Practical Information
Visa & entry
Most visitors need a visa. Cameroon runs an eVisa system; apply before travel and print your approval. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required on entry.
Money & payments
The currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), pegged to the euro. Cameroon is largely cash-based. Mobile money (MTN MoMo, Orange Money) is widely used; cards work only at major hotels.
SIM cards & internet
Buy a local SIM from MTN, Orange or Camtel with your passport at an official shop. 4G covers cities; coverage thins in rural areas.
Getting around
Shared taxis and moto-taxis ('bendskin') dominate cities; agree the fare first. Intercity travel uses agency buses; overnight road travel is best avoided. The Yaounde-Ngaoundere railway is a scenic alternative.
Health
Malaria is present countrywide; take prophylaxis and use repellent. Drink bottled or treated water. Carry a basic medical kit; quality care is limited outside the main cities.
Language & etiquette
Cameroon is bilingual (French and English), with French dominant in most regions and English in the Northwest and Southwest. Greetings matter; a handshake and a few words in French go a long way.
When to go
The dry season (November to February) is the best window for wildlife, hiking and road travel. The rains (roughly June to October) make forest and mountain tracks difficult.
Getting there
Douala International Airport (DLA) is the main hub, served by Brussels Airlines, Air France, Ethiopian, and local carriers. Yaoundé also has Nsimalen International (NSI). Overland from Nigeria via Ekok border crossing or from Equatorial Guinea via Gabon. Road from Chad via Maroua. Cameroon Airlines connects regional hubs.