Africa · Middle Africa

Cameroon

Republic of Cameroon

Flag of Cameroon
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+01:00
🏛️ Capital
Yaoundé
👥 Population
29,442,327
📐 Area
475,442 km²
💱 Currency
Central African CFA franc (Fr)
🗣️ Languages
English, French
📞 Calling Code
+237
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+01:00
🌐 Region
Africa / Middle Africa

About Cameroon

Cameroon is famously known as "Africa in Miniature" — and the nickname is entirely justified. Within this single country you will find Atlantic beaches, equatorial rainforests, volcanic mountains, vast savannas, and the edge of the Sahara Desert all compressed into one remarkable territory. It is a country where a few days of travel can transport you from lush jungle where lowland gorillas roam to arid semi-desert landscapes dotted with the fortress-like compounds of northern sultanates.

Yaoundé, the political capital set in rolling green hills, offers a contrasting experience to the more dynamic commercial port city of Douala. The Littoral region around Douala is a gateway to extraordinary nature: Mount Cameroon, the highest peak in West and Central Africa, rises dramatically from the coast to 4,095 meters and can be climbed as a multi-day trek through shifting ecological zones. The Bamiléké highlands in the west are a cultural heartland of traditional chieftaincies, tikar bronze castings, and one of the most visually distinctive architectural landscapes in Africa.

In the far north, the Mandara Mountains and Waza National Park offer a wildlife and cultural experience unlike anything in the south. And cutting through everything is the Cameroonian spirit — warm, entrepreneurial, and sporting (the Indomitable Lions national football team is a source of enormous pride). Despite infrastructure challenges and some security concerns in specific regions, Cameroon rewards intrepid travelers with an Africa of extraordinary variety.

History & Background

Cameroon's territory has been inhabited for thousands of years, with the Sao civilization flourishing around Lake Chad from roughly the 5th through the 15th centuries. The Portuguese arrived on the coast in the 1470s and named the Wouri River "Rio dos Camarões" (River of Prawns) — the origin of the country's modern name. The powerful Fulani jihad of the early 19th century transformed the north politically and religiously, establishing sultanates that still hold ceremonial authority today.

Germany established a protectorate over Kamerun in 1884, building roads, railways, and plantations across the territory. After Germany's World War I defeat, the territory was divided between Britain and France under League of Nations mandates. French Cameroun gained independence on January 1, 1960, and the following year a plebiscite saw the southern part of British Cameroons vote to join the new republic, while the northern section voted to join Nigeria. The English–French linguistic fault line has intensified in recent years, with Anglophone regions in the northwest and southwest experiencing a secessionist conflict known as the Anglophone Crisis since 2016, which requires careful consideration when planning travel.

Culture & People

Cameroon's cultural mosaic is among Africa's most complex: the country harbors over 250 ethnic groups speaking nearly 300 languages. This diversity is organized into broad linguistic and cultural zones — the Beti and Bassa peoples of the south, the Bamiléké highlanders of the west, the Muslim Fulani and Arab Choa of the north, and the Baka forest-dwelling communities of the east. English and French are co-official languages, a legacy of the country's dual British and French colonial history that still shapes its politics and identity today.

The Bamiléké people of the western highlands are particularly celebrated for their rich chieftaincy traditions, elaborate funerary ceremonies, and the iconic dancing masks with long beaded garments that appear at royal festivals. Cameroon's music scene is world-class: Makossa rhythms from Douala have influenced African popular music globally, and bikutsi from the Beti south adds a compelling polyrhythmic counterpoint. The country's storytelling, oral poetry, and griots tradition weave together a cultural narrative that connects modern Cameroonians to ancient lineages while embracing a forward-looking creativity that thrives in its cities and festivals.

Food & Cuisine

Cameroonian cuisine is hearty and vegetable-rich, with a deep reliance on cassava, plantain, cocoyam, and maize as starchy bases. Ndolé — a bitterleaf stew cooked with groundnuts and sometimes meat or smoked fish — is the national dish and a deeply satisfying flavor experience. Eru soup, made from forest leaves and waterleaf cooked with smoked fish or beef and palm oil, is a western Cameroonian specialty that has become beloved across the country. Soya — spiced beef skewers grilled over charcoal at roadside stands — is the quintessential street food of Yaoundé and Douala.

Plantain is ubiquitous: boiled, fried, roasted, or pounded into miondo (a fermented cassava version) it appears at virtually every meal. Pepper soup made with goat or fish is a celebratory dish found at occasions from weddings to funerals. Fresh fish from the Atlantic coast and from Cameroon's lakes and rivers are exceptional — grilled tilapia and mackerel are sold at coastal markets with the catch barely an hour old. Palm wine, tapped fresh from palm trees, is the traditional social drink of the south, while Castel and '33' Export beer are the nation's beloved commercial brews.

Top Attractions

  • Mount Cameroon — West Africa's highest peak (4,095m), an active volcano offering challenging multi-day treks through rainforest, moorland, and volcanic lava fields.
  • Waza National Park — Northern Cameroon's premier wildlife destination with lions, elephants, giraffes, and exceptional birdwatching in the dry season.
  • Bamiléké Chieftaincy Villages — The western highlands are dotted with traditional palaces, masked festivals, and artisan workshops producing world-class bronze and textile art.
  • Limbe Botanical Garden — A lush colonial-era garden on the Atlantic coast adjoining a wildlife center caring for rescued chimpanzees and gorillas.
  • Mandara Mountains — Dramatic volcanic peaks in the far north, home to the Mandara people whose hilltop villages and terraced agriculture create a spectacular landscape.
  • Dja Faunal Reserve — A UNESCO World Heritage rainforest covering over 5,000 square kilometers, one of Africa's largest undisturbed rainforests and home to western lowland gorillas.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Check current travel advisories before visiting — the Anglophone northwest and southwest regions, parts of the far north near Lake Chad, and areas near the CAR border carry elevated security risks.
  • The CFA franc is the local currency; ATMs are available in Yaoundé and Douala but very limited elsewhere — carry adequate cash for rural travel.
  • Both French and English are official, but French dominates — basic French is extremely helpful outside the Anglophone regions.
  • A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry and will be checked at the airport.
  • Road travel between cities can be very slow; intercity buses are available but journeys take much longer than map distances suggest due to road conditions.
  • Photography requires a permit for public spaces in some areas — always ask permission before photographing people or markets.

Visa Overview

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Cameroon, obtained in advance from a Cameroonian embassy or consulate. Visa on arrival is not generally available, so plan ahead. Requirements typically include a valid passport with at least six months of validity, a completed application form, a passport photo, return ticket, proof of accommodation, and the visa fee. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for all travelers. Citizens of certain CEMAC countries and some other African nations benefit from visa-free or simplified entry arrangements. Always verify current requirements with the relevant Cameroonian mission.

Getting Around

Douala and Yaoundé are Cameroon's main international airports, connected by a highway that takes approximately three hours. Within cities, shared taxis (taxi-clando) are inexpensive; for intercity travel, bus companies like Général Express and Binam operate comfortable services on main routes. Road quality deteriorates significantly outside major corridors, particularly in the western highlands and north. Hiring a private vehicle with a driver is recommended for exploring Mount Cameroon, the Bamiléké region, and northern parks. The country's limited rail network connects Yaoundé to Ngaoundéré in the north.

Safety Notes

Cameroon has several areas of active security concern: the Far North region near Lake Chad, the northwest and southwest Anglophone regions experiencing armed conflict, and areas bordering the Central African Republic. Travelers should avoid these zones entirely. In Yaoundé and Douala, petty crime and street robbery are present — avoid displaying valuables, use reputable transport, and exercise caution at night. Road accidents are common due to poor roads and driving conditions. Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is essential; malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Cameroon.

Central African CFA franc (XAF) Fr
Updated: 2026-05-19
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.019391
AAVE 0.000020
ADA 0.007059
AED 0.006518
AFN 0.110934
AKT 0.002202
ALGO 0.016527
ALL 0.145650
AMD 0.653146
AMP 2.121101
ANG 0.003197
AOA 1.630190
APE 0.012306
APT 0.001880
AR 0.000831
ARB 0.015184
ARS 2.477639
ATOM 0.000863
ATS 0.020977
AUD 0.002487
AVAX 0.000192
AWG 0.003177
AXS 0.001511
AZM 15.084970
AZN 0.003017
BAKE 2.400301
BAM 0.002982
BAT 0.018318
BBD 0.003549
BCH 0.000005
BDT 0.218081
BEF 0.061498
BGN 0.002982
BHD 0.000667
BIF 5.286949
BMD 0.001775
BNB 0.000003
BND 0.002272
BOB 0.012300
BRL 0.008891
BSD 0.001775
BSV 0.000118
BSW 2.073411
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.004613
BTN 0.171061
BTT 5,516.165249
BUSD 0.001776
BWP 0.024127
BYN 0.004880
BYR 48.803941
BZD 0.003572
CAD 0.002440
CAKE 0.001255
CDF 4.072838
CELO 0.022055
CFX 0.030138
CHF 0.001395
CHZ 0.036095
CLP 1.599047
CNH 0.012075
CNY 0.012071
COMP 0.000081
COP 6.742316
CRC 0.803433
CRO 0.025396
CRV 0.007522
CSPR 0.600763
CUC 0.001775
CUP 0.042584
CVE 0.168106
CVX 0.001023
CYP 0.000892
CZK 0.037061
DAI 0.001776
DASH 0.000041
DCR 0.000105
DEM 0.002982
DFI 1.807280
DJF 0.315787
DKK 0.011392
DOGE 0.017015
DOP 0.105055
DOT 0.001421
DYDX 0.012270
DZD 0.235605
EEK 0.023853
EGLD 0.000453
EGP 0.094631
ENJ 0.041320
EOS 0.021939
ERN 0.026620
ESP 0.253654
ETB 0.279453
ETC 0.000199
ETH 0.000001
EUR 0.001524
EURC 0.001523
FEI 0.001781
FIL 0.001839
FIM 0.009064
FJD 0.003913
FKP 0.001323
FLOW 0.049182
FLR 0.212454
FRAX 0.001787
FRF 0.0100
FTT 0.005493
GALA 0.527820
GBP 0.001323
GEL 0.004741
GGP 0.001323
GHC 203.023699
GHS 0.020302
GIP 0.001323
GMD 0.131103
GMX 0.000268
GNF 15.567248
GNO 0.000015
GRD 0.519470
GRT 0.070562
GT 0.000250
GTQ 0.013529
GUSD 0.001779
GYD 0.371172
HBAR 0.019716
HKD 0.013898
HNL 0.047211
HNT 0.002155
HOT 4.472853
HRK 0.011486
HT 0.012238
HTG 0.232286
HUF 0.549722
ICP 0.000687
IDR 31.456689
IEP 0.001201
ILS 0.005151
IMP 0.001323
IMX 0.010425
INJ 0.000340
INR 0.171061
IQD 2.325314
IRR 2,339.333764
ISK 0.218611
ITL 2.951825
JEP 0.001323
JMD 0.280627
JOD 0.001258
JPY 0.282059
KAS 0.051354
KAVA 0.030815
KCS 0.000222
KDA 0.213354
KES 0.229501
KGS 0.155245
KHR 7.117762
KLAY 0.034119
KMF 0.7500
KNC 0.012360
KPW 1.597191
KRW 2.671229
KSM 0.000356
KWD 0.000546
KYD 0.001476
KZT 0.832741
LAK 38.927058
LBP 159.097755
LDO 0.004983
LEO 0.000176
LINK 0.000183
LKR 0.591042
LRC 0.109505
LRD 0.325264
LSL 0.029547
LTC 0.000033
LTL 0.005264
LUF 0.061498
LUNA 0.028039
LUNC 22.579073
LVL 0.001071
LYD 0.011269
MAD 0.016332
MANA 0.020137
MBX 0.045322
MDL 0.030711
MGA 7.425938
MGF 37.129688
MINA 0.031067
MKD 0.093945
MKR 0.000001
MMK 3.725521
MNT 6.351599
MOP 0.014315
MRO 0.709566
MRU 0.070957
MTL 0.000654
MUR 0.083913
MVR 0.027409
MWK 3.088782
MXN 0.030711
MXV 0.003475
MYR 0.007053
MZM 113.350526
MZN 0.113351
NAD 0.029547
NEAR 0.001100
NEO 0.000614
NEXO 0.001995
NFT 6,274.777524
NGN 2.433220
NIO 0.065234
NLG 0.003360
NOK 0.016458
NPR 0.273826
NZD 0.003031
OKB 0.000022
OMR 0.000683
ONE 0.865796
OP 0.013823
ORDI 0.000426
PAB 0.001775
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.006073
PEPE 481.910841
PGK 0.007841
PHP 0.109518
PI 0.011692
PKR 0.494441
PLN 0.006467
POL 0.019524
PTE 0.305633
PYG 10.801583
QAR 0.006460
QNT 0.000024
QTUM 0.001965
ROL 79.417597
RON 0.007942
RPL 0.001023
RSD 0.178929
RUB 0.128621
RUNE 0.003965
RVN 0.321113
RWF 2.594807
SAND 0.024643
SAR 0.006655
SBD 0.014209
SCR 0.026054
SDD 106.522710
SDG 1.065227
SEK 0.016698
SGD 0.002272
SHIB 307.893823
SHP 0.001323
SIT 0.365329
SKK 0.045927
SLE 0.040649
SLL 40.649170
SNX 0.005729
SOL 0.000021
SOS 1.014125
SPL 0.000296
SRD 0.066063
SRG 66.062690
SSP 8.367030
STD 37.752649
STN 0.037753
STX 0.007429
SUI 0.001677
SVC 0.015529
SYP 0.196167
SZL 0.029547
THB 0.057891
THETA 0.008989
TJS 0.016519
TMM 31.121252
TMT 0.006224
TND 0.005154
TON 0.000882
TOP 0.004222
TRL 80,896.793623
TRX 0.004976
TRY 0.080897
TTD 0.012038
TUSD 0.001777
TVD 0.002487
TWD 0.056147
TWT 0.003714
TZS 4.617794
UAH 0.078338
UGX 6.688289
UNI 0.000503
USD 0.001775
USDC 0.001775
USDD 0.001777
USDP 0.001777
USDT 0.001776
UYU 0.071136
UZS 21.353183
VAL 2.951825
VEB 91,809,632.725323
VED 0.918055
VEF 91,805.536798
VES 0.918055
VET 0.263460
VND 46.728455
VUV 0.210717
WAVES 0.004669
WEMIX 0.006570
WOO 0.105086
WST 0.004783
XAG 0.000023
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.004805
XCG 0.003197
XCH 0.000639
XDC 0.057090
XDR 0.001298
XEC 241.936057
XEM 2.666569
XLM 0.012089
XMR 0.000005
XOF 1.0000
XPD 0.000001
XPF 0.181920
XPT 0.000001
XRP 0.001284
XTZ 0.005190
YER 0.423478
ZAR 0.029547
ZEC 0.000003
ZIL 0.451396
ZMK 33.541740
ZMW 0.033542
ZWD 0.642262
ZWG 0.045983
ZWL 114.898216

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Cities in Cameroon 427
Browse all cities and towns
Abong-Mbang Afanloum Akoéman Akom Akom II Akono Akonolinga Akwaya Ambam Angossas Assié Assighassia Atok Awaé Awing Ayos Babadjou Babessi Bafang Bafia Bafoussam Bafoussam III Bafut Baham Bakou Baleng Bali Bali Bamenda Bamenda Bamendjou Bamougoum Bandenkop Bandja Bandjoun Bangangté Bangem Town Bangou Bangou Carrefour Bangourain Banka Bankim Banwa Banyo Baréko (Baré-Bakem) Barndaké Baschéo Bassamba Batcham Batchenga Batibo Batié Batouri Bayangam Bazou Béka Bélabo Bélel Bembon Benakuma Bengbis Bertoua Betare Oya Bétaré-Oya Bibemi Bibey Bikok Bikop Bindiba Bipindi Biwong-Bane Biwong-Bulu Biyouha Blangoua Bogo Bokito Bonaberi Bondjock Borgop Bot-Makak Boubara Boula-Ibi Boumnyébel Bourah Bourgouma Buea Buea Camp de réfugiés de Minawao Campo Colomine Darak Dargala Datchéka Deido Dembo Demdeng (Djebem) Demsa Deuk Diang Dibang Dibombari Dimako Dir Dizangué Djang Djohong Djondong Djoum Djoum Dompta Douala Douala III Doualayel Doumaintang Doumé Dschang Dzeng Dziguilao Ebebda Ebolowa Ebolowa II Ebone Edéa Édéa II Edzendouan Efoulan Ekité Ekondo-Titi Ekoudendi Elig-Mfomo Élogbatindi Emvane Endom Éséka Esse Essu Evindissi Evodoula Eyumodjock Fifinda I Figuif Figuif Figuil Fokoué Fongo-Tongo Fontem Fontem Fotokol Foulou Foumban Foumbot Fundong Furu Awa Galim Galim-Tignère Gara Gari-Gombo Garoua Garoua Garoua III Garoua-Boulaï Gaschiga Gawel Gazawa Gbatoua Gbitti Gobo Gogoleme Gor Goulfey Gouna Guémé Guere Guider Guider Guidiguis Guidjiba Guirvidig Guiwa Yangamo Hilé-Alifa Hina Hinalé Idenao Jakiri Kaélé Kai-Kai Kala Kafra Kalfou Kar-Hay Kékem Kentzou Kétté Kiiki Kobdombo Kolofata Kompina Kon-Yambetta Kontcha Kouoptamo Kousséri Koutaba Koza Kribi Kribi II Kumba Kumba Kumba III Kumbo Kumbo Kumbo Town Kyé-Ossi Lagdo Lagdo Limani Limbe Limbé Limbé III Logbadjek Logone-Birni Lolo Lolodorf Lomié Londji Loum Ma'an Mada Madingrin_1 Maga Magba Makak Makary Makenene Makepe Makondo Malentouen Mamfe Mamfé Mandjou Manjo Manoka Maroua Maroua III Martap Massangam Massok Matomb Mayo Darlé Mayo Djarendji Mayo-Baléo Mayo-Oulo Mbaiboum Mbalam Mbalmayo Mbandjock Mbang Mbang Mbanga Mbanga Mbangassina Mbankomo Mbé Mbengwi Mbengwi Mbilé Mbol II Mboma Mbouda Meidougou Meiganga Melong Mengang Mengong Menguémé Meri Messamena Messock Messondo Meyo Biboulou Meyomessala Meyomessi Mfou Minawao/Gawar Mindif Mindourou II Minta Mintom II Mme Mogodé Mokolo Moloundou Mombo Monatélé Mora Mouanko Mouloundou Moulvoudaye Moutourwa Mozogo Mundemba Mutengene Muyuka Muyuka Mvangan Mvengue Nanga-Eboko Ndaba Ndélélé Ndikiniméki Ndikoko Ndobian ( Nord-Makombé) Ndokayo Ndom Ndop Ndoukoula Ngambe Nganha Ngaoui Ngaoundal Ngaoundéré Ngaoundéré III Ngog-Mapubi Ngomedzap Ngomedzap Ngong Ngoro Ngoulemakong Ngoumou Ngoura Ngovayang I Ngoyla Nguélébok Nguelemendouka Nguibassal Niété Nitoukou Njimom Njinibi Njinikom Njombé Nkambe Nkambe Nkô Nkolafamba Nkolmetet Nkondjock Nkong-Zem Nkongsamba Nkongsamba III Nkor Nkoteng Noubou Nsem Ntui Nyangong Nyanon Nyen Obala Okola Olamzé Olanguina Ombe Ombessa Ondong Adjap Otélé Ouli Oulouf Oveng Penja Penka-Michel Pétté Pitoa Poli Poli Pouma Pouss Rey Bouba Rey Bouba Roua Roumsiki Sa'a Salak Salapoumbé Sangmélima Santa Santchou Soa Somalomo Sorawel Soulèdé Souza Taibong Tchatibali Tcheboa Tcholliré Tchollire Three Corners Bekondo Tibati Tignère Tiko Tiko Timangolo Titing Toko Tokombéré Toktoyo Tombel Tonga Touboro Touloum Touroua Waza Widekum Wina Wum Wum Yabassi Yagoua Yamba Yaoundé Yarbang Yingui Yokadouma Yoko Yola Zimado Zina Zoétélé

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Cameroon needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Cameroon?
The capital of Cameroon is Yaoundé.
What currency does Cameroon use?
Cameroon uses the Central African CFA franc (Fr) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Cameroon?
The official language(s) of Cameroon include English, French.
What is the population of Cameroon?
Cameroon has a population of approximately 29,442,327 people.
What region is Cameroon in?
Cameroon is located in Africa, specifically in the Middle Africa subregion.
What is the international calling code for Cameroon?
The international dialing code for Cameroon is +237.
What time zones does Cameroon observe?
Cameroon observes the following time zone(s): UTC+01:00.
What is the current time in Cameroon?
The local time in Cameroon is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Cameroon?
Cameroon covers a total area of 475,442 km².
How many states or provinces does Cameroon have?
Cameroon is divided into 13 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Cameroon in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Cameroon in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Cameroon?
Visa requirements for citizens of Cameroon vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.