Overview
Cameroon is a country in Africa according to naturegnosis. Cameroon combines everything you imagine Africa to be: tropical rainforest and deserted beaches in the south, huge deserts, lakes and savannahs in the north, volcanoes in the south and north-west and, spread across the country, safari areas with impressive wildlife such as lions and elephants. Much of the country’s poverty-stricken infrastructure is underdeveloped. This includes transport routes and accommodation options. Certain areas should be avoided because of the unsafe situation, e.g. B. the border region to the powerful neighbor Nigeria, with which the dispute over the Bakassi Island was officially settled – the International Court of Justice ruled in 2002, that the oil-rich peninsula belongs to Cameroon – still causes tensions. The border areas with Chad and the Central African Republic are also unstable. Apart from these places, Cameroon offers a rich selection of leisure activities and fascinating travel destinations for interested adventure vacationers. This country full of life is – still – a real insider tip!
Getting there
Arriving by plane
There are no non-stop flights to Cameroon from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Air France (AF) via Paris and Turkish Airlines (TK) via Istanbul fly to Douala and Yaoundé from Frankfurt/M., Vienna and Zurich. In cooperation with Brussels Airlines (SN), Lufthansa (LH) Frankfurt/M., Austrian Airlines (OS) Vienna and Swiss (LX) Zurich connect via Brussels with Douala; Onward flight to Yaoundé is possible.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Douala: 10 hrs 5 mins; Vienna – Douala: 10 hrs 15 mins; Zurich – Douala: 9 hours 50 minutes; Frankfurt/M. – Yaoundé: 9 hours 45 minutes; Vienna – Yaoundé: 12 hours 5 minutes; Zurich – Yaoundé: 9 hours 45 minutes
Departure fee
Approx. €15 (10,000 XAF); usually already included in the ticket price. No fees are payable for children entered on their parents’ passport.
Arrival by car
There are road connections to Chad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Gabon. In the border areas with Chad and Nigeria, there are warnings of muggings and kidnappings. The border area with the Central African Republic is also considered unsafe. The Lagos-Mombasa-Highway runs from Lagos (Nigeria) via Douala and Yaoundé near Garoua Boulai to the Central African Republic. At Yaoundé, a main road branches off in a southerly direction to Gabon and Brazzaville (Congo). Four-wheel drive vehicles are particularly recommended during the rainy season. Night driving should generally be avoided. Long-distance buses: Minibuses and bush taxis run from Yaoundé and Douala to neighboring countries. It may be necessary to change the means of transport at the border. Toll: Some national roads are subject to tolls. Documents: In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Arrival by train
The neighboring countries are not connected to Cameroon’s rail network.
Arrival by ship
Cameroon’s most important port is located on the delta of the Wouri River near Douala.
Ferry provider
There are ferry services across the Ntem on the Gabon border. Simple boats also cross this river to Equatorial Guinea.
Transportation
Traveling by plane
The national airline Camair-Co (QC) offers domestic flights between cities such as Douala, Yaoundé, Maroua, Garoua, Bafoussam and Bamenda.
Traveling by car/bus
Cameroon’s road network is 77,600 km long. From Douala you can reach all major towns in the country on relatively well-developed roads. Toll: The connecting roads between the larger cities are subject to tolls. Gas stations: There are enough gas stations in the cities.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
Approximately 4,300 km of the entire road network is paved – asphalted or gravel – and generally easily passable. Unpaved roads are often impassable during the rainy season; on unpaved roads it is advisable to use 4WD vehicles all year round. Night driving should generally be avoided. The connecting roads between Douala and Jaunde, Limbé, Buéa, Bafoussam and Bamenda are asphalted and passable all year round, as are some other roads in the west and north of the country.
Road classification
Cameroon’s road network consists of national roads marked with the letter N and a number, provincial roads marked with a P and a number, and regional roads beginning with the letter D.
Car rental
Rental cars with and without a driver are available in Douala at the airport and in the city, as well as in Yaoundé, among others. The minimum age for drivers is usually 21 years; Under the age of 25, you often pay a young driver fee on site. Many car rental companies specify 75 as the upper age limit.
Taxi
In the cities, taxis are used almost exclusively as shared taxis. Mototaxis (mopeds) are also available.
Coach
Buses run between Yaoundé and all major cities in the country, such as Douala, Bafoussam and Bamenda. Among other things, United Express offers bus connections between Yaoundé and Douala (journey time: 4 hours). Buses in rural areas are often unreliable.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Alcohol limit: 0.8 ‰. Speed limits: – in built-up areas: 50 km/h; – country roads: 90 km/h; – Motorway: 110 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in the event of damage to the vehicle: Tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, in the event of illness: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. In the event of breakdowns or accidents with the rental car, the car rental company should be contacted first.
Documentation
In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Traveling in the city
In Yaoundé and Douala there are almost exclusively shared taxis that are stopped by hand signals; you will only be picked up if your destination is compatible with the route that may already have been set. You can also hire a taxi on your own for a surcharge. In Maroua and Garoua there are almost only mototaxis (mopeds).
Locally on the way by train
Camrail operates the country’s rail service with daily connections on the Douala-Kumba, Douala-Yaounde (intercity and express trains) and Yaoundé-Ngaoundéré (with couchette trains) routes.
