Security travel advice for Cameroon

How Safe is Cameroon?

Threat level: High
The current travel advice for Cameroon is to be extra cautious due to the Islamist terror organisation Boko Haram's active presence, particularly in the northern Cameroon province and the South West region. Several western tourists have been kidnapped by Islamist extremists in 2014 and 2015 in Cameroon and more recently, in March and April 2018.

As well as the heightened terror threat, mugging and armed banditry is a big problem in all areas with the majority of cases are reported in Yaoundé, Douala, Ngouandere and Bafoussam. Travellers are advised to remain cautious at all times, especially in the mentioned areas.

Pick pocket groups commonly operate on trains, coaches and taxis which can prove to be quite different to what you might be used to. In cities, taxis operate more like buses, they pick up passengers as they go along your route, while there is still room in the car. They often take back roads and many taxi drivers don’t even have driving licences. The best travel advice for Cameroon is to only use taxis if absolutely necessary.

All travel to Burundi is highly advised against due to the ongoing political tensions and terrorist activity in the country. You should contact your local Embassy or Foreign Office for more information.

COVID-19 Situation in Cameroon
There are reported cases of COVID-19 in Cameroon. As a result of this, measures have been implemented to tackle the spread of the virus including: making the use of face masks compulsory in public, prohibiting gatherings over 50 people, limiting visits to public institutions, limiting travel to essential only, restricting public transport to taking only seated passengers and closing land and sea borders. Further to this, international travellers must present a recent negative PCR test result on arrival. To avoid contracting the disease, wear a face mask, sanitise your hands regularly, maintain social distancing, avoid unnecessary gatherings and travel.

Recent security risk events
Boko Haram has recently made threats to Cameroon of attacks similar to the Radisson hotel attacks in Mali in 2015 and ensures that there will be further kidnappings of western tourists and Cameroonian nationals. The country's recent involvement in the regional fight in an effort to supress Boko Haram has subsequently made it a key target for attack. With this threat in mind, there is now a heightened risk of kidnap to western nationals in the north of Cameroon, including in the major cities. Take the right safety precautions to avoid risk.

On the 05th of November 2018, school children and their teachers were kidnapped by armed separatists in Bamenda. The school children were freed two days later but their teachers are still being held.

On the 7th of October 2018 and the following days, deadly clashes occured between separatists and government security forces.

In April 2018, Italian and Swiss tourists were kidnapped by armed men in Nguti and later rescued by local security forces.

In March 2018, 2 Tunisian engineers and 2 Cameroonian road workers were kidnapped from a construction site in Kumba, South West Cameroon. One of the two Tunisian engineers was killed by the abductors.

In January 2017, an attack against a United Nations monitoring team near the border with Nigeria, killed 5 people.

Close and lock all doors and windows, particularly at night. Make sure that security measures are in place, it is advised to have an armed security detail or if you are staying at a hotel that they have a well-trained security team. In homes, burglar proof metal bars should be installed and callers should be identified through spy holes before opening doors, especially late at night.

Security Risk
There has been a recent increase of displaced of Nigeria-based extremists into the far north regions of Cameroon, this is thought to be due to the recently declared state of emergency in Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno and Adamawa states. This increased presence of Nigerian originated extremists in the Northern Province had already been on the rise before the countries state of emergency, and the threat of kidnapping and armed banditry is even higher in these areas.

Cameroon's International Relations

Cameroon and Canada have a well-established diplomatic relationship. The country is also receiving much needed aid from The People's Republic of China. Cameroon is currently in a violent armed conflict with Nigeria over the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula.

Travelling around Cameroon

Officials have advised against all travel to within 40 km of the border with Chad due to the increase in armed banditry. Avoid all travel by road at night in all areas. The roads in Cameroon are in very poor condition and many are hard to travel on without a four wheel drive vehicle.

Commercial Travel Risk Services

Emergency Services in Burundi FasoEmergency Services in Cameroon

Police emergency:112
Fire emergency: 117
Medical emergency: 119

Cameroon Overview

Capital: Yaounde
Official languages: French and English
Religion: Christianity and Islam
Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)

Consular information for Cameroon

U.S. Embassy Yaounde
Avenue Rosa Parks,
P.O. Box 817,
Yaounde,
Cameroon,
Telephone: +237 222 220 1500
Email: webmasteryaounde@state.gov

British Commission Yaounde
Avenue Winston Churchill,
Yaounde,
Centre Region,
547,
Cameroon,
Telephone:+237 222 22 0796
Email: bhc.yaounde@fco.gov.uk

Visa requirements for Cameroon

All visitors are required to obtain a travel visa before entering Cameroon. Passports must be valid for a further six months from the date of the visa.

Health Care and Immunisations

It is advised that visitors to Cameroon are up-to-date with primary boosters such as MMR. It is essential that you get vaccinated against Yellow Fever, as there is risk of the disease throughout the country. It is an entry requirement that you present a certificate proving your immunisation. This should be completed at least 10 days prior to departure.

It is further recommended that most travellers get Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio and Hepatitis A vaccinations.

There is a high risk of Malaria in Cameroon, so sensible precautions should be taken against being bitten by mosquitoes, such as using mosquito nets at night time and ensuring you have enough anti-malarial medication for the duration of your trip.

Medical facilities in Cameroon are poor. Emergency facilities are extremely limited and for serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to the UK or South Africa will be necessary. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Zika and Dengue that are two viral infections transmitted by mosquitoes are also present in Cameroon. You should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, as there isn't any vaccine against these diseases.

Schistosomiasis (parasitic infection also known as bilharzia) is also an issue, so contact with fresh water including activities such as swimming, bathing or paddling in fresh water lakes and streams is advised against.

The United Nations has advised that there may be a prolonged and expanding circulation of Polio in Cameroon and local region. Make sure you are adequately vaccinated.