Safety and emergencies

Areas to avoid

• Advised against by France (red zones, updated 5 March 2026): the whole Far North region; Mayo-Louti department (North); a 30 km strip along the borders with Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic; the whole North-West region; the Bakassi peninsula and Korup National Park; the area west of Kumba and Mamfe.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, safety

• Advised against except for essential reasons (orange zones): the North (except Mayo-Louti), Vina and Mbéré departments (Adamawa), the rest of the South-West, and in the West region the areas bordering the North-West and South-West, within 20 km of Lake Bamendji and the D66 road between Kouomboum and Kouhouat.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, safety

• The UK uses different perimeters, for example 40 km along the borders with Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic, and the whole South-West except Limbé. Advice varies by the country publishing it: check your own country's advice.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Foreign travel advice: Cameroon, warnings and insurance
• Passport: United Kingdom

  Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Foreign travel advice: Cameroon, warnings and insurance

On the road

• Roads are dangerous, especially the Yaoundé-Douala road. Driving at night is strongly advised against, as is intercity public transport, which is often involved in fatal accidents.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, safety

• Police and gendarmerie roadblocks are common: you may be asked for your passport, driving licence and vehicle papers.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Foreign travel advice: Cameroon, safety and security

In town

• Do not take taxis after nightfall, especially alone. The UK government also advises not to hail taxis in the street and to book a trusted taxi, for example through your hotel or restaurant.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Foreign travel advice: Cameroon, safety and security

• Do not show valuables or carry large sums of money; bag snatching is common. In a car, keep windows closed and doors locked.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, safety

• Extra vigilance is advised during the end-of-year holidays (December and January) and the start of the school year (September).

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, safety

• The UK government lists areas to avoid alone or at night: Briqueterie and Mokolo market in Yaoundé; Nkololun, New Bell, Akwa, Bonaberi and Village in Douala.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Foreign travel advice: Cameroon, safety and security

• When renting a flat or a house, a day and night guard is advised, preferably through a security company, and you should keep copies of your employees' ID.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, safety

Scams

• Romance scams, phishing, fake inheritances, fake business partnerships: do not send money to strangers or give your bank details or signature.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, useful information

• Adoption scams exist: Cameroon has no adoption agencies.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Foreign travel advice: Cameroon, safety and security

• Hiring conditions agreed before departure are not always honoured on arrival: sign a written contract before you leave.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, useful information

Emergency numbers

• Police: 17 (117 from a mobile) in Yaoundé, Douala and Garoua. Gendarmerie: 13 (113 from a mobile) in the Centre, Littoral, West and North-West regions.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, useful contacts

• Ambulance: 112. Fire: 119. Police: 117.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Foreign travel advice: Cameroon, getting help

• According to Belgium: police 17 (117 from a mobile) in Yaoundé, Douala and Garoua; gendarmerie 13 (113 from a mobile) in the Centre, Littoral, West and North-West. Canada lists 117 for police, 119 for medical assistance and 118 for firefighters.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Informations pratiques pour le CamerounGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Cameroon

• The two sources do not give exactly the same numbers: check them locally on arrival and save them in your phone.

  Practical advice·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, useful contactsGOV.UK (FCDO), Foreign travel advice: Cameroon, getting help
• Passport: France

  French Embassy in Yaoundé, Plateau Atémengué: +237 2 22 22 79 00.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/1/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, entry and residence

• Police emergency and gendarmerie

  Police: 17 (117 from a mobile) in Yaoundé, Douala and Garoua. Gendarmerie: 13 (113 from a mobile) in the Centre, Littoral, West and North-West.

  1711713113

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, useful contacts· Oct 1, 2026

• Emergency numbers (according to the UK government)

  Ambulance 112, fire 119, police 117.

  112119117

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Foreign travel advice: Cameroon, getting help· Oct 1, 2026

• Douala security, free hotline

  Free security line in Douala.

  +237 2 33 43 65 72

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, useful contacts· Oct 1, 2026

• Embassy of France in Cameroon

  Passport: France

  Embassy and consular section in Yaoundé.

  Plateau Atémengué, Yaoundé+237 2 22 22 79 00

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, entry and residence· Oct 1, 2026

• Embassy of France, internal security attaché

  Passport: France

  To contact to request an escort before an essential trip to the South-West.

  +237 2 22 22 79 17+237 2 22 22 79 18

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cameroon, safety· Oct 1, 2026

• High Commission of Canada in Cameroon

  Passport: Canada

  Consular assistance for Canadians (district: Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon). Appointments online.

  607 Street 1792, immeuble « Les Colonnades », Nouvelle Bastos, Yaoundéyunde-consul@international.gc.ca

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: Cameroon· Oct 1, 2026

• Embassy of Belgium in Cameroon

  Passport: Belgium

  Consular assistance for Belgians. Emergency number available at all times.

  Rue 1792, quartier Bastos, Yaoundé+237 222 21 52 91+237 222 21 17 68+237 6 96 94 22 01yaounde@diplobel.fed.be

  SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Informations pratiques pour le Cameroun· Oct 1, 2026

• FCDO, London (24 hours a day)

  Passport: United Kingdom

  For urgent help when a friend or relative is in trouble abroad.

  +44 20 7008 5000

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Foreign travel advice: Cameroon, getting help· Oct 1, 2026