Chad, Nigeria and Gabon. There are also ferries to Limbe in Cameroon from Nigeria.
Once in Cameroon, the fastest way to move around is by air. There are domestic flights between all major cities in Cameroon, and train services between most of them.
Photo: Elin B, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
The roads in Cameroon are mostly in poor condition. There are buses between all main cities in Cameroon, and minibuses and bush taxis handle the public transportation outside the main centers. Road transport is slow, and you should leave plenty of time to reach your destination. Rental cars are available in the largest cities in Cameroon but their prices are quite expensive.
Visitor services. French and English are official languages in Cameroon, and English is spoken mainly on the western part of the country. Hotels in Cameroon can be found in all major cities and some rural areas. Restaurants are also available in many places, but European and foreign cuisines and nightlife options can be found only in the biggest cities. In compared to many other African countries, Cameroon is not a cheap destination.
Safety. The biggest safety threat in Cameroon is banditry. It occurs on the roads along the eastern and western borders. Bandits are known to ambush also buses in some parts of the country. Always seek local advice before travelling by road. Violent crime is rare, but you should still leave valuables such as jewelry at home to avoid any incidents. Volcanic activity particularly in Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes produces poisonous gases. Yellow fever certificates are required for traveling to Cameroon.
Short history of Cameroon
The territory of Cameroon was settled already during the Neolithic times. The Baka pygmies inhabited the rainforests and Sao civilization flourished around Lake Chad in the 500s AD. Portuguese explorers first visited the coasts of Cameroon in 1472. They named the area Rio dos Camarões, "River of Prawns". European traders and missionaries visited the area since then but it was as late as 1884 when Cameroon became a German colony, replacing local kingdoms. After the First World War, Cameroon was divided between France and Great Britain.Independence movement arose in the French Cameroon in the 1950s, and was followed by a civil war. French Cameroon became independent in 1960, and part of the British Cameroon merged into it in 1961. A civil war continued until 1971, after which Cameroon has enjoyed political stability, although democratic reforms have been slow and the English-speaking areas have called for more autonomy. Today, petroleum industry is the main source of foreign exchange in Cameroon.
