Best Time to Visit Cameroon
The best time to travel to Cameroon is during the dry season (November to April) and the wet season (May to October).
Dry Season in Cameroon
The dry season in Cameroon runs from November to April and is the most popular time to visit. During this season, the weather is generally sunny and dry, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to mid-30s Celsius. This season is ideal for outdoor activities such as safari tours, bird watching, and hiking. Visitors can also enjoy the vibrant cultural festivals that take place throughout the season, such as the Bamenda Cultural Festival and the Limbe International Jazz Festival.
Wet Season in Cameroon
The wet season in Cameroon runs from May to October. During this season, the weather is hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to mid-30s Celsius. Although the rains can be heavy at times, the lush vegetation and vibrant wildlife make this season a great time for outdoor activities. Visitors can also enjoy the various cultural festivals that take place throughout the season, such as the Yaounde International Music Festival and the Douala International Film Festival.
Month-by-month guide for traveling in Cameroon
Cameroon in January
Weather
January in Cameroon is generally warm and humid. Temperatures average around 27°C (80°F) during the day and 20°C (68°F) at night. Rainfall is common throughout the month, with an average of 8-9 rainy days.
Events
- The Cameroon International Film Festival is held in Yaounde in January. It is a celebration of African cinema, featuring films from around the continent.
- The Nguon Festival is held in the city of Douala in January. It is a celebration of Cameroonian culture, featuring traditional music, dance, and food.
- The Douala International Marathon is held in January. It is a 42 km race that takes place in the city of Douala.
- The Yaounde International Jazz Festival is held in January. It is a celebration of jazz music, featuring performances from local and international artists.
- The Cameroon Music Awards is held in January. It is a celebration of Cameroonian music, featuring performances from local and international artists.
Cameroon in January
Weather
January in Cameroon is typically warm and humid. The average temperature is around 25°C (77°F) and the humidity is high. Rainfall is common throughout the month, with an average of 8-9 days of rain.
Events
- The annual Limbe Jazz Festival is held in Limbe, Cameroon in January. This festival brings together jazz musicians from all over the world to celebrate the music of Cameroon.
- The annual Douala International Trade Fair is held in Douala, Cameroon in January. This fair is a great opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services to a global audience.
- The annual Cameroon International Film Festival is held in Yaounde, Cameroon in January. This festival celebrates the best of Cameroonian cinema and is attended by filmmakers from all over the world.
- The annual Cameroon National Day is celebrated in January. This day celebrates the independence of Cameroon from France in 1960.
- The annual Festival of the Arts is held in Yaounde, Cameroon in January. This festival celebrates the best of Cameroonian art, music, and culture.
Cameroon in March
Weather
March is the beginning of the dry season in Cameroon, with temperatures ranging from 20-30°C (68-86°F). Rainfall is low, with the occasional shower.
Events
- The International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th of March. Events and activities are organized to celebrate the achievements of women and to bring attention to the gender gap.
- The Cameroon Music Awards is an annual event held in March. It celebrates the best of Cameroonian music, and includes performances from local and international artists.
- The International Day of Forests is celebrated on the 21st of March. Events and activities are organized to raise awareness of the importance of forests and their conservation.
- The International Day of Happiness is celebrated on the 20th of March. Events and activities are organized to celebrate the importance of happiness and well-being.
- The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is celebrated on the 6th of March. Events and activities are organized to promote the use of sport as a tool for development and peace.
Cameroon in April
Weather
April in Cameroon is usually hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 20-30 degrees Celsius (68-86 Fahrenheit). Rainfall is common, with an average of 10-15 days of rain during the month.
Events
- Easter: Easter is celebrated in Cameroon with traditional religious services and feasts.
- International Labour Day: This holiday is celebrated on the 1st of April with parades and other festivities.
- National Youth Day: This holiday is celebrated on the 11th of April with various events and activities.
- National Day of Peace: This holiday is celebrated on the 20th of April with special events and activities.
- International Jazz Day: This holiday is celebrated on the 30th of April with concerts and other events.
Cameroon in May
Weather
May is the beginning of the dry season in Cameroon, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-90s Fahrenheit (25-35 Celsius). Rainfall is minimal, usually occurring in the form of short showers.
Events
- The International Jazz Festival is held in Yaounde in May, featuring performances from local and international jazz musicians.
- The Yaounde International Trade Fair is held in May, showcasing the best of Cameroonian culture and industry.
- The International Festival of African Music is held in Douala in May, featuring performances from African musicians.
- The International Festival of Arts and Culture is held in Bamenda in May, featuring performances from local and international artists.
- The International Festival of Dance is held in Limbe in May, featuring performances from local and international dancers.
Cameroon in June
Weather
June is the start of the dry season in Cameroon. Temperatures are warm and humid throughout the country, with temperatures ranging from 25-30°C (77-86°F). Rainfall is low, with an average of 5-10 mm (0.2-0.4 in) of precipitation each month.
Events
- The International Festival of Music and Dance is held in Yaoundé in June. It is a celebration of traditional music and dance from all over Cameroon and the world.
- The Cameroon International Film Festival is held in Douala in June. It is a celebration of the best in African and international cinema.
- The Cameroon National Day is celebrated on June 20th. It marks the independence of the country from French and British rule in 1960.
- The Yaoundé Marathon is held in June. It is a race that starts and ends in Yaoundé and is open to both professional and amateur runners.
- The International Festival of Jazz is held in Douala in June. It is a celebration of jazz music from around the world.
Cameroon in July
Weather
July in Cameroon is typically hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius (77 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit). The rainy season is in full swing, with frequent showers and thunderstorms.
Events
- The International Jazz Festival takes place in Douala, Cameroon in July. This festival brings together jazz musicians from around the world to celebrate the music of Cameroon.
- The Cameroon National Day is celebrated on July 20th. This day marks the anniversary of the independence of Cameroon from France in 1960.
- The Yaounde International Film Festival is held in July in the capital city of Yaounde. This festival showcases the best of Cameroonian film and television.
- The Limbe Wildlife Centre hosts its annual Wildlife Festival in July. This event celebrates the flora and fauna of Cameroon and features educational activities and performances.
- The Cameroonian Football Association holds the annual Cameroon Cup in July. This tournament features the best teams from across the country competing for the title of Cameroonian Football Champions.
Cameroon in August
Weather
August is the beginning of the dry season in Cameroon, with temperatures ranging from the low 70s to the low 90s. Humidity is high, and the chance of rain is low.
Events
- The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated on August 9th.
- The Cameroon International Film Festival takes place in August in Yaoundé.
- The National Day of Cameroon is celebrated on August 20th.
- The Yaoundé Marathon is held in August.
- The National Festival of Arts and Culture is celebrated in August in Yaoundé.
Cameroon in September
Weather
September in Cameroon is the beginning of the dry season, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s Celsius (77°F) to the mid-30s Celsius (90°F). Rainfall is low, with an average of only 3-4 days of rain per month.
Events
- The International Day of Peace is celebrated on September 21st in Cameroon, with events and activities held throughout the country to promote peace and understanding.
- The Douala International Trade Fair is held in the city of Douala in mid-September. This event is a major trade fair in the region and attracts hundreds of exhibitors from across Africa and beyond.
- The National Day of Cameroon is celebrated on September 20th and is marked by parades, speeches, and other festivities.
- The Cameroon International Film Festival is held in Yaounde in late September. This event showcases the best of Cameroon’s film industry and attracts filmmakers from around the world.
- The Cameroon Music Awards are held in Yaounde in late September. This event honors the best of Cameroon’s music industry and is attended by artists from across the country.
Cameroon in October
Weather
October in Cameroon is usually hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 25-30°C (77-86°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 10 days of rain throughout the month.
Events
- The Cameroon International Film Festival is held in October, showcasing the best of Cameroonian cinema.
- The National Day of Cameroon is celebrated on October 1st, commemorating the reunification of the former French and British Cameroons in 1961.
- The Cameroon Music Awards are held in October, honoring the best of Cameroonian music.
- The Cameroon International Trade Fair is held in October, showcasing the best of Cameroonian industry and commerce.
- The International Jazz Festival is held in October, featuring the best of Cameroonian and international jazz musicians.
Cameroon in November
Weather
November in Cameroon is generally warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to the mid-30s Celsius. Rainfall is common, with an average of about 10 days of precipitation throughout the month.
Events
- The International Trade Fair is held in Douala in November, bringing together businesses and traders from across the country.
- The Cameroonian Music Festival is held in Yaounde in November, showcasing the best of Cameroonian music and culture.
- The National Day of Remembrance is held in November to commemorate the victims of the civil war in Cameroon.
- The National Day of Peace is held in November to promote peace and unity in the country.
- The International Film Festival is held in Yaounde in November, featuring films from around the world.
Cameroon in December
Weather
December is the start of the dry season in Cameroon. Temperatures range from 18-30°C (64-86°F). The country experiences very little rainfall during this month.
Events
- The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated on December 3rd. It is a day to recognize the achievements of people with disabilities and promote their rights.
- The International Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10th. It is a day to recognize the importance of human rights and the need to protect them.
- The Christmas season begins in December. Many towns and cities in Cameroon host festivals and celebrations to mark the occasion.
- The New Year is celebrated on December 31st. Fireworks, parties, and other festivities are held to mark the occasion.
- The Cameroon International Film Festival is held in December. It is a week-long event that showcases the best of Cameroonian cinema.