. . . time to write the epilogue to the story of the group hunt organized by Tim Herald to Burkina Faso in early February. Here is the original hunt report.

As noted in the original report, I was scheduled to go with the group in early February. However, sometimes life has a way of intervening with our plans. My wife ended up having some medical issues that needed attention and I had to postpone my trip. Once we thankfully got the medical issues cleared, it was time to go.

The fact that the group preceded me was a good news/bad news situation. The good news was that I was able to get a first-hand impression from several of the group. The bad news was that I was able to get a first-hand impression from several of the group. Everyone reported that the hunting was outstanding but finding someone that was ready to rebook for a variety of reasons was a little tougher.

Honestly this is a trip best done with a group. It is a bit easier to deal with the challenges of hunting in a place like Burkina as part of a group in my view. As a group it is easier to find humor in some of the events that happen and keep you focused on the big picture. I was fortunate in that I arrived in Ouagadougou on a flight with three Swedish clients that shared camp with me. They were a wonderful group and I appreciate them accepting me into their company and sharing the trip experience (and their whisky) with me.

My fine Swedish comrades . . .



The group that went in February has already covered many issues in the original report, so I will try not plow old ground. I thought maybe I would offer my perspective on who might or might not be attracted to this hunt.

This trip might be for you if . . .

• You want to visit and experience a very different country than the typical southern Africa hunting country. Burkina is extremely poor – even for African countries in my experience – and virtually everyone speaks French and no English.
• You enjoy hunting in an area with decent game populations. Unlike a lot of the hunting in southern Africa, you will generally see game all day at various times, e.g., buffalo, elephant, lion, hippo, crocodile, kob, roan, reedbuck, oribi, warthog, baboon and hartebeest. That said, there is evidence of poaching unfortunately, particularly of elephant.
• You are interested in a hunting bargain (with a caveat). The price for a western savannah buffalo, roan and one antelope hunt is simply impossible to beat. The only caveat I would add is to be careful with dip and pack. I am still working with the outfitter to sort out the dip and pack pricing. I will withhold further comment for the moment beyond that other than to say make sure you have a firm grip on all the cost pieces. More to come on that if I cannot get it sorted out . . .
• You want to step out of your hunting comfort zone. As indicated, you are hunting in a western Africa county that is poor, dirty and where communications can be challenging. Lunch will be game that is shot during the morning hunt that is grilled at lunch. If you are unsuccessful hunting in the morning . . . you can enjoy some bread, a can of sardines and a hardboiled egg or two for lunch. I actually enjoyed the adventure aspect, but can appreciate others might not. Not a hunt that I think most wives would enjoy candidly. Not to mention the overlay of the terrorist attack in Ouagadougou in January which is always in the back of your mind, although I never felt threatened in any way (interestingly though, the Air France crews now refuse to overnight in Ouagadougou, so the flight unloads in Ouagadougou and flies on deadhead to Lomé, Togo, so when you leave Ouagadougou you have to fly south to Lomé for an hour to switch crews, definitely a pain in the butt since it adds a couple of hours to the return flight to Paris).
• You enjoy spending time in a dry sauna and think 15% humidity is off the charts. Seriously, it is hot, at least in March. Most days the temperatures were north of 110 degrees . . . but it is a dry heat . . . right. Thank goodness the chalets have air conditioners that run from around 6:00 pm to 1:00 am. I had to really feel for my Swedish friends, the heat took a toll on them on some days.

This trip might not be for you if . . .

• You think going to Zimbabwe or Mozambique is a huge adventure that pushes the limits of what you personally consider to be your hunting safe zone. This is not a venue for the first time hunter in Africa in my view. Also not for someone that is not looking for a bit of an adventure and is prepared to roll with the punches a bit. A good idea to bring along prescriptions with you for Lomotil and Cipro.
• You find paying for water offensive. Not sure what the situation is in other camps in Burkina, but this camp charges for all drinks, including water. You purchase a “ticket book” for 77 Euros (one was provided for us that lasted part of the trip) and some drinks are one ticket, others are two tickets . . . others are the whole ticket book. Want a beer, one ticket for a little beer, two tickets for a big beer. Want a Coke, one ticket. Want a gin or a scotch . . . you get to buy the whole bottle for an entire ticket book. I did not see a bottle of wine the whole time I was there. The whole ticket book thing is more of an aggravation and irritation than anything else, just leaves you feeling a bit nickeled and dimed.
• You are not prepared to communicate with sign language, pointing and broken French. English simply is not spoken by the bulk of population including the camp staff. Seems like you can eventually find a way to make yourself understood but having a conversation is impossible.
• You insist on having a professional hunter. The hunts are conducted by local guides and trackers. They are extremely capable when it comes to spotting game. However, stalks tend to be (1) see game, (2) put up the sticks, and (3) frantically encourage the hunter to shoot. They are not particularly interesting in trying to stalk in close. Also the language barrier can be an issue particularly when trying to sort out animals in groups. You have to be prepared to say no and refuse the shot if you are not comfortable with the shot for whatever reason. Some of the guides had back up rifles, most carried ancient single shot shotguns. I noticed that at least one of the guides did not even have binoculars so be prepared to rely on your own trophy judgment . . . or loan the guide your binos. The camps are not in the hunting concession area. Each day you have an hour or two hour drive to and from the hunting area.
• You expect things to be orderly, timely, sorted and efficient. This is west Africa. You have to be prepared for the inevitable changes in plan, delays in schedule, things that do not work, roadblock bureaucracy, etc. This places moves at its own pace, a pace slower than anywhere else I have been in Africa, and you are not going to change that . . . better to go with the flow and avoid getting your blood pressure up.

In terms of the hunting on this trip, I shot the roan on the morning of Day One, the reedbuck on the morning of Day Two and the buffalo on the morning of Day Five. The three Swedes in camp, all were successful in taking buffalo, roan and kob although it took seven days for one to get his roan and eight days for another to get his roan. I used a 9.3x64 Brenneke built by Wilhelm Brenneke that performed like a champion. I was shooting 286 grain Barnes TSX bullets. I fired a total of five cartridges on the trip, one to check zero, two on the roan and one each on the reedbuck and buffalo. Cannot ask for more than that in ballistic performance.

. . . on to some pictures . . .

Beautiful Ouagadougou, where they even have their own version of the Statute of Liberty . . .



Some pictures of the camp . . . the pictures are a bit deceiving while the camp is adequate it is definitely a little on the tired side . . .






Typical of the area between the camp and the hunting area . . .



It is dusty and hot, dust devils are a common sight . . .



Netting small mud catfish in a drying pan. Fortunately I was not served these for lunch . . .



An extremely nice western roan, in my opinion . . .






A dugga boy of a bohor reedbuck if there is such a thing . . . lots of mass and one broken off tip . . .




An old and mature western savannah buffalo . . . face is almost completely white . . .





Loading a buffalo in seven easy steps . . .









Finally, not sure what Tim Herald did in the evenings to make such a lasting impression on the camp ladies but whatever it was, it was clearly memorable and they wanted me to pass along the following . . .

Mike,

Glad to hear your wife is now in good health.

All those trophies are first class and the western Roan is outstanding.

Well done.

Very well put mike,
Everyone is different but I cant see the average wife enjoying this hunt. I know mine would have been miserable.

Im glad the issues with your wifes health worked out. Maybe I will get another chance to share camp with you some day.

That roan is ancient and your reedbuck makes mine look like a baby.

Congrats on a well deserved hunt.

Thank you both for your thoughts on my wife. Fortunately what they thought might be problematic (I do not like even using the word) turned out after surgery to be benign but going through the process certainly helps you reassess your priorities for sure.

Congrats on some nice trophies. Hope your wife is doing well.

Your experiences with the local "PHs" was one of the reasons I insisted on finding an English speaking non-local PH, which led me to Benin.

Cheers to your wife and fantastic trophies. It would appear as though the Roans are of better quality in Berkina compared to their neighbours as are the abondance of animals in general. It doesn't appear as though any one had problems with language barriers by the size of trophies acquired!!

Great job

Nice, very Nice

Love those buffs
One day...

Glad the issues were negative...would have been great to share a camp. Glad you was able to have such a successful hunt! Highly recommend taking a STRONG antibotic for this trip. I "de-wormed" myself after this trip. Lol! Precautions only!

Once hunting, it's wonderful...getting there, language barrier (go with a group), logistics, being on "African time" ( 2 minutes!) are some cons.

Overall....a great "Adventurous" hunting trip!

Congrats Mike!

Glad you were able to go and have a good time, despite the challenges. Thanks for sharing!

Mike,
As said before, glad to know Diane is in good health and all is well!

Some superb trophies from a part of Africa everyone should see... once. Seriously,Burkina Faso offers a heck of a value for some unique species!

And my wife came running to see what I was laughing hysterically about. The last picture is golden.

I would like to see some close ups of your rifle...

Mike hope a speedy and full recovery to your wife .

Excellent observations on hunting Burkina Faso fantastic pictures . AS you know I hunted the far eastern part Burkina Faso in Arly hunting area in January . You are right that the guides do not speak much English . I found this not to be a problem however. Indeed the other guys had an interrupter. To me having one was unnecessary guy that could blow a stock . My guide did not put the sticks up unless it was a trophy animal. When he did put up the sticks it was obvious. Some of the shots were long however and the animals were generally front on or quartering away so you have to use you own best judgment of your shooting ability on weather to take the shot or try for a better position if you wound it you buy it and you do not get another chance at that animal . Practice practice practice

Shot out in 4 days Roan Bull kob and heart beast. We came back to camp for lunch every day and the food was good and had a rest period before going out again in the afternoon. My PH-Guide had an old 375 beat up HH with a wired on split stock but was serviceable . I supplied him with some of my hand load solids to insure a second shot at a wounded Buff or an angry Elephant ( another member of our party were charged by elephants while in their truck) not to mention the lions. Your camp looked exactly like ours down to the shape of the pool and dining area .

Interesting information on Air France crews not wanting to over night in Ouagadougou . A member of our hunting party used Air France (Mind you we arrived on the day of the terror attack 15 Jan) He had a lot of trouble with them canceled his flight arrived at camp 2 days late and his rifle did not arrive until 4 days later. They canceled his flight out and without the heroic efforts of our camp manager he would have been stuck there for at least 2 more days . The other member of our party and I used Brussels Air and everything worked out great guns arrived with us and made it home with us .

Did not see any of the trophies in your last picture at our camp are they exclusive to that hunting area?

quote:

Originally posted by shotgun46:
Did not see any of the trophies in your last picture at our camp are they exclusive to that hunting area?

Perhaps. I understand that it is a popular species for many of the French clients visiting Burkina Faso to hunt.

I had no problems with Air France and my luggage. The original return flight on the 10th was cancelled before I left the US and rescheduled for the 11th, but with that exception everything went fine. Would be nice if they figured out a way to not do the Lomé circle but I certainly understand the crew wanting to stay in Lomé versus Ouagadougou.

Very nice Mike, glad to hear that the your wife's medical issue is being sorted out. Best wishes to her.

Why do you think that no one has started a higher class operation with PHs, bottled waster, etc.?

Congratulations,I like the western Roan.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:

Why do you think that no one has started a higher class operation with PHs, bottled waster, etc.?

Just a guess Frank but I honestly think it is a function of the fact that up until the last several years so few Western hunters ever hunted in Burkina. Perhaps I am being unfair but my sense is that many of the European hunters simply have a different standard . . . some might say better, some might say worse . . . than Western hunters when it comes to expectations.

Assuming the terrorism threat was non-existent (which of course it is not given the recent attack and State Department warning) which will discourage some, I think Burkina could really represent an opportunity to some outfitter willing to take some proactive steps and invest some time and money in the hunting industry there. Buffalo hunting in southern Africa has gotten very expensive and when you add the cost of a roan into the mix, there is no doubt Burkina is an absolute steal of a bargain. However, for it to really take off with Western hunters I think some entrepreneuring outfitter would need to (1) mitigate the language issue and at least get some English speaking people in the camps, (2) upgrade the quality of the camps which seem to be a bit worn down and tired (my family said the bedroom looked a tad prison-like), (3) get some real professional hunters involved or do some training for the local guides (like I say, at least one of the guides did not even have binos and most did not have rifles), (4) get away from the nickel and dime stuff like charging for drinks, (5) come up with an air charter option to avoid the grueling six hour drive to and from camp over roads that exist largely in name only, (6) address the quality of the food issue and particularly hygiene and cleanliness (for example, a can of sardines for lunch or a banana for dessert), and (7) see if it would be possible to get the camps closer to the hunting areas to avoid the several hour drive each way each day to the hunting area.

There is a lot of untapped potential in the country and at least in the area I was in the game populations seemed good. Seems like an opportunity for someone looking to expand the appeal to Westerners.

Congrats on a fine hunt..glad you were able to go.

Thanks for the report..very interesting.

Interesting comparison to Cameroon.

I guess without an "iconic" species to hunt that they just don't see as many folks coming through.

Very nice Buffalo and Roan.

(See you can smile occasionally... )

Since Tim is involved now, maybe you will see some of these changes. I am not sure if getting more development will not raise the prices a lot though... it is africa, after all.

Well done Mike! Very pleased to hear the good news on your wife as well!

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:

Why do you think that no one has started a higher class operation with PHs, bottled waster, etc.?

Just a guess Frank but I honestly think it is a function of the fact that up until the last several years so few Western hunters ever hunted in Burkina. Perhaps I am being unfair but my sense is that many of the European hunters simply have a different standard . . . some might say better, some might say worse . . . than Western hunters when it comes to expectations.

Assuming the terrorism threat was non-existent (which of course it is not given the recent attack and State Department warning) which will discourage some, I think Burkina could really represent an opportunity to some outfitter willing to take some proactive steps and invest some time and money in the hunting industry there. Buffalo hunting in southern Africa has gotten very expensive and when you add the cost of a roan into the mix, there is no doubt Burkina is an absolute steal of a bargain. However, for it to really take off with Western hunters I think some entrepreneuring outfitter would need to (1) mitigate the language issue and at least get some English speaking people in the camps, (2) upgrade the quality of the camps which seem to be a bit worn down and tired (my family said the bedroom looked a tad prison-like), (3) get some real professional hunters involved or do some training for the local guides (like I say, at least one of the guides did not even have binos and most did not have rifles), (4) get away from the nickel and dime stuff like charging for drinks, (5) come up with an air charter option to avoid the grueling six hour drive to and from camp over roads that exist largely in name only, (6) address the quality of the food issue and particularly hygiene and cleanliness (for example, a can of sardines for lunch or a banana for dessert), and (7) see if it would be possible to get the camps closer to the hunting areas to avoid the several hour drive each way each day to the hunting area.

There is a lot of untapped potential in the country and at least in the area I was in the game populations seemed good. Seems like an opportunity for someone looking to expand the appeal to Westerners.

Mike,

That sounds like something a retired lawyer could do. Burkina Faso Adventures LLC. maybe?

.

Well done Mike ! Great trophies and report.

Hope your madams health issues are all sorted.

Cheers

Charlie

.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Thank you both for your thoughts on my wife. Fortunately what they thought might be problematic (I do not like even using the word) turned out after surgery to be benign but going through the process certainly helps you reassess your priorities for sure.

What a relief and that must have made the safari all the more enjoyable.

Nice roan!

Very candid report, thanks for the great info.

Congratulations Mike!!! Well done, beautiful roan, reedbuck, and buffalo! Your fact filled and humorous reports are enjoyable to read!!!

So happy to hear your wife is doing well!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Mike, outstanding hunt and report, thanks. What an adventure. Hmm, that rifle looks oddly familiar.

Thus the need for those strong antibiotics.

I have talked with another operator there that has very nice food, still a fair camp, has someone for everyone that speaks English to go on truck, etc., but in fact the prices are WAY higher. I am trying to work with my guy and the concession owner to improve some of these things, but the owner is very wealthy, and i really don't think he cares about improvements as most of their clients are French, and they seem to be very content with the way it is. That being said, the food and accomodations are still much better than many wilderness hunts in Alaska, BC, the Yukon, etc. that cost a lot more. You just have to know what to expect, and realize there is a reason you are getting goo hunting at a really good price. It certainly is not for everyone.

Perhaps Tim, although Mr. Kabore did come by the B&B on the day we were leaving with an interpreter and spent probably an hour to an hour and a half visiting with Glasier, Mikael Olsson (an agent with Diana Hunting Tours) and myself on ways they could improve the operation and increase bookings from countries like Sweden and the US. I would imagine though that any changes would be modest and incremental.

Definitely an uphill battle Mike!

Great report!!! Congrats

quote:

Originally posted by nickh:
Gday Mike,

Great hunt report mate!! Congrats on some excellent trophies
especially the Roan.
Sounds like you shot out on day 5 of a 10 day hunt

So what what did you do in camp for the second half?????

Cheers mate

Nick

Ps glad all is good on the home front too!!!

Well done Mike....and what a roan, happy for you..

Thank you Nick and Andre.

Nick, it was a 7-day hunt. On Day 6 I went out and sat at a water hole to see what might come in, but just saw a monkey and some birds. On Day 7 I went out with one of the Swedes who still needed to shoot his roan. He was shooting an 8x57 with 196 grain Norma Oryx bullets. Dropped his roan with one shot . . . but please do not tell the roan that since we all know that an 8x57 is much too light a caliber for roan.

Great trophies. Congratulations on your elastic comfort zone, as well.

Great looking animals Mike. I'll call you get and the rest of the story

and get the rest of the story... its been a long busy day.

Great hunt Mike- well done indeed!!!

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by shotgun46:
Did not see any of the trophies in your last picture at our camp are they exclusive to that hunting area?

Perhaps. I understand that it is a popular species for many of the French clients visiting Burkina Faso to hunt.

So are you saying that those two ladies have lost their amateur standing, and the French clients availed themselves of their charms??

Just suggesting that the quarry in the last picture have apparently been the subject of numerous green hunting expeditions by French clients. Personally, I find the quarry far more dangerous than any of the Big Five and will stick to much safer pursuits, like hunting elephant and buffalo in the jesse thank you.

Look forward to catching up Jay.

You shot some great trophies. I also feel you had a great assessment of what hunting is like in Burkina. One of my PH's thought it was a good idea to use buckshot for backup on lion. At least you ate sardines for lunch. One of the days the trackers shot an ygritte and another day they shot a monitor lizard because they didn't have any luck with guinea foul. I think it is a great place to hunt if your experienced and want some adventure.