Northern Guinea Savanna: Transitional African Ecoregion Across West, East, and Southern Africa

The northern Guinea savanna is a broad ecotone between the humid southern forests and the arid Sahel/grasslands to the north.

Characteristics

Climate

• Tropical wet-dry (Aw)
• Wet season: Apr–Oct; Dry season: Nov–Mar

Vegetation

• Tall grasses (2–4 m) forming continuous layer
• Scattered trees: Acacia, baobab, shea, Isoberlinia

Wildlife

• Large mammals: elephant, lion, giraffe, buffalo, antelopes
• Primates, hyenas, leopards, diverse birds

Soils

Fertile, well-drained sandy loams; support agriculture.

Human Use

Dense population; cotton, peanuts, grains, cattle ranching.

Distribution

• West Africa: Senegal → Nigeria (Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, N. Ghana, N. Ivory Coast)
• East Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, N. Tanzania
• Southern Africa: N. Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique (transition to miombo)

This zone is a critical biodiversity and livelihood region.