Best Time to Visit Cameroon: Listen up if you’re thinking about visiting Cameroon, forget everything you know about easy travel. This isn’t some luxury safari destination. You come here for real Africa: volcanic mountains punching through clouds, Makossa music spilling from Yaoundé bars, and more biodiversity than any guidebook can capture. I’ve traveled from the dry Sahel plains to the southern rainforests, and I’ll give you the real story about when to experience this country’s raw magic.
Forget Simple Seasons Think Different Worlds
First thing to understand: Cameroon feels like several countries in one. The northern desert areas live by completely different rules than the southern jungle zones. I’ve frozen in Bamenda’s highland mist and sweat through Douala’s brutal humidity—all during the same trip.
Dry Months (November – February): When Most Visitors Come
This is when tourism picks up, and for good reason. The weather becomes more manageable with less rain and lower humidity. I remember hiking Mount Cameroon in December when the skies stayed clear and I could see all the way to the ocean.
Why come during dry months:
- Roads become passable, even to rural areas
- Animals gather around water sources in national parks
- Best conditions for mountain hiking and exploration
- Traditional festivals and cultural events happen
The reality:
- This is peak season you’ll pay top prices for decent rooms
- Harmattan winds blow Sahara dust over everything
- Nights get surprisingly cold in western highlands
- Good guides and hotels get booked months ahead
Light Rainy Months (March – June): The Sweet Spot
Most travel guides call this shoulder season. I call it the secret winner. The rains start but usually come as short, heavy showers followed by bright sunshine. I’ve seen the northern savannah turn from brown to emerald green almost overnight after the first rains.
Why consider this time:
- Everything turns lush and beautiful
- Fewer tourists at popular sites
- Hotel prices drop 30-40%
- Amazing photo opportunities with dramatic skies
- Coffee and cocoa harvesting activities
What you need to handle:
- Rain showers can appear without warning
- Humidity rises, especially near coast and forests
- Some country roads become difficult
- More mosquitoes around need malaria pills
Heavy Rainy Months (July – October): For Adventurous Souls
This is when most guidebooks tell you to stay home. They’re not completely wrong, but they’re missing something special. Yes, it rains sometimes for days. But I’ve been here in August when the rainforests felt most alive and waterfalls became thunderous.
Why deep rainy season might work:
- Forests teem with wildlife activity
- You’ll have places completely to yourself
- Deepest discounts on accommodations
- Better chances to connect with locals
- Waterfalls and rivers at their most powerful
What you’re signing up for:
- Many rural roads become impossible to use
- Humidity stays above 90% constantly
- Some attractions can’t be reached
- Higher risk of mosquito-borne diseases
Different Areas, Different Rules
Coastal Region (Douala, Kribi):
- Humid all year
- Heavy rains April-October
- Best November-March
- Beautiful beaches but careful of currents
Western Highlands (Bamenda, Bafoussam):
- Temperatures always moderate
- Two separate rainy seasons
- Best for hiking December-February
- Nights get cold bring warm clothes
Northern Savanna (Maroua, Garoua):
- Extreme heat in dry season
- Short intense rainy period
- Best November-February
- Amazing wildlife viewing
Southern Forests (Yaoundé, Ebolowa):
- Equatorial climate
- Rains year-round
- Always lush and green
- December-February least rainy
Month by Month Reality
November-February: Peak dry season. Best conditions but highest prices.
March-April: Light rains start. Landscape greens up, temperatures rise.
May-June: Heavier rains come. Very green but travel gets harder.
July-August: Peak rainy time. Most challenging but nature at its best.
September-October: Rains slow down. Still green, conditions improving.
Cultural Timing Matters
Think about more than weather:
February: Ngondo Festival of coastal people
November: Ramadan and Eid in northern regions
December: Christmas celebrations nationwide
Various dates: Traditional ceremonies throughout year
When Should You Actually Go?
First-time visitors: November-February. Fewest challenges while learning the country.
Photographers: March-April or September-October. Green landscapes with okay conditions.
Budget travelers: July-September. Lowest prices if you can handle difficulties.
Wildlife lovers: December-February for desert parks, July-September for forests.
Culture seekers: Research local festival dates and plan around them.
Final Truth
I’ve had incredible experiences in every season: watching elephants at waterholes in Waza National Park during dry months, hearing torrential rain on tin roofs in Limbe, and sharing meals with coffee farmers during harvest time.
Cameroon doesn’t give you perfect weather, it gives you perfect moments. The kind that stays with you: tasting fresh ndolé in a Douala market, hearing gospel music from roadside churches, watching Mount Cameroon appear through morning clouds.
Come ready to be flexible. Pack for heat and cold, dust and rain. Bring good mosquito protection and reliable rain gear. Most importantly, bring an open heart and willingness to adapt.
Cameroon might test you with its challenges, but it will give you something rare in modern travel: real authenticity, amazing beauty, and memories that have nothing to do with perfect weather and everything to do with real human connections.
The best time to visit is when you can come ready to adapt and experience. Cameroon will welcome you any season, giving you experiences that will stay with you long after you’ve gone home.
