Experience in Yaounde, Cameroon by Fidelis

What is it like to live in Yaounde? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Yaounde, is a city like most African cities, it is highly urbanised with some nice neighborhoods and other precarious neighbourhoods. It is a lively city with lots of street vendors, street restaurants and bars. It is common to get loudspeakers playing good and danceable music all over. You can get easy access to ATM machines all around the city and also points where you can exchange foreign currency in the city centre. There are some public hospitals and private clinics which are of good standard

What is the student lifestyle like in Yaounde?

Student life in Yaounde is very vibrant. The student neighbourhoods of Nkoa Ekele and Soa are very lively with lots of movement, food joints, bars and grocery shops.

How much does it cost to live in Yaounde?

This will depend on each individual.But having had the chance to travel to other countries in Africa and Europe, my comparison will be that with 500 Euro, one can comfortably live in Yaounde including rents and bills and food. Monthly rent for a studio of very good standard (1 bedroom, small kitchen, bathroom and, living room) can go around 150-200 Euro in most neighborhood around the University with the exception of Bastos which is the diplomatic neighbourhood. 300 euro/month can suffice for food, bills and transport and outings.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Yaounde? Is there any advice you can give?

Accommodation in most neighborhoods will cost between 150-200 Euro for a good standard studio (1 bedroom, small kitchen, bathroom and, living room) which is unfurnished. For a furnished studio it will cost about 500 Euro/month. If for a stay of up to 5 months and above, it is cheaper to rent and unfurnished studio and buy the furniture you need.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Foodwise, Cameroon has a very rich and diverse variety of dishes. In most restaurants you can find both local and continental dishes. You will also find lots of street vending especially grilled beef, grilled fish and grilled chicken. A very popular street food in Yaounde will be "Beignets et Haricots" which is beans and fritters. You can have this for breakfast, launch or dinner at maximum 1 euro. Being a tropical country, you will also find most tropical fruits and mediterenaians fruits depending on the season such as mango, avocado, banana, pineapple, oranges, water melon, pawpaw. You can also find imported apples, grapes. Some favorite dishes for most Cameroonians include: "Water fufu and Eru", "Ndole", "Mbongo tchobi" "Achu" "Kati kati" "Soya" "Poison Bresser" "Okok"

What places would you recommend visiting in Yaounde?

SOme places to visit in Yaounde; Les bois sainte anastasie, les cascades du Nfoundi, le palais de congres, Parc zoo-botanique de Mvog Betsi, the National Museum, the Reunification monument.

Is it good to eat out in Yaounde? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Eating out in Yaounde can be fun, there are food spots for everyone depending on your ability to pay. Some restaurants are expensive while street food is another option which is most popular. In yaounde there are people always selling food somewhere. You just need to be careful with hygiene around the spot and this can always be visible if it is a clean spot or not. I enjoy eating at JC in Bastos it is a restaurant where you can order roasted chicken and fries and drinks, very reputed for its tasty food. There is also "chop et ya mo" in Bastos where you can order Beignets-Haricots, there is also YELLOW in Ngousso where you can find most local meals, the service here is perfect.

Is the nightlife good in Yaounde? Where is good to go?

For those who love nightlife, Yaounde is a good city for that. There are lots of bars and cabaret who run on till 3 am in the morning, there are also many nightclubs in the city centre that stay open most days of the week and run till morning.

What advice would you give future students heading to Yaounde?

*Try to make new friends who are Cameroonians
* Always go out accompanied, especially at night
* When you take a taxi at night, always choose to stay by the door for easy escape. The best way to avoid being compressed by other passengers is to take hire a taxi that will carry you alone(with your friend if you were with others) till your destination. Hiring a taxi will usually cost between 5 Euro - 8 euro depending on the time of the day.
* Register at your diplomatic representation
* Enjoy your time there as much as possible