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: 2026-07-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.024315
AAVE 0.000020
ADA 0.009285
AED 0.006401
AFN 0.110812
AGIX 0.022339
AKT 0.002779
ALGO 0.019470
ALL 0.142868
AMD 0.641334
AMP 3.907483
ANG 0.003143
AOA 1.600667
APE 0.012433
APT 0.002787
AR 0.000873
ARB 0.021790
ARS 2.601387
ATOM 0.001102
ATS 0.020977
AUD 0.002516
AVAX 0.000252
AWG 0.003120
AXS 0.001726
AZM 14.814629
AZN 0.002963
BAKE 2.319545
BAM 0.002982
BAT 0.019790
BBD 0.003486
BCH 0.000007
BDT 0.214853
BEF 0.061498
BGN 0.002982
BHD 0.000655
BIF 5.188618
BMD 0.001743
BNB 0.000003
BND 0.002253
BOB 0.012073
BRL 0.009007
BSD 0.001743
BSV 0.000118
BSW 5.207423
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.032889
BTG 0.006040
BTN 0.166054
BTT 6,571.739005
BUSD 0.001741
BWP 0.023523
BYN 0.005061
BYR 34.164096
BZD 0.003510
CAD 0.002477
CAKE 0.001204
CDF 4.021288
CELO 0.025942
CFX 0.038957
CHF 0.001402
CHZ 0.096541
CLP 1.605557
CNH 0.011837
CNY 0.011832
COMP 0.000104
COP 5.825689
CRC 0.794215
CRO 0.029159
CRV 0.008153
CSPR 0.897419
CUC 0.001743
CUP 0.046191
CVE 0.168106
CVX 0.001449
CYP 0.000892
CZK 0.036872
DAI 0.001744
DASH 0.000050
DCR 0.000157
DEM 0.002982
DFI 2.097825
DJF 0.310398
DKK 0.011395
DOGE 0.022554
DOP 0.103295
DOT 0.001998
DYDX 0.013197
DZD 0.231795
EEK 0.023853
EGLD 0.000631
EGP 0.085615
ENJ 0.060223
EOS 0.024063
ERN 0.026143
ESP 0.253654
ETB 0.278786
ETC 0.000245
ETH 0.000001
EUR 0.001524
EURC 0.001526
FEI 0.001744
FIL 0.002207
FIM 0.009064
FJD 0.003914
FKP 0.001306
FLOW 0.062192
FLR 0.250744
FRAX 0.001762
FRF 0.0100
FTT 0.007317
GALA 0.760786
GBP 0.001306
GEL 0.004578
GGP 0.001306
GHC 198.010215
GHS 0.019801
GIP 0.001306
GMD 0.128529
GMX 0.000294
GNF 15.280923
GNO 0.000017
GRD 0.519470
GRT 0.091864
GT 0.000257
GTQ 0.013304
GUSD 0.001745
GYD 0.364815
HBAR 0.023082
HKD 0.013670
HNL 0.046661
HNT 0.007273
HOT 4.829819
HRK 0.011486
HT 0.048645
HTG 0.228136
HUF 0.539064
ICP 0.000791
IDR 31.359082
IEP 0.001201
ILS 0.005235
IMP 0.001306
IMX 0.012615
INJ 0.000357
INR 0.166054
IQD 2.285277
IRR 2,398.371797
ISK 0.219529
ITL 2.951825
JEP 0.001306
JMD 0.276114
JOD 0.001236
JPY 0.282088
KAS 0.056818
KAVA 0.038629
KCS 0.000241
KDA 0.299033
KES 0.225341
KGS 0.152441
KHR 6.988726
KMF 0.7500
KNC 0.015636
KPW 1.568760
KRW 2.671618
KSM 0.000495
KWD 0.000541
KYD 0.001450
KZT 0.823943
LAK 39.405256
LBP 156.518164
LDO 0.006452
LEO 0.000186
LINK 0.000218
LKR 0.583688
LRC 0.141854
LRD 0.316552
LSL 0.028329
LTC 0.000039
LTL 0.005264
LUF 0.061498
LUNA 0.035490
LUNC 28.388190
LVL 0.001071
LYD 0.011180
MAD 0.016320
MANA 0.025048
MBX 0.069301
MDL 0.030677
MGA 7.396034
MGF 36.980170
MINA 0.036763
MKD 0.093911
MKR 0.000001
MMK 3.658912
MNT 6.246787
MOP 0.014080
MRO 0.696062
MRU 0.069606
MTL 0.000654
MUR 0.081928
MVR 0.026944
MWK 3.023294
MXN 0.030465
MXV 0.003454
MYR 0.007106
MZM 111.312785
MZN 0.111313
NAD 0.028329
NEAR 0.000875
NEO 0.000881
NEXO 0.002266
NFT 6,576.469597
NGN 2.388257
NIO 0.064158
NLG 0.003360
NOK 0.017144
NPR 0.265811
NZD 0.003063
OKB 0.000022
OMR 0.000671
ONE 1.394409
OP 0.016212
ORDI 0.000537
PAB 0.001743
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.005935
PEPE 638.995869
PGK 0.007668
PHP 0.107211
PI 0.015407
PKR 0.484891
PLN 0.006544
POL 0.023699
PTE 0.305633
PYG 10.601398
QAR 0.006344
QNT 0.000026
QTUM 0.002452
ROL 79.670002
RON 0.007967
RPL 0.000861
RSD 0.178810
RUB 0.134304
RUNE 0.004214
RVN 0.457320
RWF 2.554863
SAND 0.034932
SAR 0.006536
SBD 0.014104
SCR 0.024906
SDD 104.616602
SDG 1.046166
SEK 0.016824
SGD 0.002253
SHIB 398.078084
SHP 0.001306
SIT 0.365329
SKK 0.045927
SLE 0.039808
SLL 39.807698
SNX 0.007611
SOL 0.000022
SOS 0.995266
SPL 0.000290
SRD 0.065611
SRG 65.610719
SSP 8.277345
STD 37.627164
STN 0.037627
STX 0.010193
SUI 0.002333
SVC 0.015250
SYP 0.192665
SZL 0.028329
THB 0.057934
THETA 0.012424
TJS 0.016155
TMM 30.580799
TMT 0.006116
TND 0.005138
TOP 0.004197
TRL 81,594.535810
TRX 0.005307
TRY 0.081595
TTD 0.011810
TUSD 0.001747
TVD 0.002516
TWD 0.055930
TWT 0.005070
TZS 4.579654
UAH 0.077673
UGX 6.369447
UNI 0.000551
USD 0.001743
USDC 0.001743
USDD 0.001745
USDP 0.001748
USDT 0.001745
UYU 0.070150
UZS 20.858647
VAL 2.951825
VEB 112,319,045.333648
VED 1.123090
VEF 112,309.045596
VES 1.123090
VET 0.369456
VND 45.838578
VUV 0.209482
WAVES 0.006559
WEMIX 0.006732
WOO 0.147197
WST 0.004821
XAG 0.000028
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.004718
XCG 0.003143
XCH 0.001106
XDC 0.062028
XDR 0.001286
XEC 328.111379
XEM 4.071317
XLM 0.008730
XMR 0.000005
XOF 1.0000
XPD 0.000001
XPF 0.181920
XPT 0.000001
XRP 0.001522
XTZ 0.007004
YER 0.413055
ZAR 0.028329
ZEC 0.000004
ZIL 0.564995
ZMK 31.980970
ZMW 0.031981
ZWD 0.630755
ZWG 0.046751
ZWL 116.817239

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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.