Cameroon Travel Risk

Exercise increased caution in Cameroon due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, health, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Crime

Violent crime, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, and carjacking are common in Cameroon. This is especially true in the Southwest, Northwest, Far North, and North Regions; the Adamawa Region north of the capital city of Ngaoundere; and the East Region within 20 kilometers of the border with Central African Republic.

• There is high risk of kidnapping by non-state armed groups in the Southwest and Northwest Regions.
• There is high risk of kidnapping by terrorists in the Far North Region.
• Petty crime is common in Cameroon, especially in Yaoundé and Douala.
• Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious crimes.

Unrest

Civil unrest is common, with the potential for political violence. Demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. They may disrupt transportation and other essential services.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

IEDs exist in Cameroon, especially in the Northwest, Southwest, and Far North Regions. IEDs are unmarked and are actively used by terrorists in high-risk areas in the Far North Region.

Do Not Travel to the Southwest, Northwest, and Far North Regions for any reason due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Do Not Travel to within 20 kilometers of the borders with Central African Republic, Chad, and Nigeria for any reason due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Bakassi Peninsula

FCDO advises against all travel to Bakassi Peninsula.

Cameroon-Central African Republic border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Central African Republic.

Cameroon-Chad border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Chad.

Cameroon-Nigeria border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Nigeria, except for Garoua in the North Region.

Far-North Region

FCDO advises against all travel to the Far-North Region, except for:

• a 20km radius to the north, east and west of Maroua
• 30km south of Maroua

North-West Region

FCDO advises against all travel to the North-West Region.

South-West Region

FCDO advises against all travel to the South-West Region, including the towns of Buea, Muyuka and Tiko in Fako Division. Except for:

• Limbé
• the 35km stretch of the N3 road connecting Limbé to the Littoral Region in Fako Division

Limbé

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Limbé and the 35km stretch of the N3 road connecting Limbé to the Littoral Region in Fako Division, South-West Region.

North Region, Adamawa Region and Maroua

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the North Region, including Garoua,, and a 20km radius to the north, east and west of Maroua, and 30km south of Maroua, in Far-North Region.

Adamawa Region

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 20km of the border with the North region of Cameroon. FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the Central African Republic (CAR) and Nigeria borders.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Cameroon.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Cameroon

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Cameroon.

Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners such as:

• restaurants
• bars
• markets
• hotels
• shopping centres
• places of worship
• parks
• sporting venues

The terrorist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) are mainly active in the Far-North Region but attacks could occur anywhere, including major towns and cities such as Yaoundé and Douala. There was an increase in the use of improvised explosive devices by violent extremist organisations in the Far-North Region in 2023. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

This section has safety advice for regions of Cameroon. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

The Bakassi Peninsula

FCDO advises against all travel to the Bakassi Peninsula.

There have been armed robberies and incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly in the waters around the Niger Delta and the Bakassi Peninsula. The ferry that operates between Limbé and Tiko in Cameroon and Calabar in Nigeria passes through areas where pirates operate. Cameroon’s Rapid Intervention Brigade patrols the waters, but it is difficult to police the Bakassi Peninsula’s mangrove forests and isolated islands. Mariners should get professional security advice and take appropriate precautions.

Cameroon-Central African Republic border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Central African Republic (CAR).

Large, armed criminal gangs and highway bandits have stopped travellers and taken hostages for ransom, particularly in the east of Cameroon, close to the CAR border. Violence frequently spills across the CAR border into Cameroon. Incidents like these are more likely due to the ongoing insecurity in CAR.

Cameroon-Chad border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Chad.

There is a risk of armed banditry, including poachers in Bouba Ndjida National Park in the North Region.

Cameroon-Nigeria border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Nigeria, except for Garoua in the North Region.

Far-North Region

FCDO advises against all travel to the Far-North Region, except for:

• a 20km radius to the north, east and west of Maroua
• 30km south of Maroua

Terrorist groups are active in the Far-North Region, see terrorism. There is also a general threat of kidnapping, criminality and armed banditry.

Nigerian military operations in the Nigerian states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa could have an impact across the border in Cameroon. There have also been a number of reported civilian fatalities in these regions at or near checkpoints due to accidental discharge of weapons.

North-West and South-West regions

FCDO advises against all travel to the North-West Region.

FCDO advises against all travel to the South-West Region, including the towns of Buea, Muyuka and Tiko in Fako Division. Except for:

• Limbé
• the 35km stretch of the N3 road connecting Limbé to the Littoral region in Fako Division

Non-state armed groups (NSAGs) sometimes use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to target civilians in the North-West and South-West regions.

Civilians have been killed at or near road checkpoints controlled by NSAGs or government forces. Be cautious when you approach roadblocks.

In recent years Cameroonian security forces and NSAGs have fought multiple times in many parts of the North-West and South-West regions. Restrictions including night curfews and a ban on public meetings are in place in some areas. There is a high risk of violent crime, especially at night.

There have also been a number of reported civilian fatalities in these regions at or near checkpoints due to accidental discharge of weapons.

If you decide to travel to, or within, areas of the English-speaking regions where the FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel, you should consider carefully the risks of travel. Monitor developments closely, keep a low profile and minimise your movements.

General strikes

General strikes (or ‘ghost towns’) are called in the English-speaking North-West and South-West regions each Monday. There are often additional days, including in February (around Youth Day, 11 February), May (around National Day on 20 May) and around 1 October (Unofficial Unification Day). There is often violence and travel disruption on these days.

As events develop, be cautious and regularly check news reports, this travel advice and information from local authorities.

Lake Nyos

Lake Nyos in the North-West Region emitted carbon dioxide in 1986, suffocating about 1,700 people without warning. Although the Cameroon authorities now closely monitor the lake, this situation could repeat with limited warning. The authorities are also concerned that the volcanic dam holding back Lake Nyos is not sufficiently strong. Nearby Lake Mounoun is also saturated with carbon dioxide.

Limbé

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Limbé and the 35km stretch of N3 road connecting Limbé to the Littoral Region in Fako Division, South-West Region.

North Region, and Maroua

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the North Region, including Garoua,, and a 20km radius to the north, east and west of Maroua, and 30km south of Maroua, in Far-North Region.

Adamawa Region

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 20km of the border with the North region of Cameroon. FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the Central African Republic (CAR) and Nigeria borders.

Risk level

Cameroon - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Cameroon due to the high level of violent crime in some regions and the tensions that exist in the Sahel region.

Regional risks

Far North region and Mayo-Louti Department - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the Far North region and Mayo-Louti Department in the North region due to military operations, the risk of terrorism, armed attacks and the risk of kidnappings.

Borders with Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to areas within 30 km of the borders with Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic, due to military operations, the risk of terrorism, armed attacks and the risk of kidnappings.

North-West and South-West regions - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the North-West and South-West regions due to clashes between armed groups and security forces, civil unrest, armed attacks, the risk of kidnappings and banditry.

North and Adamaoua regions - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the North and Adamaoua regions due to the risk of kidnappings and armed attacks.

Far North region and Mayo-Louti Department

Violent extremist groups carry out attacks, kidnappings and banditry in these regions.

These groups have attacked public places and crowded areas, causing numerous civilian casualties. Violent clashes regularly occur between security forces and various armed groups.

North-West and South-West regions

The North-West and South-West regions are frequently affected by violent clashes between security forces and armed separatist groups. Bomb attacks on public places have resulted in civilian casualties. Serious incidents have taken place at roadblocks set up by the security forces or armed groups. Kidnappings, including of foreigners, are frequent. Other attacks, including murder, arson, sexual assault and kidnapping, are possible.

Armed attacks and acts of piracy occur frequently in the Bakassi Peninsula, where law enforcement is weak and crime high.

At any time, local authorities may restrict movements, prohibit gatherings and disrupt telecommunications.

喀麦隆现有红色（极高风险）地区2个，橙色（高风险）地区3个，其他地区均为黄色（中风险）。具体如下:

一、红色地区：西南大区、西北大区。外交部提醒中国公民近期暂勿前往喀麦隆上述地区，已在当地的人员和机构尽快撤离或转移至安全地区。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

二、橙色地区：阿达马瓦大区、北部大区、极北大区。外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往喀麦隆上述地区，已在当地的人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

三、黄色地区：其他地区。外交部提醒在喀麦隆其他地区的人员也要加强防范，注意安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。