Photography In Cameroon | africatourvisa

Road conditions in Cameroon are a significant challenge and a major factor to consider for anyone planning to drive or travel by road. They vary widely, but generally speaking, they range from poor to very poor, especially outside of the main urban centers.

Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. Road conditions in Cameroon Overall Quality

• Largely Unpaved: The vast majority of Cameroon's road network (over 90%) is unpaved. These rural, departmental, and even some regional roads are typically narrow, unsurfaced, lack proper signage, and are poorly maintained.
• Paved Roads: While there has been some investment in road infrastructure, only a small percentage (around 7-10%) of the total network is paved. Even these paved national roads, particularly outside of the newest sections, often suffer from:
  • Numerous Potholes: These can range from small to very large and deep, capable of damaging vehicles.
  • Cracks and Deterioration: Signs of poor maintenance are evident.
  • Lack of Markings and Signage: Road markings and clear signage are often absent or faded, making navigation difficult, especially for foreign drivers.

2. Impact of Weather (Rainy Season):

• Severe Deterioration: The rainy season (roughly April/May to October/November in the south/center, and June to September in the north) causes a dramatic deterioration of road conditions.
• Mud and Flooding: Unpaved roads turn into treacherous, deep mud, making them barely passable even for 4x4 vehicles. Sections can become completely flooded and impassable.
• Landslides: In hilly or mountainous regions (like the Western Highlands), heavy rainfall can trigger landslides, blocking roads.

3. Common Road Hazards

• Pedestrians and Animals: Pedestrians, cyclists, and stray livestock (goats, cows, chickens) are common on the roads, often walking directly in the carriageway, especially where there are no sidewalks.
• Poorly Maintained Vehicles: Many local vehicles are old, poorly maintained, and often lack proper functioning lights (headlights, tail lights, indicators), making them hard to see, particularly at night.
• Overloaded Vehicles: Trucks and smaller vehicles frequently carry excessive loads, making them unstable and dangerous.
• Reckless Driving: Local drivers often exhibit aggressive driving behaviors, including excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking (even on blind corners), and disregard for traffic laws. Drink driving is also reported as an issue.
• Lack of Road Safety Culture: There's generally a lower awareness and enforcement of road safety rules compared to Western countries. Cameroon has a high rate of road accidents and fatalities.

4. Specific Routes

• Douala-Yaoundé Highway: This is one of the most important and relatively better-maintained roads, often a dual carriageway for significant stretches. However, it can still experience heavy traffic, reckless drivers, and accidents.
• Roads to the North (e.g., Yaoundé to Ngaoundéré/Garoua): These long-distance routes include significant stretches of unpaved or poorly maintained roads. Train travel is often preferred for the Yaoundé-Ngaoundéré route specifically due to challenging road conditions and security concerns in some northern areas.
• Rural and Departmental Roads: These are almost universally in poor to very poor condition, particularly challenging during the rainy season.

5. Night Driving

• Highly Advised Against: t is strongly recommended to avoid driving at night outside of major city centers. This is due to: Lack of street lighting. Unlit vehicles and pedestrians. Increased risk of accidents due to poor visibility. Higher security risks (carjacking, armed robbery) in certain areas.

6. Government Efforts & Challenges

• The Cameroonian government has acknowledged the poor state of its infrastructure and has embarked on various road development and rehabilitation projects, often with international funding. There's a recognized need for significant investment in road construction and maintenance.
• However, progress is slow, and challenges remain, including limited funding, inefficient use of resources, and the sheer scale of the network that requires upkeep.

Conclusion for Travelers

Given these conditions, self-driving in Cameroon is generally not recommended for most tourists unless you have extensive experience driving in challenging developing country environments.

• Best Option: For intercity travel, especially long distances, consider trains (CAMRAIL) or domestic flights where available.
• Hiring a Driver: For road travel, the safest and most comfortable option is to hire a car with a local, experienced driver. They know the roads, understand local driving nuances, and are accustomed to navigating the challenges (including police checkpoints).
• High-Risk Areas: Reiterate that road travel in the Northwest, Southwest, and Far North regions carries extreme risks due to ongoing conflict and violence. Always check the latest travel advisories.