To all you African hunting folks out there, I have a considerably dumb question to ask, so please bear with this first time planner. I'm seriously considering a trip to the Dark Continent, probably in 2004 and have always wanted to hunt Bongo. Why? I don't know, honestly, I must have read somewhere about it. Problem is, if I venture that far, I'd also like to go after Eland, Kudu, Black buck, Tommies and a few other assorted hoofed animals. I'm not really interested in the big five or six, but am looking for a good hunt. I understand that Bongo (my primary target) resides mostly in the forests around Cameroon, yet the others are spread here and yon across Africa. Is there a way to go on a 3 week safari and chase Bongo, Kudu, Eland, etc... without breaking the bank, or is this a pipe dream?

Again, I don't know anything about Africa or safari's, my hunts are solo in the Wrangells or Brooks Ranges in Alaska for Dall Sheep, Moose, Caribou and etc...

Not really possible to hunt all those animals in a three week period under a reasonable budget. I guess you could do it but it would cost you about $35,000 or so plus airfare. Problem is each of them live in a different country.

Actually, throw out the Blackbuck (not an African Species) and throw out the Bongo (sorry) and throw out the Tommies (East African) and yes, then you can do it!

Bongo is a specialty hunt. You go just for him. You can kill some other animals on a Bongo hunt, but none that you are looking for.

Tommies are found in Masailand, Tanzania (East Africa = $$$).

Also the season that you hunt Bongo is not really the best time to hunt those other Southern African species you mentioned. It's a bit early.

Not to mention it would be a shame to visit all these areas and only take one or two species.

So many animals so little time ...

Yukon Jack,

How big is your bank?

The cost of a bongo hunt is enough to break the bank. $30,000-$35,000.

Eland and kudu you can do in Zim, RSA or Namibia for a "reasonable" cost. Black buck not available in Africa as far as I know. Tommie, you have to go Tanzania, a relatively expensive venue (you can do kudu and eland in Tanzania, but I believe it requires a 21 day license for those species). So figure another $40,000-$45,000.

So plan 6 weeks (one for travel, back and forth) 2 weeks in Cameroon and 3 weeks in Tanzania. Budget $70,000-$90,000 and its yours.

Add airfare, gratuities and taxidermy and you are probably over a $100,000.

Regards,

Terry

[Sorry Wendell, I was typing when you posted.]

[ 09-27-2002, 08:05: Message edited by: T.Carr ]

Sniff....
That is pretty much what I was expecting to hear. Oh woe is me. So many animals, so little time...

Is there a good place to go for Greater and Lesser Kudu, Oryx, Eland? Sure would like to add Bongo to that list, but... well, I'm sure you guys can figure that out. No time.

By the way, why is Bongo so much more expensive?

Yukon Jack,

You need to leave off lesser kudu (Tanzania and, I think, Ethiopia are the only countries where they can be hunted) and you can do a great hunt for kudu, oryx, eland, (plus zebra, wildebeest, impala, etc.) in South Africa or Namibia or Zimbabwe (depending on the political problems in Zim) for $10,000-$15,000+ (depending on how long you hunt and how many animals you take).

Regards,

Terry

[ 09-27-2002, 08:24: Message edited by: T.Carr ]

Yukon,

I suggest an 8-10 ranch hunt in Namibia or perhaps RSA. They are simple and with minimal hassle as African hunting goes and a great dollar value. Airfare around $1500, figure $1700 by 2004. Should be able to get a kudu, eland, oryx along with some other things depending on the property (springbok, wildebeest, warthog, hartebeest, zebra, etc). Can do the whole thing for under ten grand and have enough left over for the deposit on your next African hunt.

Be careful trying to find the cheapest deal out there as there is probably a reason why.

"Be careful trying to find the cheapest deal out there as there is probably a reason why."

That's exactly the reason I came to you guys.
Kudu, Impala, Eland, Oryx does sound good to me.

I know most safari's are extended time affairs, but alas, I'm a working stiff and family man. I figure my project duties can handle me gone for 3 weeks, am I pushing things by limiting that much time? What is "average"?

I had a great 10 day hunt in South Africa with Uhuru Safaris (www.wildgamesafari.com). Collected Kudu, Gemsbok (Oryx), Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Blesbok, Springbok and Warthog. Cost was $7000, including airfare, for the package hunt, not including the Gemsbok ($700 extra). The trophies can be seen at www.uhurusafaris.com. This is an excellent way to do a first hunt in my opinion.

The outfit I've hunted with, Bush Africa Safaris, offers a 10-day, 6-animal package every year that includes impala, warthog, blesbok, kudu, gemsbok (oryx), and one of blue wildebeest or zebra or hartebeest. This year's price is $5650.

http://www.bushafricasafaris.co.za/html/specials.html

I'm sure they be more than willing to work with you to substitute an eland for the warthog, blesbok, and the one-of-three option animals for something around that price; they're very customer-oriented and flexible. Add air fare, tips, and incidentals and you're talking probably under $8000 for your 10-day kudu, gemsbok, eland, and impala hunt in 2004.

If you contact them, tell Schalk, the owner/PH, that I referred you.

Your best deal for bongo is probably just to contact 777 ranch at Hondo, Texas or some other exotic ranch. Then head to Africa for the other stuff.