Experiencing the AFCON 2021: Where to Stay in Yaoundé

The festive season in Cameroon will extend beyond the usual New Year's celebrations as Africa's premier football competition and the country's favourite pastime merge as one in the Total Energies African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Cameroon's success and storied history (five-time winners) in the competition make it one of the powerhouses of African football at the international level. This will be the first time in 49 years that the country will be hosting the tournament after last doing so for the first and only time in 1972.

One of the venues for the AFCON will be Yaoundé, the political capital of Cameroon. The matches will be played at the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo (Mfadena) and the Stade Omnisport Paul Biya (Olembe).

Speaking of powerhouses, or just houses... Where do you intend to stay during the competition and your visit to Cameroon? Let us help you out.

Do you prefer being close to the action?

We have picked out the best lodgings around the stadiums so you can soak up all the ambience and energy of the competition and not miss a beat.

Around the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo in Mfadena, you can find great housing that is closer to a home setting instead of the formality of a hotel room.

Ranging from premium to standard, these apartments for rent offer great value for your money, with amenities such as air conditioning to keep you cool during the hot days (it is the dry season), a microwave to quickly restore your food or a quick bite, a TV, and fully-equipped kitchen.

An added perk to the luxury apartments around the stadium is that you can access a gym.

If you are travelling alone, then a smaller, more singular lodging could be for you, with free WIFi available.

Both are located in the Mfandena area, which is around 20min from the  Stade Omnisport Paul Biya.

Looking to steal from the action and have some quiet?

The bustling atmosphere around the stadium can be a little too much, and if you prefer the professional services of a hotel, such as room service and cleaning, then we found the perfect spots for you.

Hotel Jouvence International

Hotel Jouvence International is a family-owned and managed hotel chain that is one of Cameroon's most longstanding in the capital (since 1980).
Located in Quartier Fouda, the hotel is as recent as 2019 and offers single, double, and luxury suites.
All rooms have Wi-Fi, air conditioners and are built soundproof for total privacy.
The single and twin suites open to a beautiful view of the city (the night view will blow you away), while the luxury suites offer a breathtaking 360 view of the city, and a lovely garden.

Outside the comfort of your suite is the bar on the first floor to cater for your taste in beverages and need for a quiet time with friends. Adjoining the bar is the in-house restaurant where you can fuel up on the best local cuisine or try something on offer from other parts of Africa and the world.

This hotel is a four-minute drive from Fouda to the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo.
The Stade Omnisport Paul Biya in Olembe is 20 minutes away.

Hotel le Diplomate

Now, this will take you quite far from the action, but when you consider the chic restaurants, hangouts and lively nightlife of the Bastos neighbourhood, you might find it entirely worth the choice.
Hotel le Diplomate offers more flexible prices in one of the best neighbourhoods of Yaoundé, which is a great deal.

The hotel is roadside, which means it is a quick hop in and out. You can have your pick between the suite maxi (standard), junior (executive), or senior (luxe), all of which can comfortably lodge at least two persons.
The executive suite (suite junior) is spacious and has a dedicated balcony, while the suite senior has all that, including a private office/living room area.

And oh, breakfast is on the house!

If you love culture, the hotel is situated just opposite the Goethe Institute, which almost always has an event every day to promote Germano-Cameroonian cultural links, heritage, literary works.

It is a 12-minute ride from the hotel to the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, and almost 20 minutes if you are heading to the Stade Omnisport Paul Biya.

Whatever is your plan and your budget, remember that millions of people will flood the country during this period, so try to sort out your lodging as soon as possible.

Endearing yourself to the people - handy pointers

Yaoundé, the capital, is natively known as Ongola and "la ville des sept collines" (The town of seven hills).

• Samuel Eto'o ( le 9 Majuscule), the most successful Cameroonian footballer, former captain of the national team and the highest goalscorer in AFCON history, was recently voted president of the football federation, FECAFOOT.
• Expressions like "dans la sauce", "les pleurs du mbolé", "on les a faire ca cadeaux" are common in football celebrations and even in discussions. Do not hesitate to throw them whenever your team won a match.

Exploring all the city offers is a must to take full advantage of your stay in Yaoundé, from the historical sites to mouthwatering cuisine to the Ibiza-esque nightlife. Don't miss our city guide for insightful dos and don'ts, and where you can catch all the fun.
In the meantime, here is the first hint. If your favorite team does not score on the field, you can still save your reputation with some of those dance moves.
Just go to youtube and type 'mbole 237'.

You can thank me now