Best time to go to Cameroon for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 14/11/2024When is the best time to go to Cameroon?
The best time to go to Cameroon generally extends from November to March, which corresponds to the dry season throughout the country. If you have the choice of your vacation dates, the ideal time to visit Cameroon is in December or January. Indeed, this is when the climate is most pleasant, allowing you to avoid rain in the south and scorching temperatures in the north. The rest of the year is less suitable for a vacation in Cameroon. The country experiences a very intense monsoon period with a peak in rainfall from July to September over most of the territory. However, given its geographical location, size, and relief, a trip to the east or north is possible year-round, as these regions receive less rainfall than elsewhere. When to go to Cameroon if you have a small budget? The biggest expense will undoubtedly be the cost of the plane ticket. From France, the most expensive months are July, August, and December. To combine reasonably priced flights with favorable weather conditions for a trip, the ideal month is therefore January, especially since it coincides with the mid tourist season in Cameroon, so you shouldn't encounter too many people.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Adamawa
Ngaoundéré, Tibati...
Centre of Cameroon
Yaounde, Bafia...
East
Moloundou...
North of Cameroon
Maroua, Garoua...
South of Cameroon
Kribi...
West of Cameroon
Douala, Buea, Kumba...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in Cameroon for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
Cameroon in january Cameroon in february Cameroon in march Cameroon in april Cameroon in may Cameroon in june Cameroon in july Cameroon in august Cameroon in september Cameroon in october Cameroon in november Cameroon in december
Best time to travel to Cameroon by cities
Adamawa 
Centre 
East 
North 
South 
West 
Climate and Weather in Cameroon
Cameroon is a country in Central and West Africa, located between Nigeria to the west, Chad to the north, the Central African Republic to the east, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo to the south, and the Gulf of Guinea to the southwest.
The country is close to the equator, but several types of climates can still be distinguished in Cameroon:
- A tropical savanna climate with a dry winter is present in nearly half of the territory, particularly in the center where the capital, Yaoundé, is located, in the Adamawa region and up to Garoua in the north.
- A tropical monsoon climate prevails in the entire eastern part and almost the entire western region, such as in Douala, along the Atlantic coast.
- An equatorial climate with abundant rainfall and a constant temperature throughout the year is found in the southern part of the country, around Kribi, not far from the Guinean border.
- A dry and hot steppe climate is found in the extreme north of Cameroon, near the city of Maroua, where the Sahara Desert extends towards Chad and Niger.
The weather in Cameroon is influenced by various factors: the mountains in the west, the presence of the ocean, proximity to the equator, winds, and even the desert. Therefore, the weather will not be the same depending on where you are in the country. Here are the main trends:
Climate in the Center and Adamaoua
The best time to visit the plateaus of central Cameroon and Adamaoua is between November and March, or even April-May depending on the years and locations. The weather is then pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 29 to 35°C (95°F) . It is noted that it is always a bit warmer in the central area, and it is in November and December that it is the most "cool." Even though this time of year is considered the dry season, rains are still present, especially during the transitional months of November and March. However, the showers are generally short-lived, and the sun quickly reappears.
During the rainy season, which generally lasts from May to October, temperatures are lower: it ranges from 27 to 32°C (90°F) in the center and 24 to 29°C (85°F) in Adamaoua. It is in July and August that it is the coolest. Precipitation is then very abundant throughout this area. In Adamaoua, it rains the most in July and August, while in the center of the country, it is a bit delayed: September and October are particularly rainy.
Climate in Eastern Cameroon
The weather is quite different when heading east in the country: it rains less and it is hotter.
- There are two wet seasons, from April to June and from September to November, with a peak in October. Nevertheless, the situation is better than in the central part, and the weather generally remains decent, with rain often falling in the late afternoon in the form of thunderstorms. During the rainy seasons, the thermometer fluctuates between 31 and 35°C (95°F) , with April being the hottest month.
- The dry periods are from December to March, then in July and August. The first is particularly hot: temperatures range from 35 to 37°C (99°F) , with regular peaks above 40°C (104°F) . Summer is more pleasant, with maximums around 32°C (90°F) in the middle of the day. Short rainfalls occur regularly, especially in August and March, but they are not bothersome.
Climate in Northern Cameroon
The climate in Cameroon is even drier in the North. There is also a dry season and a wet season, but the rainfall is not as significant as elsewhere.
The rainy season is short: generally from July to September, but the climate remains favorable for travel, as the rainfall is moderate and temperatures are pleasant, ranging from 31 to 34°C (94°F) .
For the rest of the year, during the dry season, rain is very rare, if not nonexistent, but the mercury rises high:
- Between October and February, the thermometer ranges from 35 to 40°C (104°F) . It is during this period of wintering that the harmattan blows, a dry, sandy, and dusty wind coming from the Sahara.
- From March to May, temperatures exceed 40°C (104°F) , reaching averages that can hit 43°C (110°F) .
Climate in Western Cameroon
From November to April, it is the ideal time to go to western Cameroon, with a preference for December, which enjoys fairly dry weather and pleasant temperatures, ranging from 30 to 34°C (94°F) . Throughout the season, the weather is punctuated by short showers that deliciously refresh the atmosphere. It is also a good time to enjoy beach activities, as the Atlantic Ocean water temperatures range from 28 to 29°C (85°F) .
The rainy season lasts from May to October, with a peak in humidity in August and September. The entire area is heavily watered, but it is in the mountains around Mount Cameroon that it rains the most, up to ten meters per year! Rising over 4000 meters in altitude, this still-active volcano can even experience snowfall.
Climate in Southern Cameroon
In the south of the country, the rainy season begins in early May and ends in late November. The showers are then torrential, especially in June and September, but it is in July and August that the climate is the most unpleasant. Temperatures range from 28 to 30°C (86°F) , but the feeling of heat is heightened by the very high humidity in the air.
Between December and April, the dry season offers beautiful sunny days and temperatures that remain pleasant, around 30-31°C in both air and water.
Temperatures and rainfall in Cameroon
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Cameroon and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Yaounde, Douala, Garoua, Kribi and Maroua, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Cameroon
Find out when Cameroon has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Cameroon
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September and October. The number of visitors to Cameroon is high in: July, November and December.
- Very low season in Cameroon: May, June and September.
- Low season in Cameroon: January, February, March, April, August and October.
- High season in Cameroon: July and November.
- Peak season in Cameroon: December.
Figure: Visitor index for Cameroon month by month
Average price for flights to Cameroon
A return flight between London and Douala is generally cheaper if you go in march ($ 684 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 501 more for your airline ticket to Douala if you go in august.
Where to go in Cameroon?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Yaounde | 92°F | 94°F | 92°F | 88°F | 86°F | 85°F | 81°F | 81°F | 81°F | 83°F | 86°F | 90°F |
| Douala | 94°F | 94°F | 94°F | 92°F | 90°F | 86°F | 83°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F | 90°F | 94°F |
| Garoua | 99°F | 104°F | 110°F | 108°F | 104°F | 99°F | 92°F | 90°F | 92°F | 97°F | 103°F | 99°F |
| Kribi | 86°F | 88°F | 88°F | 88°F | 86°F | 85°F | 83°F | 83°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F | 86°F |
| Maroua | 95°F | 101°F | 106°F | 108°F | 106°F | 101°F | 94°F | 88°F | 94°F | 99°F | 99°F | 94°F |
| Moloundou | 99°F | 97°F | 97°F | 95°F | 92°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 88°F | 92°F | 95°F |
| Ngaoundéré | 90°F | 94°F | 95°F | 92°F | 85°F | 81°F | 77°F | 76°F | 77°F | 81°F | 86°F | 88°F |
| Bafia | 95°F | 97°F | 95°F | 92°F | 90°F | 86°F | 83°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F | 90°F | 92°F |
| Bafoussam | 92°F | 94°F | 90°F | 86°F | 83°F | 79°F | 77°F | 77°F | 77°F | 79°F | 85°F | 88°F |
| Bamenda | 88°F | 90°F | 86°F | 83°F | 79°F | 77°F | 74°F | 74°F | 74°F | 76°F | 81°F | 86°F |
| Buea | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 90°F | 90°F | 86°F | 83°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F | 90°F |
| Kumba | 95°F | 95°F | 95°F | 94°F | 92°F | 88°F | 85°F | 85°F | 85°F | 88°F | 92°F | 94°F |
| Tibati | 90°F | 94°F | 94°F | 90°F | 83°F | 79°F | 77°F | 76°F | 77°F | 79°F | 85°F | 88°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Cameroon
What can I do in Cameroon?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Cameroon reliable?
Climate data for Cameroon has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Cameroon allows us to determine the average for each month in Yaounde, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Maroua, Moloundou, Ngaoundéré, Bafia, and 5 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.