Safety in Douala and Yaoundé: practical precautions and emergency numbers
Updated on 23 October 2026 · 7 min read
Douala and Yaoundé are visited every year by many travellers, business people and families from the diaspora without trouble, with the ordinary precautions of any large city: keep valuables out of sight, avoid walking alone at night, and use a booked or trusted ride after dark. Some regions of Cameroon are a different matter: several governments advise against all travel to the North-West, South-West and Far North. Here are the practical habits, the official advice and the emergency numbers.
Safety in Douala and Yaoundé: the essentials
The main risk for visitors in the two cities is opportunistic theft: a phone snatched from a hand or a table, a bag taken in a crowd, pickpockets in markets. Violent robbery happens too, mostly at night and in isolated places. The U.S. advice for Cameroon as a whole is "exercise increased caution" (level 2 of 4); Canada asks for a high degree of caution. Neither tells travellers to avoid Douala or Yaoundé.
- Phone: use it inside a shop, car or restaurant rather than on the pavement; do not leave it on a café table.
- Bag and jewellery: keep them simple; carry a bag across your body, away from the road side.
- Cash: take only what you need for the day; keep a little in a separate pocket for small payments.
- Documents: carry your passport or a certified copy with your visa page; leave the original in a safe place if you carry a copy. Police checks are common.
- If someone threatens you: hand over what they ask for. Belongings can be replaced.
At night and on the move
- Avoid walking alone after dark, even over short distances.
- In the evening, take a booked ride, a Yango or a taxi in "dépôt" (just for you) rather than a shared taxi. See getting around.
- Avoid moto-taxis, especially at night: they are involved in many accidents.
- Do not travel between cities after dark; Canada notes armed robberies on some roads, including the Douala–Yaoundé road, with greater risk at night. Read Douala to Yaoundé.
- Your government's advice names a few neighbourhoods to avoid on foot; read it before you go out exploring.
Cash machines and cards
- Use cash machines inside a bank, a hotel or a shopping centre, in daytime.
- Cover the keypad when typing your PIN; do not accept help from strangers.
- Check your statements: card fraud is reported regularly. Tell your bank you are travelling.
- Mobile Money (MTN MoMo, Orange Money) avoids carrying large amounts. See money in Cameroon.
Scams to know
- Advance-fee scams: offers of business, jobs, inheritances or goods that ask you to pay first. Never send money to someone you have not checked.
- Online relationships: be careful before travelling to meet someone known only online, and before sending money.
- Fake listings: check that an accommodation or transport company really exists before paying a deposit. Avoid paying a stranger who cannot give you a written confirmation.
- Airport "helpers": do not follow people who offer a ride or take your bags without being asked. Read arriving at Douala airport.
Photography and demonstrations
Do not photograph airports, military sites, government buildings or people in uniform. Stay away from demonstrations and large political gatherings: protests followed the October 2025 presidential election, and unrest can start without warning.
Regions where governments advise against travel
| Area | Official advice (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| North-West and South-West regions (including Bamenda and Buea) | Do not travel / avoid all travel (USA, UK, Canada). The UK makes an exception for Limbé and the road to it: all but essential travel. |
| Far North region | Do not travel / avoid all travel (USA, Canada); the UK makes an exception for the area around Maroua. |
| Border areas with Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic | Avoid all travel within 20 to 40 km of the border, depending on the government |
| North and Adamaoua regions | Avoid non-essential travel (Canada); the UK advises against all but essential travel to the North region and parts of Adamaoua |
| Douala, Yaoundé and the West region | No specific warning: normal precautions |
Advice changes, and it affects your travel insurance: check your own government's page before you plan any trip outside Douala and Yaoundé. For Limbé or Buea, read our guide to Limbé and Buea and follow your government's current advice.
Emergency numbers in Cameroon
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 117 (also 17) |
| Gendarmerie | 113 |
| Fire brigade | 118 |
| Ambulance (main cities) | 119 |
| Medical assistance | 112 |
Response can be slow, so also save the number of your embassy, your accommodation, your driver and your insurer's assistance line. Write down the address where you are staying, with a landmark: addresses in Cameroon are often given by neighbourhood and landmark rather than street number.
Frequently asked questions
Is Douala safe for tourists?
Yes, with ordinary city precautions: keep your phone and valuables out of sight, avoid walking alone at night and use a booked ride after dark. Petty theft is the main risk.
Is Yaoundé safe?
Yaoundé is generally calm for visitors who take the usual precautions. As in Douala, avoid walking alone at night and keep valuables discreet.
What is the emergency number in Cameroon?
Police 117 (or 17), gendarmerie 113, fire brigade 118, ambulance 119 in the main cities, and 112 for medical assistance.
Which regions of Cameroon should I avoid?
Several governments advise against all travel to the North-West, South-West and Far North regions and to areas near the borders with Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic. Check your government's current advice.
Is it safe to take a taxi in Douala at night?
Prefer a booked ride, a Yango or a private taxi (dépôt) to a shared taxi at night, and send the number plate to someone you trust.