Hunting in North Cameroon: Crossroads of Savannah and Culture, Where Ancient Traditions Meet Trophy Game in the Heart of the Sudano-Sahelian Belt

Rolling savannahs, floodplains, and rich ecological mosaics The North Region of Cameroon is a land of sweeping savannahs, gallery forests, and river systems that carve through a landscape shaped by both dry and wet seasons. With the Benoué River at its core, this region forms part of the Sudano-Sahelian belt, a transitional zone between the dry north and the greener south. The terrain is ideal for large mammal populations and supports a patchwork of ecosystems — including grasslands, forested valleys, and wetland areas that offer both shelter and abundance to wildlife. Benoué National Park, alongside Bouba Njida and Faro, has long placed the North on the map of African trophy hunting. The rhythm of tradition: local hunting customs and seasonal subsistence Communities across the North, including the Fulani, Moundang, and Toupouri peoples, have historically practiced seasonal hunting, often tied to agricultural and pastoral calendars. During the dry season, when crops are stored and livestock driven to water points, hunting becomes both a livelihood and a cultural event. Traditional methods such as pitfall traps, iron snares, or communal drives are still practiced in rural zones. Elders often pass down knowledge of animal trails, wind patterns, and moon cycles — forming a local science of survival in a land where resources are never guaranteed. What sets the North apart as a hunting destination The North Region is widely regarded as the epicenter of Cameroon’s trophy hunting industry. It combines accessibility, biodiversity, and relatively well-developed safari infrastructure. The area is home to multiple hunting zones (zones cynégétiques) where licensed operators guide international hunters in search of iconic species like the Lord Derby eland, buffalo, or kob. The region’s openness and visibility make it particularly suited for stalking and tracking — a stark contrast to the dense forests of the south. The proximity of protected areas and well-managed concessions has allowed the North to sustain viable populations of game despite mounting pressures. Big game species and safari-style hunting North Cameroon boasts one of the continent’s highest concentrations of large antelope species, including the rare and majestic Lord Derby eland (Taurotragus derbianus), western hartebeest, roan antelope, and kob. Buffalo, waterbuck, warthogs, and oribi also thrive here, as do smaller species like civets and genets. Birdlife is equally rich, with francolins, bustards, and pigeons commonly hunted. Trophy hunting in this region follows strict quotas and relies on professional guides. Spot-and-stalk is the dominant method, particularly near salt licks, open plains, and seasonal water points. Local hunters, meanwhile, operate with homemade shotguns and bushcraft techniques that rely on stealth and endurance. Hunting seasons and robust legal frameworks The official hunting season in North Cameroon runs from December to May — the dry season, when game is concentrated around remaining water sources and movement is easiest. The region is classified as Zone II under Cameroon’s hunting legislation, which allows sport hunting under concession-based regulation. Law No. 94/01 and subsequent decrees govern species quotas, licensing, and firearm registration. Elephants, lions, and giraffes are among the species strictly protected, and hunting within national parks is forbidden. Compliance is generally higher here due to the presence of established operators and active oversight from MINFOF. Conservation partnerships and regulated trophy concessions North Cameroon is home to some of the country’s most successful hunting concessions, especially in the Benoué ecosystem, where public-private cooperation has led to improved wildlife monitoring and habitat protection. Hunting fees support both conservation and local development projects, including road maintenance, anti-poaching patrols, and community health services. Partnerships with NGOs have enabled ecological surveys, while local employment in safari camps has provided alternatives to illegal hunting. Nevertheless, challenges remain, particularly in buffer zones and in areas bordering Nigeria, where security issues can disrupt management. Law enforcement and regional governance of hunting While enforcement is stronger in North Cameroon than in many regions, illegal hunting still occurs, especially outside concession zones. Mobile patrols and ecological monitoring stations are present in the major parks, but underfunding and vast distances remain obstacles. Cross-border trafficking of ivory and bushmeat poses additional risks. However, concession holders are legally required to report all game taken and to operate within management plans approved by the Ministry. Zones are periodically re-evaluated based on wildlife health and population dynamics. The cultural soul of hunting in the savannah For many communities in the North, hunting retains ceremonial and social significance. Horns of buffaloes and antelope are mounted in family homes, passed down as status symbols or used in ancestral rites. Some Fulani groups conduct small festivals when young men complete their first successful solo hunt. Among the Moundang, the sharing of game meat serves as a form of alliance-building. Hunting is also intertwined with storytelling, music, and dance — particularly in celebrations that coincide with the end of the harvest or the onset of seasonal rains. Little-known facts and captivating details from the savannah The Lord Derby eland — the largest antelope in Africa — is known in local folklore as "the spirit bull," said to vanish in smoke if disrespected. In the dry valleys of Faro, hunters have been known to track a single buffalo for three days straight, surviving on river water and roasted millet.