Outfitter: Toufic Hanna of Namoungou Safari
B.P. Fadan Gourma
Burkina Faso

E-mail: toufic1@fasonet.bf
Phone: 011 226 70 20 71 01
Web Site: www.yentangou.com
Hunt Dates: March 31 to April 14, 2008.

Game Hunted: Lion, Western Savanna Buffalo, Warthog and Baboon

Air travel: On Air France via Paris

I have given details about the hunting area in my prior hunt report in Burkina Faso 2007; all that information is current.

This was my second trip to Burkina Faso to hunt lion, and so I concentrated my efforts on tracking lions, everything else being of secondary importance.

In Burkina Lions can only be hunted by tracking; baiting is illegal, shooting from a vehicle is also illegal and these laws are strictly enforced.

We would wake up every day at 4 AM and be out of the main camp by 4:30 AM after a light breakfast. The drive to the hunting area takes about 45 min.

Toufic had given me his A team; the PH was Idressa his most experienced PH for lion hunting. The tracker was Yempabou a 47 year old ex poacher now employed by the game department and considered the best lion tracker in the area. My gun bearer was Sankagdi another delightful person who worked so well with me that the slightest gesture was enough for him to know what was needed; to top it all he had the eyes of a hawk.


Idressa my PH


Yempabou


Sankagdi

Once in the hunting area both the PH and Yempabou would look for lion tracks on the road, we would then stop the vehicle a mile away from the various water holes and slowly walk to the water holes all the time looking for lion tracks. If tracks were found we would follow them to try and determine if the lions were still around the water holes or if they had moved to their resting places in the dry streams with thicker tree cover. We would then move to and walk along the dry streams; the tracker and PH in front looking through every dense tree for resting lions. We would do this until about 9:30 to 10 AM when it would get too hot to track. We would then go to one of the many large water holes on the concession, find a shady tree and rest under it until 3:30 or 4 PM when we would again start looking for tracks.
The first day as we were walking on the edge of one of the dry streams Yempabou suddenly froze and sat down, we did the same and I was told that there were lions on the opposite bank of the stream bed in a large bush/tree just 15-20 yards from where we were. I could see nothing until I looked through my binoculars and saw the lioness all curled up in the center of this dense bush. I was told that there were 4 lions, a grown female, a younger female, a one year old cub, and a 3-4 month old cub. I only saw the other 3 lions when they detected us and silently jumped out of the bush in the opposite direction. Had it been a male I would have had enough time to make the shot.




Walking in the dry stream bed


Lion haunts


Old lion kill


Can you see the young lion cub

We saw fresh lion tracks every day. The 2rd day we saw fresh tracks leading towards a waterhole, everyone was tense and I could sense that the tracks must be very fresh. As we approached the water hole both the PH and Yempabou froze for a second, we could hear very low intermittent growls, after two or three everything was quite again, the excitement was palpable, I was told that a pair of lions was just ahead of us. As we walked slowly in single file following the tracks we saw a herd of buffalo just to our right, we knew what the lions were after, unfortunately the buffalo saw us and panicked and we never saw the lions.

The 3th day vulchers in a tree alerted us to a lion kill. A hartebeest and its calf had been killed by lions the previous day and the animals had been completely consumed. We tracked the lions from the kill but lost their track, Idrissa and Yempabou had a good idea where the lions would be resting so we headed to a wooded area with a dry stream about 2 miles away, slowly walking by the edge Yempabou again suddenly backed up and sat down, I was told that he had seen lions in a thick cluster of bushes just 10-15 yards in front and to our right, I could see nothing as we moved around I suddenly saw a female lion slowly and silently move out of the bush just 15 yards from us and disappeared into the trees, and then another lioness followed and suddenly a 5-6 month old cub jumped into the stream bed 20 yards ahead of us, the rifles came up to our shoulders safeties off as we anticipated that the female may charge to protect the cub, fortunately the cub disappeared in the opposite direction and all remained quiet and after a tense 3-4 minutes everyone relaxed.


Fresh Kill


More evidence



That evening on 4/04/08 driving back we saw a herd of buffalo disappear from view as we turned a corner. We got out of the land cruiser to check the buffalo and followed the track for about an hour before closing in. I had shot a nice black buffalo last year and was only interested in one of the red/brown buffalos. Idrissa saw a large red/brown herd bull and after a good stalk I got a shot at the buffalo and hit him in the left shoulder with a 350 grain .416 A frame bullet. He ran about 100 yards and went down but it took two more bullets to finish him. The buffalo was estimated to be 9-10 years old.







The 4th day we again saw lion tracks but no lion. In the afternoon while having lunch under a large tree Yempabou came back excited and told us that he had seen a large Warthog about 500 yards away. I was not interested because I have shot quite a few warthogs but decided to take a look. It was a large bodied pig with thick tusks so I changed my mind and the stalk was on, we could get no closer than 200 yards but I managed to hit him in the chest with a 350 grain A frame and he went down.






The next few days were spent following lion tracks and walking along the dry stream beds. We saw one more female on the 7th day following a herd of buffalo but no males.

On day 9 at 7 AM we found fresh tracks of two lions on a game trail, Idrissa was sure that one was a large male. We followed the tracks for about a mile and they suddenly disappeared, so the PH and the tracker spread out to see where they went. I slowly kept walking straight towards a large hillock with a clump of trees on it; as I walked closer I suddenly saw movement and two lion heads appeared, one lion ran to the right and the second larger lion ran left. Idressa told me to shoot the lion on the left but all I could see was his tail and behind. As I ran forward the lion stopped about 80-90 yards in front and to our left and looked at us, I found a clear shooting lane between the trees and as soon as the crosshair settled on his left shoulder I squeezed the trigger, I lost the site picture during the recoil but all three people with me saw the bullet hit the lion in the left shoulder and he disappeared into some tall grass.

We found good blood but progress was very slow because of the thick tall grass. You can imagine the tension. The PH and Yempabou climbed a tree but could not see the lion. It took us 45 min to cover 200 yards, with rifles close to the shoulders thumb on safety.
We suddenly saw the lion run across to a shallow dry water channel about 150 yards ahead of us, and disappeared before I could shoot. The PH said the he was hit well but I had my doubts.

We slowly walked to the area were we last saw the lion, with my rifle ready for a quick shot. Suddenly very close to us on the right there were three short but very loud bone chilling growls, as I turned I saw the lion rise from behind a small embankment 15 yards to our right and at that moment I saw Idrissa’s bullet hit the lion in the chest below the chin, my bullet hit him in the shoulder a split second later. I then proceeded to empty my magazine the PH also shot twice more. The lion fell and I put another 400 grain Woodleigh into his chest.

After the shooting had stopped I could feel the tremor in my hands and a sense of great relief that the lion was dead.
When the lion growled Yempabou a veteran of many lion hunts found it prudent to leave us and climb the nearest tree, I don’t blame him he only had a shotgun loaded with buckshot. My gun bearer ran away, I am glad the rifle was in my hands. Idressa my PH was superb and in control and stood by me and shot very well.

I think we shot the lion in time to stop an imminent charge. My first bullet which had broken his left shoulder and entered the chest may have played a role in delaying the charge enough to give us a chance to shoot before he actually launched the charge, which given the short distance between us and the lion might have ended in someone getting injured.












This hunt in my opinion had all the elements of lion hunting that I had ever dreamt of. It was as fair chase as fair chase can be. In one word it was fantastic.

The lion was pegged at 2.8 meters (an old British way of measuring large cats). He was estimated to be about 9-10 years old, his nose and lips were black. He weighed 480 lbs confirmed on a scale in camp prior to skinning.

I had 3 more days of hunting left and decided to look for the Great Arabian Bustard but was unsuccessful. I did get an old baboon.








I saw a lot of game. There is a large population of Elephants in the area, our vehicle was charged by an old female. We also had to make a fast retreat when a large herd of Elephants got our wind and became agitated. To discourage a charge Idrissa and Yempabou lit a patch of dry grass/ reeds between us and the Elephants as we backed off.

A few of my afternoons were spent under the shade of large trees by one or another waterholes and I got a chance to photograph a lot of animals as they came to drink.

Aziz

Congratulations on getting your lion!

Not that the other trophies are not nice, but I know how much you wanted the lion.

Great report as well!

Aziz, simply Awesome. Thanks for sharing the story and picts. The memory of that lion will remain with you always--Congratulations.

Aziz,

Congratulations on a FANTASTIC battle scarred lion. The skull looks very large, did you get a chance to measure it?

Aziz

Doesn't seem that long ago we were reading last year's report on the near miss with lion. It is fantastic you went back and got your lion, especially in such an authentic manner.

He is a brute- a terrific trophy. Don't let too much time pass before you post photos of him in your trophy room!

Great report, I really found it interesting.

Tremendous!!! Wonderful hunt and a true trophy.

One heck of a fine hunt!! That ole boy looks like he's a fan of Mr. T and his mohawk.

I agree with Kathi, that skull looks huge in your hands. I couldn't imagine something like that slipping into your tent at night with you being the main course for dinner. Kinda an erie feeling after seeing that skull and teeth!

Congrats!!

That is a super lion.
A 'real' hunt.
Well done!

Fantastic trophies and experience Aziz. Congratulations.

Congratulations! Very nice photos, it looks like a very wild area.

congratulation aziz once again u did it,nice thrilling story,best wishes

Congratulations on a true fair chase lion hunt. It sounds like your PH was an excellent hunter. Your other trophies are also nice with a lot of character.

As usual, you consistently take some of the most interesting hunts on this forum. Thanks for the report. Will you return to Burkina Faso or somewhere else next time?

Great West African lion - what a tough old brute he was!

And great report, too. Congratulations, Aziz! Well done!

Thanks for the great story and pictures.

I would like to see the English version of their website added to. I can't read French so I don't have any idea what their costs and details are. The English version doesn't say much.

Thanks for the fantasic report of your great hunt. I was sitting on the edge of my chair while reading it.

JPK

Congratulations on your lion Aziz! He looks like the big male we jumped while tracking the Lord Derby in Cameroon. A lion on foot is a great accomplishment.

So ends another exciting and interesting hunt...where to next?

Yukon, you can translate the French version of the webpage using http://babelfish.altavista.com/ but I do not think it contains the detail that you are looking for.

Thank you all, Kathi I did not get a chance to measure the skull, but it is impressive.

Bill & Yukon I will be in Bulgaria in September to hunt free range Red deer during the rut.

Aziz

Aziz

Once again you have out done yourself. I look foward to your posts. Incredible

Aziz, what a fantastic account of your lion hunt.. A life time of memories...

Mike

An excellent story of a great adventure. Congratulations.

Aziz, Congrats on the real deal.

Aziz Sahib, Congratulations on a great hunt and thank you for the excellent report.

It is very rewarding when it all ends well but I know how it feels when you track a wounded lion. I am glad that you and your party remained safe.

Very nice pictures and well-told story. Thank you!

Congratulations on getting a great Lion Aziz! As always, I enjoyed reading your report. I hope you will post your other animal pics, I can imagine how good they are.
Good hunting,
David

Great story, very fine trophies. I only hope to hunt lion some day and your story has added to my day dreams.

Aziz - Congratulations on your lion!

Beatiful trophies and, as always, a wonderful report. I'm envious!
Dave

Well done. Great report and pictures.

The second time to Burkina was a charm! Congratulations on a fine fair-chase lion Aziz. That warthog is a monster for western Africa also... well-done.

Aziz,
Congratulations on a terrific hunt. That is the way to hunt lion. Good shooting and a wonderful report. Kudude

Congratulations Aziz. You took the king the way it should be done.

souds like a great hunt and a very well told report. congradulations!

Aziz, Congratulations!!Great report on a super hunt!! I sent you an e-mail but I guess your e-mail has changed. Send me an e-mail so we can visit. This is from Mark in Amarillo. My e-mail is still the same mark@panhandlesbest.com Take care!! Mark.

Hi Aziz
Sorry, I overlooked Your post. I didn’t know that your safari was yet complete. Fortunately Toufic called me to know about my coming at the Game Fair in Chambord next week.
Congratulations, it was a real genuine fair chase (in Burkina, now way to proceed otherwise) with an arduous quest before full achievement. You made it even more thrilling with having to track and finish a pissed lion. Even better.
Touffic was full of praises and really happy with Your success. He explained me that he is always reluctant to let somebody shoot a lion, the hunter has to be over the norm. His quota is not big and he has to take in account the blunders of neighbouring areas that often mistakenly shoot a lioness, this way depleting the common pool, what leads him to voluntarily reduce his lion quota. Then one has to pick only lions on their own, killing the leader of a pride would result in all the cubs killed by the next male taking over the females. Not easy.
I am also happy to see again the scrub and the landscape of this fine territory. The stalking of dry river beds for lion brings back nice memories.
Thanks for so nice a report, and good luck in Bulgaria, the land of the biggest red stags.

Thank you jb, you made it all possible by introducing me to Toufic. It was a great hunt, and Toufic is such a delightful person.

Best regards
Aziz

Congratulations on a fantastic hunt and great trophies.

Congratulations on the lion, is very nice
Does it use your calibre?. It should be exciting a safari, I enjoy your experiences, which is not enough. Thank you.

Oscar.

Aziz,
great hunt. Burkina is a very interesting place. Did you have seen many buffaloes and roan?