Discover Cameroon

Situated close to the equator in West Africa, Cameroon covers an area roughly the size of France, and is one of the most politically stable and secure countries in Africa, enjoying a very relaxed atmosphere that manifests itself in the warmth and lifestyle of it's people who traditionally welcome the few foreign visitors they meet as an honoured guests.

A dramatic country as yet undiscovered by tourism, Cameroon offers an opportunity to experience parts of Africa virtually unchanged since the early days of exploration, and has only recently began presenting itself to the world of Adventure Travel as a new and exciting destination.

Sweltering rainforests and strutting sultans, wildlife parks and grilled chicken: Cameroon is one of Africa's most naturally and culturally diverse countries. In addition to its French and British colonial past, there are over 130 ethnic groups in the country speaking dozens of languages. Islam and Christianity compete for souls, as do an array of traditional animist beliefs. Outside of the swelling and modernised cities of Yaoundé, the capital, and Douala, the largest city and industrial centre, rainforests stretch north from the Atlantic Ocean, giving way to savannah and semi-desert in the north. Elephants and bongos congregate by the hundreds in some of Africa's best wildlife parks, and beachcombers laze on long, isolated beaches.

Getting There

Europe has the best air connections with Cameroon. Most carriers fly only to Douala, though Swissair has flights to both Yaoundé and Douala from Zurich and Geneva. Travellers from North America will have to connect in Europe or an African hub such as Dakar (Senegal) or Lagos (Nigeria). The only rail connection is from the Central African Republic, which puts you at Belabo, about 200km (124mi) north-east of Yaoundé. There's a departure tax on international flights of around US$15.

Bush taxis and minibuses are the most common way of arriving by land. The most common border crossings for vehicles are Mora from Chad, Mamfé from Nigeria, and Ambam from Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Douala is a popular port with European freighters, and there are boats making daily runs between Oron, Nigeria, and Idenao, near Limbe, in Cameroon. The quickest and most reliable are speedboats, which take about four hours.