FIND YOUR PERFECT HOLIDAY
TOP HOLIDAYS IN AFRICA
- Mount Toubkal in Winter
- Morocco - Trek & Walk - 7 Days
- Kilimanjaro Rongai Route
- Tanzania - Trek & Walk - 7 Days
- Atlas to Atlantic Family
- Morocco - Family - 9 Days
- Victoria Falls to Cape Town
- Zambia - Biking - 20 Days
- The Simien Mountains
- Ethiopia - Trek & Walk - 12 Days
Cameroon
Geography
Situated on the west coast of Africa, Cameroon is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Guinea, to the northwest by Nigeria, to the northeast by Chad (with Lake Chad at its northern tip), to the east by the Central African Republic and to the south by Congo-Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo), Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The far north of the country is a semi-desert broadening into the vast Maroua Plain, with game reserves and mineral deposits. This is bordered to the west by the lush Mandara Mountains; the Benue River rises here and flows westwards into the Niger. The country to the northwest is particularly striking: volcanic peaks covered by bamboo forest rise to over 2,000m, with waterfalls and villages scattered over the lower slopes. Further to the south and west are savannah uplands, while dense forest covers the east and south. The highest peak, at 4,095m is Mount Cameroon, which lies close to the coast. The humid coastal strip is tropical, with a mixture of rainforest and farmland. The River Wouri, which flows southwest into the Gulf of Guinea, inspired the country's name after 15th-century Portuguese sailor Fernando Po's spoke of the Rio dos Cameroes (river of shrimps).
Electric Supply and Plugs
Electrical sockets found in Cameroon are mostly one three European standard types: The so-called Europlug which is two pin with no earth, is the most common. You may also see the Geman type which is 2 pin with with two earthing clips on the outer edge or the French type which is t2 pin with a central off-set earth pin in the socket. Most travel adapters will accommodate all these types. The voltage in Cameroon is 220 - 240v at 50 Hz.
Time Zone
Cameroon time zone is GMT + 1hr
Language
There are many ethnic groups in Cameroon and some 230 separate languages spoken. English and French are both official languages of Cameroon. Although few people will speak both, you will find that many people you meet can understand and speak one or the other. French is favoured in Douala but many people here and throughout Cameroon speak a form of Creole or pidgin English known locally as Kamtok. With a little effort and patience it should be possible to understand and make yourself understood with most people you meet.
Climate
Cameroon has a tropical climate with two fairly distinct regions. The south of the country has generally high rainfall and humidity and it becomes progressively drier as you move north. Along the coast, the average annual rainfall varies between 250 and 400 cm and moving inland (in the South), this decreases to between 150 and 250 cm. In the South there are two dry seasons - November to March and June to August, although even during these periods, it can rain on any day on Mount Cameroon. The average daytime temperature during these periods will be around 25°C, falling to around 20°C up on the plateau. At night up on the plateau it can be quite chilly but even at the highest camp it is rare for the temperature to drop below freezing.
Currency
The currency used in Cameroon is the CFA Franc. You cannot take CFA into the country and the easiest currency to take for exchange is the Euro. There are no available ATM machines in Doula.
Visa Requirements
A valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining validity), and a visa are required. Visas must be obtained in advance except for nationals of countries where Cameroon has no diplomatic representation, who can apply for a visa on arrival. Full details of visa requirements for Cameroon will be sent with your booking confirmation. For the most up to date information on costs of visas please visit the relevant trip page on our website. All visa information is subject to change without prior warning.
Vaccinations
You should attend your own doctor and dentist for a check-up. Your doctor will have access to the most up to date information on the required vaccinations for the country you are visiting. In general we recommend vaccinations against the following: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, & Hepatitis ‘A'. Malaria prophylaxis (note: not chloroquine) is strongly recommended for this trip. Evidence of Yellow Fever vaccination is required. A very good online resource is the NHS travel website at fitfortravel.nhs.uk
