Anybody hunted Benin?

12 June 2005, 18:50

I might be planning a stay in Benin in 2006, work related for a duration of 4-6 weeks. IÂ´d be on the coast but would probably have a few days that could be used for hunting. This would have to be in a "reasonable" price range. Anyone hunted there? Recommendations? Warnings?

12 June 2005, 21:01

Oldsarge

I believe JudgeG was there a couple of years ago and raved about it.

12 June 2005, 21:08

cewe

Thanks! Hope the good Judge sees this thread.

12 June 2005, 23:47

ErikD

Cewe,

Beside that the main city Cotonou is one of the most caotic citys in west africa, and worth staying out of as much as possible, we found Benin to be a nice enough country. And visiting Abomey to see some of the brutal local history and culture is worth it while you're in the area. As is getting a taste of the Voodoo culture that is taken very seriously. Have a look at our webite "diary". There is a Benin summary there.

Here's a snip from what we wrote back then about Abomey:

quote:
This city used to be the capitol of the ancient Dahomey kingdom and had a huge royal compound with a court of 10000 people + the 800 woman of the kings harem.
Unfourtunatly most of this was burned down by the 10th king so that it wouldn't fall into french hands as they conquered the country in the late 19th century. There were 2 palaces that survived and these where made into a museum by the french. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains many interesting objects from the former kings. Royal thrones, tapestries, human skulls used as music instruments, human skulls used as fly swatters, human skulls upon which the thrones were built... It was an interesting tour, but it showed how brutal the culture there was until rather recently. For example, when the king was constructing a building, he drained the blood from 40 slaves and mixed this into the mud cement. This would protect the building. A major part of his army were "Amazon warriors", female soldiers who usually cut of one breast to make better use of their bow and arrows. Before going into battle, each one would promise the king how many heads of the enemy she would bring back. If she promised 3 and returned with 2, then the 3rd head would be her own. I guess they were fighting for their lives in more way than one! When the king died, a new building was put up (with more "blood cement" of course) and in the foundation, 40 of his wives would be buried alive. According to the guide, the choosen wives were honored to follow the king into the afterworld and glad to be buried alive. I find it a little hard to belive that, even though it might have been an honor, nobody would appreciate having sand thrown onto them till they suffocate and/or are crushed by the weight... I think there were perhaps more than a few muffled screams and crying going on.
The tapestries with pictures representing the different monarchs times of rule mostly illustrated decapitations, rape, plunder etc. All the nice things to cherish and remember from a sweet and peaceful society!

As for hunting, I seem to recall that the hunting season starts around December/January, and lasts until April/May.

Send a PM to a French AR member called "Jbderunz". I think he's hunted in Benin.

12 June 2005, 23:54

cewe

Thank you ErikD, that was informative. I hope their is some sort of hunting going on i Sept/Oct as they are my most likely dates. Burkina Faso would be an alternative I guess...

13 June 2005, 00:35

ErikD

Cewe,

I might be wrong, but I seem to recall that most west african countrys start the season around dec/jan.

Hopefully for your sake I'm wrong!

13 June 2005, 00:45

Oldsarge

Affirmative on Dec-Apr. for W. African Hunting. The Beight of Benin is above the equator so our summer is their summer and since they're right on the equator, you don't want to be running around the bush in Sept.

13 June 2005, 02:11

cewe

Looks like IÂ´ll need to rethink that trip if IÂ´m going to do any hunting as weÂ´re doing a family trip to RSA/Namibia in March.

I guess you need to be fluent (or at least semi) to make your way around there?

13 June 2005, 03:02

ErikD

quote:
I guess you need to be fluent (or at least semi) to make your way around there?

Not really. We did pretty well in west africa with rather little knowledge of French. At least my French sucks, although my wife knows a bit more. A blend of some phrases and hand gesturing got us thru most situations.

13 June 2005, 10:10

cewe

I can usually get along real well with waving and making faces, like talking to small kids...not that IÂ´m saying that the blacks are like children!

Gotta be careful

13 June 2005, 15:06

Wink

The two common hunting areas are on each side of the Pendjari National Park. The Pendjari Wildlife Zone and the Atakora Wildlife Zone both border Burkina Faso, as does the National Park. It is a long drive (one long day or a day and half depending on ...) from Cotonou. Same ecological zone as Burkina Faso side and pretty much the same species. I have been to the National Park and the Pendjari Wildlife area but did not hunt. One outfitter in Paris I know of is
http://www.voyagesdechasse.com/dest/benin.htm

A six day hunt including airfare from Paris is 6.900 Euros, plus a whole bunch of other fees like animal taxes, hunting licence, firearm import tax, etc. etc. so it is not cheap. I believe resident hunting is still possible (I went with a Benin resident when I went up north) but as a non-resident all taxes will apply.

13 June 2005, 19:07

Steve Malinverni

Cewe,
a pair of frien of mine organize hunts in Benin.
Buffalos and Lions are the most important hunts, lions are not haired, but lion hunt is made on tracks, dangerous but exciting, buffalos are little (aequinotialis version

) but they are worse than Sincerus Caffers, more vindictive.
You can find there also good bushbucks.

13 June 2005, 19:37

MARK H. YOUNG

cewe

When I used to be associated with the old Trophy Connection we represented Club Faune. They have a very well organized hunting program in Benin for buffalo, western hartebeest, kob, harnessed bushbuck, roan, oribi and some lion. Unfortunately the hunting takes place Jan-Apr. so I don't believe you'll be able to do anything hunting wise.

Regards,

Mark

13 June 2005, 21:26

cewe

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info. I tried calculating what a lion (always the need to go overboard) would cost and it isnÂ´t that bad -if you have the dough! If the trip could be rescheduled for 2007 then maybe a plainsgame type hunt would do?

Need to contemplate...and not tell Mrs. Cewe just yet!