TOURISM IN CAMEROON

Visa Requirements/Visa Assistance

PASSPORTS:

Passports valid for a minimum of 6 months required by all.


 

VISAS:

 

Cameroon visas Required by all except:

(a) nationals of Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon for a stay not exceeding 90 days;

(b) Those in transit, holding onward tickets and continuing their journey on the first or same aircraft within 24 hours and provided not leaving the airport.

Types of visa:
Cameroon tourist visa,Transit visa and Business visa.

Validity:
Short-stay visas are valid for up to 1 months and Medium-stay visas up to 3 months. Both types of visa should be used within 3 months of issue. Applications or extensions should be made to the Embassy.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy). Visas are also available on arrival for countries where Cameroon has no diplomatic representation, but have to be prearranged by your travel agent or tour operator.

Application requirements:
(a) Valid passport.
(b) 2 completed application forms.
(c) 2 passport-size photos.
(d) Copy of ticket.
(e) Proof of hotel booking.
(f) For a Cameroon business visa, a letter from applicant’s company and a letter from business partners in Cameroon.

Working days required:
24 hours if application is delivered by hand, a few days if by mail.

Temporary residence: Applicants must have Residence and Work Permits. Apply to Immigration authorities in Cameroon


 

GETTING THERE:

AIR:

Cameroon’s national airline is Camair co Airlines (UY). Other airlines which run flights to Cameroon are Air France, Nigeria Airways, Air Afrique, Ethiopian airline, South African airline, Afriqiyah, Swiss Air, Kenya Airline, S N Brussels, Air Maroc, There are regular flights from Cameroon to France, South Africa, Gabon, Belgium, Swiss, Nigeria, d’Ivoire, Benin, and Togo.

International airports:
Douala (DLA) is 10km (6 miles) southeast of the city. Facilities include a duty-free shop, bar, post office, bank, shops and buffet/restaurant. Taxis are also available at a cost of 1500CFAfr. Nsimalen (NSI) airport, serving Yaounde, has recently been constructed about 25km (15.5 miles) from the city. There are no buses, but taxis are available at a cost of about 3000CFAfr. Journey time by taxi is about 20 minutes.

Departure Tax:
CFA fr10,000 for international flights, CFAfr500 for domestic flights.

SEA:

Irregular sailings from European ports to Douala take up to three weeks, with stops in the Canary Islands and West African ports. There are also berths on some cargo boats for six to 12 passengers.

RAIL:

There are plans to extend the rail network from Mbalmayo to Bangui in the Central African Republic.

ROAD:

There are road connections to Chad, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, Nigeria and Gabon. Travel on these routes is rough, and should not be attempted in the rainy season. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. The Trans-Africa Highway from Kenya to Nigeria is under construction.


 

GETTING AROUND:

AIR:

This is the most efficient means of national transport. There are daily flights between Douala and Yaounde; less regular flights to other interior towns.

RAIL:

Rail travel within Cameroon is slow but cheap. Daily trains run from Douala to Yaounde, with onward connections to Ngaoundere, and from Douala to Nkongsamba. Couchettes are available on some trains, and a few have air-conditioning and restaurant cars. Children aged 5-9 pay half-fare. There is no charge for children under 5. The final section of the Transcameroon railway was completed in 1987. It runs from Yaounde to Ngaoundere covering a distance of 885km (550 miles).

ROAD:

There are paved roads from Douala to Yaounde, Limbe, Buea, Bafoussam and Bamenda and between main centres. Other roads are generally poorly maintained and become almost impassable during the rainy season. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Modern coach services are available between Yaounde and Ngaoundere. Bus services also exist between other main centres and more rural areas. Car  This is limited and expensive and is available in Douala, Yaounde and Limbe, with or without a driver. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not a legal requirement but recommended.

URBAN:

Bus services operate in Douala, Yaounde and other major cities at flat fares. Taxis are available at reasonable fixed rates (none are metered). A 10% tip is optional.


 

ENTERTAINMENT:

Food and Drink
Cooking is often French or Lebanese, while local food can also be very tasty. Luxury items can be extremely expensive. The country abounds in avocado pears, citrus fruits, pineapples and mangoes. Prawns are in plentiful supply in the south. There are many restaurants in big towns and cities, with good service. Drink: Most international hotels have bars. There are no licensing hours, and hotel bars stay open as long as there is custom.

Nightlife
In Douala and Yaounde particularly, nightclubs and casinos can be found independently or within most good hotels. There are also some cinemas.

Shopping
Local handicrafts include highly decorated pots, drinking horns, jugs, bottles and cups, great earthenware bowls and delicate pottery, dishes and trays, mats and rugs woven from grass, raffia, jewelry and camel hair or cotton and beadwork garments.

Sports
Fishing is good in many rivers and coastal areas. Hunting licenses are limited. Swimming in the sea and swimming pools of luxury hotels, which generally also have tennis courts, are both available. A golf course is available to hotel residents in Yaounde. Football is a popular spectator sport.

Social Conventions
Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. In the north, where the population is largely Muslim, Islamic traditions should be respected. Visitors should never step inside a Muslim prayer circle of rocks. In other rural areas, where traditional beliefs predominate, it is essential to use tact. Photography: Cameras should be used with discretion, particularly in rural areas. Always ask permission before taking a photograph. Do not photograph airports, military establishments, official buildings, or military personnel in uniform. Tipping: The average tip for porters and hotel staff should be about 10%, otherwise service charges are usually inclusive.


 

Holidays & Events

  • Christmas
  • New Year’s Day
  • Ramadan
  • Feb 11 Youth Day.
  • Good Friday.
  • Easter Monday.
  • May 1 Labour Day.
  • Ascension Day.
  • May 20 National Day.