Date: 15th-20th December 2013

Agent/Organisation: Caracal (Dennis R. , from this Forum, dennis@tallyho.co.za)

Region: Benin, Bordering Area of Punjabi Nation Park

Animals seen: Lion, Buffalo, Roan, Hartebeest, Bushbuck, Oribi, Duiker, Baboons and Warthog

Animals Taken: Buffalo, Bushbuck and Baboon

Rifle Caliber: .458 Win Mag

We were two hunters but I mainly will post about my hunt.

This was my first trip ever to West Africa and I really enjoyed it. The organisation like pick up at the airport, hotel etc was good and without problems. All information required was provided well in advanced and everything went smoothly.

The hunting in Benin was a little bit different then I knew it from South Africa. In Benin only hunting of mature male animals is allowed and in contract to South Africa you hunt with a group of local guides and trackers. You also get your own driver and a porter. The main language in Camp is french.

The camp was quite nice. Not luxury but providing everything a hunter needs and the chef and food was really good.






My main focus was on getting a buffalo. So we started in the morning and searched for buffalo tracks. As soon as a track was fresh enough we packed the stuff and walked. This was exactly how I wanted to get my buffalo.

The terrain was diversified and so we sometimes walked west African bush, sometimes in open grass areas and even sometimes in swamps.


The area was pretty full of Buffalo's and Roan and with exception of one day we always found good tracks within the first two hours.

On the first day we already stalked into a big buffalo herd. But since it was my first hunt without PH and my first experience with West African Buffalo I didn't pull the trigger because I was not sure if it was the right animal. So the boys were a little disappointed .

On the second day we had some bad luck since the herd we followed was also in focus of two male lions. They have killed a calf and were busy eating when we met them. It was my first time I got that close to lions on foot. This was pretty cool. Unfortunately I was to slow getting my camera ready... But priority was on hunting not on Photos




So after meeting the lions it was clear that this herd is gone. So to keep the mood and spirit high I shot a Baboon since the trackers were a little superstitious.



My buffalo we got while following the tracks of a herd. Suddenly one of the guys spotted that single male buffalo. Together with one of the trackers we stalked closer to him and when we were sure it was a decent bull I prepared myself to get him. Unfortunately, I misjudge the angle so the shot was not perfect. But the three trackers were excellent! We followed the tracks and after crossing a big area with long and tick grass (this was scary) we found him resting under a tree and we got him.





I was never that relieved and happy after a hunt. It was really unbelievable how far the buffalo went before he laid down for rest.

The rest of the days we mainly spend hunting for my friend.

Only when we found an old mature Bushbuck in the early morning which was grassing... I couldn't resist and I need to get it. One horn was broken which I really liked to I took him.


So it was really a great hunt and I enjoyed it very much!

Congratulations! Looks like a fun hunt, and that bushbuck has tons of character.

Thanks for the report, I love the broken horned old bushbuck.

Congrats! Nice trophies.

Nice hunt. Did you not want a Roan or other animals?

Congratulations I just love the form of those western buffalo

Good hunting

CF

i didn't realize that Cameroon wasn't the only African country that allows chasse libre' hunting. good to know and congratulations

Cool hunt... I, too really enjoyed hunting in Benin. A very different experience than southern Africa as you pointed out.

Very nice buff, well done and wadsmenheil!

Congratulations.

I have hunted there in 2001 and enjoyed it too.

Only one correction: the national park is called "Pendjari" instead of "Punjabi".

Thank you very much.

@dukxdog:
No I didn't want a Roan. I wanted a Hartebeest and I had a very nice one in the scope. However I hesitate too long because of the distance. It would have been a 150m shot and I was not sure much much the bullet will drop... while thinking about it it disappeared. Was my first hunt with the .458 and next time I will be prepared. Of course after this easy chance we battled to find a male Hartebeest with decent size.

I had also chances to get a common duiker and Warthogs but since I shot them already I was not interested. Not very German to not shoot on a pig but not all German's are crazy for them

Thanks for the post/pics.

Looks like a cool hunt.
Thanks for sharing.

Some nice animals. Well done.

Thanks for the report and all the great photos

quote:

Originally posted by Gerac:
Thank you very much.

@dukxdog:
No I didn't want a Roan. I wanted a Hartebeest and I had a very nice one in the scope. However I hesitate too long because of the distance. It would have been a 150m shot and I was not sure much much the bullet will drop... while thinking about it it disappeared. Was my first hunt with the .458 and next time I will be prepared. Of course after this easy chance we battled to find a male Hartebeest with decent size.

I had also chances to get a common duiker and Warthogs but since I shot them already I was not interested. Not very German to not shoot on a pig but not all German's are crazy for them

At least you carried the flag for good old Deutchland by shooting the broken horned bushbuck! Nice report. I need to hunt there some day...

Especially love that bushbuck!!!
Well done

Fine looking buffalo!! Congratulations.

Great pictures - I love the horn shape on those Buffalo

Congratulations on an amazing hunt!

Well done. Nice buff.

A fine safari and the trophies were worked for. Fine photos.

Mike