Best Time to Visit Cameroon: Seasons by Region

Last checked: October 2026

Cameroon has several climate zones, so the best time to visit depends on where you go. The south and coast are hot and humid with heavy rain, the western highlands are cooler, and the north is drier and much hotter. This guide summarises what the sources we checked say about the seasons, highlights the months most often recommended and flags where those sources disagree. The seasonal information comes from secondary travel sources, not a national weather service, so treat the dates as a planning guide. Pair this page with the best places guide and the itinerary guide.

Cameroon’s Climate Zones

South and Centre

The south, including the Yaounde area, has two rainy seasons, roughly April to June and September to November, with a drier period from December to March and a short drier spell in July and August. Humidity stays high for most of the year.

The Atlantic Coast

Coastal areas such as Kribi and Limbe are humid year round, and rainfall peaks from about June to September. Douala shares this wet, warm pattern.

The Western Highlands

The highlands around Foumban and Lake Nyos are most often recommended from November to March, which is the drier period for the region.

The North

The north has a rainy season from June to September and a long dry season from October to May. Temperatures can reach about 40 degrees Celsius in March to May, which makes those months the hottest.

Best Months Overall

Most sources point to December to February as the most comfortable window for the country as a whole, and responsibletravel extends this to November to February. These months are drier in the south, and cooler nights help in the highlands. The trade-off is Harmattan dust haze, which can reduce visibility from December to February. Responsibletravel’s rainfall figures illustrate the contrast: October is the wettest month at about 302 mm, while December sees about 22 mm and January about 19 mm. Typical maximum temperatures are reported at about 27 to 31 degrees Celsius.

Month-by-Month Snapshot

November to February: the drier period for the south and the west, and the most common recommendation overall.
March to May: hot, especially in the north where temperatures can reach about 40 degrees Celsius, and the first rains arrive in the south.
June to August: wetter on the coast, with a short drier spell in the south in July and August. Responsibletravel notes that budget travel is possible from May to September.
September to October: the second rainy season in the south, with October the wettest month in the figures we saw.

Seasons for Specific Activities

Travel sources say Mount Cameroon is best climbed from December to February because wet months make trails slippery and increase accident risk. Waza National Park is usually recommended for January to April, Dja Faunal Reserve and Lobeke National Park for December to February (with Dja also mentioned for July and August), and the coast for December to March. Rhumsiki in the north is mentioned for November to February. Remember that Mount Cameroon is in the South-West region and Waza and Rhumsiki are in the Far North, both covered by government advice against travel, so these seasonal notes are context only.

Festivals and Events

The Ngondo festival in Douala takes place in late November or early December. The Nguon festival in Foumban is held about every two years, typically in December. The Race of Hope on Mount Cameroon is in February, and National Day, also called Reunification Day, is on 20 May. Dates can shift, so verify them with local sources before building a trip around an event.

Where the Sources Disagree

The two seasonal sources we compared differ on when the main rains begin. One gives a broad May to November wet period, while the other describes a two-season pattern in the south with a dry spell in July and August. Both agree that December to February is the driest and most comfortable window in the south. If your plans depend on exact weather, check a current forecast and ask local operators what conditions are like on the ground.

Practical Planning Tips

Book accommodation early if you plan to visit around major festivals, pack light clothing and rain protection, and prepare for road delays in the wet season. Responsibletravel notes that parts of the Ring Road in the north can be lost to wet-season conditions, and the FCDO warns that roads are generally poor and night travel should be avoided. For flights and entry paperwork, see the flights guide and the visa guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to visit Cameroon?

Sources most often recommend December to February, with some extending the window to November. These months are drier in the south, though Harmattan haze is common.

When is the rainy season in Cameroon?

In the south it is roughly April to June and September to November, with coastal rain peaking from June to September. The north is rainy from June to September.

Is it very hot in northern Cameroon?

Yes. Temperatures can reach about 40 degrees Celsius from March to May, but the north is also covered by government advisories, so plan with care.

When can I climb Mount Cameroon?

Travel sources suggest December to February. However, the mountain is in the South-West region, where the UK and Canada advise against travel.

Can I travel in the wet season?

It is possible, and budget travel is mentioned from May to September, but roads can be difficult and some routes may be affected by rain.

Official Safety Advice

Always read the latest government advice before booking. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to the Bakassi Peninsula, the North-West and South-West regions, most of the Far North and areas within 40 km of the borders with the Central African Republic, Chad and Nigeria, and against all but essential travel to Limbe, the North region and some areas around Maroua. The Government of Canada advises avoiding all travel to the Far North, the North-West and South-West regions and areas within 30 km of the Nigeria, Chad and Central African Republic borders, and avoiding non-essential travel to the North and Adamaoua regions. We could not read the US State Department page directly, so check it yourself. Official pages: UK FCDO, Government of Canada and US Department of State. Travel insurance may be invalid if you travel against official advice.

Best Time to Visit Cameroon