Major city · Cameroon
Rhumsiki
Skip Rhumsiki in 2026: the Far North is under a no-go advisory. If you do go, one night is enough to see the volcanic plugs, the crab fortune-teller and the craft village.
Rhumsiki is a village in the Mandara Mountains, famous for its lunar landscape of volcanic plugs and basalt outcroppings. André Gide called it one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. The village has adapted to tourism with a circuit of craftspeople, dancers and a fortune-teller who reads a crab's movements. Most governments advise against all travel to northern Cameroon because of terrorist-group risk; check current advice before planning.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XAF
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry season)
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, roads may be impassable)
- Airport
- MVR
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Sort the visa before the flight
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Central Africa ↗Sort the visa before the flight: none of the seven countries reliably issues tourist visas on arrival to Western passports, and e-visas here are tied to named airports.
- Central Africa ↗Carry the original yellow fever vaccination certificate in your hand luggage; health desks at every Central African airport ask for it, and a missing card can mean refusal or a jab at the desk.
- Central Africa ↗Before booking anything in or near the DRC, read the WHO Ebola situation page and your own government's health notice: the 2026 outbreak brought quarantine and boarding rules for people who have been in the DRC.
- Cameroon ↗Apply for the Cameroon e-visa on evisacam.cm and fly into Douala or Yaoundé; arrivals by land or sea need a visa stamped by an embassy beforehand.
- Cameroon ↗Check your government's advice region by region: the Far North, North-West and South-West regions, Bakassi and strips along the Nigeria, Chad and CAR borders carry advice against all travel.
- Cameroon ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead: malaria prevention is needed everywhere in Cameroon, all year.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Rhumsiki117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Rhumsiki, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), shared with neighbouring countries in the region and pegged to the euro (655.957 XAF = €1 (≈ US$2)).Cameroon-wide
- SIM or eSIMMTN and Orange are the main networks (Camtel's Blue and Nexttel too); buy a SIM at an official shop with your passport — registration is compulsory.Cameroon-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Cameroon-wide
- TippingHotel restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge.Cameroon-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Cameroon-wide
- SafetyThe Far North region is under a no-go advisory from most governments because of terrorist-group risk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat or pit toilets on the road.Cameroon-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire · 119 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysOffices close on public holidays and Friday afternoons in Muslim areas; many shops close Sunday.Cameroon-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMVR Maroua Salak Airport (About 2 h by road; taxis and bush taxis available (check)).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (local, 65 cl)CFA 1,000–1,500
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Bush taxi Maroua–Rhumsiki, one waycheckCFA 3,000–7,000 per person
- Budget bedCampement (basic hut), a night, per roomXAF 5,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomXAF 15,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomXAF 25,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XAF 15,000 · Mid XAF 25,000 · High XAF 40,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MVR Maroua Salak Airport (About 2 h by road; taxis and bush taxis available (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Mar
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Apr
not flagged
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
May
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jun
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Nov
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Dec
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Aug (16 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rhumsiki: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Feb
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Mar
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Apr
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
May
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Nov
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable. A local child-guide will show you the circuit of craftspeople, dancers and the féticheur; agree a price (about CFA 5,000–10,000 per person, check) before starting.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2 h
Bush taxi or private car, about 2 h
Regional capital with markets and the Lamido's palace.
Door to door: About 3–4 h
Bush taxi via Maroua, about 3–4 h
Border town with Chad; check security advice before going.
Door to door: About 4–5 h
Bush taxi or private car, about 4–5 h
Largest city in northern Cameroon; the Benoué National Park is nearby.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Rhumsiki village
A few guesthouses and campements; basic facilities. Book ahead or ask in Maroua.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CFA 15,000–25,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- CFA 25,000–40,000 excl. bed
- High
- CFA 40,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room1 × 1 night × XAF 15,000 | XAF 15,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × XAF 25,000 | XAF 50,000 |
| Village tour with child-guide2 × XAF 8,000 · check | XAF 16,000 |
| Bush taxi Maroua–Rhumsiki, one way2 × XAF 5,000 · check | XAF 10,000 |
| eSIM for Cameroon, about a week of data2 × XAF 5,000 · check | XAF 10,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XAF 15,200 |
| Trip total≈ XAF 58,100 per person per day, bed included | XAF 116,200 |
2026 estimate in CFA francs; flights and insurance excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Village tour (child-guide, craft circuit, féticheur)check | CFA 5,000–10,000 per person |
| Bush taxi Maroua–Rhumsiki, one waycheck | CFA 3,000–7,000 per person |
| Simple meal (rice, beans, fish or chicken) | CFA 1,500–3,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | CFA 500–1,000 |
| Beer (local, 65 cl) | CFA 1,000–1,500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Most governments advise against all travel to the Far North region; check your embassy's travel advice before booking.
- The crab fortune-teller is a tourist performance, not a traditional ritual.
- Roads to Rhumsiki are unpaved and can become impassable in the rainy season (June–September).
- Carry cash (CFA francs); there are no ATMs in the village.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
- Ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
RhumsikiRhumsiki
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À Rhumsiki, s'il vous plaîtTo Rhumsiki village, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Ambulance119
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bush taxi Maroua–Rhumsiki: about CFA 3,000–7,000 per person, about 2 h (check)
- Village tour with child-guide: about CFA 5,000–10,000 per person (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour (French) / Yaa (Fulfulde) — Hello (bohn-zhoor / yah)
- Merci (French) / A jaaraama (Fulfulde) — Thank you (mair-see / ah jah-rah-mah)
- Combien ? (French) / No foti ? (Fulfulde) — How much? (kom-byen / noh foh-tee)
- Je ne comprends pas (French) / Mi faamataa (Fulfulde) — I don't understand (zhuh nuh kom-prahn pah / mee fah-mah-tah)
Fulfulde is widely spoken in the Far North; French is the administrative language.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Rhumsiki. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (dry season) · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, roads may be impassable) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages with verified opening hours and prices for the craft circuit and féticheur.
- Road condition fixtures for the Maroua–Rhumsiki route.
- eSIM data coverage check for the Far North.
Sources
Ask about Rhumsiki
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