I am exploring options for a bongo hunt for spring of 2024. I am open to other ideas as well but am focused on conservation and adventure!

[Jerycmeach]

I am new to africa hunting with three safaris under my belt in the last 22 months. I am a full time outfitter in Alaska and Kansas. Well I should say I WAS a guide and outfitter fie the last 32 years in Alaska but COVID changed all that and I have sold my Alaska guide business. The COVID shutdown is what caused me to head to Africa and now it has become my passion. I have done a full bag safari in Tanzanias Rungwa, a Kalahari plains game and leopard with hounds in Botswana, and this past April an elephant near the Okavangoo. I am looking for another opportunity and Bongo is heavy on my mind. With that said if there is a hunt that you think may be of interest to me please don’t hesitate to describe it. I am passionate about the benefits hunting brings by finding conservation and the adventure side of the hunt. Thanks

 

[sestoppelman]

I would hardly consider you to be "new to African hunting".

 

[Rem280]

@LEFOL SAFARIS offers bongo and Faro East LDE on here. I was more interested in Giant Forest Hogs when looking.

 

[DLSJR]

There are several excellent operators here, as already mentioned. I’d like to hunt with Kewin Lefol someday, but the CAR has to calm down more before I’d consider hunting there.

I’m booked to hunt early May of ‘25 with Christophe Morio of Congo Forest Safaris. I may be wrong but my sense is that the Congo side of the Ngoko River sees less pressure than the Cameroon side. Plus, I’ve wanted to hunt with Christophe Morio for quite a while.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

When you say spring of 2024, are you talking about spring in the northern hemisphere or southern hemisphere?

Congo, Cameroon or CAR are some of your options. Bongo is indeed a beautiful animal. Every photo I think I have ever seen of a successful bongo hunter showed everyone soaking wet from sweat and humidity. Looks to be one of the tougher hunts.

 

[BnC 04]

@LEFOL SAFARIS would be a great starting point.

 

[R.M.C.]

I would contact Lefol, they are sponsors here. Bongo and giant forest pig is one of my many dream hunts, good luck with your research!!

 

[Fatback]

Bongo is certainly a worthy animal to pursue. Following the Pygmy’s and their dogs in the rain forrest would be a tremendous adventure. You might also want to look into Lord Derby Eland. Spending time tracking them for miles and miles sounds like a great time as well. That is one that I hopefully get to hunt one day. Best of luck in whichever you decide to pursue.

 

[375Fox]

You can contact Mayo Oldiri in Cameroon. They have very good PHs working for them and have very high success. It’s also only country you can bring your own rifle.
I think you may be disappointed however in the conservation aspect. I’m told rain forest is nearly impossible to do anti poaching because poachers are invisible as soon as they leave the road and the game isn’t concentrated near water like in dry areas. Also the local trackers are hunters (poachers) themselves, difficult to stop them in the off season. I’m told most of the snares are for duikers but you may find several of these small snares on a bongo that have got caught and broken. I believe the Congo side is under less pressure.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Jerry, I want to read this hunt report when you get it done. Bongo hunting can be a grind in that jungle, but you'll do just fine.
Good luck with your research.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

You might also want to consider Mountain Nyala on horseback for something a little different and in an area that has a little less conflict at the moment.

Bongo is on my bucket list, as is Mountain Nyala though. Not sure which I’d pick first.

 

[Andrew62]

Having taken 2 Bongo hunts in Cameroon, I can assure you it is a great adventure!! So much to see and experience. I loved seeing the silverback gorillas!!

 

[WAB]

LDE has already been mentioned. That is a much more appealing hunt to me than Bongo.

 

[LEFOL SAFARIS]

Hello,

We can do a bongo hunt with no problem and if you like adventure we are probably one of the best place in Africa. Our area is very remote.

 

[LEFOL SAFARIS]

If you want to bring to a step further in the adventure.

Hunt In Central African Republic C.A.R. By Foot With LEFOL SAFARIS

Hello everyone, One of my post I was talking about a special hunt only made by foot and fly camp (old style) Here the quote for 2025 Only 2 spots available February to early April 19 days 25'500€ 26 days 32'500€ Include: -assistance at Bangui Airport -all accommodation in the area...

www.africahunting.com

 

[Jerycmeach]

Jerry, I want to read this hunt report when you get it done. Bongo hunting can be a grind in that jungle, but you'll do just fine.
Good luck with your research.

Thanks so much for your interest! I’m trying to find a hunt to dream of for next year!

 

[Jerycmeach]

There are several excellent operators here, as already mentioned. I’d like to hunt with Kewin Lefol someday, but the CAR has to calm down more before I’d consider hunting there.

I’m booked to hunt early May of ‘25 with Christophe Morio of Congo Forest Safaris. I may be wrong but my sense is that the Congo side of the Ngoko River sees less pressure than the Cameroon side. Plus, I’ve wanted to hunt with Christophe Morio for quite a while.

Thanks for your input! I hear very good things about them! I sent an email to them today and will see what they have to say. I had no idea there was such a wait to get a quality bingo hunting opportunity! I would be curious to know what the reason is. Is it a situation where only a very limited number of bingo are allowed to be hunted each year? I wonder what the population of bongo is like?

 

[Jerycmeach]

When you say spring of 2024, are you talking about spring in the northern hemisphere or southern hemisphere?

Congo, Cameroon or CAR are some of your options. Bongo is indeed a beautiful animal. Every photo I think I have ever seen of a successful bongo hunter showed everyone soaking wet from sweat and humidity. Looks to be one of the tougher hunts.

Thanks for your input. I was exploring opportunities for April through Sept of 2024. I am beginning to think that the companies are booked out well beyond that though!

 

[Jerycmeach]

I would contact Lefol, they are sponsors here. Bongo and giant forest pig is one of my many dream hunts, good luck with your research!!

Thanks for the information. Are they in the C.A.R. For their Bongo hunts I wonder? I will check. I had dismissed the central africa republic as being off limits at this time. I had talked to a member of AH who had a close call their I believe! Maybe I have my countries confused! I will check and thanks again!

 

[375Fox]

I was really impressed by this video. Looks like they cover a lot of ground to locate bongo tracks.