Capital: Yaoundé
Time zone: GMT + 1
Telephone services: Country Code: 237
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Not available at present.
Tourist information: Ministere du Tourism, BP 266, Yaoundé, Cameroon Tel: 223 353 Fax: 221 295.
Passport information: A valid passport is required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the Embassy before departure.
Visa information: Required by all except nationals of Central Africa, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gavon, Mali and Nigeria for at stay not exceeding 90 days. Tourist and Business visas are issued.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Take precautions as Falciparum variety present, resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: Vaccination required. A vaccination certificate is required by all visitors over one year of age.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera, Meningitis and Rabies present. Medical facilities are particularly poor in rural areas.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: CFA Franc (CFA Fr) = 100 centimes
NOTE: Only notes issued by the ‘Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale’ are valid and not those issued by ‘Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest’
It is advisable to exchange French Francs or US Dollars rather than Sterling although both have very limited acceptance. French francs are the preferred currency in travellers cheques, although pound sterling is also accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable.
Cost of living: The economy has deteriorated due to civil unrest.
Languages: French and English are given equal importance in the constitution although French is more commonly spoken. Many local African languages are spoken.
Weather: South is Hot and dry from Nov to Feb. Rainy season mainly July to Oct although there is some rain Mar to Jun. Temperatures in the North vary.
Electricity: 110/220 Volts Ac 50 Hz. Plugs = round 2 pin.
Post: Approximately 1 week.
Transport: FLIGHTS: The most efficient means of internal travel, although you should beware that questions have been raised about aircraft maintenance procedures. RAIL: Slow and cheap, a limited few have restaurant facilities and air conditioning. Couchettes are available on some trains.
Special information: There has been an increase in violent crime and highway robbery is prevalent in the north in Yaounde, Douala and Kribi. Take sensible precautions. Avoid carrying valuables at any time. Avoid the north-west of the country. If travelling between Maroua and the Chadian border, seek advice from the local police and be prepared to travel with a military escort. Overland travel out of Cameroon can be difficult. The north is mainly Muslim and traditions and customs should be respected, for example, visitors should never step inside a Muslim prayer circle of rocks. In rural areas traditional beliefs predominate so it is essential to use tact. Cameras should be used with discretion and permission obtained before taking photographs. Do not take photographs of anything connected with the military.