 INTRODUCTION: A WONDERFUL COUNTRY
Cameroon has a unique tourism potential based on its cultural diversity, the diversity of its sceneries and the richness of its wildlife.
Luxurious reception facilities await the businessman in Douala and Yaoundé as well as in most provincial headquarters. Lovers of big game hunting may venture into the hinterlands to hunt.
For relaxation, the beautiful beaches in Kribi or Limbe are waiting for you.
If you are a sportsman, you may challenge the Mount Cameroon (4095 m high), the highest mountain on the West African Coast. The tourist spare time may want to discover the rich traditional chiefdoms, the often magical traditional dances, or some of the inhabitants of the forest or mountain areas who, up to this day, have jealously guarded their age-old traditions.
 THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM
invites you to discover Cameroon,
the spirit of Africa.
 MAIN CITIES
In Cameroon, there are 10 major cities which do not necessarily correspond to provincial headquarters. There are 10 major cities.
Douala:
Though it is no longer the main gate of entry to Cameroon, Douala remains the economic capital of the country with 75% of its industrial activity. It is a multiethnic city of 2 million people coming from various parts of the country but sharing the same qualities of courage, endurance, the sense of entrepreneurship and fending for themselves. Douala constitutes a powerful attraction for businessmen; it offers a conducive environment, which enables them to make profit out of their investment. Its port and airport consolidate its capacity. Moreover, many prestigious hotels can be found in the city: Sawa Novotel, Akwa palace, Ibis Hotel, Arcade Hotel.
Yaoundé:
Formally known as the “seven hill city”, the town has actually extended on many other hills due to its rapid development. Known by the natives as “Ongola Ewondo”, Yaounde is the political and administrative capital. It has a population of 1.5 million inhabitants. Despite the facilities and accommodation of big cities, Yaounde still looks, in some areas, like a big modern African village. Equipped with an international airport (Yde Nsimalen), it appears as a city where secondary and tertiary activities are carried out, and where businessmen can easily get in contact with the authorities of the country. Though its industrial potential is limited to few factories, agriculture constitutes its main asset. The native population which constitute the majority of the city’s inhabitants is characterised by an unshakeable faithfullness to the institutions of the country. The city counts many prestigious hotels among which two five-star ones (the Hilton in the commercial centre and Sofitel, Mont Fébé).
Maroua:
Located at the borders of Sahelian Africa, Maroua is a crossroads of many civilizations, a powerful migration pole or a melting pot of ethnic and business communities. Its proximity with Nigeria makes it to be very active business wise. With many merchant banks, and roughly five to ten modern hotels along with a big handicraft centre ( the largest in the country) Maroua, the administrative capital of the far-North province (the most populated in the country) is a city where the informal sector is very developed.
Garoua:
Here, we are in the land of Islam, with many mosques including Poumpoumré, the largest in the northern part of the country. One of the three international airports of the country is based here. Maroua has become religiously wise a big transit centre for pilgrims going to and coming from Mecca. The city where Ahmadou Ahidjo, first President of the Republic of Cameroon, was born, constitutes with its 200,000 inhabitants a meeting point of fruitful exchanges with Nigeria, as well as an important tourist site ( Lamidas, fantasia, picturesque markets).
Bamenda:
With half a million inhabitants, Bamenda, main city of the NorthWest province characterizes the Anglophone culture: liberal spirit, sense of business, among other attributes. The activism of the SDF( Social Democratic Front ) party has made of Bamenda the capital of political protest in the country. Yet, this mice and picturesque city built in a volcanic landscape is an attractive touristic destination with its mountains, lakes, its waters falls and the FON of Bafut’s palace. Many hotels can be found in the city and we can mention AYABA hotel among others.
Kribi:
One of the major cities along the ocean, it is one of the country´s most beautiful resorts. Agriculture, fishing, hunting and tourism are the major the main sources of income to this city, which will soon turn towards new activities. Among them, the terminal of the Chad/Cameroon pipeline. We can also mention the off-shore oil exploitation of Abome inaugurated two years ago by President Paul Biya. For sure, Kribi will become an important economic pole.
Limbe:
Headquarters of Fako, Limbe, is a coastal city, show-case of the South-West Province; it has 300,000 inhabitants living close to Mount Cameroon. Limbe is the headquarter of the CDC (Cameroon Development Corporation), the second employer after the State (25,000 workers ). It is the largest agro-industrial company in the country. It occupies the largest land surface areas in the South West. In spite of intense agro-industrial activity, Limbe is known as the city of oil for the National Refinery Company ( SONARA ).
Nkongsamba:
The 150 km of railway between that city and Douala are now part of history. In fact, the golden age of the city of Nkongsamba is rooted in a glorious past. With 400,000 inhabitants, it remains one of the largest cities in the country. A fertile soil favoured the cultivation of coffee, banana, pineapple, and rice by workers of various origins.
Bafoussam:
It is the largest city of the West Province with a population of 230,000 inhabitants living in the urban area. Like all the cities in that region, Bafoussam is famous for its trading companies, the richness of its traditional handicraft, its music and its ritual dances added to its numerous good standing hotels, restaurants, offering local and international dishes; its fresh and even cold climate, its evergreen mountains, and its rich volcanic soil. Bafoussam can boast to be a great city for tourism or business escape. It is the heart of the Bamileke country.
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Edea:
It is the headquarters of the Sanaga Maritime Division, the city of Bassa and Bakoko peoples (300,000 inhabitants). Mostly Known as city of light due to the fact that its two hydroelectrical dams provide most of Cameroon’s city with electricity. The ¾ of the yield of the first dam are used for the provision of Alucam (an aluminium factory ) in electricity.
Several Travel Agencies in Douala and Yaoundé organize trips all around the country. Nevertheless we recommend you one of the best: Ebene Voyage
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Local time
In winter there is no time difference one hour earlier in summer.
Country code
237 To call from outside the country dial 00 + the national code.
TRANSPORTATION
Air
Daily air connection through Camair for all the large cities of the country
Departure from yaoundé and Douala to N’Gaoundere, Garoua, Maroua
Train
Douala to N'gaoundéré. 1,000 kms of railroads.
Roads and trails 3,500 kms kms of asphalt (main communication axis) 12,000 kms of dirt roads and 20,000 kms of trails.
City taxis
150 CFA (many taxis 24/24 hours)
Country taxis (taxis brousse)
16-seat bus
Air conditioned buses
Leave every 15 minutes running between Douala and Yaoundé
Car rental
Many agencies in Douala and Yaounde. Nevertheless we recommend you the Agency named Auvergne Auto
Miscellaneous
You should bring light clothing made of cloth, cotton or linen, sun glasses, a hat, sweaters for the evening and possibly a raincoat (avoid synthetic fabric).
In the restaurants and bars tips are a maximum of 10% of the bill.
Except for strategic locations (military barracks, airports ) you are free to take photographs. You are always advised to ask permission from the concerned parties before taking a picture.
Formalities
Valid passport and entrance visa
Airport tax 10,000 CFA francs.
Health
International vaccination certificate for yellow fever
Beware of malaria Medicine available in the country
Customs
Import license for hunting weapons
Electricity
220v, European standard plugs
For more information we invite you to click on Company Profiles of our report. You will find a full tourism profile on Cameroon.
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