gillettehunter
AH ambassador
Or will it be bungle in the jungle??
Many of you will remember my report on my trip to the republic of the Congo 20 months ago. My hunt had been pushed back to the end of the season. I was extremely fortunate to take an exceptional Forest Sitatunga, but not a Bongo. I was offered a reduced price hunt so I’m headed back. This time I hope to catch the rains better. I also will be early in the season so hopefully the Bongo haven’t been hit as hard as last time.
Also, Congo Forest Safaris has opened up a new section that produced very well for them last year. The hunter just leaving has been hunting Sitatunga and they have seen some Bongo so it looks good for success on this trip.
Yesterday I drove from Gillette to Denver. It’s strange but that 6 hr drive often saves $800-1200 on airfare. Spent the night with family. I say night loosely as I was up at 2:30 am for a 3 am uber to the airport.
Both delta and my booking agent suggested arriving 3 hrs early. 6am flight. I was fairly certain no one would be there that early. My Uber was 5 minutes early and I was at DIA at about 3:30. Got my luggage tag and waited until 3:50 for staff. So the normal 2 hrs ahead for international flights would have been fine. No rifle this trip. Can’t readily bring one into the Congo.
I will note that getting a Visa is a bit of a pain. You have to send your passport along with a letter of invitation, a document showing where you’ll be staying, and I think a copy of your yellow fever vaccination certificate. Plus, I think, $120 as well as a return label to get your passport back. Goes to the DC area. I used Fed-Ex and that worked fine. Both times they have gotten my passport with visa back quickly. Just a matter of having the correct paperwork.
Denver to Atlanta went fine. I’m currently sitting in Atlanta awaiting a flight to Paris. 3 1/2 hrs there and then on to Brazzaville via Kinshasa. Depending on camp WIFI I’ll try to update this daily.
If we’re running a Bongo with the dogs a day might get skipped along the way. I worked on preparing for that part of the hunt better than last time. I’ve lost over 20 lbs and spent a bit of time climbing a hill in my backyard. Last trip I was between hip replacements. One on each side and frankly I wasn’t in the best of shape. Overall I’m a lot better than last time. Hopefully pays off.
Bruce
Many of you will remember my report on my trip to the republic of the Congo 20 months ago. My hunt had been pushed back to the end of the season. I was extremely fortunate to take an exceptional Forest Sitatunga, but not a Bongo. I was offered a reduced price hunt so I’m headed back. This time I hope to catch the rains better. I also will be early in the season so hopefully the Bongo haven’t been hit as hard as last time.
Also, Congo Forest Safaris has opened up a new section that produced very well for them last year. The hunter just leaving has been hunting Sitatunga and they have seen some Bongo so it looks good for success on this trip.
Yesterday I drove from Gillette to Denver. It’s strange but that 6 hr drive often saves $800-1200 on airfare. Spent the night with family. I say night loosely as I was up at 2:30 am for a 3 am uber to the airport.
Both delta and my booking agent suggested arriving 3 hrs early. 6am flight. I was fairly certain no one would be there that early. My Uber was 5 minutes early and I was at DIA at about 3:30. Got my luggage tag and waited until 3:50 for staff. So the normal 2 hrs ahead for international flights would have been fine. No rifle this trip. Can’t readily bring one into the Congo.
I will note that getting a Visa is a bit of a pain. You have to send your passport along with a letter of invitation, a document showing where you’ll be staying, and I think a copy of your yellow fever vaccination certificate. Plus, I think, $120 as well as a return label to get your passport back. Goes to the DC area. I used Fed-Ex and that worked fine. Both times they have gotten my passport with visa back quickly. Just a matter of having the correct paperwork.
Denver to Atlanta went fine. I’m currently sitting in Atlanta awaiting a flight to Paris. 3 1/2 hrs there and then on to Brazzaville via Kinshasa. Depending on camp WIFI I’ll try to update this daily.
If we’re running a Bongo with the dogs a day might get skipped along the way. I worked on preparing for that part of the hunt better than last time. I’ve lost over 20 lbs and spent a bit of time climbing a hill in my backyard. Last trip I was between hip replacements. One on each side and frankly I wasn’t in the best of shape. Overall I’m a lot better than last time. Hopefully pays off.
Bruce
