I just returned from a great safari in C.A.R. with a client of mine Mike Park, who will post his own report, so do not want to take away from his story. So here is a quick overview. Mike and I had a great time and I look forward to many more safaris with Mike. West Africa has always been one of my favorite places to hunt and this hunt just proved again to me that C.A.R. has some of the best hunting in Africa and for some of the most sought after animals in the World like Giant Lord Derby Eland and Bongo. I had been in the past hesitant about CAR and pushed Cameroon more, but after finally getting together with CAWA in CAR, I am now very pleased with CAR and actually think that the trophy quality and diverse amount of game is better than Cameroon. That is why we spend so much time and money personally going to areas and seeing what we are representing. These areas are a hidden paradise, so contact me to book a safari! Keep in mind I have been there and as of today I am the only US agent that has been in these areas or with this outfitter to date.

I started representing Central African Wildlife Adventures (C.A.W.A) last year and wanted to go and look over their operation, areas and quality of hunting. So, I booked my client Michael Park to go with me for 2 weeks where he would concentrate on Giant Lord Derby Eland. During the 2 weeks Mike managed to take 2 Giant Lord Derby Eland, 2 Buffalo, 2 Warthog, Western Roan, Red Flank Duiker, Western Bush Duiker, and Blue Duiker. We also saw while we were there, Bongo, Giant Forrest Hog, Red River Hog, Yellow Back Duiker, Bay Duiker, Western Hartebeest and Baboon. Mike enjoyed the safari so much that he is re-booking to go back for Bongo next year.

CAWA has 3 areas (39,40, 41) which in total are 15,000 square km and the most remote an untouched areas I have ever seen in Africa. This is remote! The closest village is 250 km away which means there is no human encroachment and NO poaching at all. The animals have not seen humans before and you can tell by the behavior of the animals that this is virgin country. The camps are very comfortable, clean and managed very well. The food is good and the entire operations are handled in a way that you would never know that you are in one of the most remote places in Africa.

This is not an easy hunt, and is a tougher hunt in that it does require a good amount of walking and one should be prepared to walk between 3-10 miles per day, although it is an easy pace and not a demanding walk when tracking. The bonus to these areas is that you get everything together and you can literally hunt Giant Eland in the morning and Bongo in the evening. It is great to be able to see both the Savannah and Forrest specias together and you never know what you will see while out hunting.

Best time for the Giant Eland is January-March and the best time for Bongo is when the rains start in April and May when you can track them with dogs. You can hunt for Bongo in January-March, but it will be from a Machan at salt licks.

Another great thing about CAWA is that you are very well taken care of from the time you land in Bangui, to the time you depart. You are met and all your immigration and customs is handled for you and you are put on the charter. On your return to Bangui to fly out you are met and taken to a private apartment that they have just for clients where you can relax, take a shower or take a nap before your late flight out.

Here are some Pictures from the Safari: Mike will post more pictures and more of a detailed report I am sure. Here is an appetizer though.

Main Kocho Camp




Mike & myself with his first day 30" Western Roan.


Tracking Buffalo


Mike & myself with his first Giant Eland


Mike & myself with Red Flank Duiker


We saw this Leopard on the way back to camp one night. A lot of Leopard in these areas.


Mike took this 16" Warthog


I always enjoy burning the grass.


This crossing the Mbari River where the main forest camp is.


The Mbari River camp which is smaller, but still very nice and comfortable.


We found the Buffalo in these areas are of two kinds. There is the normal Western Savannah Buffalo which look like a Cape Buffalo, but then we also saw and took this type of Buffalo in the picture which is actually more like the Forest Buffalo with smaller body and smaller horns??? We never did figure out why there were two different types of Buffalo.


Mike with his second Buffalo. Notice the first one is reddish and the second black.


Mike & Nicholas with his 2nd Giant Eland. Mike had the opportunity to take a 2nd Eland so he did and took this VERY old broomed down trophy.


I always enjoy the trackers and spending time with them. You will notice the cigar which is an essential tool to CAR to keep the sweat flies at bay!

Awesome report, Adam.. Mike took so world class trophies. Did you end up taking anything while there?

I WILL do this hunt sometime in the not-to-distant future.. Gotta go for buff and Roan!!

Thanks for sharing.

This report confirms CAWA as my fantasy hunt. Now if the economy will just pick up, or my next fortune cookie give me the winning Powerball numbers.

Some fantastic trophies! Love that 16" warthog!

Thanks Adam. I always love seeing pictures of the Lord Derby Eland!
It would be a dream hunt.

Very excellent! LDE is definitely on the list,...but a few back at the momment.

Brett

Eland and warthog both very impressive. Can you hunt leopard there?
Peter.

Leopard are hunted in CAR but cannot be imported to the USA.

No fences there, true wild Africa.

Looks and sounds like a paradise That warthog is something!

Amen on the Wartie! I'm jelous now.

Amazing trophies and thick forest with more rainfall I guess. What does a safari like that for 14 days cost including trophies - all up?

I was prepaired to be impressed by the LDE, but man, that warthog is something else!

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Some fantastic trophies! Love that 16" warthog!

+1

Wow wow wow. Amazing, all of it, but that wartie in particular, man...

Thanks for sharing. I must remember to wear a bib next time prior to reading your posts!

Very good report Adam. Thanks for sharing.

Trip of a lifetime,very fine animals.Thanks for sharing.

Love the wood on that rifle

Thanks Adam for good information and great pictures on a new area. Congratulations to the hunter.

All truly amazing trophies! Great guiding.

Jim

That is a hell of a warthog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am suffering from CAR envy, Buffalo envy and Warthog envy...

Adam,

Great report. As you know I just returned from there as well and took a really old bongo, yellow backed duiker, etc. It truely is a hunter's paradise (aside from the bugs).

Sorry I missed you. The guys in camp said they all had a great time with you and Mike.

It's amazing how they are able to make such a remote place as comfortable as they do.

One note I'd like to add about the bongo hunting. If you're considering it, pick dates where the full moon is on. I went during the new moon and it made the hunting that much harder b/c we'd have to constantly be looking thru the night vision (CAWA has some really nice night vision goggles) whereas if it had been a full moon we would be able to just watch them with our eyes.

Thanks guys for the comments. I think all the questions have been answered above.

Bluefin - yes too bad we missed each other and we should have planned to be there together, but glad you had a great hunt and make sure you e-mail me some pictures when you have time. Did you get your Bongo at the Mbari camp? I really enjoyed that camp and the virgin country there. Did Erik show you the picture of that Bongo that will for sure be the new #1 if they ever take it? Unbelievable the quality of game there..You don't see quantity, but you see and take excellent quality.

Oh man this really makes me WANT to go to the CAR or Cameroon. CAWA seems like a neat outfit and I love the Central African trophies! The buff are unique... I like the two different phenotypes present in one hunting area. And while the big eland is impressive, the old muddied-up eland that is broomed really turns my crank.

Well done Adam!

Bluefin... craving your hunting report, my man!

Awesome looking hunt!

Adam, two questions. I thought a license usually only allowed for one LD Eland, how did this guy get lucky to 2 permits? Second, is that a fairly typical warthog or is that a freak for the area? He is HUGE!

quote:

I went during the new moon and it made the hunting that much harder b/c we'd have to constantly be looking thru the night vision (CAWA has some really nice night vision goggles) whereas if it had been a full moon we would be able to just watch them with our eyes.

Seloushunter

What a fantastic report....thanks for the pics !!!

Sounds like a really great trip, and beautiful trophies and camp! I'd love to get to C.A.R. one day for a month or so. For now, I'll just keep buying my lotto tickets and looking forward to my upcoming trips to S.A. and Zimbabwe.

Very nice. Congrats! That warthog is a toad!

Mad Dog

I smell adventure here. Oh to hunt in truely virgin territory.

Be sure to let me know when Mike posts his report. I'm planning a trip there next year.

Mike and Adam! Congrats on a great safari. Prior to this report I had only heard of one person who'd bagged two CAR Lord Derby Eland on one safari. Don't know how you did it Mike in short pants with all those tetse and mopane flies. You're awesome...Nice warthog, nice red flanked, nice everything. Your trackers looked cool too. Of course you know this, but they're the most timportant people on an animal that is 100% tracked.