Yaounde Weather in January

January weather

January is warm and mostly dry in Yaounde, with sunny spells between stretches of cloud. The days reach about 29°C, while evenings cool to around 19°C. Rain is limited, so you can explore the National Museum or climb to the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires cathedral without often having to change plans.

The hills make walks rewarding, but the afternoon warmth can feel tiring on steep streets. Save a long climb for a cooler part of the day, and don't count on January being cloudless: sunshine averages only about four and a half hours daily.

What to do

January works well for city sights, markets and a drive out to the Mefou Primate Sanctuary. The sanctuary's forest paths can be muddy after rain, though January is much drier than February. For an easy evening, try grilled fish or ndolé, a local stew, at a restaurant in Bastos.

Families who want time outdoors may find January easier than the wetter months, but plan a quieter indoor stop for the warmest part of the day.

Crowds and local details

New Year's Day is a public holiday, so some businesses may close and the city can feel quieter. Travel around the holiday may be busier, but January isn't necessarily a peak month for sightseeing; December is also one of Yaounde's best months to visit. Prices can rise around New Year, then ease once holiday travel passes.

For a city view, head to Mont Fébé. Ask your taxi driver for the hotel or monastery there, since "Mont Fébé" covers a hillside rather than one simple street address.