The 10 things to do in Yaoundé • Wanderlix

Are you coming to visit Cameroon soon? Then discover the 10 must-sees of Yaoundé, the City with 7 hills!

Political Capital of Cameroon, Yaoundé is nicknamed " the city of the seven hills " This amazing African metropolis is considered the most populous city in Central Africa.

Both industrial and historical, it can only fascinate travellers in search of an authentic experience and a cultural adventure. You will enjoy its museums, monuments, markets and beautiful natural spaces.

Are you planning to visit Yaoundé soon? So here are the 10 things to do in Yaoundé during your stay!

1. The National Museum of Cameroon

Yaoundé's first must surely be its amazing national museum in Cameroon. Located in the city centre, its collections are distributed in a space of nearly 5,000 m2. This national museum symbolizes the regeneration and rebirth of Cameroonian culture.

The museum's collections contain cultural symbols of Cameroon, such as masks, musical instruments or traditional clothing. You will also find emblems, photographs, maps and other elements presenting the country’s recent history.

Works by local artists are also presented in the museum’s enclosure. If you come to visit Yaoundé, do not miss discovering it!

2. Notre-Dame-des-Victoire Cathedral

Located a few steps from the National Museum of Cameroon, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Cathedral is a church whose construction began in 1952! You will be amazed by its imposing architecture, its exterior paintings and its cross-shaped interior (where up to 5,000 faithful can gather).

You will also admire magnificent sculptures and frescoes. A place of life, this cathedral, still unfinished, is worth a visit!

3. The Monument of Reunification

Near the National Assembly is a must-see monument in Yaoundé: the Monument of Reunification. As his name suggests, he celebrates the reunification of French-speaking and English-speaking Cameroon in 1961.

Built between 1973 and 1976, this amazing monument is to be seen absolutely! It represents two snakes whose heads merge to symbolize reunification.

In front of the monument is also a statue: an old man carrying five children and branding the national torch, symbol of Liberty. Symbolically, the old man thus illuminates the path of tradition to modernity, transmitting the wisdom of ancestral tradition to new generations.

4. Basilica Marie-Reine-des-Apôtres de Mvolyé

Another religious monument to visit in Yaoundé is the beautiful Basilica Marie-Reine-des-Apôtres de Mvolyé, located on the hill of Mvolyé. High 32 metres and 75 metres wide, it is built on twelve columns representing the twelve apostles. This beautiful building is built using a subtle mix of stone, metal and wood. This is the result of collaborations and know-how from the different ethnic groups of Cameroon.

Its exterior houses paintings representing different sacraments. Inside, you can also admire windows with pastel and light colours. They form a magnificent fresco of 100 m2, signed by the glass painter Henri Guérin .

Visitors can also contemplate a sublime sculpture of the Black Virgin, made of wood from the sacred tree of Nkong Ondoa. This Basilica is thus a must in Yaoundé. It is worth the detour of its unique architecture, but also for its frescoes and sculptures that perfectly represent local art and traditions.

5. The Mokolo market

To immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of Yaoundé, there is a must-see place: the Mokolo market.

You will evolve here between shops and street vendors, often delimited by sector: butchery, shoes, refrigerator, appliance, fruit and vegetables, second hand... On the outskirts there are also various bookshops, shops and shops.

If caution is to be put during the market visit, you can find unique objects!

6. Mvog-Betsi zoo

If you're visiting Yaoundé, don't miss to go to Mvog-Betsi's zoo. This space is dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of wild animals and endemic species in Cameroon. In particular, you can observe lions, antelopes, hyenas and many species of birds including ostriches.

The park also houses different species of primates, such as gorillas, cynocephals and chimpanzees. There are also carnassiers such as the civette, mangoste or the cat-growth, as well as species of snakes, turtles or fish. For a dive in Cameroonian fauna, this park is a must!

7. The Paposy, the Polyvalent Palace of Yaoundé Sports

Paposy hosts numerous national and international competitions of various sports: basketball, volleyball, hand-ball, tennis, boxing and other martial arts. It is also the place where the city’s major cultural activities are organized. During your stay, do not miss out on the concerts, cultural festivals or exhibitions that could be held there!

Each week, this Polyvalent Sports Palace welcomes at least one sport or cultural activity. You could thus have the opportunity to participate in an event of importance to the city or make a beautiful cultural discovery.

8. The Ethnographic Museum of Forest Peoples

As mentioned above, visiting Yaoundé is obligatory to discover many museums! In addition to the National Museum, the Ethnographic Museum of Forest Peoples is one of the must-sees in the city of the 7 hills.

This amazing and incredible private space presents the diversity of the peoples of Central Africa. You will learn a lot about the customs and customs of these "People of the Forest" and dive into exciting cultures and stories.

This living museum will fascinate you with its collections, not forgetting the tasty anecdotes of its guides!

9. The Blackitude Museum

Another must-see museum in Yaoundé is the private museum La Blackitude. This cultural and artistic space presents Cameroonian cultures thanks to beautiful collections of works of art, objects and various paintings.

Don’t miss a tour during your visit to the capital of Cameroon!

10. Mount Fébé

Mount Fébé is a summit of Cameroon, located near Yaoundé. This beautiful natural space is ideal for hiking and walking. You will enjoy fresh and unpolluted air. You can also discover a Benedictine monastery and its Cameroonian art museum.

This sacred place welcomes pilgrims coming to pray every day. There is a statue of the Virgin Mary, placed at the bottom of a small cave. Believers come daily to ask for favors for themselves or for their loved ones. In addition to the monastery, the Cameroonian art museum is also worth a visit to its collections.

How do I get to Yaoundé?

Yaoundé is the capital of Cameroon, a Central African country. To reach and visit it, you will likely have to take the plane.

By plane

Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport is served by several airlines, European and African. From Europe, you can take flights operated by: Air France from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, Brussels Airlines from Brussels-National Airport and Turkish Airlines from Istanbul.

Depending on your departure city, you will likely need to make one or two stopovers. To find the best prices and connection, we recommend using Skyscanner .

On site

To reach the city centre, you can take a taxi, a local bus or rent a car. Attention, however, you will probably need some time to familiarize yourself with local driving. It is therefore better to opt for private transport and trust.

In Yaoundé, the most used way of travel is the collective taxi. To borrow it, you will need to make a sign to the driver. There are also some bus lines serving the main arteries of the city. Motor-taxis also exist, however, they are not recommended to tourists for security reasons.

Where to stay in Yaoundé?

There are many secure and comfortable hotels in the heart of Yaoundé. We recommend that you choose your accommodation according to the experience and planned visits.

If you want to enjoy the monuments of the city centre and discover the different museums, then it is best to stay in the center. You can also opt for more atypical hotels and accommodations or with more beautiful views of the surroundings of the city.

To find the best hotel at the best price, we recommend using a Compare hotels . You can also opt for the option Airbnb , for a stay in all autonomy.