When we talk about the best tourist destinations in Africa, Cameroon is surely one o them as the country has no shortage in regards to adventure activities, interesting attractions and things to do on your safari in Cameroon. With ten (10) national parks and game reserves in the country, several museums, breathtaking waterfalls and unique culture, this is indeed a country worth visiting on your holiday in Africa. This West African country has a rich history to explore with a diversity of adventure activities to offer to holidaymakers that will surely make your holiday a very memorable adventure.
Below are some of the top things to do and places to visit while on safari in Cameroon
Explore the Central Islands of Cameroon
Set out on a road trip in a four-wheel drive vehicle and explore the beautiful scenery of Cameron’s Central islands. This amazing road trip begins in Douala all the way to the high elevated Nkongsamba where you will enjoy views of the beautiful valleys and the spectacular waterfalls. as the sun begins to set the orange shades that strike beyond The faraway horizon touching the fading purple skies offers a very beautiful backdrop for photography.
Discover Foumban’s Colonial architecture & Foumban Palace
Foumban is one of Cameron’s popular towns rich with culture and receives a very large number of holidaymakers who visited annually to discover the numerous ancient buildings many of which are believed to have been constructed back during the time the German colonial rule. Most outstanding of them all is the full Foumban Royal Sultan’s Palace which currently has a museum which has very interesting history concerning the kings of the Bamum right from 1394 to the current day. You will also find a lot of information on King Ibrahim Njoya who was the most renowned and famous king of the Bamum people. This Palace was constructed back in 1917 and today it continues to serve as a residence of the Bamum King. Foumban also has a very vibrant market where you can shop some souvenirs, and several Museums such as the musee des Arts et Des traditions bamoun.
Set out on a gorilla Safari in Lobeke National Park
Lobeke National Park is found in the Southeastern part of Cameroon within the Congo basin and it is popularly known as home to the elusive Western lowland gorillas. During your visit in Cameroon we highly recommend that you spend a night at the watchtower in the park to have better chances of seeing these elusive Forest Giants. Lobeke National Park in addition is home to various animals such as the Forest hogs, elephants and buffalos as well as the hard to find bongo antelope and the red River hogs.
Go traditional hunting with the Baka Pygmies
While on your visit in Lubbock National Park don’t miss out a traditional hunting adventure with the Baka pygmies a native conservative community that has kept itself from any form of civilization. The thrilling activity is conducted using arrows and a bow that have been poisoned and as you stepped out on this exciting adventure you will be able to learn some of the unique hunting skills as displayed by this pygmy people. Normally the price animal is a small or medium sized duiker and as the truck and run after the animals they make various distress calls mimicking different animals; it is quite a very exciting activity
Visit the Limbe botanical Garden
Established in 1893 Limbe botanical gardens is a well-known recreational area found on the lower slopes of Mount Cameroon and covers an area of about 52 hectares. The relaxed ambience offered in this beautiful garden enables holidaymakers to explore the various trails where you will be able to see different types of plants and animals including a tiny zoo that houses the red eared guenons and gorillas among others. This is a good place to visit as a family and also for a day trip especially when you have limited Safari time
Enjoy a game viewing Safari in Cameroon
Spare time on your itinerary to discover the rich wild animal of Cameroon as you explore its different national parks and game reserves. Located in the northern part of Cameroon Kalamaloue reserve is a good place to enjoy a game drive during which you will able to see various animals such as warthogs different antelopes monkey and many others. In the southwestern part of the country is Campo Game Reserve home to large mammals such as lions, giant pangolins, chimpanzees, hippos, elephants, lowland gorillas and leopards. Holidaymakers interested in bird watching can visit waza national park home to approximately 370 bird species where you be able to see species like the gray pelicans, Marabou stork and eagles among others
Visit the highest active volcano in Africa
Mount Cameroon which stands at the height of 10,435 feet (4,095 meters) is the highest active volcano on the African continent as well as the highest mountain in the whole of West Africa. This mountain is very popular among mountaineers and receives a large number of guests both local and international every year. There are various organized mountain climbing tours that take three to four days to complete the round trip, and mountaineering gear can be rented your tour operator.
Go primate watching in Korup National Park
Korup National Park is home to one of Africa’s oldest and greatly biodiversified rainforests offering holidaymakers an opportunity to see a wide range of primates such as the red eared monkeys, crowned monkeys, putty nosed monkey and the mona monkey among others.
Go Rock Climbing in Mindif
the well known Le Dent de Mindif is not a very huge ‘mountain’ in size but popular among climbers and it receives a large number of both local and international adventure lovers who come on to take on the rock formation which is oddly shaped as a tooth.
Enjoy a city tour in Yaounde
The vibrant Yaounde is the capital city of Cameroon characterized by natural green and it sits on seven hills. This amazing City is home to a number of historical sites that you will be able to visit such as the musee d’Art cameroonais that is found on top of the Mount Febes belonging to the Benedictine monastery. The museum houses a great display of crafts and traditional art including a number of unique masks. Still within this city is the national museum of Yaounde a newer facility that also offers a great exhibition. It is highly recommended that when going on a city tour you are always in the company of a guide.
Chutes de la lobe (waterfalls of lobe)
One of the ‘must see’ attractions in Cameroon are the waterfalls of Lobe which unique from many other waterfalls, it waters flow directly into the ocean. There is a public beach where many tourists go to relax, in addition to several stalls that deal in several crafts plus canoes for rent for the more adventurous holidaymakers who wish to have some extra adventure.
The Mvog Betsi Zoo
This is among the best zoos you will find in the West African region and it serves more as a rehabilitation center for wildlife. Together with a number of international organizations, the zoo has saved and is currently taking care of a number of primates such as the drills, chimpanzees and gorillas in additions to several resident animals like lions, hyenas, reptiles and birds.
Join the Sunday open air Mass
Every Sunday at 9:30am in the capital Yaounde, there is an open air Mass that includes harmonic singing, drumming and vibrant dancing which makes this religious celebration appear more of a cultural festival. This is quite unique across the West African region and it’s open to all visitors irrespective of their religious affliction.
Frequently asked questions on Cameroon
We have compiled simple questions that are commonly asked by most people visiting Cameroon and we have professionally answered them to help you better understand the destination you will be going to visit.
Do I need Visa when going to Cameroon?
Everyone visiting Cameroon must have a visa and tourist visas should be acquired before visiting the country by applying for it through the Cameroon Consulate in your home country. Tourist visas are provided for 3 to 6 months at different costs. Persons coming from countries where Burundi does not have a diplomatic mission can receive their visas on arrival at the airport.
Do I need travel insurance when going to Cameroon?
Because medical facilities are not readily available and are not of high standard, Travel insurance is highly recommended when visiting Cameroon. If possible get comprehensive travel insurance preferably one that covers you medically and includes medical evacuation, and cover you in all the different activities you will be engaging in such as hiking. Please always take time to carefully look for a good insurance cover before finally zeroing down to one.
What is the local currency of Cameroon?
The local currency of Cameroon is the Central African CFA francs (XAF) and this comes in different denominations with the notes including CFA 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500 while the coins come in denominations of CFA 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100. Foreign currency such as the Euro and the US dollar are accepted by major hotels, and in case you wish to exchange foreign currency you are highly advised to do so at banks and at the major hotels. Currencies other than the US dollar, Australian dollar and Euros may be easily exchange while in Cameroon compared to other foreign currencies.
Are credit cards allowed in Cameroon?
Generally credit card services are not commonly used in the country however the big hotels in the major towns may accept credit cards as well as traveler’s checks. in addition there are very few ATMs that allow international card; for that reason you are advised to consult with your bank and also find out if there are any ATMs in the areas you will be staying.
What is the official language for Cameroon?
French and English are the official languages used in Cameroon. The biggest part of this country uses French while the Western and northern parts of the country speak English mainly. Nonetheless there are more than 200 local languages that are used in Cameroon.
What is the time zone in Cameroon?
Cameroon’s local time zone is West African time GMT + 1
What is that electricity currency for Cameroon?
Cameroon runs on an electricity supply of 220V and 50Hz and uses the standard 2 pin plugs.
What vaccines are needed when visiting Cameroon?
All persons entering Cameroon are required to have received the yellow fever vaccination and must present proof of a certificate to the immigrations officers. Other recommended vaccinations include meningitis, Hepatitis A & B, diphtheria and cholera.
How is Cameroon’s Nightlife?
The nightlife of Cameroon is mainly vibrant in the major cities of Yaoundé and Douala where you will find a variety of casinos, nightclubs and nice bars and many of these facilities open through the night until the early hours of the next days. A variety of music is played in Cameroon ranging from pop to reggae music, with a number of places offering live band entertainment.
When is the best time to visit Cameroon?
The best time to visit Cameroon is from the month of November all through to February we the country is experiencing the dry season when the entire road are accessible making it to have overland travels. At this time of the year although it is warm, the temperatures are very bearable and the number of tourists in the country is very high which increase demand on accommodation this making it a peak tourist season. Budget travelers are advised not to visit during this time because the overall cost of a safari is generally high. As a travel tip, for those of you looking forward to visiting during this time of the year, we recommend that you book your safari in advance to guarantee availability of accommodation.
However all travelers are advised to check online for the latest weather updates on Cameroon before traveling to the country.
Cameroon Weather
The weather of Cameroon greatly varies from one region to another with the north being generally dry and hot, the coastal areas experiencing semi tropical climate and the south receiving large volumes of rainfall especially in the wet season. The temperatures experienced in the mountainous areas are generally low with the nights being very cold while the inland areas are cooler compared to those on shore.
The rainy season
The rainy season in the northern regions of Cameroon begin in May to September, while in the south rain showers are experienced almost all year round with March to October receiving the largest volumes of rain.
Summer / Dry Season
summer in Cameroon comes in from November to February and temperatures in the south for example may hit a maximum of 95°F making it the best time to visit the country since many roads are passable, the vegetation is thin increasing chances of seeing wildlife and many of the waterholes have dried up compelling the animals in the game parks and reserve to congregate around the few remaining. However, March, April and May are the hottest with maximum temperatures of about 104°F; this time is not recommended for safari as it is uncomfortably hot and the air is very dry.
Cameroon Holiday Tours
Yaoundé is know
n to be the capital of Cameroon and still the second biggest city in the country after Douala. Its location is beautified with green, hilly backdrop along with a wonderful impulsive urban development. The most exciting thing about this city is that its well organized, clean at all times with hospitable people. It has a nice plan of markets, vigorous bar, music and art. Douala is the biggest city in Cameroon with lively markets and business located on the banks of Wouri river, just a few kilometers from the coast
The country has fine resort beaches that are suited in the south of the southern town of Kribi and in Limbe a famous fishing town. This is a place for the rich, expatriates in addition to the tourists as well. Yaoundé happens to lie in the typical West African beach setting with credible palms, open air restaurants, wide sandy beaches, long with fish markets.
In this diverse beautiful country are several different cultures including the famous Ba’Aka pygmy forest people to nomadic Fulani in the Sahel and other peoples with more than 200 local languages. The forest people are known to eat monkeys and also have vibrant monkey game meat trade hence the increasing conservation of primates throughout the rain forest on western Cameroon
The south west is a mountainous area dominated by a number of active volcanoes with fertile farming soils on the lower slopes. Mount Cameroon is the highest peak in west Africa, an active volcano that exploded a decade ago creating great threat to the Pgymy population that lived on the foothills. Trekking Mount Cameroon is a recommended Cameroon holiday activity that you can not miss
Cameroon wildlife tours
Cameroon holidays are exciting tours of not only the beaches, mountains and forests but also it diverse array of wildlife found in its open savannah game parks and forested areas.
Cameroon national parks
Cameroon has a number of notable National Parks, but Waza National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is not only one of the most notable in the country, but of the best preserved and most accessible in the region. At over 170 000 hectares, it is home to the classic African plains species including lion, elephant, giraffe and many others. This park is open from mid November to around mid June. Some of the other smaller parks in Cameroon include;
• Bénoué National Park
• Bouba National Park
• Boumba National Park
• Campo Ma’an National Park
• Faro National Park
• Korup National Park
• Lake Lobake National Park
• Nki National Park
Cameroon primate tours
Cameroon forests on the slopes of mount Cameroon are the most beautiful place to find some of the world’s large populations of primates including the mountain gorillas, colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, mangabeys and so much more. Limbe Wildlife Park is a conservation centre for these primates, some of them only found in Cameroon.
Dzanga Sangha reserve on the border with Central Africa Republic is the place to find the habituated western lowland gorillas. In this forest are unique plant species, elephants, buffalos, antelopes, mangabeys and a good bird life population.
When to Visit Cameroon
There is something vit
al to take note, when to visit the Cameroon. This is because the roads are so dusty and the best time would be when it rains of which it may be too mud for the vehicles to trek through. Avoid the wet seasons unless you hire 4wd to take you around on holidays in Cameroon.
For those who visit the southern part, normally receive rain occasionally annually. This usually takes place in the months of June and October. The climate in the north is dry with a diverse summer wet season between mid-April and October. But the best months to visit on Cameroon holidays is the winter months between November and February.
Cameroon Travel
Cameroon shares a boundary with Chad along with the Central African Republic and this has been observed as an incidence of carjacking and banditry. Therefore in case you want to visit Waza national park, the best thing to do is to go with a tour operator who is well familiar with the area
On the Nigerian border is the Bakassi peninsular, a notable crime zone in west Africa. Booking a local guide to take the holiday trip with you will make your Cameroon vacation tours memorable and a lot safer.
Why Visit Cameroon?
Tourism within Cameroon is a developing although relatively a small sector. Ever since the 1970s, the Cameroon government has developed the sector through creating a complete ministry of tourism as well as through encouraging investment by travel agencies, airlines plus hotels. The government relates to the nation as “Africa in miniature”, marketing its diverse geography, climate and culture . its wildlife attracts safari-goers as well as large game hunters, since the country is home to most of the famous animals of Africa including: rhinoceroses, cheetahs, hippopotami, chimpanzees, gorillas, elephants plus giraffes.
Which Tour Company or Tour Operator?
Cameroon is on the list of top rated holidaymaker destinations within Africa and has for long been receiving millions visitors from various corners around the globe that take a trip here to enjoy their holiday. The country features a large number of tour companies focused on organizing great tours within the country, providing guests an amazing experience. Don’t fail to discover that the tour company you are planning to use is mentioned with Cameroon tour operator companies.
Where to Stay on a Cameroon Tour?
Nice accommodation of worldwide standard is offered in Yaoundé, Bamenda, Maroua, Douala and Garoua. Affordable accommodation, catering mainly for budget travelers, is offered in all towns.
The nice hotels (rated 2-star by the government) offer rooms having showers plus air conditioning; better places likewise offer sports facilities plus swimming pools. The Prices within Douala with Yaoundé are fairly high. A number of big hotels will accept credit cards. Generally Hotel facilities are on high demand; it is recommended to reserve beforehand and get written confirmation of your reservation.
Mid-range and economical hotels, such as auberges / guesthouses as well as campements / country lodges, can be fantastic value, even though it’s advisable to check the room, ensuring that it has flowing water plus electricity, prior to committing yourself. As in other places in Africa, the most affordable places may be noisy and unpleasant, with a number of serving as brothels.
Wild camping is allowed within Boubandjidah National Park as well as on the banks of River Mayo Lidi. You can as well pitch up a tent at the lodges at Waza plus Bénoué national parks. In other places, camping is regarded as unsafe because of the possibility of break-ins or the threat resulting from wild animals.
When to Go on a Tour in Cameroon?
The southern region is hot and arid in November and February. The major rainy season is from June to October. The temperatures within the north differ. On the Adamaoua Plateau, temps reduce drastically at nighttime. Grassland areas away from the coast are more cooler compared to the coast with frequent rainfall. The perfect months to visit Cameroon are from January to April.
Ligh-tweight cotton clothes, with canvas / light leather shoes plus sandals. Along the coast I recommend Waterproofs.
Are the people of Cameroon Friendly?
Yes, the people of Cameroon are hospitable and very friendly. Cameroon culture is a combination of the practices and cultures of the Cameroon people. Various facets of their culture is observed in the cuisine, language, religion, literature, art and music of the country. Cameroon’s language comprises of different native languages spoken by the tribal groups..
What is the Weather like in Cameroon?
Cameroon features three main climate zones:
The sudanese-sahelian zone surpasses 10° north latitude and is characterized by the arid season that goes on for 7 to 9 months with rainfall not plentiful differing from 300 – 900 mm/year from south to north. The vegetation differs from area to area. There is an equatorial forest covering Forty Percent of the country in the southern region and there’s a savannah plus the steppe within the north. The average yearly temperature is over 28°C in the Distant North area ; it’s lower in the Adamawa area besides the Mounts Mandara that are fresher and the region of Garoua, that is warmer.
The Sudanese zone between 7° and 10° north latitude. The dry season endures between 5 and 6 months with average temperature of 22°C, and 1,000mm of rainfall per year.
The equatorial zone between 2° and 6° north latitude and is comprises of plenty of rainfall with an annual average of 2, 000mm. The average temperature about 25°C.
Cameroon receives a huge amount of rainfall. with an average annual rainfall amount of 1, 600 mm in the last ten years however, this isn’t frequent in the entire country. Within the north, the lowest temperatures are in December and January while the maximum temperature is in March and April. Within the south, the least temperatures are from July to September. The possibility evapo-transpiration differs from 2, 200 mm/year in the Distant Northern area and 1, 200 mm/year within the south.
What to do on a Safari in Cameroon
Over the recent years, Cameroon has slowly become a popular travel destination for many holidaymakers and tourists. it offers a variety of attractions for its visitors to pleasure in and enjoy while in the country as they indulge in the unspoilt beauty and adventure parts of Cameroon. Listed below are some of the main attractions in Cameroon that are worth visiting during a holiday in this country.
Climb Mount Cameroon
This strato-volcano mountain holds the highest peak in the whole of Central Africa. It is located on the western side of the capital city of Cameroon known as Yaounde. It is a favorite destination for racing and several tourists have traveled from all corners of the country to enjoy the thrill of this wonderful sport.
Visit Benedictine Museum
This museum located in Yaounde houses various historic items and artifacts among which are animal sculptures, sculptures of African sceneries and some African men. It holds a vast collection of Cameroon’s art pieces. Majority of the items in the museum are art pieces from the different ethnic groups in the country.
Explore Waza National Park
This is the most prominent of all National parks in the country. There are various animals in the park among which are lions, antelopes, giraffes, elephants and ostriches. You will have the opportunity to adventure through the park in the safari vehicles in the presence of the skilled guides who will detail you about the various animal species. Other National parks in the country include: Benoue National Park, Boubandjidda National Park and Korup National Park.
Museums
Cameroon has outstanding museums in which its rich heritage is well preserved. They are open to the public and can be accessed daily. The museums offer guided itineraries that enable the visitors to well discover the sites of myth, history and legend. Some of the prominent Museums are Museum of Babungo, Museum of Bandjoun, Museum of Mankon and the museum of Baham among others.
Enjoy day trips in Yaounde City
This is the capital of Cameroon and is renowned for its beautiful green plus rolling terrain. The city houses most of the governmental houses, embassies, several top-notch hotels the great Art Museum of Cameroon plus a collection of nightclubs, bars and fine restaurants. The city is very vibrant and the people are quite welcoming.
Enjoy the Nightlife of Cameroon
Nights in Cameroon are very lively with happy people moving from 
one spot to another. The silence of the night is broken by the wonderful sounds of Cameroonian music played from the various clubs and disco halls. There are live performances of the local Makossa plus the Bikutsi music at some hotels and Karaoke halls, in addition to a wide spectrum of bars, casinos and restaurants.
Spend time at the Beautiful Beaches
Cameroon has a coastline with several idyllic forsaken beaches with a few fishing tiny villages and old larva formations. These beaches are characterized by chocolate-brown colored sand. The terrain is so beautiful as the verdant jungle meets with the sweeping waves of the sea. Some of the best beaches in Cameroon include: Seme beach which offers surfing opportunities, Kribi Beach and Limbe Beach.
