Fly Fishing for Huge Nile Perch
Cameroon, Africa
Cameroon, a Central African nation, is almost twice the size of Oregon and is often described as "Africa in miniature." This is because it encompasses all the major climates and vegetation found across the entire continent, including the coast, the desert, the mountains, the rainforest, and the savannah. African Waters, formerly known as Tourettes, is the outfitter for the Cameroon Nile perch fishing experience, where anglers can cast large flies to monster perch, plus game viewing, and birding opportunities. The camp hosts four anglers per week.
Night Fishing for Monster Nile Perch
The Faro River Fishery: After almost a decade of research by the outfitter, anglers now have access to 120 km (75 miles) of the Faro River, bordering the Faro National Park. The fishery is divided into four beats that are rotated and managed to ensure sustainable and consistent fishing results.
Nile Perch: The Nile perch are native to the Congo, the Nile, the Niger, and many river basins in between.
Nile perch used to be widespread and abundant. Severe habitat destruction and relentless overfishing have severely impacted the Nile perch populations today.
Nile perch reach sizes of up to six and a half feet. These monsters take your fly with a brutal hit-and-run. They are aggressive and strong.
The largest perch they’ve seen taken from the river bottomed out a 100kg scale — more than 220 pounds! Usually, Nile perch 39 inches and up are considered a trophy. Perch are structure-orientated ambush predators and prefer to hunt mostly at night and during low-light conditions.
Methods: All fishing is strictly catch-and-release fly fishing with single de-barbed hooks.
Night fishing: Serious perch fishing takes place from just before sunset (about 6:00 p.m.) until about 9:30 p.m., when the perch start to feed. In other words, you'll be night-fishing for these monsters. A few small perch may be caught during the day. 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 are extremely low, and the guides and staff are close at hand and run over to help the moment you hook up.
Daytime Species: During the day, you'll fish for three species of tigerfish and sight fish for up to 12-pound yellowfish, aka Niger Barb, and carp up to 8 pounds. The Faro River is a true multi-species destination, with anglers rigging 5wt, 9wt, and 12wt gear each day to cover all the species and situations.
The day fishing is focused on tigerfish and niger barb, predominantly sight fishing. The low light into evening/night fishing is focused on Nile perch.
Fly Fishing Facts:
Season: The season runs from January to April, and only two weeks per month. In February and March, the river is low and clear. Temperatures are hot and dry, averaging 93°F in January and up to 105°F in March.
Read African Water's blog for Week 6 of 2022.
Camp Size: Gassa Camp is limited to four anglers (4 rods) per week.
Transportation: Each day, anglers are driven for 15 minutes to an hour to fishing locations in 4WD Vehicles that do not have air-conditioning.
Boats: There are no boats.
Guides: Very experienced English-speaking guides. Two guides and two game scouts per group of four anglers. The game scouts keep a watchful eye when walking and fishing in potentially dangerous areas.
Fitness Level: All fishing is on foot, moving over uneven terrain, so you should be at an above-average fitness level for this adventure.
Skill Level: You should be a competent fly angler with a well-rounded skill set. Sightfish for finicky niger bard with 6-weight and 5X tippet, deliver baitfish patterns to tigerfish patrolling shallow sand banks with long leaders and 8-weight outfits, as well as casting 12 weights and large deer hair flies to Nile perch.
Fishing Equipment is not provided. You can rent a fly outfit for $100 per week; a $100 breakage fee applies. Fly fishing only with single de-barbed hooks. Fishing is on foot, with single-handed 12wt, 9ft rods. Intermediate and sink tip lines and 0.8mm leaders are the suggested tackle set-ups. You'll also need to bring two headlamps for night fishing. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring.
Fishing License: Fishing permits are included in the package.
A Typical Fishing Day
7:30 a.m. Your day begins with breakfast in the camp.
8:30 a.m. Your group and guide, accompanied by armed game scouts, head out in a 4x4 vehicle to the allocated fishing beat. Depending on the area you’ll be fishing, it's a 15-minute to one-hour drive. A simple base is set up in a shaded spot on the river bank. The morning session is generally spent targeting tigerfish and yellowfish, with a bit of time dedicated to Nile perch fishing if the conditions and water dictate.
2:00 p.m. The group returns to the riverside base for a late picnic-style lunch and a siesta (comfortable camp cots are set up in the shade with mosquito nets to keep the bugs away). Anglers are encouraged to rest, rehydrate, and swim to prepare for the afternoon session.
Generally, about 4:00 p.m., you'll head out for fishing again. The first part of the afternoon session is spent hunting tigerfish and familiarizing yourself with the lay of the land of the river section you'll be fishing in at night.
About 6:00 p.m., when the sun gets low on the horizon, you’ll switch from tigerfish outfits to heavier 12-weight outfits and bigger, water-pushing flies in preparation for Nile perch. Fishing for Nile perch takes place almost exclusively from just before sunset into the darkness.
About 9:00 to 10 p.m., you’ll generally return to camp for a late dinner and some drinks before heading to bed. Snacks are served on the river during the evening session.
Sight Fish for Yellowfish up to 12 Pounds.
Three Tigerfish Species
Huge Nile Perch Fishing by Headlamp.
Large Flies for Nile Perch
Gassa Camp
Gassa Camp is a tent camp erected along the riverbank among deciduous trees. The Camp has two outdoor restrooms with two flush toilets, two basins, and two showers. There is hot and cold running water with good pressure.
Tent Interior
The Camp has four A-style (Meru) tents, each with a view of the Faro River, and one angler per tent.
Communications: Starlink Wi-Fi is now available. We recommend WhatsApp as cell reception is not available in the camp. There is a Satphone for emergencies. There are charging points in the main living area.
Dining Tent and Gathering Area
Enjoy coffee in the morning and drinks and stories at night around the firepit.
Meals: All meals are prepared by a talented camp chef. Continental breakfasts of fruit, bread, and coffee. Lunch and dinner usually consist of freshly prepared game meat with a seasonal salad and vegetables.
Wildlife Viewing: The Gassa Camp offers a unique glimpse into an almost untouched western African savannah. Wildlife such as Lord Derby eland, northwestern buffalo, western hartebeest, western roan, red river hog, kob, red flanked duiker, eastern black-and-white colobus monkey, West African lion, and leopard are found in the park. Many of these animals, plus others, and their signs are seen daily when driving between camp and the fishing beats.
Faro River in Cameroon
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
Getting to the Camp and Sample Itinerary:
You will need a valid Passport and Visa to enter Cameroon.
All trips start and finish in Douala, Cameroon.
Day 1: The package includes an internal flight from Douala to Garoua. (There is a weight limit of 15 kg/33 pounds for luggage and 5 kg/11 pounds for carry-on for the charter flight.) In Garoua, you will be met by an African Waters representative and driven to a local hotel. The overnight stay in a single-occupancy hotel room is included in the package. All meals in transit are at your own expense. (If time allows, there is an option to drive directly to camp on this day.)
Day 2: Breakfast at your own expense. You'll then take a 4- to 5-hour drive to Gassa Camp in a Nissan Patrol 4WD station wagon (without air-conditioning). You'll settle in and then meet in the mess area for a late lunch and guide-led orientation. Tackle set up after lunch and then an evening fishing session.
Day 3 to 8: Six guided fishing days.
Day 9: Breakfast, followed by a 4 to 5-hour transfer back to Garoua. The regional flight from Garoua to Douala is included in the package.
A valid Yellow Fever Inoculation/Card is required for this adventure. Malaria is a risk in Cameroon.
2025 USD Rates:
Season: January to April.
Group Size: Four anglers per week
One angler per tent and two per guide.
8-nights in Camp and 6-days guided fishing
$7,000.00 per person
+ 950.00 Charter Flight
= $7,950.00 per person
Non-Angler Companion
$3,000.00 per person
+ $950.00 charter flight
= $3,950.00 per person
Prices are subject to change.
Information Packet
The Package Includes:
• Roundtrip domestic flight between Douala and Garoua
• Meet and greet at the airport in Garoua
• Ground transfer from Garoua Airport to the motel
• One night single-occupancy motel night in Garoua
• 7-nights camp lodging, single-occupancy
• All meals at camp
• Soft drinks, coffee, tea, and bottled water
• Four beers per person per day
• Daily laundry service
• Starlink Wi-Fi
• 6-days guided fishing
• Fishing permits
• Game Scouts
• Conservation and Anti-Poaching Levies
The Package Does Not Include:
• International flights to Douala, and return
• Cameroon visa, $252.00 for U.S. citizens
• Meals and beverages in Douala and Garoua
• Spirits and wine in camp
• Extra beer above the daily limit of four
• Fly fishing outfits and flies
• Two headlamps for night fishing
• Gratuities for guides and staff
• Mandatory medical evacuation insurance, such as Global Rescue
• Mandatory Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
