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Country Guide > Africa > Cameroon | |
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Travel - Internal Note Petty theft is common on trains, coaches and bush-taxis, and visitors to Cameroon who rely on its transport are urged to remain vigilant. Air This is the most efficient means of national transport. There are daily flights between Douala and Yaoundé; less regular flights to other interior towns, served by Unitair. Departure tax CFAfr500. Rail Cameroon Railways (CAMRAIL) is the national service provider. Services are good, if relatively slow, and it is much quicker to go by train than by bus. There are daily services from Yaoundé to Ngaoundéré on the ‘Gazelle du Nord’, that runs from Douala to Ngaoundéré via Yaoundé and Belabo. Daily trains also run from Yaoundé to Douala, with onward connections to Nkongsamba. Couchettes are available, as are first- and second-class seats. Trains usually have a restaurant car. Tickets must be booked on the day of travel. Road There are paved roads from Douala to Yaoundé, Limbé, Buéa, Bafoussam and Bamenda and between main centres. Other roads are generally poorly maintained and become almost impassable during the rainy season. Many vehicles are poorly lit and badly driven. Traffic drives on the right. Night driving is not recommended. Car hijackings and violent muggings are increasingly common, particularly in the three provinces of Adamaoua, the North and the far North, so sensible precautions should be taken. Driving on the Yaoundé/Douala trunk road should be avoided, since accidents are common there. Roadside assistance is non-existent. Travellers should consult official government advice services for further information about security while driving. Bus: Modern coach services are available between Yaoundé and Douala, Bafoussam and Bamenda, Foumban and Dschanga. Bus services also exist between other main centres and more rural areas but tend to be unreliable and are often suspended during the rainy season. Bus services also have a reputation for being dangerous, as road safety is not a priority for Cameroon drivers and accidents are common. Car hire: This is limited and expensive and is available in Douala, Yaoundé and Limbé, with or without a driver. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not a legal requirement but recommended, especially for those hiring a car. By law, a driving licence must be carried when driving; a Cameroonian licence can be obtained within 24 hours for a small fee. Urban Taxis and share-taxis are available at reasonable fixed rates (none are metered). A 10 per cent tip is optional. City taxis do not generally comply with basic security norms and seatbelts are often absent. Violent assaults on taxi passengers are not uncommon, so the choice of taxi must be considered carefully. However, they are cheap and fast. Travel times The following gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Yaoundé.
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