Cameroon : General Travel information
Cameroon : General Travel information
Passport/Visa Requirements: Passports, visas, proof of onward passage and sufficient funds are required of Australian, Canadian, U.K. and U.S. citizens. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departing.
Capital: Yaounde.
Languages: English, French, indigenous languages.
Predominant Religions: Animist, Christian, Islamic.
Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Voltage Requirements: 220 volts.
Telephone Codes: 237, country code.
Weather and climate
Because of Cameroon’s varied topography, no one time is perfect for visiting the whole country. We prefer December-March, because that period is generally the driest nationwide and most of the game parks are open (some are closed April-November). The rainy months of April and May set the stage for the high humidity and soaring temperatures in June and July. The humidity and heat are joined by yet more rain in August and September. When we were last in Douala in October, it was still raining every night (though days were clear). The rains inevitably taper off in November. Bring a sweater if you’re going to higher elevations, where it can be cool – temperatures in the 50s F/10-15 C, or even colder, are not uncommon in the highlands.
Dining
Try some of the delicious fish dishes and the excellent grilled chicken. Cameroon has tasty street food for the strong of stomach: dishes include ndole (a hot green sauce) and njamojamo (greens). Most of the restaurant food is Continental, tending toward French and Italian. The fare at restaurants serving local-style food is quite reasonably priced, but if you’re eating at a Continental or Asian restaurant, be prepared to pay dearly.
