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What to Pack & Bring

What to Pack & Bring

Cameroon

Seasonal Clothing

Pack lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics. Cotton, linen, or quick-dry synthetics are good options. Loose-fitting clothing feels more comfortable in the heat and humidity.

Year-Round & Dry Season

  • General: Lightweight, breathable fabrics.
  • Dry Season (Nov-Feb): Light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.
  • Loose-fitting clothing for comfort in heat and humidity.

Wet Season & Cultural Dress

Carry a lightweight rain jacket or an umbrella for sudden downpours. Quick-drying clothes are beneficial. Cameroon maintains a relatively conservative society; modest dress is advised.

Wet Season & Modesty

  • Wet Season (Mar-Oct): Lightweight rain jacket or Umbrella.
  • Women: Knees and shoulders generally covered. Skirts, dresses, or trousers below the knee.
  • Men: Long trousers or respectable shorts are acceptable.

Footwear Recommendations

Walking Shoes

Comfortable walking shoes for uneven pavements and markets. Breathable Sneakers or sturdy sandals.

Daily Comfort

Wet Weather Shoes

Waterproof footwear is useful during the wet season. Waterproof sandals or quick-drying shoes work well.

Rainy Days

Dressier Options

Pack dressier shoes for evenings out or business meetings.

Evening/Formal

Essential Documents

Keep your travel documents organized and secure.

Having both physical and digital copies is a good practice.

  • Original passport, valid for six or more months past your stay.
  • Physical visa or printout of e-visa confirmation.
  • Multiple photocopies of passport and visa, kept separately.
  • Digital copies on a cloud service or email.
  • Printout and digital copy of travel insurance policy details.
  • International Driving Permit (if driving) with home country's license.
  • Original Yellow Fever vaccination card.
  • Emergency contact list (family, embassy, insurance).

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Cameroon uses Type C and Type E power outlets. The standard voltage is 220V at 50Hz. Ensure your phone is unlocked for a local SIM card.

Essentials

Camera & Data

A Mirrorless camera or compact point-and-shoot is practical. Be discreet when taking photos; always ask permission.

Media & Storage

  • Pack extra batteries and memory cards. B&H Photo for gear.
  • A waterproof casing or a Dry bag is advisable during the wet season.
  • Use cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) for photos and important documents. A Portable external hard drive for larger backups.

Apps & Security

Recommended Apps

Google Maps (download offline maps for Douala), Google Translate (download French), Yango (ride-sharing), WhatsApp (local communication).

VPN Services

For secure browsing, consider NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

Security Measures

Check devices' voltage compatibility (220V/50Hz). Most modern electronics are dual voltage (100-240V).

Health & Wellness Items

Personal Health Kit

Pack a personal health kit to address common travel ailments and stay well.

Essential First Aid

  • A comprehensive Travel first aid kit: antimalarial medication, Anti-diarrhea medication, oral rehydration salts, antihistamines.
  • Pain relievers (Ibuprofen, paracetamol), antiseptic wipes, bandaids, sterile gauze, medical tape.
  • All prescription medications in original packaging with a doctor's note. Enough for your entire trip.

Prevention & Protection

Include cold and flu remedies, Motion sickness medication (if prone), and laxatives.

Sun & Insect Protection

Personal Comfort & Hygiene

Hygiene Items

  • Feminine hygiene products (specific brands may be hard to find locally).
  • Hand sanitizer.
  • Small pack of tissues/toilet paper.

Comfort for Travel

Activity-Specific Equipment

Excursion Gear

Minimal specific gear for Douala itself. For excursions outside, e.g., to Mount Cameroon, bring proper gear.

Photography

Trusted camera equipment for capturing memories.

  • Extra batteries
  • Memory cards
  • Waterproof casing
  • Dry bag

Daily Essentials

A lightweight, collapsible daypack is useful for market visits or short excursions.

  • Small padlock
  • Money belt
  • RFID-blocking wallet
  • Small denomination XAF

Gear Acquisition

Bring Your Own

  • Specialized gear you trust (e.g., hiking boots, camera equipment).
  • Specific brands of toiletries.
  • Certain medications.
  • Specialized camera gear.

Rent Locally

  • Quality rentals are not widely available for specialized gear.
  • Motorcycle/scooter rentals are not common for tourists.
  • Bicycle rentals are not common.
  • Self-driving cars are expensive and traffic can be challenging.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Security & Reusable Items

These smaller items greatly support comfort and security.

Smart Packing

Regional & Convenience Items

Carry plenty of small denomination XAF for street vendors and taxis.

Practical Additions

Sustainable Travel Items

Reusable Water Bottle

Reduces plastic waste.

Reusable Shopping Bag

For market purchases.

Reusable Utensils

For street food consumption.

Solid Toiletries

Reduces liquid plastic packaging.

Specific Considerations

For Comfort

  • Small portable fan for extreme heat.
  • Headlamp or small flashlight for power outages.
  • Compact umbrella for sudden rains.

Local subtleties

  • Small French phrasebook or app.
  • Plenty of small bills (XAF) for daily transactions.
  • Offline maps for navigation without data.

Packing Pro Tip

Consider packing cubes to keep your luggage organized and maximize space.

Roll clothes to minimize wrinkles and save room in your bag.