Cameroon is Africa in miniature, offering diverse landscapes from volcanic Mount Cameroon to wildlife-rich Waza National Park, pristine beaches at Kribi, and vibrant cities like Douala and Yaoundé. Experience rich cultural heritage, French-African fusion cuisine, and warm hospitality in this Central African gem.
Cameroon presents a mixed safety picture — Yaoundé, Douala, Kribi, and Limbe are manageable destinations with reasonable precautions, while the Northwest and Southwest Anglophone Regions and parts of the Far North near the Nigerian and Chadian borders are subject to ongoing armed conflict and kidnapping risk. Travel to conflict zones is strongly discouraged by all Western governments.
Current safety advisory
High
Exercise a high degree of caution in Yaoundé and Douala. Do not travel to the Northwest and Southwest Anglophone Regions due to the ongoing armed conflict between separatist Ambazonian fighters and government security forces. Reconsider travel to the Far North Region due to kidnapping risk from Boko Haram. Exercise increased caution in the North Region and Adamawa Region near the Nigerian border.
Last updated: 2025-03
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Cameroon due to crime and civil unrest. Do not travel to the Northwest Region, Southwest Region (Ambazonia conflict), and Far North Region (Boko Haram activity).
Avoid all travel (Northwest/Southwest), Exercise caution (elsewhere)
FCDO advises against all travel to the North West and South West regions and parts of the Far North, and advises against all but essential travel to other parts of the Far North and North regions.
Avertissement - Level 3
Exercise a high degree of caution in Cameroon overall due to crime and social unrest. Avoid all travel to Northwest and Southwest Regions and most of the Far North.
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) before travel
Avoid displaying wealth and carrying large amounts of cash
Use registered taxis and avoid traveling after dark
Stay informed of local security situations through media
Keep copies of passport and important documents
Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings
Travel with reputable tour operators in remote areas
Register with your embassy upon arrival — the US, UK, and French embassies in Yaoundé can assist in emergencies and provide updated travel advisories for volatile regions.
Avoid the Northwest and Southwest Anglophone regions entirely due to ongoing armed conflict; the Far North region bordering Nigeria and Chad also poses kidnapping risks from Boko Haram.
Carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate at all times — it is required for entry and can be checked at police checkpoints throughout the country.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Unofficial taxi overcharging
Drivers in unmarked or unofficial taxis at airports and tourist areas quote grossly inflated fares to visitors unfamiliar with local rates, sometimes 5-10 times the correct fare.
How to avoid: Use Yango app for transparent pricing. At airports, use officially registered yellow taxis from the designated taxi rank. Always agree on the fare before entering any taxi.
Police checkpoint bribery
Officers at road checkpoints occasionally demand informal 'fees' from travellers for minor or invented infractions. The practice is illegal but can be persistent, especially on rural roads after dark.
How to avoid: Carry all documents (passport, visa, yellow fever certificate) and remain polite. Request a receipt for any payment demanded. Report serious extortion to your embassy. Travelling by daylight reduces checkpoint pressure.
Friendship/tour guide scam
Overly friendly strangers in tourist areas offer to guide visitors to markets, shops, or attractions at 'good local prices'. The guide receives commission from vendors who inflate prices accordingly.
How to avoid: Decline unsolicited guide offers. If you want a guide, arrange through your hotel or an official tourism office. Be politely firm in declining persistent approaches.
Money exchange shortchanging
Informal street money changers and some market vendors use sleight of hand to shortchange tourists during currency transactions, relying on visitors' unfamiliarity with XAF denominations.
How to avoid: Use bank ATMs and officially licensed bureaux de change. Count change carefully before leaving any transaction. Illegal street exchanges are risky beyond just shortchanging.
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- Yellow fever vaccination REQUIRED for entry — must show physical certificate at arrival. Strongly recommended: Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Rabies (if animal contact), Meningitis ACWY, Polio booster. Malaria prophylaxis essential — Cameroon is high-risk malaria year-round at all elevations below 1,800m. Consult a travel clinic 6-8 weeks before departure.
- Water
- Tap water is NOT safe to drink anywhere in Cameroon. Use bottled water (Tangui, Supermont brands widely available) for drinking and teeth brushing. Avoid ice unless confirmed from purified water source. Water purification tablets recommended as emergency backup.
- Food
- Eat hot, freshly cooked food from high-turnover restaurants and vendors. Avoid raw salads, unpeeled fruit from street vendors, and shellfish at venues of questionable freshness. Hotel and mid-range restaurant food is generally safe. Market stalls with high customer volume indicate freshness.
- Facilities
- Adequate medical facilities in Yaoundé and Douala — the Hôpital de la Caisse Nationale and Clinique de la Réconciliation are the best private facilities. International clinics and pharmacies available in Bastos (Yaoundé) and Bonapriso (Douala). Rural areas have very limited medical infrastructure. Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage is essential.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Solo travel is manageable in Yaoundé, Douala, Kribi, and Limbe with appropriate precautions. Use Yango for all transport, avoid displaying expensive equipment, and stay in established tourist areas. Join group tours for national park visits. Share itinerary with someone reliable. The expat and NGO community is extensive and helpful — connect via Facebook groups before arriving. Night-time solo movement should be minimised to hotel areas.
Female travellers
Female travellers face moderate additional challenges — harassment particularly from motorcycle taxi drivers and street touts is common. Dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees in conservative areas). Have confident body language and keep moving when hassled. Stay in hotels with good security, use Yango exclusively for transport, and avoid walking alone after dark. Joining organised tours for day trips significantly reduces exposure to harassment. The Kribi beach area is generally comfortable for solo women during the day.
Families
Cameroon can be excellent for families with children aged 8+ when focusing on Yaoundé, Douala, Kribi, and Limbe — primate sanctuaries, botanical gardens, and beaches delight children. Ensure all children have malaria prophylaxis, age-appropriate vaccination, and sun protection. Avoid the Northwest, Southwest, and Far North Regions with children. Air-conditioned transport and accommodation significantly improves family comfort. Medical facilities in major cities are adequate for routine issues.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are criminalised in Cameroon under Article 347a of the Penal Code with penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment. The legal and social situation makes open expression of LGBTQ+ identity risky throughout the country. LGBTQ+ travellers should exercise extreme discretion, avoid public displays of affection, and be aware that hotel staff or police may be hostile. Discretion in all social settings is strongly recommended for personal safety.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 117
- Medical
- 119
- Embassy
- US Embassy Yaoundé: +237 222 220 1500 | UK High Commission Yaoundé: +237 222 220 5400 | French Embassy Yaoundé: +237 222 231 001
- Tourist Police
- Ask at your hotel — most international hotels have direct contact with tourist police units and can facilitate faster response