FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Douala

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Cameroon each year. The main ones are listed below.

In Cameroon, January 1^st is a double occasion: the country enters the new year, but also celebrates its Independence, proclaimed on January 1^st, 1960. Lively atmosphere all around, especially in large cities like Douala and Yaoundé.

Cameroon celebrates the youths and students. School parades and sometimes public shows take place in the streets, dancing schools, choirs and sports clubs to express the nation's talents.

Labour Day is a public holiday for all Cameroonians. This day is spent on parades and worker marches.

Cameroonian women are very attached to Women's Day. Official celebrations, women parades, marches: women are the talk of the town, especially in large cities, where many nightclubs are reserved for them. Gentlemen, on that day you will stay outside!

Cameroon celebrates its foundation, and the transition from a federal state to a unitary one. Public marches and parades are a reason for popular rejoicing.

Every year, Cameroonians feverishly and grandiloquently celebrate the assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven.

The Ngondo takes place for a week and is held by the Sawa (coastal peoples). Miss Douala contest, dancing shows, pirogue races and many other activities follow the ceremony during which town inhabitants commune with their ancestors and the water spirits.

Cameroonians celebrate the birth of Christ. In a country where religious traditions are widespread, services are usually followed by family meals.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Douala

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	27/80	32/90	51/2.0	Good period to go
February	28/82	33/91	58/2.3	Good period to go
March	28/82	33/91	119/4.7	Not the best period to go
April	27/80	32/90	173/6.8	Not the best period to go
May	27/80	32/90	187/7.4	Not the best period to go
June	26/79	30/86	236/9.3	Not the best period to go
July	25/77	28/82	347/13.7	Not the best period to go
August	25/77	28/82	468/18.4	Not the best period to go
September	25/77	29/84	390/15.3	Not the best period to go
October	26/79	30/86	236/9.3	Not the best period to go
November	27/80	31/89	108/4.2	Not the best period to go
December	27/80	32/90	30/1.2	Good period to go

Douala International Airport and Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport

Douala International Airport

The Douala International Airport is located 7 kilometres (4 miles) from Douala's city centre.

• One terminal (Air France)

• • By car: Access via the N3 road.
    Two parking lots at the airport, outdoor and at basement level, with capacities of 334 and 133 vehicles. Both enjoy baggage handling services. XAF 600 per 2 hours, XAF 5,000 per 12 to 24 hours (outdoor) and XAF 700 per hour, XAF 10,000 per 12 to 24 hours (basement).

• By hotel shuttle:
  Some large hotels organize their own shuttle service to and from the airport. Check with your hotel ahead of time.
• By taxi:
  Yellow taxis are available at the ranks outside the airport to take you to Douala's city centre. Allow for a 15-minute trip and a XAF 3,500 fare. Before departure, you may also ask your hotel to arrange for a shuttle transfer or a PHV to pick you up. For all transportation within the city, besides traditional bush taxis taking multiple customers for varying fares, two private companies with AC cars were recently launched in Cameroon. They can be reached locally, so we advise you to go through your hotel to reserve a taxi. Fares to downtown Douala run about XAF 10,000.
• Services:
  ATMs, VIP lounges, newspaper stands and duty-free shops in the airport.
• Website: www.adcsa.aero/
• Telephone: +237 233 42 35 77

• Two terminals
  • T1
  • T2 (Air France)

• By car:
  Access via N2 Joseph Tchooungui Akoa.
  There is an outdoor car park at the airport, with a 578 capacity. XAF 650 per 2 hours, XAF 4,500 per 12 to 24 hours.
  Rentals:
  A car rental company is located in the arrivals hall.

• Hotel shuttles:
  Some large hotels organize their own shuttle services to and from the airport. Check with your hotel ahead of time.
• Taxi:
  Yellow taxis are available at the ranks outside the airport to take you to Yaoundé's city centre. Allow for a 30-minute trip and a XAF 3,500 fare. Before departure, you may also ask your hotel to arrange for a shuttle transfer or a PHV to pick you up. For all transportation within the city, besides traditional bush taxis taking multiple customers for varying fares, two private companies with AC cars were recently launched in Cameroon. They can be reached locally, so we advise you to go through your hotel to reserve a taxi. Fares to downtown Douala run about XAF 10,000.
• Services: ATMs, a restaurant, newspaper stands, a post office, handicraft and duty-free shops in the airport.
• Website: www.adcsa.aero/
• Telephone: +237 222 21 22 21

GETTING AROUND Douala

Uncertain bus routes, heavy traffic and nonexistent car parks in some neighbourhoods: getting around Cameroon's two major cities can be a hassle. We advise you to use a taxi.

By car

Traffic is very dense and heavy in Douala and Yaoundé, and finding where to park difficult. We advise you to use a taxi.

Bus

There are four bus lines in Douala, run by the Socatur company. They cross town, starting at the Ndokoti intersection. The ticket is XAF 150.
In Yaoundé, the Socatur company started a few bus lines. But be careful, service is uncertain, ill-equipped and unsafe.

Taxi

Taxis remain the best solution for tourists and inhabitants alike to navigate the city.
Traditional bush taxis take multiple customers in and around Yaoundé for varying fares: bargain with the driver.
Some official taxi cabs, the “yellow taxis”, also drive through the city. Expect an XAF 250 fare during daytime and XAF 500 at night.
Two private companies with AC cars offer secure transportation. Fares run about XAF 3,500 during daytime and XAF 4,000 at night. To get around the city, it is simpler to ask your hotel to reserve the taxi for you.

Visitor information

There is no proper Tourist Information centre in Cameroon. For information on how to prepare your trip, we advise you to get in touch with the Tourist Information Centre for Europe in Paris, France.

Douala is the commercial and economic capital of Cameroon, while Yaoundé is the political one. Ministries and administrations are therefore all in Yaoundé. It may be possible to get in touch with the Department of Tourism and Leisure to find more information.

• Address: Immeuble Rose - 237 Yaoundé
• Telephone: +237 22 22 29 36

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in Cameroon is the Franc CFA (XAF).

EUR 1 = XAF 656

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home. Douala and Yaoundé count several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

Vaccination for yellow fever is mandatory before flying to Cameroon. Proof of vaccination is required upon arrival.

It is recommended to have updated vaccines as usually required (diphtheria, typhoid, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B). Vaccination against rabies may also be advised.

For more information, contact the Air France Vaccination Centre:

• Address: 38, quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris
• Website: www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• Make an appointment:
  - online : vaccinations-airfrance.fr/eappointment/form
  - by telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

To avoid any inconvenience, it is recommended you:

• peel your fruit, drink only pasteurized or boiled milk, do not use ice cubes or drink fresh squeezed juices,
• make sure that all meats, fish, and crustaceans are well cooked,
• wash your hands frequently.

It is recommended to drink only from sealed bottled water.

Administrative formalities

Whatever your nationality, a visa is mandatory to enter Cameroon.

For more information, visit the website of the Ministry of Tourism of Cameroon:
www.mintour.gov.cm/en/

Useful addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Douala and Yaoundé, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

00 237

+ phone number

0 : 00
of time difference with
Dublin

There is no Daylight Savings Time in Cameroon.

BANKS
Usually open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Usually open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

220 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
Tipping is customary in Cameroon. If the service is appreciated, a good rule of thumb is to leave an extra 5 to 15%. Please note that tipping is the only income for some professionals such as baggage handlers at the airport.