Safety First
Read the advisory before you read anything else. The Do Not Travel areas cover roughly half the map: the Northwest and Southwest regions, where an armed separatist conflict has continued for years; the North and Far North, where Boko Haram and related groups operate; parts of the East and Adamawa; and any area within 20 km of the northern and eastern land borders. The US government has limited ability to help citizens in those zones.
The Littoral, Centre, South and West regions are where visitors normally go. Even there, the State Department urges caution because of crime and occasional unrest. Avoid demonstrations, take taxis after dark and keep valuables out of sight in Douala and Yaoundé.
Public affection between any couple is best kept low-key outside hotels. Travel insurance with medical evacuation is essential, because serious care is limited outside the two big cities.
Why Cameroon for a Honeymoon
Cameroon makes sense for couples who have already done the classic African trips and want a coast with almost no international tourism. Kribi is the country's favorite beach town. Its stretch of the Gulf of Guinea has palms, rocky coves and fishing pirogues pulled onto the sand. A short drive south, the Lobé River pours over a rock shelf directly into the ocean, one of very few places in the world where that happens.
Farther along the coast, the village of Ebodjé runs a community turtle conservation project. Campo Ma'an National Park protects rainforest that runs down to the shore. Inland in the West region, Foumban is the seat of the Bamoun sultanate, with a royal palace, a museum of royal treasures and streets of bronze casters and wood carvers.
Add the food, which is among the best in Central Africa. People are genuinely curious about visitors. The trade-offs are rough logistics, few upscale hotels and the security limits described above.
Best Time to Visit
The southern coast is one of the wettest places in Africa, so timing matters. Kribi receives close to 3,000 mm of rain a year. December, January and February are the driest months by a wide margin and the best time for a beach trip, with highs around 90°F and warm, humid nights. March is still reasonable.
From April through October rain is frequent and often heavy, peaking in September and October, when monthly totals can top 450 mm. Roads become slow and the sea turns rough. November is a transition month that improves as it goes.
Turtle nesting at Ebodjé generally runs through the drier months around the turn of the year, which lines up well with beach season. Douala and Yaoundé follow a similar pattern, though Yaoundé is slightly cooler thanks to its elevation. If you are heading to Foumban in the western highlands, nights are noticeably cooler year-round.
Where to Go
Kribi is the focus for couples. Base yourselves here for four or five nights for the beaches at Grand Batanga, the boat ride beneath Lobé Falls, the German-era lighthouse and excursions to Ebodjé and Campo Ma'an. Our Kribi guide has the details.
Douala, the largest city and the main entry point, is hot and hectic but good for a night of live music and grilled fish. The Bonanjo district has colonial buildings and the contemporary art space Doual'art.
Yaoundé, the capital, is greener and hillier. Climb Mont Fébé for views and visit the National Museum in the former presidential palace.
Foumban, about five hours from Douala, is the most interesting cultural trip open to visitors. The Bamoun royal palace and museum, the artisans' quarter and the Friday mosque make for a full day. Check current conditions first, since the West region borders the troubled Northwest.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Douala and rest at your hotel.
- Day 2: Explore Bonanjo and Doual'art, then go out for braised fish and makossa music in the evening.
- Days 3–4: Drive to Foumban via Bafoussam. Tour the Bamoun palace and museum, then spend a slow morning in the artisans' street watching bronze being cast.
- Day 5: Return to Douala, breaking the long drive with lunch on the way.
- Days 6–9: Head south to Kribi. Take a pirogue below Lobé Falls, spend a lazy day at Grand Batanga, visit the turtle project at Ebodjé and walk a forest trail in Campo Ma'an with a ranger.
- Day 10: Drive back to Douala for your flight.
If Foumban feels like too much road time, swap it for two nights in Yaoundé and add an extra day on the beach.
Budget and Costs
Cameroon is not cheap by West African standards, mostly because good hotels are scarce and international flights are expensive. Treat these numbers as rough guides.
- Lodging: international business hotels in Douala and Yaoundé often charge about $150 to $300 a night. Beach hotels in Kribi commonly range from about $50 for simple rooms to $200 for the best oceanfront places.
- Car and driver: expect roughly $60 a day plus fuel, food and lodging for the driver. Agencies charge more.
- Food: grilled fish, ndolé or poulet DG at a local restaurant can cost $5 to $15, with hotel restaurants charging more.
- Fees: national park entry and community projects such as the turtle program at Ebodjé charge modest fees that support conservation.
Budget extra for a travel clinic visit and comprehensive insurance with medical evacuation.
Getting There and Around
No airline flies nonstop from the US to Cameroon. Douala International (DLA) is the main gateway, with Yaoundé Nsimalen (NSI) as the second. Air France, Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Royal Air Maroc offer the most practical one-stop links, so expect 14 to 20 hours of total travel from the East Coast.
From Douala, the drive to Kribi is about 150 km and usually takes around three hours. Douala to Yaoundé takes four to five hours by road. Camrail trains link the two cities.
Hire a car and driver for intercity travel. Intercity buses are reasonable, but bush taxis are crowded and accident rates are high. Police checkpoints are routine, so keep your passport handy. Domestic flights exist on Camair-Co, though schedules change often.
Culture and Etiquette
Cameroon has more than 250 languages and a strong sense of regional identity. French dominates the south and center, English the troubled west. Learn a few French pleasantries and use them generously.
Shake hands with your right hand. If it is busy or dirty, offer your wrist instead. Greet people before asking for anything, whether in a shop, a taxi or a hotel lobby.
Do not photograph military sites, police, government buildings or embassies, since this can lead to detention. Ask before photographing people, especially in villages and markets. In Foumban and other Muslim areas, dress modestly and avoid eating or drinking in public during Ramadan.
Bargaining is normal in markets, where opening prices can be high. Start well below the first offer and settle with a smile. Tips are appreciated by drivers and guides. Music is a national passion, so ask locals where to hear makossa or bikutsi on a weekend night.
Quick tips
- In Kribi, swim only on calm days and away from the town beach; the undertow is strong.
- Carry your passport or a certified copy at all times, because police checkpoints are common.
- Book a driver for the Douala to Kribi road rather than riding in crowded bush taxis.
