Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel to the area bordering the Central African Republic and Chad. Armed banditry is a regular occurrence in these areas. There have also been reports of armed poachers in Bouba Ndjidda National Park which borders Chad.
  
  
• We advise against all travel to the area bordering Nigeria in the region of the Bakassi Peninsula. See Safety and Security - Local Travel.
  
  
• Martyrs' Week is planned for 20-25 February, to commemorate those killed in the 2008 civil unrest against economic pressures and removal of presidential term limits, We advise heightened awareness of possible tensions, particularly in Douala: you should avoid demonstrations.
  
  
• Following recent bombings in Nigeria, the Nigerian government has declared a state of emergency in some areas. The exact ramifications of the state of emergency remain unclear but it is reported that the international borders of some neighbouring states, including Cameroon, have been closed
  
  
• Travel by road north of Maroua is dangerous because of carjackers. Gendarmerie (rural police) detachments are posted along the road between Maroua and the Chadian border. British High Commission staff travelling north of Maroua only do so after taking appropriate security precautions, including an armed escort.
  
  

• There have been attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Gulf of Guinea, including the coastline of Cameroon around the Douala port.  Extreme caution should be exercised in these areas when travelling in coastal waters. We advise mariners to take appropriate precautions.
  

• There has been an outbreak of meningitis in the Far North with an unconfirmed 1,500 cases reported. For more details see Health.
  
  

• Most visits to Cameroon are trouble-free, only a small number of British nationals have required consular assistance in the past year, mostly for lost or stolen passports. However, we are aware of an increase in violence in the Limbe area of Cameroon and incidents of armed robbery involving taxis hailed from the roadside in Yaoundé. You should remain vigilant at all times. See Safety and Security - Crime.
  
  

• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  

• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.