Hunting in Far North Cameroon: Discover Arid Plains, Saharan Wildlife, Endangered Traditions, and Borderland Conservation in Cameroon’s Northernmost Region
Sahelian landscapes, dry riverbeds, and rare desert-adapted fauna Far North Cameroon, locally known as the “Extrême-Nord,” is a strikingly different world from the dense forests of the country’s southern half. This region is defined by its Sahelian climate — hot, dry, and marked by seasonal extremes. Flat plains, rocky outcrops, dry riverbeds (called "mayos"), and pockets of acacia and baobab trees create a semi-desert biome where only the most resilient species survive. The region borders Nigeria and Chad, and is home to Waza National Park and Kalamaloué National Park — two critical conservation areas. Hunting here requires adaptation to the open terrain and searing heat, and it connects deeply with ancient survival practices and shifting ecological balances. Nomadic routes, traditional survival, and the changing face of hunting For centuries, the indigenous populations of the Far North — including the Kanuri, Kotoko, and Shuwa Arabs — have relied on hunting as part of a seasonal lifestyle centered around transhumance, fishing, and agriculture. Hunting has historically supplemented diets during dry periods and is closely linked to knowledge of water sources and animal migration. Traditional weapons such as spears, bows, and even falcons were once used. Today, however, pressure from population growth and environmental change has led to increasing reliance on modern firearms, often unregulated. In many remote areas, bushmeat remains an important food and trade resource despite legal restrictions. What makes the Far North a singular hunting zone in Cameroon Unlike any other region, the Far North is where Sahel meets savannah, and where hunters can encounter desert warthogs, pale-colored antelope, and occasionally Saharan species not found elsewhere in Cameroon. The openness of the terrain lends itself to tracking over long distances, often by foot or with the help of donkeys. Although trophy hunting is far less developed than in the East or North, the Far North remains one of the few places where traditional hunting knowledge coexists with urgent environmental concerns such as desertification and species loss. The cross-border nature of animal movements here further complicates regulation. Wildlife and hunting styles unique to the Far North Species still present in parts of the region include red-fronted gazelle, dorcas gazelle, patas monkey, warthog, oribi, and various reptiles. Birdlife is abundant during the migratory season, including francolins, sandgrouse, and ducks that gather near seasonal wetlands like Lake Maga or the floodplains of the Logone. Hunting here often involves long treks in open terrain, use of dugout blinds, or setting traps near watering holes. In some areas, falconry — once a noble tradition — is still remembered by older hunters as a symbol of prestige and patience. Seasons, laws, and fragile enforcement mechanisms The legal hunting season generally follows the dry period from November to April, when visibility is highest and roads are passable. However, enforcement is particularly difficult here due to administrative neglect and proximity to conflict-affected areas. The Far North is under Zone I, which technically allows regulated hunting but offers limited official concessions. Law No. 94/01 governs hunting rights, but many practices remain informal. Protected species such as giraffes (rare and largely extirpated in Cameroon), cheetahs, and lions are under strict prohibition, though enforcement is challenged by lack of resources. Hunting pressure, local initiatives, and wildlife decline In recent decades, increasing pressure from agriculture, pastoral expansion, and poaching has severely reduced wildlife populations in the Far North. Waza National Park, once a celebrated big-game area, has seen dramatic declines due to poaching and habitat encroachment. Nonetheless, local cooperatives and conservation NGOs are working to revive sustainable practices. Community-managed zones around protected areas attempt to balance subsistence hunting with wildlife preservation, though much remains to be done. The introduction of eco-tourism projects, including bird-watching and photographic safaris, is slowly gaining traction. Legal foundation and transboundary conservation issues Law No. 94/01 applies here as elsewhere in Cameroon, but the realities on the ground differ significantly. Hunters are often unaware of or unable to access legal channels for permits, and cross-border trade in bushmeat and ivory further complicates enforcement. Initiatives such as the Lake Chad Basin conservation strategy have introduced collaborative frameworks across Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad, aiming to protect migratory routes and endangered species — but the effects are uneven and subject to political instability. Spiritual and historical meaning of hunting in the Sahel Among the Fulani and other pastoralist groups, hunting has long been associated with honor, resilience, and the mastery of harsh terrain. Ceremonies involving animal bones, feathers, and skins are still held in some villages, celebrating successful hunts or honoring animal spirits. Some hunters wear talismans believed to protect them from snakebites or desert spirits. In isolated communities near the Mandara Mountains, elders claim that some hunters once communicated with jackals, calling them to locate hidden prey. In the floodplains of the Logone, warthogs are believed by some to embody ancestors, and are hunted only under strict ritual rules. The last sightings of giraffes in Cameroon occurred in this region — their spiritual significance remains part of local memory, even as the species has disappeared from the landscape.
