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Country Information > West Africa > Cameroon Travel
Advice Country Description Cameroon is a developing African country. Facilities for tourism are limited. Entry Requirements A passport and a visa are required. Travelers may obtain the latest information and details from their nearest Cameroonian embassy or consulate. Safety/Security Travellers should avoid political rallies and street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times. Crime Information Armed banditry is a serious problem throughout the country, including tourist areas in Cameroon's far north province and in all major cities. To curb banditry, security personnel may request persons to show their passport, residence card, driver's license and/or vehicle registration at random checkpoints. The risk of street and residential crime is high. Reports of carjackings and burglaries also remain high, particularly in Yaounde and Douala. Incidents of carjackings have been reported on rural highways. Travellers should remain aware of their surroundings and to follow routine security precautions such as locking car, hotel, and house doors at all times. Travel after dark is extremely risky and should be avoided, if possible. Tourists and business people should note that there is an increasing circulation of counterfeit currency in the country. In recent years, business travelers have experienced difficulty in obtaining adequate services from Cameroon's banking sector. Business travelers are also advised that using the services of a local agent is a strongly recommended first step in establishing a presence in the Cameroonian market. Caution is required in pursuing joint ventures and licensing arrangements in Cameroon. The loss or theft of a passport should be reported immediately to local police and to your nearest natioanl embassy. Medical Facilities Medical facilities in Cameroon are limited. Sanitation levels are low, even in the best hospitals. Not all medicines are available. Travelers are advised to bring their own supplies. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care services. Medical Insurance Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Other Health Information Malaria prophylaxis and vaccination against hepatitis A and B, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, typhoid, and meningococcal meningitis are recommended. Cholera certification and yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry. Children's immunizations should be up-to-date. Traffic Safety & Road Conditions The information below concerning Cameroon is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Poor Cameroon's road network, both paved and unpaved, is underdeveloped and unsafe. In general, roads and vehicles are poorly maintained. During the rainy season, many roads are passable only with four-wheel-drive vehicles. There are few road and traffic signs. Livestock and pedestrians create constant road hazards, and road safety rules are routinely ignored. Buses and logging trucks traveling at high speeds are a hazard. Drivers are advised against night time travel. Outside major towns, especially in the far north province, armed bandits pose a threat. Criminal Penalties While in a foreign country, travellers are subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those of your national country and may not afford the protections normally available. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe for similar offenses. Persons violating Cameroonian law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Cameroon are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Photography Restrictions While photography is not officially forbidden, security officials are sensitive about photographs taken of government buildings, military installations, and other public facilities, many of which are unmarked. Photography of these subjects may result in seizure of photographic equipment by authorities. Due to the threat of harassment and the lack of signs designating sites prohibited for photography, photographs should be taken while in private homes and amongst friends. Currency Restrictions Credit cards and checks are rarely accepted. Cash in local currency
is usually the only form of payment accepted throughout the country.
Credit card cash advances are not available, and most banks do not
cash personal or traveler's checks. Two banks in Douala, Societe Generale
du Cameroun, telephone (237) 43-00-02 and Cofinest, telephone (237)
43-10-53, have wire transfer services through Western Union.
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