Yaounde is the capital of Cameroon and its second largest city after Douala; it spreads over forested hills in the interior at about 750 metres and is known locally as the city of seven hills. It began in 1889 as a German outpost, became the centre of the French administration after the First World War and became the capital of independent Cameroon in 1960. Today Yaounde is the city of ministries, universities and embassies; calmer than the port bustle of Douala and, thanks to its altitude, a little cooler. The unity monument on the Atemengue hill, the national museum, the cathedral and the view from Mont Febe are the urban side of a visit; the primate sanctuary of Mefou to the south is the nature side.
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See flights to Yaoundé →When to visit Yaoundé
December to February is the easiest period: the long dry season, with little rain and daytime temperatures of 30C to 32C. Yaounde has two rainy seasons, a shorter one from March to May and a longer, wetter one from September to November, when afternoon and evening downpours are frequent. July and August are a relatively dry break and sightseeing is possible, although the sky is often overcast. Thanks to the altitude, nights are cooler than on the coast.
Things to do in Yaoundé
Reunification Monument
The concrete monument on the Atemengue hill tells of the reunification in 1961 of the Cameroonian territories under French and British rule; it was built between 1973 and 1976 and decorated with reliefs by the priest and artist Engelbert Mveng. Its spiralling ramp, two arms wrapped around each other, climbs like a walkway and the summit looks over the city and the surrounding hills. The monument's gardens are a meeting place for families at weekends. It is a short taxi ride from the centre, and the hours close to sunset are the best for photographs.
National Museum of Cameroon
The museum occupies the former palace of the first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo, and reopened in 2015 after a six year restoration. Around 30 rooms show the traditional dress, musical instruments and masks of the country's ten regions, photographic archives from the independence period and contemporary Cameroonian painting. The large sculptures of a queen and her court at the entrance are the building's emblem. It is the best place in the city to meet Cameroon's more than two hundred ethnic groups in a single afternoon.
Cathedral of Notre-Dame des Victoires
The cathedral at the central post office roundabout grew out of a vow made during the Second World War that Cameroon would come through the conflict unharmed; its foundation stone was laid in 1952 and it was consecrated in 1955. Its cross shaped interior holds about 5,000 people and it is the seat of the Archdiocese of Yaounde. The choir music at Sunday mass is the liveliest moment of a visit. Standing in the very middle of the city centre, it links on foot to the ministries district and the markets.
Mont Febe and the Benedictine Museum
Rising to about 1,060 metres north of the city, Mont Febe is the best viewpoint in Yaounde; the road on its slopes climbs through forest to the top and in clear weather the whole capital lies below. At the Benedictine monastery on the hill, a small museum founded in 1964 by a Swiss monk shows masks, sculptures and ceremonial objects from different regions of Cameroon. The quiet monastery garden is a break from the noise of the city. The hill's walking routes fill with local hikers at weekends.
Mvog-Betsi Zoo and Botanical Garden
Founded in 1951 and now run by the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, the garden covers about two hectares in the Mvog-Betsi district in the south west of the city. Mandrills, De Brazza's monkeys and other primates, big cats, reptiles and birds of prey live here, some of the animals of Cameroon's forests arriving through rescue programmes. Its shady trees suit a short walk in the midday heat. An hour or two is enough.
Mefou National Park
In the forest park about 45 kilometres south of Yaounde, the charity Ape Action Africa runs a sanctuary for gorillas, chimpanzees and monkeys rescued from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Visitors walk forest trails with a guide, watch the animals in large fenced enclosures and hear about the sanctuary's work. It is about an hour by car and the dirt road becomes harder in the rainy season. Visits are arranged in advance and fit into a half day trip.
Flights from Turkey to Yaoundé
Flights to Yaounde from Turkey leave Istanbul Airport on Turkish Airlines; the route runs year round with about three flights a week, departing in the evening, and the direct flight takes about 7 hours. Some rotations land in Douala first and continue to Yaounde on the same aircraft, which stretches the journey to about 9 hours, so it is worth checking the routing when booking. The time difference is two hours and arrival is after midnight. Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport is about 25 kilometres south of the city centre; for a night arrival a hotel transfer is arranged in advance, and a taxi to the centre takes 40 minutes to an hour. A yellow fever vaccination card is checked on entry.
Yaoundé FAQ
How many days do you need in Yaounde?
A day for the Reunification Monument, the national museum and the cathedral, half a day for Mont Febe and Mvog-Betsi and half a day for the primate sanctuary at Mefou are enough. Plan two nights for the city alone. Adding Douala, the Limbe coast and Kribi stretches it to a week, and the Bamileke kingdoms to the west to ten days.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport is about 25 kilometres south of the city centre. A taxi takes 40 minutes to an hour depending on traffic and the fare is agreed before getting in. As flights land after midnight, a pick up car sent by the hotel is the better choice.
Do you need a visa for Cameroon?
A Turkish passport needs a Cameroonian visa; the application is made online through the official e-visa site and the visa is stamped into the passport at the airport on presentation of the approval. A yellow fever vaccination card is compulsory and checked on entry, and malaria precautions are planned with a doctor. The passport must be valid for at least six months. Travel warnings cover the Far North region and the English speaking North West and South West regions; Yaounde is outside them.
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