Cameroon travel advice

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Health section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel to the area bordering the Central African Republic and Chad. Armed banditry is a regular occurrence in these areas. We advise against all travel to the area bordering Nigeria in the region of the Bakassi Peninsula. See the Local Travel section of this Travel Advice.
  

• Travel by road north of Maroua is dangerous because of carjackers. Gendarmerie (rural police) detachments are posted along the road between Maroua and the Chadian border. British High Commission staff travelling north of Maroua only do so after taking appropriate security precautions, including an armed escort.
  

• Most visits to Cameroon are trouble-free. 7 British nationals required consular assistance in Cameroon in the period 1 April 2008 – 31 March2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (1 cases); hospitalisations (1 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (4 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (5 cases).
  

• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  

• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice and our Travel Insurance page.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For further information and advice see our Terrorism Abroad page.

Crime

Incidents of mugging and banditry, often armed, are a serious problem throughout Cameroon. Muggings and robberies have been reported in Douala, Yaoundé and other major towns. In the past, there have been attacks in the Mont Febe area of Yaoundé; we do not advise going there alone. You should avoid isolated or poorer areas of town (notably in Yaoundé, La Briquetterie and Mokolo), take personal security precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public places. You should, for example, avoid the streets at night, and as far as possible, go out in the company of others. Ensure that car doors are locked when travelling, avoid wearing jewellery and carry the minimum in cash and valuables with you.

There have been attacks in Yaoundé where gangs of armed gunmen have held up entire restaurants or hotels where foreigners are known to be eating or staying. This occurs because foreigners are perceived locally to be wealthy.

There have been reports of criminal gangs and bandits operating in the Douala area. Close and lock all residential doors and windows, including those above ground level, particularly at night. Do not rely on elevation or fly screens for protection. Many expatriate homes up to the eighth floor (Douala) and fourth floor (Yaoundé) have been broken into. It is advised that burglar proof bars be installed in rented homes before signing contracts. Identify callers through spyholes before opening doors, especially late at night.

Petty theft is common on trains, coaches and in bush taxis. You should take precautions when using city taxis as most do not comply with basic safety procedures such as seatbelts or general road worthiness. Many taxis take more passengers and luggage than it is safe to do so. Violent assaults and robberies on taxi passengers are not uncommon. Only use known taxis even during daytime.

Car jackings and robberies, often armed and accompanied by violent acts have occurred along roads close to Cameroon’s eastern border with Central African Republic (CAR) and Chad, as well as in Douala, Yaoundé, Kribi, and Maroua. You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking. You should plan your journey carefully and travel in convoy, where possible. Since mobile phone coverage is limited we advise taking a VHF radio or satellite phone.

While there were fewer incidents in 2008, there have in the past been serious incidents of car hijacking and robbery, resulting in deaths, along the Bamenda-Banyo and Bafoussam-Banyo roads in the north-west. Attacks have also occurred on the Bafoussam-Douala and Bafoussam-Yaounde roads.

Foreign visitors and residents in Cameroon are increasingly becoming targets by scam artists. The scams come in many forms, and can pose great financial loss to victims. Scam artists are also targeting individuals in the UK via websites, chat-rooms and by email with the intention of soliciting money from victims. The reasons that the scam artists give for needing cash vary but include posing as legitimate businesses importing items to the UK or posing as British citizens in distress and in immediate need of funds. Cases involving the alleged adoption of children have also been reported. You should be very cautious about sending money or travelling to Cameroon to adopt a child where the information has come from a website or through emails. Cameroon does not have adoption agencies. Many victims are persuaded to part with large amounts of money before they start to suspect anything. Schemes in operation by West African criminal networks are designed to facilitate victims parting with money, known as advance fee or 419 fraud. For further information on advance fee fraud please see Metropolitan Police Service - Fraud Alert.

If you are concerned about someone who has travelled to Cameroon you should contact the Consular Section of the British High Commission, Yaoundé: (consularenq.yaounde@fco.gov.uk).

For more general information see our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Political situation

Cameroon Country Profile

In February 2008 there was civil unrest and rioting in Douala which spread to some other provinces in the country, including Limbe, Yaoundé, Bamenda and Bafoussam. The riots resulted in a number of civilian deaths and serious injuries. You should remain abreast of local political conditions and avoid all political rallies, demonstrations and large public gatherings.

Local Travel

You should register with the British High Commission in Yaoundé if you intend to stay longer than one month.

Bakassi: We advise against all travel to the area bordering Nigeria in the region of the Bakassi Peninsula. Cameroon and Nigeria reached an agreement on the future of Bakassi, which was handed from Nigeria to Cameroon on 14 August 2008, but the area and local feelings remain sensitive. There have been a number of armed attacks in the region and on 31 October 2008, a boat was attacked in Cameroonian waters and 10 people were taken hostage. The hostages were subsequently released.

North Cameroon: You should exercise extreme care if travelling to the north of Cameroon by road. The eastern route via Garoua-Boulai and Meiganga involves driving close to the border with CAR. The western route requires travel along the Bamenda-Banyo axis (please see crime section above). The central route via Yoko requires travel on very poorly maintained and largely uninhabited roads and requires passage over a number of bridges in a poor state of repair. There is no fuel on the route. If you must attempt this route, carry plenty of water and sufficient fuel to enable you to turn back if necessary. We advise a satellite phone or VHF radio to summon assistance if required.

Lake Chad: If you intend to visit the Lake Chad area in the Far North Province you should report to the local authorities (the Prefet or Sous-Prefet) on arrival. The local authorities advise visitors to engage a reliable guide, such as those offered by the larger hotels in Maroua.

Travel out of Cameroon: Overland travel out of Cameroon can be difficult. Travel by road north of Maroua is dangerous because of car-jackers. Gendarmerie (rural police) detachments are posted along the road between Maroua and the Chadian border. British High Commission staff travelling north of Maroua only do so after taking appropriate security precautions, including an armed escort.

Lake Nyos: Lake Nyos in the North West Province emitted carbon dioxide which suffocated about 1,700 people in 1986. There were no warning signs that this would happen. There are concerns that this could happen again at any time. There is also a concern that the wall of the dam holding back Lake Nyos is not sufficiently strong. Nearby Lake Mounoun is also saturated with CO2.

Yaoundé-Douala trunk road: We recommend you avoid driving at night in rural areas, particularly on the Yaoundé-Douala trunk road, where accidents are common.

Road Travel

UK driving licences and International Driving Permits may be used on first arrival, but you should obtain a Cameroonian licence as soon as possible after arrival. Holders of a UK driving licence can do this by filling in a form at the Delegation of Transport.

You should ensure that any car you hire is adequately insured, preferably by written confirmation from the insurance company (rather than the car hire firm). If you are hiring a driver and car, you should again ensure that you are not liable for any accident of damage.

Roads in Cameroon are generally in poor condition. Many are badly pot-holed, and street lighting, where it exists, is poor. Pedestrians and stray animals on roads are a frequent hazard. Many vehicles are poorly lit and badly driven.

Roadblocks set up by the police or gendarmerie, are common throughout Cameroon. You may be asked to show your passport, driving licence or vehicle registration documents. There are regular reports of uniformed members of the security forces stopping motorists on the pretext of minor or non-existent violations of local vehicle regulations in order to extort small bribes. We recommend that you do not pay bribes. Where possible you should request the officer to provide a ticket, detailing alleged offences of violations that can be paid at a local court.

For more general information see our Driving Abroad page.

Air Travel

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

There are doubts about the reliability and safety of some Cameroonian-registered aircraft operating flights within Cameroon. British Government employees do not use internal flights in Cameroon unless this is unavoidable. You should bear this in mind when making your travel plans.

For more general information see our Airline Security page.

Rail Travel

Two separate train accidents occurred in Yaoundé on 28 and 29 August 2009, which resulted in twelve deaths and over three hundred people injured. The first accident involved a cargo train which derailed near Obobogo, and the other incident involved a passenger train that crashed in the Etoudi neighbourhood. While some parts of the Cameroonian railroads are being overhauled, much of the track and many of the trains remain in poor condition.

Local laws and customs

Homosexuality is not widely accepted in central African society and some sexual acts between members of the same sex are illegal.

Penalties for the use and possession of drugs are severe and usually include a prison sentence.

You should carry identification at all times (either a residence permit or a certified copy of your passport). Failure to produce such identification can lead to detention by the police.

Photography of military sites, government buildings, airports and ports is forbidden.

For more general information for different types of travellers see our Your trip page.

Entry requirements

Visas

Visas are required to visit Cameroon. To apply for a visa and to obtain further information on entry requirements.

If you have a query regarding your immigration status whilst in Cameroon, you are advised to contact the General Delegation for National Security in Yaoundé, on +237 2221 2884.

Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry into Cameroon.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

You will be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in the country. Failure to do so may result in a further vaccination being administered, for which a charge is made.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

Health

Medical facilities in Cameroon are poor, particularly in rural areas. Emergency facilities are extremely limited. For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to the UK or South Africa would be necessary.

Malaria and cholera occur in Cameroon, as do other water-borne diseases.

There are regular cholera outbreaks between the months of December and June with Douala city, Littoral province and the West and South West provinces the areas most usually affected. A cholera outbreak in October 2009 in the North and Far North of Cameroon is reported to have killed over 25 people. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Cameroon you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 500,000 adults aged 15 or over in Cameroon were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 5.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Cameroon and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) or NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see our Travel Health and Avian and Pandemic Flu pages.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see our When Things Go Wrong page.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Registering with the British High Commission

You should register with the British High Commission in Yaoundé on arrival in Cameroon.

British passports

The British High Commission in Yaoundé does not issue full passports and, before setting off, you should ensure that your passport has sufficient validity and a plentiful supply of unused pages. Applications for new passports are accepted in Yaoundé for forwarding to the British High Commission in Nairobi for processing, but this may take up to six weeks. If a courier is used, the cost must be borne by the applicant.

Money

Sterling travellers' cheques are difficult to exchange throughout Cameroon. Many banks will only allow you to exchange travellers cheques if you hold an account with that bank.

Cameroon is primarily a cash economy. Credit cards have limited acceptability in Cameroon and of the range of credit cards, Visa is the most widely accepted. You should confirm in advance with your hotel if you wish to settle a bill by credit card.

Some ATMs outside banks in Yaoundé, Douala and other major towns will accept major UK credit cards and supply local currency but they are often empty, particularly at the weekend.

Money transfer agencies can be found throughout Cameroon.