Risk level

Safety and security

Far North region and Mayo-Louti Department

The growing presence of extremist groups has increased the risk of terrorist acts, kidnappings and banditry.

There have been several suicide bomb attacks in public places of major urban areas, resulting in several deaths and injuries. Fighting between Cameroonian security forces and Boko Haram combatants is often very violent.

North-West and South-West regions

Demonstrations, general strikes and clashes stemming from local tensions have led to casualties in the North-West and South-West regions.

The security situation has deteriorated since the beginning of 2018. Kidnappings have occurred and foreigners have been targeted.

Unofficial road blocks could be set up by armed groups.

At any time, local authorities could impose movement restrictions, and telecommunications could be disrupted.

Curfew

An 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew is in place in the areas bordering Nigeria, Chad and the CAR because there are:

• carjackings
• assaults
• kidnappings and
• other forms of armed banditry

A state of emergency is in effect in the Nigerian states of Borno and Adamawa, which border northeast Cameroon. There is a threat of terrorist and criminal acts along the Nigerian border.

The security crisis in the CAR periodically spills over the border. Attacks and kidnappings have occurred along the border with Cameroon.

Bakassi Peninsula

Various forms of banditry occur in this area due to its isolated location.

Crime

Assaults, burglaries and armed robberies occur in major urban centres and on main roads.

Snatch-and-grab theft is common. Don’t resist robberies, as perpetrators may use violence.

In the community of Melong, foreign tourists are often targeted for violent assault and theft. Avoid hiking around the region.

Avoid staying at hotels in the Mount Manengouba and Jumeaux lakes areas.

Theft is prevalent and occurs on trains, buses and taxis. Violent assaults on taxi passengers are frequent. Some hotels offer a shuttle service from Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport to downtown Yaoundé. You should use this service or arrange to be met, especially after dark.

• Avoid isolated areas
• Avoid travelling alone, especially after dark, in certain areas of Yaoundé, including La Briqueterie, Mokolo and Mvog Ada
• Don’t show signs of affluence

Terrorism

There’s a threat of terrorism.

Since June 2020, several incidents involving improvised explosive devices have been reported in Yaoundé. These devices have been concealed in public places and detonated remotely. The explosions resulted in several injuries.

Remain vigilant at all times, but especially in public places such as :

• restaurants, bars, and cafes
• Shopping malls and markets
• Tourist attractions
• Hotels and other places frequented by foreigners.

Targets could include the following locations:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks

Fraud

Attempted fraud is frequently reported in Cameroon.

More about overseas fraud.

Demonstrations

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations
• Always carry with you photo identification such as your passport
• Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place, in case it’s lost or confiscated.

More about mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Piracy

Pirate attacks have been reported in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Guinea and, in some cases, farther out at sea. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

There are pirates in the waters around the ferry crossing between Limbe or Tiko, Cameroon, and Calabar, Nigeria.

Live Piracy Report - International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre

Road safety

Major roads are in good condition but secondary roads are damaged and unsafe, particularly during the rainy season.

Reckless driving, the use of poorly maintained vehicles and lack of respect for traffic laws are common. Keep windows closed and doors locked at all times.

Avoid driving after dark in rural areas and on the main road between Yaoundé and Douala.

The presence of livestock and pedestrians on the roadway and the lack of signage pose hazards.

If travelling overland, carry sufficient supplies of water, food and fuel, as well as a reliable means of communication, such as a cellular telephone (in areas with reliable service), a satellite telephone or a VHF radio.

Roadblocks

Local police erect roadblocks throughout the country, and you may be expected to pay them. If you receive a ticket, ask the police officer to include a description of the violation(s) on the ticket. Tickets can be paid at a local court or at a police station.

In the event of an accident

To obtain assistance in the event of an accident, go to the police station or gendarmerie closest to you.

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

General information about foreign domestic airlines

General safety information

Tourist facilities are limited. Avoid shopping on the street. If possible, shop in the company of a guide or buy from established shops.

Carefully evaluate the risks to your security before deciding to travel within Cameroon. Monitor news reports and follow the advice of local authorities. Verify the security conditions in the region you are travelling to and ensure that your hotel is safe.

Power outages are a daily occurrence all over the country and can last more than 8 hours. Turn off your electrical appliances before leaving your place of residence. Gas may also be in short supply, especially during holiday periods, such as December and January.

The border with Equatorial Guinea is frequently closed. Contact local authorities for the latest information.

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Cameroonian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave from Cameroon.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Canadians must have a visa and an onward or return ticket.

Tourist visa: Required
Business visa: Required
Student visa: Required

Canadians who are going to Cameroon to work must obtain a resident card shortly after arrival.

Health screening

Due to the ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus disease in neighbouring countries you may be subject to a quick thermal scanner screening and/or a health questionnaire at the airports upon boarding or disembarking a plane and at land border crossings. If you are travelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo, you may also be asked to provide the address where you will reside during your stay in Cameroon, as well as a telephone number to contact you.

Children and travel

Learn about travel with children.

Proof of polio vaccination

Visitors who intend to stay in Cameroon for more than four weeks will need to show proof of polio vaccination upon entry.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine Vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccines, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.

Some of these vaccines include: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines are right for you.

Food and Water-borne Diseases

Travellers to any destination in the world can develop travellers' diarrhea from consuming contaminated water or food.

In some areas in Central Africa, food and water can also carry diseases like cholera, hepatitis A, schistosomiasis and typhoid. Practise safe food and water precautions while travelling in Central Africa. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!

Insects and Illness

In some areas in Central Africa, certain insects carry and spread diseases like African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, dengue fever, leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, malaria, onchocerciasis, Rift Valley fever, West Nile virus and yellow fever.

Travellers are advised to take precautions against bites.

Animals and Illness

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Certain infections found in some areas of Central Africa, like Ebola,  rabies, can be shared between humans and animals.

Person-to-Person Infections

Crowded conditions can increase your risk of certain illnesses. Remember to wash your hands often and practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette to avoid colds, the flu and other illnesses.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are spread through blood and bodily fluids; practise safer sex.

Medical services and facilities

Medical facilities and services are not up to Canadian standards.

Even in large cities, medical supplies and facilities can be limited, and it can be difficult to get proper medical care from health professionals.

Medical facilities may require some form of payment before accepting a patient. Medical evacuation to Europe may be necessary for cases of serious illness.

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Identification

Carry certified copies of your identification and travel documents with you at all times, and keep the original documents in a secure place

Illegal drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe.

• Alcohol, drugs and travel
• Cannabis and international travel

LGBTQ2

Sexual acts between persons of the same sex are prohibited under Cameroonian law. LGBTQ2 travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Cameroon.

Photography

Avoid taking photographs of airports, ports, military sites, government buildings and uniformed service people. Always ask permission before photographing individuals.

Driving

A Canadian driver’s licence alone is not acceptable to drive in Cameroon. An International Driving Permit is required for visits of up to one year in Cameroon.

If you intend to stay in Cameroon for more than one year, you will require a Cameroonian driver’s licence. To obtain a Cameroonian driver's licence, you are required to present your Canadian driver’s licence to the Delegation of Public Transport in your town of residence. The process usually takes only 24 hours.

You should always carry your driving permit and your vehicle’s registration documents.

More about the International Driving Permit

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Cameroon.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of Cameroon, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

General information for travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Cameroon.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Cameroon by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Cameroon to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

Useful links

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Money

The currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF). The West African CFA franc is not legal in Cameroon and cannot be used or exchanged.

The economy is primarily cash-based.

The euro and the U.S. dollar are accepted in major stores and hotels. Credit cards are rarely accepted outside major international hotels.

Transferring money

Transferring money out of Cameroon is regulated, and you must obtain authorization from the Ministry of Finance for any such transaction. Transferring funds through a bank is time-consuming, and charges are levied.

Natural disasters and climate

The rainy or monsoon season occurs from June to September in the north and from July to November in the south. Travel to certain rural areas may be difficult during these periods, as heavy rains and flash floods can make unpaved roads impassable.

Keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

Mountaineers should consult with local authorities prior to ascending Mount Cameroon.

Exercise caution around the Nyos and Monoun volcanic lakes because they periodically release toxic gas.