Prepare for your Cameroon trip with our practical tips. Learn about our currency, how to call home, keep safe, shop responsibly and travel in style. Then you're ready to go. All travelers to Cameroon or any country should consider health insurance. Take advantage of our many beaches but always remember to follow basic water safety regulations.

 

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MEDICAL (VACCINATIONS)

Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry to Cameroon, and advisable for return to the Netherlands from a yellow fever zone. All other W.H.O recommended vaccinations are advisable including:

Cholera
Typhoid
Hepatitis A and B
Tetanus
Polio
Protection against malaria. In West Africa the most reliable protection is Doxycyclene. Doryx capsules cause fewer side effects, being slow release.

The public hospital system in Cameroon is modern, and there are high quality private hospitals and clinics. However, away from the main cities treatment is unreliable, and personal equipment should be taken. The public hospital system uses disposable syringes.

Suggested travel pack

Diarrhea - Lomotil is most effective there, and strongly recommended
Nausea - Maxolon works well.
Analgesics - Your preferred brand.
Broad spectrum antibiotics - for any unexpected infection. Ask your doctor
Cold and flu tablets also work well against regional fevers.

Dust and smoke is a problem in the dry season, (November - May), take asthma and sinus medication if a sufferer. This is a problem throughout Africa, where burn off is a traditional way of preparing for planting crops.

Sunscreen - Cameroon is close to the Equator, and Doxycyclene makes the skin more susceptible to sunburn.

Current and Electricity:

The electrical current in Cameroon is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. The Cameroon three-pin power outlet is not different from some other countries so you may or may not need an adaptor depending on your appliance. Cameroon uses the European plug. Don't forget an adapter if you have UK or Australian appliances for it is not possible to find adapters for such systems.

WATER and toiletries:

Tap water unlike other water supplies is safe to drink in many parts of Cameroon but we advise you to get a supply of readily available bottled water. This can be purchased throughout the country. Note: Supermarkets and small local stores sell the usual range of toiletries and the general goods, and are located in major centres.

For further information on any aspect of travel to Cameroon, do not hesitate to call the Consulate office.

HOW TO GET TO CAMEROON

There are several Airlines that fly from European cities to the Douala (DLA) and the Yaounde-Nsimalen International Airports. Departure cities in Europe include Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, London, Dusseldorf etc. Air France and Cameroon Airlines also fly from Brussels and Paris to Douala and Yaoundé. SN Brussels airline also flies from Brussels to Douala. Check online or consult your travel agency for more updated information of existing flights and new airlines that fly to Cameroon. Other airlines that fly to Cameroon are: AFRIQIYAH Airways from Germany, Kenyan Airways (via Nairobi), Ethiopian airways, Swisair, and Lufthansa. (Check travel agencies for updated information as this is just a summary).

CURRENCY and MONEY

Cameroon is one of a group of nations in West Africa using the CFA franc. For official purposes in Cameroon, the exchange rate is CFA 655 to the €1. The currency is usable outside the country but only in 5 other countries that with Cameroon form the CEMAC countries. Created in March, 1994, the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), previously known as UDEAC (Customs and economic Union of Central Africa), is a customs and monetary union among the former French Central African countries including: Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Congo (Brazzaville), Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. Along with the Western CFA Zone, it is one of the important regional groupings in Africa.

Just like the Euro zone, each country in the FCFA union prints its own notes. The Cameroon CFA is fixed to Euro through an arrangement where France originally maintained parity with the French Franc to support the CFA.

Currency, exchange and credit Cards:

In Cameroon the currency is CFA Francs. The most acceptable credit cards are: American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, JCB, AMEX and their affiliates. Currency exchange is available at banks, hotels and international airports. Cameroon has a cash economy. The use of credit cards is limited, and care must be taken to have adequate cash/traveller cheque resources.

There aren't many ATM's. The existing ATM's are exclusively linked to local banks. For the use of credit cards, always find out first before using a service or purchasing a product or item if the business accepts payments from credit cards or provides credit card services.

Euro travellers' cheques, from Visa/MasterCard are the most widely used and strongly recommended. Most of the main banks will exchange these. Whilst some banks are open on Saturdays, this does not include foreign exchange services. Banks close at 3:00pm Monday to Friday.

To draw cash against credit cards at banks or hotels, please first find out if that service is available at location since not all Hotels or banks accept drawing cash against credit cards.

The quickest way to transfer money in an emergency is by Western Union or Money Gram which has offices in several towns and cities.

Note: Remember to keep CFA 10,000 or€16.00 for departure tax at the airport.
Departure tax on internal flights is CFA500, or about €0.90 (cents)
Due to the exchange rate, it is cheaper to pay in CFA.

For business accounts, Standard Chartered Bank is established in Douala, and Yaounde. Minimum account balances apply (Contact Banks). In July 1998, Citibank opened in Douala, Cameroon. Another bank reliable bank is the Union bank of Cameroon.

HOTELS:

DOUALA
Douala is Cameroon's major seaport and the commercial capital. It is a city of more than 3.5 million inhabitants. There is a wide selection of hotels of varying standard.

The AKWA PALACE is right in the commercial heart of the city. The hotel has reliable quality rooms and services, and they take most credit cards and cash travelers cheques in most major currencies. Rooms run from about € 51.00 per night. This represents the best value in town. The hotel has a secluded garden area and pool at the rear. Akwa 1, the older, renovated building, and quite adequate, is €37.00 per night. .(Please confirm with Hotel for current prices).

The MERIDIEN is also very good quality, but more expensive. It has lovely grounds, and very good security. Rooms range from about €67.00 per night.

The IBIS is also a very nice secure hotel at a reasonable rate. It is a popular business hotel.

The SAWA has delightful surroundings. They do take most credit cards.

YAOUNDE

Yaoundé is 700m above sea level and therefore has a much cooler climate than Douala. Yaoundé is the capital of Cameroon, inhabited by more than 1 million people.

At the top of the range is the magnificent five star Yaounde Hilton Hotel, with the best of service. It is located in the heart of the Government district. It has excellent restaurants and bars, although quite expensive. Meals are superb. A tin drum band plays in the foyer every afternoon. The Cameroon Hilton Hotel structure is exquisitely beautiful. It is one of the tourist attractions in the capital city. Swissair and Cameroon Airlines have offices in the complex.

The hotel resort of Mont Febe Sofitel is a 15 minute drive from the heart of town, and in the Presidential Palace district. It commands magnificent views over Yaoundé, and has its own 9 hole golf course. Food and services are good, and rooms start at about €98.00.(Please confirm with Hotel for current prices). As with the Hilton, they take most credit cards. Taxis from there to the C.B.D. are expensive.

The Hotel des Deputes is in the centre of the Government District, and rear rooms have a pleasant view over a small lake, with the Prime Minister's residence, and other exclusive homes in the background. It is primarily for the use of Government Deputies when the Parliament is in Session. It is of modest standard, but has a huge lounge / bar / restaurant area, which is a popular meeting place for business people. Mini suites at about €48.00 per night are good value. (Please confirm with Hotel for current prices). Security is very high, and there is always a taxi to be had at the door. The hotel takes credit cards.

The Central Hotel: This is a 3 Star two storey Hotel with basic quality rooms, however prices are only about €23.00 to €28.00 per night for single rooms and €31.00 to €37.00 for double /Twin Bed, including continental breakfast. They also have a few good quality suites at about €41.00, which have a fridge, and separate lounge room. There is a delightful roundhouse in the yards for meals, although food is basic. It is an ideal place to stay. It has 24 hour room service, Air conditioning, Bar, Conference facilities, Mini bar in rooms, Modem point, Car parking, Restaurant, Secretary service, Phone, Satellite television etc. The Central Hotel is very close to the Hilton.

The Prestige is a basic hotel, with rooms, units, and small apartments, close to the C.B.D. It is in a noisy location, with small grounds, but boasts good security. Rooms start at a modest US$22, cash only. It is very popular with visiting businessmen, and is usually booked out.

The Royal is a basic hotel, with reasonable restaurant, located in the C.B.D, but a little too close to the massive produce markets. Taxis cruise past the door day and night. Rooms are very basic, but adequate. Rooms are from about US$26, and they do reluctantly take Visa. One interesting feature is a cluster of cabanas on the flat roof, which can be used for meetings. They have no safe deposit facilities.

Out of Town Hotels

There are several good Hotels out of the two major cities as well. They are usually clean, and with good quality food. In the major Eastern regional city of Bertoua, the Hotel Manza is another good example of a typical nice single storey hotel. Rooms average €16.50 (cash only). Bafoussam, Mbalmayo, Bamenda, Limbe, Garoua, Edea, etc have good quality hotels too. Cameroon is known for its taste and these are all reflected in services provided by the hotel industry.

Every small town and many villages have small hotels, motels or inns where rooms can be had from €4 to €10, and these are usually presentable.

Telephone:

Our country code is +237. We have services for all mobile (cell) phones. Internet access is available at many Internet cafes, accommodation and libraries. Cameroon is one of the few countries in Africa with a reasonable percentage of mobile phone users comparatively.

Shopping:

Shopping plays a large part of travelling. Whether you are shopping or sightseeing, there is always a place to shop or purchase souvenirs. In Cameroon you are covered by Cameroon consumer protection laws which require businesses to treat you fairly.

Transportation: (So how do you get around Cameroon?)

Rental cars are available if you choose to self-drive in Cameroon. Learn about insurance, Cameroon road safety and tolls before your arrival. If you need taxis there are plenty of the yellow cabs in most major cities. This is to say, the main taxi colour in Cameroon is yellow. Taxis do not have taxi meters so you have to pay a standard fare or make a proposal to the driver depending on the distance. This system varies a little depending on where you are. The biggest cities, like everywhere else in the world, turn to have a slightly different culture and practice.

Alternatively you may prefer someone else to do the navigating for you. If this sounds like your style of holiday then find out more from several online travel agencies or travel agents. Major cities in Cameroon are served by a wide variety of public transport buses.