Date: 15 - 29 January 2014
Outfitter: Northern Operations Africa (www.northernoperationsafrica.com) - a special mention to start; Maria, who simply is the best outfitter correspondent I've ever had the pleasure of organizing my trip with - Thank You so much for all your help and support! Can't wait to do the next one!
PH: Thierry Labat
Team: Abadu Gadal, Denis, Mondee, Joseph and Illiasu
Location: Cameroun - Hunting Zone #5
Rifles: 375 H&H MAG Blaser R93
Travel: sorted by Mathias Michel at (www.ilesetvoyages.com) -did a really top job, including getting Visa and Firearms license quickly and painlessly.



This trip was originally planned for C.A.R. 18 months ago, but we had to face things and make a (new) plan last September. Dave, Maria and Thierry really did an awesome job putting this new trip together to Cameroun.

Flew Air France to Doula, where I stayed overnight at the Meridien hotel and met up with Thierry; arriving at Garoua we had a bit of snafu with customs being obtuse, but was quickly sorted. We then flew on to Garoua the next morning. A short 3-ish hour drive later we arrived at our camp: Koti Managa. On hunting Zone #5

Patrick & Guillaume run a tight ship; the camp and accommodations are nice. The sleeping huts are solid and cool, with new mosquito netting (which was not needed for us, but later in the season may be essential). En-suite showers / toilets in all camps, with hot water available all day. There is 220V when the generator is on, from 6-9pm, to charge all forms of electronic devices and such. The main area is nice, clean, and comfortable - a place to eat and relax in the early morning and late evening. Meals are based on clients desires, and game is definitely in the menu when requested - even with all the walking + heat, we didn't lose a gram on this hunt.



We got into a herd of about 50+ Eland by 11:00am of the first morning, of mostly females and juvenile bulls, but was fun nonetheless and positive for the days to come. By the end of the first days, we'd seen quantities of Eland, Buffalo, Roan, Hartebeest, and Oribi. The density of game, and the number of little ones, says a great deal about how the area is being managed for quality, as well as the amount of game for the years to come. This area is not being shot out at all - Patrick, Guillaume and the team are doing it right.

Days are a mix of looking for fresh tracks along the extensive network of roads that cover the 100 000 hectares area, or cutting across large blocks on foot to find fresh sign or herds of Eland or Buffalo. Walking can be challenging, not due to elevation, but rather the billions of small worm mound of dirt that making the ground uneven and treacherous.



On day 3, while looking for fresh Eland tracks in an area that was known to have a couple of good bulls, we happened upon 2 lions eating a reed-rat. Sometimes Diana smiles upon on at the most unexpected moments, and on arrival we had been told there was a Lion on quota and we could hunt one if we came upon it. Thierry, Patrick and I decided we'd go for it. Not long after, one shot, and a rather tense 35 yard follow-up into some tall grass later, we had our lion. A really nice central african lion, with a big body and very large head.



While searching for Eland during the days, sometimes walking across large blocks of superb scenery, we'd come across game animals and take opportunities; during the 12 days of hunting, we were able to hunt a Bushbuck, Western Cob, Oribi, and a Western Heartebeest.



We saw quite a few Eland during our days out, and stalked to within 4 or 5 herds of 30++ animals. We could have had a respectable Eland on the ground by end of day 2, but chose to keep looking for the bull we were looking for. Late afternoon of day 10 we found him. We'd walked all morning diagonally through a massive block not finding our bull, and decided to come in out of the heat for lunch. After a refreshing lunch and short nap during the hottest of the day, we went back to the same area and walked through it at another angle. We knew from all the track that there were Eland around, we just needed to find them. We literally almost walked into them. Whiling coming up to a flat, about 60 yards out, Thierry spotted Eland. The herd, of probably 40+, was fanned out browsing and milling about. As they moved around, we spotted at least 4 bulls, and one which could be the one. The issue was they were milling towards us, we couldn't move, and getting busted was a definite possibility. On one occasion we did get winded slightly, but only a few moved off a ways, but settled down afterwards. As we were being assaulted by the small pesky flies all over (up to that point they hadn't been an issue at all - weird how it was then that it started bad), Thierry assessed the bulls and spotted the one we'd take. After a few tense moments for me, he came into a small cleared between the thickets, but was shielded by a small cow... who fortunately for me, decided to take a few steps away. One shot in the shoulder and the bull ran about 30 yards; a couple of insurance shots and he was on the ground. We had our Lord Derby Eland! He's a fine bull, with great mass and good length. I am really happy with the way we hunted him during the trip, that day, and the final shot. A fantastic safari!



I can't say enough about having Thierry leading our trip. In a new area for him, for a notoriously hard animal (LDE) and with an unknown team of trackers, he masterfully pulled off another lecka adventure! In our time in Cameroun, we saw amazing scenery, tons of game, had fun & challenging stalks and hunts, and took some amazing animals. Memories of a lifetime! Thanks again Thierry

Orvar,

A huge thanks and congratulations to you. You were clearly prepared for this safari, as your shooting and ability to walk long periods made it obvious! Well Done and I look forward to our next hunt in July next year.

Orvar, congratulations on a wonderful safari. Thanks for the report and pictures as well.

Congrats Orvar - I especially liked the Eland bull

Congratulations on some fine trophies

Congratulations on a fine hunt and a great bag of trophies!

Mooshy indeed.

Well done and thanks for sharing.

Orvar,

Great safari and nice trophies in one of my favorite destinations. A lion as an unplanned add-on! Fantastic.

Mark

really glad that you far more get than you can have expected in your wildest dreams.
It's only Thierry's magic

Quand tu es bon, tu es bon.

West and central Africa deserve to be hunted, they have a discreet and surprinsing way to keep you adicted.

Thierry, keep on our marvalling at your witchcraft ....................................or talent.

By the by, you never ever opt for the easy way.

Thank you gentlemen - was a blast!

Now in Tunisia, with no time to get outside Can't wait for next year!

Fantastic Orvar and Thierry!!!
Congratulations

Congratulations! Looks like you had a fantastic trip

Makorokoto! What an excellent experience, and an unplanned lion as a bonus, amazing. Well done Orvar and Thierry.

Dream hunt!

Great report and hunt!
See any buffalo?

Dogcat, we saw tons of buffalo every day. If that's your interest, no issues getting a big old dugga boy.

Brilliant and congrats on your Lord Derby. Well done Mr Labat.

Congratulations on your Eland and especially on the Lion.

IMO a Western/Central African Lion is a very special trophy.

I needed almost 50 hunting days to get mine in Cameroon.

Congratulations on a great safari!

WOW! What a grand trip! Congrats!!!

Great hunt!!

Wow! A lion as a pick-up extra on quota! Well done. Add to it a damn nice LDE and an assortment of other great Central African trophies = a fantastic safari. Thanks for the report.

HI Orvar,

Thank you for that. It was such a pleasure to have you part of the team!!!! You took some great trophies and we are soo happy and proud your hunt was a huge success!!!!

Thanks Thierry as well for all your hardwork, it is great to have you part of the Northern Operations Africa Team!!!!!!!

Speak soon.
Maria

Awesome hunt, Orvar!

Congrats, I'm jealous!

Looks like a dream hunt to me!!! Huge congrats!!

quote:

Originally posted by jbderunz:
really glad that you far more get than you can have expected in your wildest dreams.
It's only Thierry's magic

Quand tu es bon, tu es bon.

West and central Africa deserve to be hunted, they have a discreet and surprinsing way to
keep you adicted.

Thierry, keep on our marvalling at your witchcraft ....................................or talent.

By the by, you never ever opt for the easy way.

JB, thanks for the comments.......I call it being in the right place at the right time!!

Thanks also to everyone else's positive comments.

FisnN4Eyes and Will confirm 2016 can't come quick enough ???

Doesn't get better then this. Thumbs up, guys

Well Done! Thanks for the post.

Congratulations. Great LDE!
I will be there next year and can only hope I have as much luck.
Cheers.
Steve

1 month and definitely counting!

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
1 month and definitely counting!

Oh not fair!

Wow! Congrats and thanks for sharing.
Lovely trophies and memories

Fantastic hunt gentlemen. The Lord Derby Eland is in my opinion the grandest of all antelope trophies, partly due to the effort typically required, and just the adventure of traveling to this part of Africa.

They look magnificent when mounted on a pedestal. Yours would look stunning Orvar.



Beautiful coats on those harnessed bushbuck.

Well done!

Thanks guys!

what a great hunt Orvar. The Eland takes the cake, but the other trophies taken are brilliant in their own right, thanks for sharing,

Ali

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:
Fantastic hunt gentlemen. The Lord Derby Eland is in my opinion the grandest of all antelope trophies, partly due to the effort typically required, and just the adventure of traveling to this part of Africa.

They look magnificent when mounted on a pedestal. Yours would look stunning Orvar.



Beautiful coats on those harnessed bushbuck.

Well done!

That's a beautiful mount Bill, could you post a close up photo of its face please!