GASSA CAMP
OVERVIEW
The Gassa Camp experience is very much about the whole adventure. It’s about casting giant
flies in the hope of catching a meter long perch, its about fishing surface flies to hard hitting and
acrobatic tigerfish, and its about sight fishing to the Faro River bars of gold, the niger barb.
It is captivating and engaging on all fronts.
Healthy environments are isolated and dwindling before our eyes, and a journey to Gassa Camp provides an opportunity to see a piece of Africa that is an extremely rare representation of how vast areas of the continent used to be; it’s literally time travel.
INCLUDED
- Return regional flights from Douala to Garoua.
- Meet and greet on arrival in Garoua.
- Transfer from Garoua airport to Motel Plaza
- One night’s accommodation in Garoua on arrival (Motel Plaza).
- Return transfers from the Garoua hotel to Gassa Camp.
- 7 nights’ accommodation and all meals once at Gassa Camp.
- Tea, coffee, water, soft drinks, limited wine (2 bottles per night btn the group) and beer in camp (4 beers/person/day).
- Professional guides & Fishing Permits.
- Game Scouts + Conservation & Anti-poaching levies.
EXCLUDED
- International flights to & from Douala.
- Visas – these must be obtained before departure (can be done online)
- Meals in transit
- Wine and spirits (please bring your own)
- Beers and wine above the allocated 4 per person per day
- Accommodation and meals in Douala pre- and/or post-tour
- Transfers in Douala
- Fishing Tackle
- Guide & Camp Staff gratuities
Passports & Visas
Visas are required by most nationalities, this is for guests’ own expense (roughly €100). We will provide the necessary letter of invitation for your visa application.
Currency
The Central African Franc CFA is the local currency, although the Euro at € 1 : CFA 655 and USD at USD 1 : CFA 586 are widely accepted. You will not need any local currency when in camp. You can change a limited amount of € or USD for CFA when you land in Douala or Garoua for in-transit expenses.
Vaccine
A valid yellow fever inoculation and inoculation card are required to travel. Please consult your local travel clinic if you don’t have an inoculation.
Cameroon is a malaria area. Please consult your doctor for suitable prophylaxis.
Insurances
Comprehensive travel, medical, baggage, money and cancellation insurance are compulsory on all tours.
This is the clients’ own responsibility and should be arranged in your country of origin.
Communication
There is no cell reception in camp. There is a satphone for emergencies. There is limited satellite wifi connection for basic text WhatsApp messages.
GASSA CAMP
Gassa Camp is a seasonal tented camp situated in the deep shade of mature forests on the banks of Faro River.
Roughly in the center of a 75 000ha private concession, it is the perfect base from which to access the fertile waters of the Faro, and enjoy a classic West African Safari experience.
Gassa Camp comprises of 4 single meru tents, each with a private view of the Faro River.
The central living area is the heart of the camp and is made up of an 8m x 6m Bedouin tent, under which is a comfy lounge and dining area. There is an open-air fireplace around which drinks and stories are shared each evening, and coffee is enjoyed each morning while
listening to the sounds of the awakening African bush.
Gassa Camp ablutions consist of two outside showers, and bathroom facilities with two flush toilets and two basins, all with hot and cold running water.
Lighting in the camp is 220v through a generator, including battery and inverter setups. There are charging points in the main living area, and the option to connect to Star Link Wi-Fi for those who require it.
GALLERY
The day time fishing at Gassa Camp is focused on tigerfish and niger barb – two incredibly fly fishing targets in their own right.
There are abundant tigerfish, and the Sahelian tigerfish (H. brevis), which is one of three tigerfish species in the river, are very feisty fish that grow to at least 8kg. The water is clear to crystal clear, and so one will often see the tigers and many of the other fish.
One of the most challenging and rewarding species is the Niger barb (Labeobarbus bynnioccidentalis), that will eat a well presented dry fly or nymph, but are very spooky, and a are always a handful when a big one is hooked on the light tippets it takes to attract an eat. Amongst the rest of the fishes, other species take a fly, which include other Cyprinids (e.g. Labeos), Tetras and numerous species of catfish. So, at any time on the river, anything can happen, making it an exciting fly fishing frontier.
Rods & Reels:
Rods:
Nile Perch – 9ft 12WT(4 – piece for traveling)
Tigefish – 9ft 7WT(4 – piece for traveling)
Niger Barb – 9ft 4WT to 6WT(4 – piece for traveling)
Reels:
12WT large arbor direct drive with a smooth drag(Shilton SL12).
7 WT – large arbor smooth drag(Shilton CR4 is ideal).
4/5/6WT – any smooth drag reel will work(Shilton CR3 is our preference).
Tackle & Gear
Over the course of the season, the preferred fly patterns may change, so we recommend purchasing flies on location.
Should you enjoy tying, we encourage you to bring your own fly tying materials. We have a vice availble in camp.
For targeting tigerfish, streamers incorporating bucktail and feathers in colors like olive over white, olive and yellow over white, and blue over white have been effective. It is recommended to tie most tiger flies on hooks ranging from #1 to #4/0.
For lighter fishing, bring a small selection of nymphs and dries ranging from #18 to #12. Brassies, gun nymphs, various stoneflies, and nymphs with long legs and tails have all been successful. Dries should include caddis, ants,
Please see the Travel Info PDF for more information on all travel, tackle & gear requirements.
GALLERY
