Safety in Cameroon: areas to avoid and travel advice

What the four governments say

The UK Foreign Office eased its advice on 9 February 2026: it no longer advises against all but essential travel to most of the Adamawa Region. It points out that travel insurance may be invalidated if you go to an area it advises against, and that its High Commission can only offer limited help there.

Region-by-region map

Border strips vary from one country to another: 30 km for France and Canada, 40 km for the UK and 20 km for the US. France Diplomatie also requires a military escort to cross red zones on the Yaoundé-Ngaoundéré road via Garoua-Boulaï, the Garoua and Ngaoundéré-Moundou (Chad) road via Touboro, and the Bertoua-Yokadouma road. All sources strongly advise against the Bakassi Peninsula, because of smuggling and piracy.

Why these regions are advised against

• Far North: according to the UK Foreign Office, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) are mainly active there, with increased use of improvised explosive devices since 2023. France Diplomatie describes the Mandara Mountains as a 'refuge for terrorist groups', despite the Diy-Gid-Biy cultural landscape being added to UNESCO's World Heritage List on 11 July 2025.
• North-West and South-West: France Diplomatie dates the deterioration to late 2017 and reports more than 700,000 people displaced since 2016. Canada describes frequent clashes between security forces and armed separatist groups, serious incidents at checkpoints run by either side, and kidnappings that also target foreigners. The UK Foreign Office reports 'ghost town' general strikes every Monday, and often around 11 February, 20 May and 1 October.
• CAR and Chad borders: France Diplomatie points to porous borders crossed by armed gangs (poachers, bandits, traffickers) and to nearly 250,000 Central African refugees hosted in the East; the UK Foreign Office reports kidnappings for ransom by highway bandits.
• The US State Department says its staff are not allowed to travel to the North-West, South-West, North and Far North regions, within 20 km of the CAR and Nigerian borders, or north of Ngaoundéré.

This advice affects tourism: France Diplomatie currently advises against climbing Mount Cameroon, in the South-West, and the UK Foreign Office advises against Buea, the usual starting point. The Foreign Office adds that Lake Nyos, in the North-West, released a cloud of carbon dioxide in 1986 that killed about 1,700 people, and that this could happen again.

Areas without specific warnings

None of these sources describes any region as 'safe'. The Centre (Yaoundé), Littoral (Douala), South (Kribi), the West outside its border areas and the East outside the border strip are not subject to any travel warning from the four countries: they fall under the overall level, 'exercise increased caution' for the US and 'high degree of caution' for Canada. France Diplomatie places the Littoral and South under increased vigilance (yellow). Even there, the UK Foreign Office says attacks could occur anywhere, including in Yaoundé and Douala, and the US State Department notes several explosive device attacks in both cities since June 2020.

In town: crime and taxis

• The UK Foreign Office warns of armed robbery and mugging throughout the country, particularly in Yaoundé, Douala, Ngaoundéré and Bafoussam, and names areas to avoid: Briqueterie and Mokolo market in Yaoundé; Nkololun, New Bell, Akwa, Bonaberi and Village in Douala.
• Taxis: the UK Foreign Office advises against hailing taxis in the street (yellow in Yaoundé and Douala), as they run like shared buses and passengers have been assaulted; it recommends a taxi booked through your hotel or restaurant. France Diplomatie strongly advises against taking taxis after dark, especially alone. The US State Department bans its staff from using taxis.
• Do not show off phones, jewellery or cameras, avoid carrying a handbag in markets, and keep a few notes to hand over without resistance if robbed (France Diplomatie). All sources advise never to resist.
• France Diplomatie advises extra vigilance around the end-of-year holidays and the September school return. Demonstrations can turn violent: Canada notes the past use of tear gas and, in some cases, live ammunition.

On the road: night travel, checkpoints and papers

All four governments advise against travelling at night. France Diplomatie calls the roads dangerous, especially the Yaoundé-Douala highway, and mentions logging trucks overtaking recklessly; it even advises against public transport, often involved in fatal crashes. Canada reports highway bandit attacks on the N3 between Douala and Yaoundé. The UK Foreign Office cites robberies and kidnappings on the Bamenda-Banyo, Bafoussam-Banyo, Bafoussam-Douala, Yaoundé-Garoua and Garoua-Boulaï-Ngaoundéré roads. Transport options are covered on the getting around page.

• Papers: France Diplomatie says it is essential to carry ID at all times (or a residence permit, or a certified copy of your passport) and your insurance details. According to the UK Foreign Office, the police can detain anyone without ID.
• Checkpoints: police and gendarmerie roadblocks are common. The UK Foreign Office and US State Department report that officers stop drivers for minor or non-existent offences to extract small bribes: they advise not paying and asking for a written ticket to pay at the local court. The State Department also advises staying in your locked vehicle with the window slightly open, and not letting any officer get in.
• Canada reports unofficial roadblocks set up to extort money, sometimes violently, especially in rural areas.

Laws to be aware of

• Photographing military sites, government buildings, airports and ports is illegal (France Diplomatie, UK Foreign Office). The Foreign Office adds that officials may ask for money for a supposed photography 'permit'.
• Wearing camouflage clothing or military insignia without authorisation is punishable by a fine and detention.
• Drug use and possession are severely punished, usually with a prison sentence.
• According to France Diplomatie, the law punishes same-sex sexual relations with 6 months to 5 years in prison and a fine of 20,000 to 200,000 CFA francs; the UK Foreign Office reports arrests and prosecutions.
• Buying, selling or transporting protected wildlife or wildlife products without a licence can lead to prosecution (UK Foreign Office).

Common scams

• Romance scams: France Diplomatie reports extortion, sometimes with people being held against their will, after online contact, and strongly advises against matchmakers and marriage agencies. Canada warns against travelling to meet someone you only know online.
• Advance-fee fraud: an inheritance released for a fee, offers to buy artworks, pleas for help with a hospital bill or an arrest (France Diplomatie). The UK Foreign Office warns of fake child adoptions and points out that Cameroon has no adoption agencies.
• Business scams: fake partners posing as Cameroonian companies or government officials, bogus import duties, orders paid for with stolen cards (France Diplomatie).
• Card fraud: common at cash machines, according to Canada; France Diplomatie advises avoiding card payments outside international chain hotels.
• Fake job offers: France Diplomatie recommends signing a written contract before leaving, as promised conditions are often not honoured on arrival.

Emergency numbers

All sources agree on 117 for the police. For the fire brigade and medical help, foreign governments give different numbers: the table lists them as published.

Citizens can register with their government to receive alerts: Fil d'Ariane (France), STEP (United States), FCDO email alerts (United Kingdom). The US Embassy in Yaoundé can be reached on +237 222 20 15 00, including out of hours.

Frequently asked questions