Cameroon

Cameroon is a country of diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and rich traditions. In the south, rainforests stretch toward the Atlantic coast, where cities like Douala hum with energy and Limbe offers black-sand beaches. Yaoundé, the capital, sits among rolling hills with museums and markets reflecting the country’s many ethnic groups. The north shifts to savannah, with wildlife parks like Waza and the striking Mandara Mountains. Mount Cameroon, an active volcano, challenges trekkers with its steep slopes.

Cameroon is often called “Africa in miniature” because it packs so many landscapes, cultures, and climates into one country. From the beaches of Kribi and Limbe to the jungles of the East, the grasslands of the West, and the volcanic peak of Mount Cameroon, it feels like several countries stitched together. Most visitors come for the variety, hiking, wildlife spotting, surfing, cultural festivals, and village life. Yaoundé, the political capital, is more relaxed and hilly, while Douala, the economic center, is fast-paced, humid, and gritty. The north offers completely different scenery again, with savannahs and traditional Sahel villages around Maroua.

With everything from deserts, beaches, mountains, savannas and rainforests, the landscape is never boring, nor is learning the language, with 200 different ethno linguistic groups. But if you find you can’t verbally communicate with the locals, display some enthusiasm for football and you will soon be beating new friends off with a stick.

Traveling in Cameroon is affordable, but infrastructure is inconsistent. You’ll find budget hotels, basic guesthouses, and a few mid-range options in cities, but luxury choices are rare outside major centers. Food is hearty and cheap, grilled fish, peanut stews, cassava, plantains, and spicy sauces dominate menus. Street food is everywhere and often very good. Western food can be found in Douala and Yaoundé but is limited elsewhere.

Getting around can be a challenge. Buses connect major towns, but conditions vary; bush taxis and minibuses fill in the gaps, often packed and slow. Car rentals with drivers are common for longer trips. Roads range from decent highways to potholed dirt tracks. French and English are both official languages, but which one you’ll use depends heavily on the region. Cameroon is generally safe in the south and west, but travel to the far north and border regions (near Nigeria and Chad) requires caution due to occasional conflict. Petty crime can happen, so normal city precautions apply.

Why Go to Cameroon?

• Mount Cameroon & Volcano Hiking: Trek up the highest peak in West Africa, a massive active volcano near the seaside town of Limbe.
• Beaches at Kribi & Limbe: Relax on palm-lined beaches, eat fresh prawns by the sea, and visit Chutes de la Lobé, a waterfall that empties into the ocean.
• Traditional Kingdoms & Grassfields Culture: Explore the palaces and museums around Bamenda, Bafut, and Foumban, rich in royal tradition and crafts.
• Wildlife & National Parks: Spot gorillas, forest elephants, and chimpanzees in reserves like Lobéké National Park or Campo Ma’an.
• Colorful Markets & Street Life: Wander through busy city markets like Marché Central in Yaoundé or Marché des Fleurs in Douala.
• Northern Landscapes & Fulani Culture: Visit the dry, Sahelian north for mudbrick villages, colorful fabrics, and the hospitality of Fulani communities.
• Festivals & Traditional Ceremonies: Time your visit for a traditional Ngondo Festival on the coast or cultural festivals in the Grassfields.

Who Might Not Enjoy Cameroon?

• Travelers Expecting Smooth Infrastructure: Cameroon’s transportation system is often unreliable. Roads outside major cities can be rough or impassable, flights are sometimes delayed, and public services like electricity and water can be inconsistent.

• First-Time or Casual Tourists: Cameroon can be a challenging destination, better suited to experienced travelers. Language barriers (French and local languages dominate), security concerns in certain regions, and complex logistics require patience and preparation.

• Luxury-Oriented Travelers: While comfortable hotels exist in Douala and Yaoundé, luxury resorts and polished tourist experiences are rare elsewhere. Service standards can vary greatly.

• Safety-Conscious Visitors: Parts of Cameroon, especially in the Far North, Northwest, and Southwest regions, face security risks including political unrest, kidnapping, and violent crime. Travelers must research carefully and stay updated.

• Those Uncomfortable with Heat, Humidity, or Rough Conditions: Cameroon’s climate ranges from hot and humid in the south to dry and dusty in the north. Travelers not used to tropical conditions may struggle, especially during the rainy season.

• Vegetarians or Vegans: Cameroonian cuisine is rich in meats, fish, and stews. While vegetarian meals are possible, particularly with staples like plantains, beans, and yams, it often requires advance planning and explanation.

• Travelers Seeking Organized Tours and Tourist Infrastructure: Tourism is underdeveloped compared to neighboring countries. Few tour operators exist, signage is minimal, and attractions are often accessed independently.

• Visitors Wanting Nightlife or Shopping Centers: Outside Douala and Yaoundé, nightlife is very limited. Modern shopping malls are rare, and local markets dominate, which may not appeal to all travelers.

• People Needing Reliable Healthcare: Healthcare outside major cities is basic. In case of serious illness or injury, medical evacuation would likely be necessary.

Highlights

• Yaoundé: the capital city of Cameroon straddles seven hills. The Benedictine Monastery’s Museum of Art, the Mont Fébé which houses a great collection of native arts and crafts, and the National Museum of Yaoundé can all be found here.
• Limbé (formerly Victoria): Limbe is a port with beautiful white beaches, a botanical garden and a jungle village.
• Rhumsiki: this village features a maze of paths linking small farms (kapsiki) to one another. Get the lowdown on the local ethnic Kirdi group whose customs and folklores include crab sorcery and other interesting concepts. The village is bordered by the high Kapsiki Mountains.
• Bénoué National Park: covering about 180,000 hectares, the buffalos, hyenas, hippopotamuses, lions, giraffes, panthers, crocodiles and primates here are sure to be a highlight.
• Waza National Park: this part features a wide variety of birds such as eagles, maribous, crested cranes, pelicans, geese, ducks and guinea-fowls as well as larger friends such as elephants, antelopes, giraffes, lions, hartebeest, cheetahs and warthogs.

• Cultural exploration: learn about the fascinating culture and traditions of Cameroon such as the Baka pygmies, traditional medicines, rituals and dances, and hunting methods by going on an expedition of the southeast region. Watch you don’t overdose on crab sorcery.
• Nso Cultural Week: watch horseracing in the streets of Kumbo, West Cameroon during the Nso Cultural Week conducted every November.
• Mountain climbing: climb the highest peak in the country, Mount Cameroon, which is actually an active volcano. Climbing it usually takes three to four days, and all being you aren’t lava-blasted back down, descending will take a similar amount of time.
• Road tripping: drive along the roads leading to Nkongsamba and Douala and pass by some breathtaking sceneries such as waterfalls and valleys.

The most common complaint of tourists in Cameroon is diarrhea. Eat well-cooked and well-prepared food, drink bottled or filtered water and avoid tap water at all costs. The risk of getting malaria is high, as is the risk of hepatitis A and B, polio, yellow fever, typhoid, rabies and meningococcal diseases. Regular outbreaks of cholera, particularly between the months of December and June, are also common. Bird flu has been detected in Cameroon; however, there are still no reports about human infections. HIV/AIDS is also prevalent in the country, so observe proper safety measures. In short, if you want to catch a disease, Cameroon is a good place to come.