Planning a trip to Cameroon and wondering what are the best places to visit in Cameroon?

Cameroon is a diverse country located at the crossroads between West and Central Africa, but often referred to as “Africa in miniature”, this fascinating country has a lot to offer to its visitors. Cameroon is known for its geological, cultural and linguistic diversity. There are beautiful white-sand beaches, active volcanoes, mountains, rainforests, and savannas. Local travel agencies offer safari and primate tracking tours, as well as hiking tours in the mountains.

Sounds wonderful, right? Do you want to come and explore Cameroon?

So, check out our article about the best things to do in Cameroon for some travel inspiration.

6 best places to visit in Cameroon

Mount Cameroon

Mount Cameroon is one of the largest volcanoes in Africa.

With an elevation of 4040 metres, Mount Cameroon is the highest peak in West Africa. The mountain is popular among hikers. There are hiking trails that start in the town of Buea. 

You need to hire a guide or join a guided tour to hike Mount Cameroon. There are different price ranges, depending on the number of travellers and the length of the hike. There are two-day and three-day hikes. The three-day tour offers not only a summit hike but also gives the opportunity to see the mountain’s lakes and craters.

If you know that you can’t reach the summit, but still want to hike, it’s possible to hike to an altitude of some 2500 m.

Gorilla Tracking Tours

Cameroon, like several other African countries, offers gorilla safaris.

While Cameroon doesn’t have the most developed gorilla tracking experiences, it is possible to see the western lowland gorilla in some national parks of the country.

There are several places where you can meet these majestic apes:

• Lobéké National Park — offers multi-day gorilla tracking, with the possibility to see other animals.
• Limbe Wildlife Centre — primate conservation centre which is home to a number of rescued gorillas.
• Mefou National Park — rescue and rehabilitation centre which also includes areas for rescued gorillas. Located some 45 km from Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, it is a very popular tourist destination and one of the best places to visit in Cameroon.

Yaounde

Yaoundé is the capital city of Cameroon.

Spread over 7 hills, Yaounde is a pretty city. It is known for its mix of architectural styles. The 20th-century Our Lady of Victories Cathedral has a striking triangular roof. Palais des Congrès and Yaoundé Unity Palace are among the most impressive buildings in Yaounde. Reunification Monument is a uniquely-shaped monument constructed in the 1970s.

Visit the city’s museums to learn more about Cameroon’s history, culture and traditions.

Tourists visiting Yaounde shouldn’t miss Mefou National Park — one of the places in the country where one can see gorillas. It’s a rescue and rehabilitation centre that is home to several primate species.

Waza National Park

Waza is a national park and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

National Park is home to 30 species of mammals, including the lion, West African giraffe, African bush elephant, hyena, antelope, gazelle and Sudan cheetah. The mammal population in Waza National Park is one of the largest in central West Africa.

There are several bird species as well, for example, including North African ostriches, pelicans, herons, storks and ibis.

The national park requires guided safari tours.

Kribi

Kribi is a beach resort in Cameroon.

It has a large white sand beach backed by palm trees and dotted with waterfront hotels. Thanks to the wonderful, laid back vibe and pretty beaches, Kribi is one of the best places to visit in Cameroon.

If you are visiting Kribi, do not miss the Waterfalls of Lobé which are located just a few km from the beach. The waterfalls are 20 m tall, and they are unique. The waterfalls are among the few in the world that empty into an ocean.

In the area around Kribi, several species of sea turtles lay their eggs. You can join a guided turtle walk in Ebodjé, a town some 50 km south of Kribi. Ebodjé boasts pristine, palm-lined beaches that are among the best in Cameroon.

Mandara Mountains

The Mandara Mountains are a volcanic range running along the northern part of the Cameroon–Nigeria border, known for its lunar peaks.

The highest point in the Mandara Mountains is Mount Oupay, with an elevation of 1494 m. But the most notable is Kapsiki Peak near Rhumsiki. It is 1224 m tall and is one of the most photographed areas of the mountain range. Kapsiki Peak is known for its unique needle-like spires.

Many local travel agencies organise hiking tours to the mountain range. The village of Rhumsiki is the gateway to the Mandara Mountains.

Cameroon travel tips

1. Visitors to Cameroon must obtain a visa from an embassy or consulate of Cameroon.
2. Proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination is required for all visitors to Cameroon.
3. The best time to visit Cameroon is between November to February. During this time, there’s less chance of rain.
4. You can travel between the major cities of Cameroon by plane. Domestic flights are expensive, but it’s a fast and safe way to travel around the country.
5. The biggest cities are linked with modern and comfortable buses. If you want to travel to smaller towns, you can take a “bush taxi” (minivan). However, the latter is not the safest mode of transportation in Cameroon.
6. There are three train routes in Cameroon, for example, Douala – Kumba, Douala – Yaoundé and Yaoundé – Ngaoundéré.
7. Police regularly check for passports. So carry your passport around, as well as the Yellow Fever Certificate.
8. French and English are the official languages of Cameroon. However, French is understood more, as there are more French-speaking regions than the English speaking ones.