Most visitors to Cameroon land in Douala, the economic capital, or in Yaoundé, the political capital, for work, and those with time head for the beaches of Kribi or the royal palace of Foumban in the West Region. Cameroon is outside the EU's Roam Like at Home area, so a European SIM roams there at its operator's own rates.
Key facts for Cameroon
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: MTN and Orange (depending on plan)
- Emergency numbers: police 117; ambulance 112
- Embassies: in Yaoundé
Regions to avoid
The UK advises against all travel to the North-West and South-West regions, apart from Limbé and the N3 road leading to it, to the Far-North Region outside the area around Maroua, to the Bakassi Peninsula and to within 40 km of the borders with Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic. It advises against all but essential travel to the North Region, including Garoua, to Maroua and to Limbé. The US says do not travel to the North-West, South-West and Far North regions for any reason, or within 20 km of the borders with the Central African Republic, Chad and Nigeria, and warns of a high risk of kidnapping by armed groups in the two English-speaking regions. Mount Cameroon and the town of Buea are in the South-West, so both are off-limits.
Douala and Yaoundé
Coverage is good in Douala and Yaoundé but limited outside the main towns. Armed robbery is a risk, particularly in Yaoundé, Douala, Ngaoundéré and Bafoussam, so avoid walking at night, and do not hail the yellow taxis from the roadside; ask your hotel to book a car instead. The US adds that violent crime, kidnapping for ransom and carjacking are common. Protests can break out without warning, so stay away from crowds and rallies.
Roads, flights and ID
Roads are generally in poor condition, so avoid travelling at night, especially in rural areas. Police and gendarmerie roadblocks are common: do not pay bribes, and always carry ID, either a residence permit or a certified copy of your passport showing your visa, as the police can detain you without it. Scheduled domestic flights are often delayed or cancelled.
Laws to know
Penalties for using and possessing drugs are severe and usually include prison. Same-sex sexual acts are illegal, and same-sex partners have been arrested and prosecuted. It is illegal to photograph military sites, government buildings, airports and ports.
Health, visas and money
You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Cameroon, and an e-visa applied for in advance, as visas are not issued on arrival at Yaoundé or Douala airports. The currency is the Central African CFA franc, and Cameroon is primarily a cash economy: euros and US dollars are the most widely accepted foreign currencies, shops prefer small notes, and cash machines are scarce outside large towns. The US advises avoiding credit cards because of fraud and taking care at ATMs.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM set up at home is ready to connect on MTN or Orange when you land in Douala or Yaoundé, and your home SIM keeps receiving texts and bank codes. If you will spend time outside the big towns, a local SIM in a second slot is a sensible backup. An Africa plan also covers Gabon and the Republic of the Congo.
Cameroonian SIM cards from MTN, Orange and other operators are sold in town, and you need your passport to register one.
Consular protection: who to call in Cameroon
- Call 117 for the police and 112 for an ambulance. Ambulances are reliable mainly in Yaoundé, Douala and Bafoussam, and can be slow to arrive.
- Embassies are in Yaoundé. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country is not represented in Cameroon, the embassy of any other EU country must assist you as it would its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- French and English are the official languages, and the app has emergency phrases in French to show on screen.
Questions travellers ask about Cameroon
Will my EU tariff work in Cameroon?
Only on roaming at your operator's rates, since Cameroon is not part of Roam Like at Home.
Can I visit Mount Cameroon or Buea?
Not at present. Both are in the South-West Region, where the UK and the US advise against all travel.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Cameroon?
MTN or Orange, depending on the plan, with 4G where available.
Do I need to carry my passport?
Carry ID at all times, either a residence permit or a certified copy of your passport with your visa; the police can detain you without it.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you fly, book cars through your hotel, avoid the North-West, South-West and Far North, carry ID and small notes, stay off the roads at night, and save 117 and 112.
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