Gassa Camp

The Gassa Camp or Capitaine Camp is situated on the Faro River and is an incredible 310-kilometre waterway that cuts its way through the African landscape, flowing over the border of Nigeria and into Cameroon. The fishing, encompassed in a 120-kilometre section of the river bordering the Faro national park, offers a world-class and unique freshwater fly fishing opportunity to adventurous travelling anglers.

For almost a decade, our partners at African Waters had been searching for a viable Nile Perch fly fishery. Finally, in January 2018, after two exploratory trips, they came across one of the last remaining, ecologically intact Sahelo-Sudanian ecosystems, through which the Faro River flowed. Thus, after the discovery and a host of subsequent collaborations, this exciting new fly fishing programme was born.

A few years on and the Faro Fly Fishing products are not only producing some incredible fishing results, with Nile Perch to over a metre in length, but they’re also adding incredible value to the region by helping ensure a sustainable and well-managed fly fishery. In addition, it has been a key player in contributing significant funds towards conservation and anti-poaching strategies, building towards the long-term goal of facilitating and coordinating a unified and all-encompassing Faro River Basin conservation plan.

Fishing The Faro River

The Central African nation of Cameroon is commonly referred to as Africa in miniature, as its home to all the major climates and vegetation of the continent in one area: the coast, the desert, mountains, rainforest, and the savannah. Thus, a journey to Cameroon offers the rare opportunity to see a piece of Africa reminiscent of how the continent used to be.

Home to some incredible rivers, it’s an experience that is more about challenging your fishing ability in the wilds of the country and experiencing the African bushveld at its absolute best and not about catching fish after fish. However, what you will get in Cameroon at Gassa Camp is the opportunity to cast giant flies in the hope of catching a monster Nile Perch, and there’s an excellent chance you’ll achieve this and more. The biggest Perch taken from this stretch of river bottomed the scales out at a whopping 100kg.

Fishing for Nile Perch, on foot, in big game territory is as wild an experience as you are likely to encounter with a fly rod in hand. Add to this that the prime Nile Perch fishing times are sunset until dusk when the darkness amplifies the sounds of the African night, you will undoubtedly experience a fly fishing adventure, unlike anything you have encountered before.

Fishing In Cameroon

The main species that travelling anglers target at Camp Gassa is, without doubt, the Nile Perch, and the fishing for these species traditionally happens in the dark. However, there is a range of species to keep you busy in the daylight hours.

Nile Perch

The Nile Perch are native to the Congo, the Nile, the Niger, and many river basins in between. They used to be more widespread and abundant, but over the last couple of decades, severe habitat destruction and relentless overfishing have severely impacted populations around the globe.

Nile Perch can reach sizes of up to six and a half feet in length and are aggressive and super strong, often hitting flies with a brutal hit and run. The largest specimen landed on the Faro was a beast of 100kg or 220lb, but a fish of over 39-inches would be considered a trophy catch.

The species are structure orientated ambush predators, meaning they prefer to hunt mostly at night and during low light conditions. Therefore, serious Perch fishing occurs from just before sunset, about 6:00 pm, until about 9:30 pm when they really start to feed.

Tigerfish

Tigerfish are a fantastic species to target in the morning and afternoon fishing sessions, and on the Faro River, there are three different species to target. These ferocious, toothy predators are a valuable species and worthy of targeting as a stand-alone trip – but with 1-meter long Nile Perch on the menu, they become the perfect distraction for anglers waiting for the last light.

Yellowfish

When the sun is at its highest, and when the Tigerfish are off the bite, anglers often take the opportunity to sight cast to Yellowfish or the Niger Barb as it’s also known. This section of the river offers anglers rocky runs, deep gorges and fast riffle water, the perfect habitat for these beautiful fish. Growing to around 12lb in weight, they provide some fantastic sport.

Gassa Camp is a true multi-species destination, and to make the most of the fantastic opportunities on offer, we recommended travelling with a 5-weight, 9-weight, and 12-weight set-up each day to cover all the different species and situations on offer.

To find out more about the freshwater fly fishing in Cameroon at the Gassa Camp or the Capitaine Camp as it’s also known, visit our YouTube channel.

A Typical Days Freshwater Fly Fishing In Africa

The average fishing day starts with breakfast in camp at 7.30 am. Then, at 9.00 am, anglers will head out to the allocated fishing area for the day in the camps 4×4 vehicles with a guide and armed game scout. The four beats available are rotated and carefully managed, and so is the angling; it’s all strictly catch-and-release fly fishing with single debarbed hooks. A small camp is built in a shaded spot on the river to ensure comfort, which acts as a base for the fishing day. For the mid-morning session, the targets are Tigerfish and Yellowfish; however, the guides may encourage some time spent dedicated to chasing Nile Perch if conditions allow.

A late lunch gets taken around 2.00 pm in preparation for the evening session, and anglers are encouraged to rest, rehydrate, take a swim and relax; after all, fatigue is the last thing needed when fighting a trophy Nile Perch. While there is still some light, the targets will continue to be Tigerfish and Yellowfish, the same way as in the morning, in the same water you’ll be fishing that evening. That allows anglers to familiarise themselves with the water & the lay of the land before nightfall.

Fly fishing at night requires casting by feel rather than sight. Standing under the stars, immersed in the sounds of the African wilderness, is a raw, edgy experience that’s wild in every sense. It may seem scary at first, but the risks from wildlife while fishing is extremely low, and the guides and staff are close at hand and run over to help the moment you hook up.

Once the sun begins to dip behind the horizon, rods will switch from the 9-weight Tigerfish outfits to the heavier 12-weight set-ups ready for, the bigger Nile Perch. The fishing for these river monsters continues into darkness before time is called around 9.00 pm each evening when anglers head back to the camp for a late dinner and some drinks before heading to bed.

Accommodation

On the Faro river during the fishing season, two separate camps operate on neighbouring private concessions. Doing this allows the camps to effectively manage over 100 kilometres of the river under a unified fishery management plan and combined anti-poaching effort.

The fishing pressure is spread over the two camps equally, and each gets divided into four beats, all rotated throughout the season to allow large area’s of rest for each section of the river. As a result, both camps never get fished simultaneously.

Lower Camp

The Lower Camp is a small tented camp catering for four anglers, two guides and camp staff; it gets erected each season and offers guests an authentic West African safari experience.

It features a bespoke safari tent set-up with an open plan living and dining area. Each angler has their own bedroom, and each room has a double bed with a mosquito net, an en-suite bathroom with a toilet, a simple open coldwater shower, and a basin. The thatched roof mess area includes a dining room, a small lounge and a small library.

This Camp is situated in the shaded area of the riverine forest, enclosed in a natural amphitheatre, on the banks of the Faro River; it offers some great views and some exciting fishing just metres from its doors.

Upper Camp

In conjunction with long-established conservation and hunting operators, the Upper Camp was built in the 1960s and is rustic, practical and comfortable. It borders the Faro National Pack in the Northern Province of Cameroon and is situated deep in the shade of the mature ravine forest on an embankment overlooking a broad sandy portion of the Faro River.

The Camp, inspired by local architecture and tastefully decorated with local fabrics and soft furnishings, features large rooms, brick and mortar rondavels — African-style huts — and en suite bathrooms. This haven under the trees gets complemented by a beautiful dining area, lounge, deck, and fire pit, overlooking the Faro River.

Food & Drink

Meals get prepared by the talented Camp chefs in a simple camp kitchen. Breakfasts are continental and consist of fruit, bread, and coffee. Lunches are generally picnic-style on the river banks between fishing sessions and, along with dinner, usually consist of freshly prepared game meat with a seasonal salad and vegetables.

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Itinerary

TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS

Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.

Day 1: (Saturday)

Depart Any international Airport (See Details)

Arrive Brussels Depart Brussels

Arrive Douala

Once you have arrived and collected your luggage, you will need to transfer/taxi the short drive to your overnight hotel. After check-in, you are then free to relax around the hotel.

Overnight accommodation: 4-star hotel (Twin Room) B/B

Day 2: (Sunday)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will need to taxi to Douala Airport ready for your flight to Garoua.

Depart Douala

The flight duration is approximately 2.15 hours

Arrive Garoua

Once you have arrived and collected your luggage, you will be met by a Gassa Camp representative and transferred to your overnight hotel. After check-in, you are then free to relax around the hotel.

Overnight accommodation: 4-star hotel (Twin Room) B/B

Day 3: (Monday)

After breakfast at your accommodation, you will be driven by your representative to Gassa Camp at around 8.00 am. The drive is around 4 to 5 hours. Please note the Nissan Patrol 4WD station wagon does not have air-conditioning.

After settling in, guests meet in the dining areas for a late lunch and a full brief by the guide team. Afterwhich guides will help with correct tackle set-up and time permitting, you’ll head out for an evening session.

Overnight accommodation: Gassa Camp (Single room) F/B

DayS 4 to 9: Fishing Days (Tuesday to Sunday)

6 days fishing guided fishing for monster Nile Perch, Tigerfish and Yellowfish. The four beats available are rotated and carefully managed, and so is the angling; it’s all strictly catch-and-release fly fishing with single debarbed hooks.

Overnight accommodation: Gassa Camp (Single room) F/B

Day 10: (Monday)

After a hearty and early breakfast, you will begin the 4 – 5-hour transfer back to Garoua airport. The drive is around 4 to 5 hours. Please note the Nissan Patrol 4WD station wagon does not have air-conditioning.

Depart Garoua

Arrive Douala

Once you have arrived and collected your luggage, you will need to transfer to your overnight hotel. After check-in, you are then free to relax around the hotel.

Overnight accommodation: 4-star hotel (Twin Room) B/B

Day 11: (Tuesday)

After breakfast and lunch, you are free to relax around the hotel, before transferring back to Douala airport ready for your flight that evening.

Depart Douala

Day 12: (Wednesday)

Arrive Brussels, Depart Brussels

Arrive Home

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Satisfaction Score 97%

"I was lucky enough to fish over in Egypt many moons ago for the Nile Perch on Lake Nasser and I've always wanted to do it again, but things have obviously changed there and the fishing isn't what once was. As soon as I read about Cameroon and the fishing possibilities I just had to experience it and I wasn't disappointed, it was everything I imagined and more. I had a truly fantastic week, landing a handful of cracking Nile Perch and an abundance of Tigerfish and Yellowfish, it really was superb. I'd definitely love to return again next year."

Steven Clarkson

"If you get the chance, DO IT! Gassa Camp and the country of Cameroon was a blast. Fishing in the wilds at dusk, for fish potentially over 150lb or even 200lb in weight was a crazy experience and one I'll remember for ever. I didn't manage any true giants, but I still managed some cracking Nile Perch and a mass of Tigerfish. The camp was cosy and the guides and staff were all first class. Thank you to everyone involved in making my trip possible."

James Gibbs

"For someone who hadn't held a fly rod in over 5 years (and never cast a 12-weight before the trip), it was kind of tricky, but with the help of the guides, I soon found my way! The fishing and the scenery was mind-blowing and this is an adventure worth taking not once in a lifetime, but as often as your busy life and/or wallet lets you go. Going once is not enough. I'm thinking of returning better prepared in the near future!"

David Wright

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