Cameroon Travel Information

The possibility of traveling in and out of the country is now impossible or very limited. For more information about coronavirus, see the section Health. According to Abbreviationfinder, CMR stands for Cameroon in geography.

Safety

The security situation in the North and Extreme North regions is unclear and can deteriorate rapidly. The situation in these areas should be seen in the context of the security situation in the two neighboring states of Nigeria, Adamawa and Borno, where as a result of Boko Haram’s ravages, the state of emergency was introduced in May 2013. One should be very cautious about traveling to these areas and in especially outside the two regional capitals. The risk of being subjected to terrorist acts or being kidnapped is high in these areas. There is a lower/moderate risk of being kidnapped elsewhere in Cameroon.

Crime in Cameroon has increased in recent years, especially in the capital and in the largest cities. The crime that affects tourists is usually money-motivated, in the form of theft and armed robbery, especially in the evenings. Therefore, exercise caution when storing valuables and avoid carrying with you/displaying valuable items. It is especially warned against road traffic at night due to dangerous traffic and armed bandits.

Public transport, including regular taxis, is not recommended. Car/taxi hire with own driver is recommended and should be booked in advance through reliable contacts. However, a train journey on the Yaound¨¦ – Ngaound¨¦r¨¦ route can be an interesting experience.

Travelers are encouraged to take reasonable precautions and to exercise caution in choosing a place of residence and location. Luggage should be kept under close supervision at airports, bus stations etc.

  • Countryaah: Yaounde is the capital of Cameroon. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

Cameroon is not particularly prone to natural disasters, but during the rainy season (May – October) the amount of rainfall can be so strong that floods occur. There is also volcanic activity in Cameroon.

Reference is also made to more detailed travel advice on the websites of the Foreign Service in France, the United Kingdom and the United States.

In crisis and emergency, the embassy in Abuja can be contacted on +234 9291 5429 or +234 9291 5487. The embassy is open at. 8-16 Monday through Thursday and 8-13 on Friday. Outside the embassy’s opening hours, the public can contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on +47 23 95 00 00 or UDops@mfa.no .

Norwegian citizens staying in or planning to travel to Cameroon are encouraged to contact the Embassy in Abuja for updated information and register their journey at http://www.reiseregistrering.no/.

Major Landmarks in Cameroon

Entry

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

Norwegians must have a visa to Cameroon. It cannot be expected that visas can be obtained at a border crossing. Visas can be applied for at the Cameroon Consulate General in Stockholm:

Cameroon’s Consulate General
Box 26032
S-100 41 Stockholm
Tel: +46 822 5144
Email: info@cameroonconsulate.se
Website: http://www.cameroonconsulate.se/

This should be done well in advance of departure. Access to longer work stays in Cameroon must be checked with the employer or the client.

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): The virus has been detected in Cameroon. The health services in the country are generally weak and have poor capacity, even in the big cities.

Cameroon has closed all borders including all flights in and out of the country. The possibility of health care is very limited or non-existent. The ability of the Embassy (Nigeria) to provide consular assistance is very limited.

The health services in the country are generally weak and have poor capacity, even in the big cities. Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of the development of the corona virus. Follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation, including restrictions on entry and exit and rules on arrival from abroad. Relevant information can be found on the government’s website Epid¨¦mie de Coronavirus. Authorities also provide information through local media and it may be necessary to contact the airline in advance of departure.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

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Normally, yellow fever vaccine is required for entry. Other travel vaccines are recommended and should be checked by a doctor. Prevention tablets for malaria are recommended.

It is recommended to boil and filter water and wash fruits and vegetables in chlorine solution or similar. Bottled water is available for purchase in the cities and along the country roads. There are private clinics of acceptable standard for treating the most common diseases in the big cities. Hospitals abroad are recommended for more serious cases. Therefore, it is important to have good travel insurance.

There are restaurants of acceptable standard in the larger cities.

For current travel vaccines, check the public health website

Information from the Directorate of Health May 2014: The health authorities recommend vaccination before traveling to countries with outbreaks of polio.

On May 5, 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that polio virus is a threat to international public health. The reason is the increase in the number of polio (poliomyelitis) cases in several continents last year. Polio is a disease that can be eradicated with vaccine because the virus is only found in humans.

To prevent the spread of polio, Norwegian health authorities provide travel advice on polio vaccination before stays in several countries, and especially when staying for more than four weeks.

Before departure one must also have documentation on vaccination. It is conceivable that some countries will conduct such documentation and require new vaccination if documentation on the International Vaccination Card (WHO) is missing. Health personnel can order the card from the Publications page of the Institute of Public Health.

The WHO believes that the situation in the following countries poses a risk of exporting and spreading polio internationally: Pakistan, Cameroon and Syria.

Countries with less local polio outbreaks such as Afghanistan, Guinea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Israel, Somalia and Nigeria are also advised to follow WHO’s vaccination advice.

Practical information

In general, there is no need to pay special attention to local customs and clothing, beyond normal respectful behavior. However, it is recommended that female visitors, especially in the north, should dress in half-length or long skirts or trousers. It should be taken into account during religious holidays and stays at mosques around the Friday prayer. It should be noted that gay practice is prohibited by law and that the ban is strictly enforced. According to allcitycodes, Cameroon area code is +237.

There are severe penalties for crime, including drug possession.

Common administration and national languages ​​are French and English. The local variants of both languages ​​can be difficult to understand for a first-time visitor. The inhabitants’ first foreign language is French in large parts of the country, and English in the north-west and south-west. In the big cities, where English and French speakers often live side by side, a mixed language has been developed called “kamfranglais”. In addition, there are a very large number of other languages.

There is 220 volt AC power. The voltage varies greatly, and power outages often occur. There is mobile coverage in urban areas.

Banks and public offices are open from 5 p.m. 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Shops are open in the evening and Saturdays.

Cameroon mainly has a cash-based economy, and the use of credit cards is only possible in the major hotels. However, the use of credit cards is not recommended due to. the danger of fraud. Norway and Cameroon are in the same time zone (GMT +1). When it is summer time in Norway, there is an hour time difference (Norway one hour ahead).

Climate; dry season November – March and rainy season April – October.