A virtual guide to Cameroon, the country in Central Africa is bordered by the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) in south west. Cameroon borders Nigeria in north west, the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville), Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in south, the Central African Republic and Chad in east, and it has a narrow lakefront at Lake Chad in north.

With an area of 475,650 km², the country is almost as large as Spain or slightly larger than the US state of California. Its southern and coastal areas are characterized by dense vegetation, a vast river system and a hot, humid climate with abundant rainfall.

Largest city is Douala, the country’s main port and economic capital with its commercial and industrial activities, Yaounde is the second largest city and the political capital of Cameroon.

Other major urban centers are Edea, characterized by its heavy industry and its hydro-power plant, Limbe, headquarters of the oil industry and Kribi terminal of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline.

Cameroon has a population of 24 million people (in 2016), English and French are official languages, however French is by far the most commonly used language.
 

Cape to Cairo Safaris have teamed up the some of the best outfitters in Cameroon to make your Cameroon hunts as successful as possible. Cameroon hunts, especially the Lord Derby Eland, involves lots of walking, extreme temperatures, humidity, bugs and much more, but it sure is worth it!

The hunts are expensive but rewarding on a different scale. Once you have committed to hunt Cameroon, you want to make sure you are successful as it is truly a once in a life time experience…

Good advice: Step up your fitness level as much as possible before your trip!

The two major trophy attractions in Cameroon is the incredible LORD DERBY ELAND and of course the magnificent BONGO which are hunted in two very different habitats namely:

HEALTH & VISAS

Please visit travel.gov.state for updated information

LANGUAGE

French and English are official languages, a heritage of Cameroon’s colonial past as a colony of both France and the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1960

ELECTRICITY

Just like in many former French colonies, the voltage in Cameroon is 220 volts and the frequency is 50 Hz.

Click for Electrical adaptor info

CURRENCY

The XAF (Central African CFA Franc) is the official currency Cameroon.The currency is backed by the French treasury and pegged to the euro.

The hunting permit is obtained by the outfitter and the hunter must provide the following documents:
– Copy of passport
– 4 identity photos
– copy of the visa
– copy of the gun permit (6 copies on landing)
– medical prescription saying : the hunter is able to hunt in Cameroon.

* Meet and greet in Garoua is included.

• Hunters may import three (3) firearms (rifles or shotguns) to Cameroon for trophy hunting purposes.
• A maximum of fifty (50) rounds of ammunition may be imported per firearm. • Only ammunition for the specific caliber(s) you are bringing may be imported. 
• Handguns, semi-automatics, automatics and military-style firearms are prohibited.
• Bows are legal and do not require import permits.

Fees:

• The consular fee in the United States is approximately $600 US ($567.83, including application fee).
• Hunters residing elsewhere must check with the Cameroonian embassy or consulate in their country.
• If your travel agent or safari operator works with a service to handle your visa and/or permit, the cost will be more. In Europe, the fee is 115€ per firearm, but it will cost approximately 300€ total for an agency to walk your application through the process.

Time Frame:

• The application to temporarily import firearms into Cameroon for hunting purposes must be made well in advance of your arrival into Cameroon.
• You must apply for a visa before or at the same time as your firearm import permit. In the US, turnaround is four (4) to five (5) days once your visa is granted, which also takes about a week. You will need at least two (2) weeks to complete the process.
• Also, you must allot enough time send it to your safari operator, who will need your gun permit to acquire your hunting license. Some safari operators work with an agency that specializes in acquiring travel visas and other permits. You may find it easier to use this service instead of applying yourself.

Requirements:

• You may apply at the Cameroon Consulate in your country of residence. Check Embassy Pages to find and contact the consulate or embassy nearest you and to request or download applications. US citizens download forms here.
• You will need to submit two (2) signed copies of your application form. • A tourist visa application for your trip.
• Copy of your passport.
• Two passport photos with white background. (Both ears must be visible.)
• A notarized Curriculum Vitae. (You must include your current or previous profession or occupation. Stating you are retired is not sufficient and will result in a rejected application.)
• A medical certificate attesting that you are in good physical and mental health and are able to undertake a hunting trip to Cameroon.
• Proof of ownership of firearm. An original registration certificate and/or an original US Customs Form 4457 is required for US hunters; a firearm license/permit for hunters of other nationalities. Both documents must include/list the firearms you intend to take to Cameroon.
• A flight itinerary issued by an airline or travel agent showing arrival and departure flights.
• Payment for both the visa and the firearm permit and respective application fees. Note the payment for your visa and your firearm permit (plus application fee) should be submitted on separate money orders, certified checks or cashier’s checks. (Unless an agency is making the applications for you, in which case you make one payment to the agency.)
• Once the permit is issued a copy must be sent to your safari operator who will then obtain your hunting license.

Clearing Your Firearms:

• Either a representative for your safari operator or the agency who handles your visa/firearm application should meet you to assist you with firearms clearance. You should have your permit in your possession prior to arrival.

Each hunter can bring up to 2 rifles to Cameroon. The rifle permits and visa is applied in the country of origin at the local Cameroon Embassy or through the booking agent.

(It is highly recommended to check enough time in advance that the number in the gun permit is the same as the one of the gun)

Also, when the gun permit allows you to bring 50 ammo per gun, bring the exact number that is written on the gun permit not more and not less. Also make sure the rifle is set with the same ammo that will be used during hunting.

We will assist you with the domestic flight arrangements from Yaounde/Doula to Garoua, hotel if needed in Yaounde/Douala, meet and greet, transfer to hotel and custom assistance in Yaounde/Douala if overnight is necessary, (do not save on this assistance).

Pack dark green clothes, not light. Also shoes to protect ankle and strong soles are recommended. Your feet are the key to your safari
There is laundry in camp. Your clothes are returned clean in 24 hours, you do not need many sets

*Military type camouflage is not permitted in most African countries, but Real-tree types are normally accepted. Laundry is done each day except for the days when you change camp and the day of departure.

Day fees for a 12 to 13 day hunt in in either the Savannah or Forrest in a prime location will cost you around € 42,000 (1 Hunter, 1 PH) per area, and does not include the following :

• Trophy fees + 15% Community Village Tax on Trophy Fees, Dip and Pack and Hunting Permit.
• Charter Flights
• Visa and gun permit
• Personal expenses, hotels, meals in transit
• Hunting permit of € 1,755
• Dip and pack + Shipment to Paris € 500 per animal + € 200/full skin
•  Insurance for liability and cancellation, repatriation and bags
• Gratuities
• Observer fees @ € 5,000