When looking at the possibility of adding a sitatunga hunt in the Bangweulu Swamps (Zambia) to an upcoming trip to the Luangwa Valley, I was surprised to learn that there was only one taken in all of 2003. And it was shot by a handgun hunter no less, hunting with Johnny du Plooy. There are a few PH's/outfitters who were advertising hunts deep into the swamp, and it will be interesting to see how these fare this year. I think the sitatunga ranks up there with the lesser kudu, roan, sable & nyala as some of the most majestic and desirable non-DG animals in all of Africa (that are huntable at a cost less than the big three).

Anybody on the forum hunted sitatunga?

Bill,

I haven't, but I know the handgun hunter who took the sitatunga last year. It's Mark Hampton (a high school class mate of my wife), he wrote an article about it in SCI's Safari magazine (January/February 2004, Page 62).

If you want his telephone number, just email me.

Regards,

Terry

I haven't but I met a man who has. He Supossedly has the SCI number one sitatunga, but who knows. Sure was a dandy to say the least. Rather interesting animal, they have very long legs.



Sevens

Bill,

I hunted the Bangweulu in 98' and 2000. We took a very nice sitatunga and all the other animals that you will find there. I can't explain only one sitatunga being shot in '03 but the animals are there in good numbers. The trick is to go late in the season, on the dark of the moon with a good PH.

If you hunt the Luangwa and have the time and finances to additionally hunt the Bangweulu you really should. It is a very unique experience that I would recommend to anyone.

I found hunting the sitatunga to be much more interesting and challenging than hunting the other animals you mentioned.

I can set it up if you like.

Regards,

Mark

I am reading Elgin T Gates' book 'African Hunter' where he shoots sitatunga from a raised blind, like a German high seat. But James Mellon shot them from a dugout canoe.
Which method is most popular now?

.

This is my sitatunga, hunted on board of a mkoro in the swamps of okawango (botswana).

Norbert,

Very nice! Beautiful lyre shaped horns and obviously great mass. 28" or larger on length??

I don't know how I would have liked hunting from the mokoro. I think I would be expecting to take a bath as soon as I pulled the trigger but I would have done it in a heartbeat.

As far as I know Botswana is closed presently to sitatunga hunting. Seems to be no biological reason for it.

Regards,

Mark

Mark,

28.5 "

Cartridge was a hot .416 RemMag 410 gr, but with my shooting technique recoil handling is no problem. So I was prevented from taking a bath.

Norbert,

416 certainly is an adequate caliber for sitatunga. Glad you missed the bath.

My sitatunga from the Bangweulu is in the Nickudu files if you'd care to look. It is about the same length as yours but not as nicely shaped.

Regards,

Mark

Thanks for the feedback guys. I talked to another outfitter who confirmed that the take was just one. I'll be in the Luangwa in Sept and my PH (Peter Chipman) said that we can discuss and decide while in camp based on the lion hunt if we want to try the Swamp. I'm trying to get a handle on the odds of taking a sitatunga given the cost (there is a ~$900 relocation fee apparently charged by the company running the camp), and if I'd like the "stand hunting" typically done there.



Norbert - Thanks for the picture, what a classical way to hunt a neat animal.