The story of Cameroon
Cameroon is often called 'Africa in miniature' because its landscapes and peoples mirror much of the continent. Its forests were home to some of Africa's earliest known peoples, including the Baka and other forest communities. Scholars believe the great Bantu migrations that spread across central and southern Africa began in the grasslands near the border of present-day Cameroon and Nigeria thousands of years ago. Over time powerful kingdoms emerged, such as the Bamum with its capital at Foumban, the chiefdoms of the western highlands and Islamic states in the north linked to the Sahel trade routes.
Portuguese sailors arrived in the 1470s and, amazed by the shrimp in the Wouri River, named it Rio dos Camarões, the origin of the country's name. The coast later became a hub for European trade, including the Atlantic slave trade. In 1884 Germany declared a protectorate, building railways, plantations and towns such as Buea. After the First World War, the territory was divided between France and Britain under League of Nations mandates.
Read the full history
French Cameroon became independent in 1960, and in 1961 the southern part of British Cameroons voted to join it, creating a federation, while the northern part joined Nigeria. This dual heritage is why Cameroon is officially bilingual in French and English, alongside around 250 local languages. The federation became a unitary state in 1972, and the country has had very few presidents since independence.
Today Cameroon is known for its football passion, makossa and bikutsi music, and astonishing diversity, from the beaches of Kribi to the volcanic peak of Mount Cameroon and the savannahs of the north. Some regions face security problems, so travellers should check current advice, but visitors to accessible areas find royal palaces, lively markets, rainforest wildlife and some of Africa's most varied cultures in a single country.
Timeline
- c. 1000 BCBantu-speaking peoples expand from the region across Africa
- 1394Traditional founding date of the Bamum kingdom
- 1472Portuguese explorers name the Wouri River 'River of Prawns'
- 1884German protectorate of Kamerun declared
- 1919Territory divided between France and Britain
- 1960French Cameroon gains independence
- 1961Southern British Cameroons joins the federation
- 1972Federation replaced by a unitary republic
Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.
- Commonwealth – Commonwealth member.
Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:
- Visa policy of Cameroon (Wikipedia) ↗
- IATA Travel Centre – passport, visa & health rules ↗
- U.S. passport holders – State Department country pages ↗
- UK passport holders – GOV.UK travel advice ↗
The latest visa and entry news for Cameroon appears below as soon as publishers report it.
🛰️ The agents haven't spotted fresh news about Cameroon in the last few days – here is the travel guide, plus the latest from nearby countries.
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Things to do in Cameroon
- Climb Mount CameroonTrek up the region's highest peak, an active volcano rising from the Atlantic coast, when travel advice for the Southwest permits.
- Visit the Sultan's Palace in FoumbanExplore the seat of the Bamum kingdom and its museum of royal art, masks and the unique Bamum script.
- Relax in KribiSwim in the sea near the Lobé Falls, where a river tumbles directly into the Atlantic.
- Track primates at LimbeMeet rescued gorillas, chimpanzees and drills at the Limbe Wildlife Centre.
- Visit the museum in DschangExplore the Musée des Civilisations in the cool highland town of Dschang, a lakeside showcase of Cameroon's many cultures.
- Eat ndoléTaste the national dish of bitter leaves, peanuts and meat or shrimp, served with plantains.
- Dance to makossaHead out in Douala for live music and dancing to Cameroon's beloved homegrown sound.
- Swim on black-sand beachesSpend a day on Limbe's volcanic beaches backed by palms and the slopes of the mountain.
- See a traditional chiefdomVisit the Bandjoun chiefdom with its striking bamboo-and-thatch ceremonial house.
- Explore Yaoundé's marketsWander the colourful stalls of the capital's central markets and craft centres.
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#Sao Tome and Principe#United States#Príncipe#Visas & Entry RulesWhere to go in Cameroon
- YaoundéCentre · capitalA hilly capital with museums, monuments and the Mvog-Betsi Zoo, a good base for exploring the south.
- DoualaLittoral · port cityCameroon's lively commercial hub, famous for nightlife, music and its art scene.
- LimbeSouthwest · coastA coastal town with black-sand beaches, botanical gardens and a primate sanctuary; check current travel advice for the Southwest region first.
- Mount CameroonSouthwest · volcanoA demanding multi-day climb through forest and lava fields with views over the Gulf of Guinea, possible only when the security situation allows.
- KribiSouth · beach townGolden beaches, fresh grilled fish and the spectacular Lobé Falls nearby.
- FoumbanWest · royal townHome to the Bamum sultan's palace and a centre for woodcarving and crafts.
- 📍Campo Ma'an National ParkSouth · rainforestA remote coastal forest reserve with primates, forest elephants and turtles.
- 📍Dja Faunal ReserveSouth · rainforestA UNESCO-listed tract of dense rainforest for adventurous wildlife lovers.
The central African nation is a precious discovery for those who appreciate what it means to be wild.
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- Climb Mount Cameroon
- See the Lobé Falls meet the ocean near Kribi
- Visit the royal palace in Foumban
- Relax on the black-sand beaches of Limbe
- Ndolé – bitter-leaf stew with peanuts and meat or shrimp
- Poulet DG – chicken with fried plantains and vegetables
- Eru – wild spinach stew eaten with fufu
- Achu – pounded taro with yellow soup
Best time to visit Cameroon
The south is humid and tropical, with two rainy seasons in the interior and very heavy rain on the coast around Douala and Limbe. The north is hotter and drier, with a single rainy season in summer.
Typical daytime highs and rain in Yaoundé (approximate averages).
- DecemberNgondo FestivalThe Sawa coastal peoples of Douala honour their ancestors and water spirits with rituals, canoe races and dances.
- November – DecemberNguon FestivalHeld every two years, this celebration of the Bamum people in Foumban features ceremonies, parades and debates about the kingdom.
- 20 MayNational DayParades and celebrations across the country mark the founding of the unitary state.
- FebruaryMount Cameroon Race of HopeAn extreme mountain race in which runners sprint up and down the volcano.
How many days in Cameroon?
Day 1-2 explore Douala's markets, galleries and music scene. Day 3-5 travel to Kribi for the Lobé Falls, beach time and fresh grilled fish. Day 6-7 finish in Yaoundé with its markets and museums.
Day 1-2 explore Douala. Day 3-6 head to the western highlands for Bandjoun's chiefdom, Dschang's museum and Foumban's royal palace. Day 7-9 visit Yaoundé and nearby villages. Day 10-14 relax on the beaches of Kribi with a trip toward Campo Ma'an National Park.
Backpacker budget: about $30–50 a day
- There are few hostels, so look for simple guesthouses and church-run missions, which often offer clean rooms at low prices.
- Long-distance coaches and agency buses link major cities; book a day ahead and travel by day.
- Shared taxis and moto-taxis are the cheapest way around town, but agree on prices and ask for a helmet.
- Street food such as grilled fish, beignets with beans and soya meat skewers is cheap and delicious.
- Learn some basic French – it will help hugely outside Anglophone areas and big hotels.
Stay safe
- Parts of the Far North and the Northwest and Southwest regions face serious security problems; many governments advise against travel there, so check your government's latest travel advice.
- Avoid travelling by road after dark, and keep valuables discreet in Douala and Yaoundé.
- Carry your passport or certified copy, as police checkpoints are common.
- Take malaria precautions and drink bottled or treated water.
Money
- The currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), pegged to the euro; carry clean euro notes as a backup.
- Cash is king – cards are accepted only in larger hotels and supermarkets, and ATMs mainly in cities.
- Tipping is not expected in local eateries but appreciated for guides and good service.
Emergency: 117 police · 118 fire
Douala International Airport and Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport handle most international flights. Land borders exist with neighbours such as Nigeria, Chad, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, but conditions vary, so check before travelling overland.
✈️ Cheap flights to Cameroon: airports, flight times & best time to fly →
- Cameroon's name comes from the Portuguese word for prawns, after the shrimp found in the Wouri River.
- The Bamum king Njoya created his own writing system around 1900.
- Mount Cameroon is one of Africa's most active volcanoes, rising over 4,000 metres straight from the sea.
- The country has around 250 local languages, plus French and English as official languages.
- Debundscha, near Mount Cameroon, is one of the wettest places on earth.
Cameroon travel questions
Is Cameroon safe for tourists?
Some regions, including the Far North and the Anglophone Northwest and Southwest, face serious insecurity, and travel there may be advised against. Other areas such as Yaoundé, Douala, Kribi and the West are visited more often, but always check your government's latest travel advice before you go.
What is the best time to visit Cameroon?
November to February is the most comfortable period, with drier weather and better roads. The coastal rainy season peaks in summer and early autumn.
How many days do you need in Cameroon?
A week is enough for the coast and one or two cities. Two weeks lets you add the western highlands and a Mount Cameroon trek.
Do I need a visa for Cameroon?
It depends on your passport – check the official Cameroonian government site or your nearest embassy before you travel.
What language is spoken in Cameroon?
French and English are both official, with French spoken by the majority. Cameroonian Pidgin English is widely used in the Anglophone regions and around Douala.
Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).
Buses and coaches link major cities, and there is a train between Douala and Yaoundé. Shared taxis and motorbikes are common in towns.
- Mvolyé Basilica – Marian basilica on a hill in Yaoundé, a major Catholic site
- Greet people respectfully, especially elders and chiefs
- Ask before photographing people and palaces
- Use your right hand for eating and greeting
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