- Fly via Brussels, Paris, Istanbul or Casablanca to Douala or Yaoundé
- British visitors need a visa, usually applied for online before travel
- The FCDO advises against travel to the Far North and the Anglophone North-West and South-West regions
- Kribi, Campo Ma'an and Foumban are the safest highlights to focus on
- Airports
- Douala International (DLA), Yaoundé Nsimalen (NSI)
- Flight time
- about 9-11h from London to Douala with one stop, usually in Brussels or Paris
- Best time to go
- December-February, the main dry season in the south
- Currency
- Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Cameroon packs an astonishing range into one country, from Atlantic beaches and dense rainforest in the south to volcanic highlands and dry savannah in the north, which is why it is often called "Africa in miniature". It has more than 200 ethnic groups, French and English as official languages and some of the liveliest music and food in Central Africa.
It is not an easy destination, and much of the north and west is currently off the travel map. But the south and centre, with the beach town of Kribi, the forests of Campo Ma'an and Dja and the royal city of Foumban, reward travellers who plan carefully. Cameroon is on West Africa Time (UTC+1): the same as the UK in summer and one hour ahead in winter. Plugs are the European type C and E, and traffic drives on the right. This is one of our Africa destinations.
Where to go in Cameroon
Kribi and the south coast
Kribi is Cameroon's favourite beach resort, with palm-fringed sand and fresh grilled fish. Just south, the Lobé Falls tumble straight into the sea, one of very few waterfalls in the world to do so, and you can take a pirogue upriver to visit Bagyeli (Baka) communities.
Campo Ma'an National Park
Inland from Kribi, this rainforest park protects forest elephants, chimpanzees and lowland gorillas, with a gorilla habituation project near the village of Campo. Wildlife viewing is hard work in thick forest, but the trekking is rewarding.
Dja Faunal Reserve
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in the south-east, the Dja is one of the largest protected rainforests in Africa. It is remote, with limited facilities, and best visited with a specialist operator.
Yaoundé and Douala
Yaoundé, the capital, is built on green hills and has the Mvog-Betsi zoo, the Musée National and a lively central market. Douala, the main port and business city, is hotter and busier, with a good art scene around Doual'art in Bonanjo.
Foumban and the West region
Foumban is the seat of the Bamoun sultanate, with a royal palace museum and a famous artisans' quarter for bronze and wood carving. The nearby highlands around Bafoussam and Dschang are cooler and green.
Mount Cameroon
West Africa's highest peak, at about 4,040 m, is climbed from Buea in two to three days. Buea and Limbe lie in the South-West region, which is covered by FCDO advice against all but essential travel, so check the latest position before planning a climb.
Best time to visit Cameroon
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Main dry season (December-February) | Best for the south, beaches and forest trekking |
| Short rains (March-June) | Showers increasing, still workable in the south |
| Short dry spell (July-August) | Drier in the south-centre, though the coast stays wet |
| Main rains (September-November) | Very wet, especially on the coast; roads difficult |
Getting to Cameroon from the UK
There are no direct flights from the UK. Brussels Airlines via Brussels and Air France via Paris are the most common routes to Douala and Yaoundé, while Turkish Airlines, Royal Air Maroc and Ethiopian Airlines offer alternatives. Journey times are usually 9-11 hours including the connection.
Entry requirements
British passport holders need a visa. Cameroon runs an online eVisa system where you apply, pay and receive approval before travel, with the visa issued on arrival. You will usually need a hotel booking or invitation letter, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required. The FCDO advises against all travel to the Far North region and parts of the North region, and against all but essential travel to the North-West and South-West regions and areas near the borders with the Central African Republic. Check the map before booking. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Getting around
Long-distance coaches link Douala, Yaoundé, Kribi and Bafoussam and are cheap, though road safety is a real concern; daytime travel with a reputable company is best. Many visitors hire a car with a driver. Domestic flights are limited. Keep your passport with you at all times, as police checkpoints are common.
Money and costs
Cameroon uses the Central African CFA franc, pegged to the euro. ATMs in Douala and Yaoundé generally accept Visa cards, but carry euros as a back-up. A mid-range trip costs about £70-120 per person per day, with guided forest trips and drivers adding to that. Hotels in Douala and Yaoundé can be surprisingly expensive.
Ask before photographing people, government buildings or anything security-related; police take photography seriously.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cameroon safe to visit?
The south and centre, including Yaoundé, Douala, Kribi and Foumban, are visited regularly, but the FCDO advises against travel to several regions due to conflict and kidnap risk. Check the latest advice and travel with a reputable operator.
Is English spoken in Cameroon?
Yes, in the North-West and South-West regions, but French dominates in most of the places tourists can currently visit. Some French is very useful.
Can you see gorillas in Cameroon?
Yes, though it is less polished than Uganda or Rwanda. Campo Ma'an and parts of the south-east offer lowland gorilla trekking with specialist operators; see our Uganda guide for a more established alternative.
How many days do you need in Cameroon?
Ten days to two weeks covers Douala or Yaoundé, Kribi and Campo Ma'an, plus Foumban if time allows.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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