Season
You can visit the country during all the seasons, except the national parks located in the North, because of their difficult access in the rainy season (from June to October) (Information: www.meteo-cameroon.net)
Air links
There are three international airports: Yaoundé, Douala and Garoua. The flights with Europe are direct (6-hour flight over 5 000 km), there’s at least one every day.
Main airlines
Cameroon Airlines Flights suspended
740 Notre-Dame Ouest, suite 109
Montréal, (Québec)
H3C 3X6
Tel : (514) 878-9797
Fax : (514) 878-8199
Email : uyymq@hotmail.com
For inter-regional links in Africa : Cameroon Airlines, Gabon Airlines, Air Ivoire, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Afriqiyah Airways, Bellview Airlines et Toumai Air Tchad.
Entry requirements
A tourist visa is required for your admission in the country. It is delivered by the nearest diplomatic or consulate representations of Cameroon. The validity is for 30 days non-renewable, with several entries and exit. A visa could be delivered at the landing airport to visitors coming from countries where Cameroon has no diplomatic representation and also to tourist on package tours.
The following documents are required
For information
High-Commission of Cameroon in Canada
170, Clemow Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 2B4
Telephone : (613) 236-1522
Fax : (613) 236-3885
E-Mail : cameroun@rogers.com
Website : www.hc-cameroon-ottawa.org
Embassy of Cameroon in the United States
2349 Massachussets Avenue, NW
Washington, DC, 20008
USA
Telephone : (202) 265-8790
Fax : (202) 387-3826
E-mail : cdm@ambcam-usa.org
Website : www.ambacam-usa.org
Customs
According to the rule of temporary imports, tourists are entitled to carry the following items if only reserved for their personal use: jewels under 500 grammas, personal clothes, cats and dogs subject to sanitary services, mobile phone, two cameras with 10 films each, a mini-camera with 10 rolls, one television and one radio sets, one video recorder, binoculars, camping and sports items, toilet articles, a pram, three litres of wine, one litre of alcohol or aperitif, 500 grammas of tobacco OR 400 cigarettes OR 125 cigars.
An importation license is required for hunting arms and munitions. The exportation of animal products must be authorized by the administration in charge of environmental protection. To export art objects and other materials (wood, iron,...etc) you must contact the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Craft. (www.ccima.net)
Airport stamps
An airport stamp is required on departure. It cost 10 000 CFA francs for international flights and 500 CFA francs for domestic ones.
Health
An international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required. It is also advised to protect against malaria.
Under tropical heat, mineral water is far more preferable than icy drinks.
Cameroon is equipped with medical infrastructures of high level standards such as the reference hospital of Douala and Yaounde, but also a good sanitary cover on the whole territory.
Currency and exchange
The currency on use is the CFA franc
The foreign currencies commonly accepted are Euro and US dollar. Only banks, international hotels and some tourist agencies are allowed to change money.
Banks are usually opened from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
International hotels do accept certain major credit cards
Domestic Transport
Trips inside the country could be done by plane or train. There are also aerodromes in Ngaoundere, Bertoua, Bafoussam and Maroua.
A 1 500 km railway link called ‘’Transcamerounais’’ crosses the country from West to East, joins Douala to Ngaoundere passing through Yaounde (Information: www.camrail.net). A regular service of minibus and autobus is organized between the main towns.
To move in the city, there are three types of taxis with different prices:
The urban taxi: picks you up for 175 CFA Franc (several people in the same car)
The taxi on the fare: takes you from one point to another in the city after bargaining for the price (in general 1 500 CFA francs per hour). The passenger stands alone with the driver.
The airport taxi: it cost 2 500 CFA Francs during the day and 5 000 CFA francs after 6 pm.
In the villages and the suburbs, bush taxis are providing people with a regular service. It is also possible to rent a car (chauffeur driven or self-drive)
Catering
You will appreciate the international cooking proposed in the big hotels and restaurants downtown, but also the excellent local meals with a variety of fresh products (fishes, bush captures, fruits) served in the numerous restaurants around the country.
Official languages
Cameroon is a bilingual country with two official languages: French and English.
Electricity
Cameroon is electrified by 220 volts and the plugs in use fit the European standards. However a torch is always useful.
Telephone code
The international dialling code for Cameroon is 237 + 7 digit local number.
Hours and time zones
Time zone: GMT 1
There is no difference with France in the winter, but one hour in summer.
Administration offices are opened on Monday to Friday, from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Shops are opened until 6 pm even on Saturday.
Photos
It is authorized to film public buildings except presidential palaces, aerodromes, official members of security and defence, and any other actions that could damage customs and the good reputation of the country.
The Ministry of Communication would deliver a ‘’special pass’’ for official ceremonies and private reporting.
It is necessary to get the consent of people before photographing or reporting on them.
Clothes and equipment
It is advised to carry light clothes (canvas, cotton, linen), sun glasses, a hat, some useful woollens for fresh evenings, and perhaps a raincoat.
