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Capital of Cameroon
Photo: Bdx, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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The seat of the Archdiocese of Yaoundé, built in 1951 and consecrated four years later. Nevertheless it is still reportedly under construction. With a cross-shaped interior, this cathedral has room for about 5,000 worshippers.
Basilique Marie-Reine-des-Apôtres
Built on the site of the first missionary church in Cameroon, it was consecrated in 2006, hence quite a modern building. The basilica is built in several architectonic styles inspired by art from the different ethnic groups in the country. The roof is supported by 12 pillars, symbolising the 12 apostles.
Musée d´Art Camerounais
Located in a former Benedictine monastery. The three exhibition rooms presents traditional art such as masks, bronze and woodwork.
Located in the former presidential palace, built during the French colonial period. This museum presents both traditional and modern aspects of Cameroon. You can see traditional art and clothing, as well as archaeological discoveries from different parts of the country. Then there's an exhibition of the independence period (the last 50 years) with photos of notable events and people as well as national emblems.
Blackitude Museum
A museum showing traditional art from western and northwestern Cameroon; one of the highlights is the collections of the former royal treasury. In addition you can also see prehistoric artifacts (though some of them are replicas). All in all there are more than 2,000 artworks in their collection.
A Chinese-built indoor arena, this is a venue for both team and individual sports from basketball to judo. It is also used for exhibitions, conferences and such events, moreover the building itself is a good example of futuristic architecture.
Monument to the reunification of English and French Cameroon in 1961. Constructed in 1973, it's composed of the main monument, a statue of a man with his five children and a garden. The main monument is made up of two spiral staircases (symbolising English and French Cameroon) that meet at the top of the monument.
The hill with the best view over Yaoundé, featuring a hotel and a golf course. It also has Benedictine monastery with a tiny museum.
Stade Omnisport
A multi-purpose stadium, though it is chiefly used for association football. It's the home stadium for the national team as well as the local teams Canon and Tonnerre. Built in 1972, it was renovated in 2016 for the African Women Cup of Nations.
A small zoo in the Mvog-Betsi quartier with about 30 animal species. Here you can see primates, reptiles, big cats and birds among others. In addition the garden of the zoo has even more species of different trees and plants.
Nice little park just north of the governmental quartiers, offering a little relief from the noise of the city. On the downside, the stream and the park in general is dirty. Has a restaurant as well, serving African cuisine. Be aware that you need to pay a fee of FCFA 2500 to take photos in the park. Also, if you keep walking a little further south, you can see the waterfalls of Mfoundi behind the Ministry of Forestry building.
An artificial lake in the governmental quarters, the only real body of water in the city and another place to get away from the noise of the city.
Memorial to an important Cameroonian historical figure who was the chief of Ewondo and Bane peoples and served diplomatically as an administrator with the German and French colonial powers for the betterment of the people. In a very noisy traffic triangle.
Another menagerie with crocs, monkeys, dromedaries, ostriches, hyenas, birds of prey, etc. Also features a restaurant, hotel, events center, 'eco village', ponds, horse tours, and game room. Some say the animals are a bit cooped up and neglected.
A museum showing the traditional practices and cultures of Central African and Cameroonian forest people (ornaments, masks, weapons, musical instruments, etc). Also hosts events at times.
Central Africa's biggest industry and artisany fair, taking place every third year. Not only big companies are here, but also small local businesses. In addition there are cultural events with concerts and central African food.
Women's Day takes place on 08 March every year. There are parades and parties around the city. Unlike other days of the year, men stay home cooking and cleaning on this day.
20 May is the national day of Cameroon. In the morning there is a military parade, where also other uniformed services and civilians participate. Later in the day there are celebrations around the city.
A yearly fair along the Boulevard du 20 mai taking place the second week in December every year.
The Muslim community celebrates the end of Ramadan.
The club of the tennis player and singer Yannick Noah. It has a beautiful mid-sized pool and 4 tennis courts (3 full size and 1 half-size) in a park-like environment.
Big, clean pool and a smaller one for children. Has a tennis ground as well.
A great place in Bastos is "Saint Tropez", meals are around 2000-2500, see the menu. Drinks are reasonably priced. Just off the main road, if you are coming from the centre, after the big T-junction (down which you will find the Meuomi Palace Hotel) take the first left. Given that it's popular, it can sometimes be hard to find a table.
Next to the night club with the same name. Serves skewers, fish and french fries. Calm and class ambiance. Guarded parking.
Near the La Caveau nightclub, this restaurant specialises in barbecued fish. Fresh products at a moderate price.
Aside of Hilton, the only place in town to offer real Nespresso. It's also the best Internet café in Yaoundé.
Pizza and Lebanese cuisine.
A Turkish restaurant in Bastos. No alcohol, but good food; Turkish and Mediterranean dishes.
European restaurant serving pizza and steaks among other things. Has received favourable reviews.
African cuisine and good ice cream.
Good African cuisine, the speciality of this restaurant is smoked chicken.
Chinese restaurant, also popular with the Chinese community in Yaoundé. Reportedly beautifully decorated, good food and friendly and attentive staff.
French restaurant, specializing in dishes from Bretagne. The service can reportedly be slow.
Upscale restaurant with superb views of the city. At lunchtime there is a buffet, other times you can choose something from the menu (dishes around FCFA 6800). As it's a bit outside the city, it can be hard to get a taxi to get back; most customers have their own car.
Pricey (~10 000 for your meal) food. Seems to be catering to the expat crowd with a focus on European style cuisine. Nice ambiance with patio seating in a lush garden area.
Apparently one of a chain, excellent Chinese food.
Meals by reservation.
Next to the eponymous bakery, this restaurant and tea house has cakes, pizzas and other dishes. Good quality but high prices.
Upscale restaurant in the Hilton Hotel with European and local dishes.
Upscale European restaurant with good salads.
Classy place, though there's usually very little going on in the early week. Guarded parking.
Nice bar on top of the Hilton hotel. One of the few places where you can listen to music when having a drink. Happy hour every afternoon.
A "cabaret", in other words a restaurant with live music. Popular with expats.
A classic disco.
Hilton has a night club as well.
Disco.
Two private rooms and two dorms accommodating 8 persons each, and you can camp in the garden too. Shared bathroom. Reportedly cheap, but very barebones.
Bathrooms, air conditioning and tv in the rooms. Free wifi, free parking.
Bathrooms and tv in the rooms, wi-fi "available". The hotel has a swimming pool, bar and restaurant.
Guest house where you can look out over the city from their highrise balcony. Has wifi, dining, big baths, security.
Good and clean hotel near the railway station. Simple room with TV, air condition, warm water. Wi-Fi, though it might not be functional. The hotel has a restaurant as well.
Poolside garden, restaurant, breakfasts.
Luxurious (at least for Cameroonian standard) hotel in the city centre. Cameroonians and permanent residents might get a discount.
Built in 2006.
From the 1980s and a bit run-down. Still it has a good swimming pool and nice ambiance.
A bit run-down. Features a swimming pool.
Downtown hotel with pool, hot tub, gym, spa, restaurant/bar, a/c, wifi, airport shuttle.
In the Muslim quarter you can find a multitude of shops. Prices depend not only on the quality of the goods but also on your bargaining skills.
The city's biggest grocery market, where you can find colourful foodstuff and exotic spices.
At the main market you can find everything you can expect at an African market; food, household appliances, music, clothes, shoes and whatnot. In the Briquetterie you can find wonderful African clothes that you can buy off the rack or tailor-made (takes at least 3-4 days).
Local art market (primarily art by the Bamoun people) like wooden marks, terracotta masks, instruments, wood cuts and figures, trinkets and jewellery. You are expect to haggle, but don't ask for a price unless you intend to buy.
By train
Passenger services are operated by Camrail. There are several daily services from Douala, modern Intercity trains take 3 hr 45 min to complete the journey.
By car
There are paved roads to Ebolowa, Ayos, Bafia, Bamenda, Bafoussam, Eseka and Edéa/Douala. The rest of the region is connected by tracks usable around the year.
By bus
The Douala-Yaoundé trunk road route is extremely congested, with a number of official and unofficial check points along the route and should be avoided at night when accidents are very common.
By taxi
Shared taxis, known by their yellow colour, are plentiful and the way to go. They will slow down for you, but you should flag anyway, to call your destination, and beep to say yes.
By moto taxi
Motos (motorbike taxis) also exist. At the outskirts of the city they are sometimes the only available form of public transport.
By foot
Watch your step when walking; hazards include potholes, missing manhole covers and mud puddles. Also, you will encounter street vendors who have their merchandise spread over the pavement.
By bike
With a hilly geography, no biking infrastructure, bad roads and little respect from cars, biking is in general dangerous in Yaoundé.
By car
Given the lack of other transport modes, driving can be a practical way for getting around. As a foreigner, however, it may take time to adapt to the local driving culture.
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Yaoundé · International · NSI
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