Bongo in the Congo second try

[PHOENIX PHIL]

That should be a lot of fun. I wonder who he is hunting with?
Bruce

Im pretty sure he's with Jaques @JKO HUNTING SAFARIS

He will be hunting with Jacques but in Cameroon.

 

[RESERVE RANCH]

Good luck Bruce, waiting with bated breath!

 

[Beck]

Omg!!!! I couldn't be more excited about this hunt report.

 

[sniper7]

Very excited to see this story progress! Safe travels

 

[dchum]

Wow good luck!

Your sitatunga from last trip was just out of this world!
I can’t wait to hear what you and Christophe get up to to this time.

 

[jacques smith]

Very best of luck to you. I applaud your going back. Jacques

 

[ChasingHemingway]

Following with excitement

 

[LWPhunt]

Thanks for being willing to share. That animal is so unique and it's location, quite exotic, it maybe living vicariously thru you, but shoot straight and we keep our fingers crossed for you.

 

[Adipose]

Best of luck to you, I hope you have a great and safe hunt. I am anxious to see your hunt photos and read the report. Great job and congratulations on getting in better shape for the hunt. The older we get the harder that is..

 

[LWood]

Good luck!

 

[SteveT]

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

Good luck!

 

[Andrew62]

Hey Bruce, I wish you the best of luck on your hunt! I had to make 2 trips to get my bongo too! I'm looking forward to your successful hunt report!!

 

[Fatback]

Wishing you safe travels and the best of luck on your hunt. Apprecite you taking the time to share with us here. Looking forward to reading all about it.

 

[Hunt anything]

@gillettehunter , are you stuck in Atlanta? Friend of mine flight to Johannesburg was canceled last night and was rebooked on a flight to Paris tonight. Just got a text from him and said that there is an emergency at the airport.
Hopefully your flight was earlier and you have smooth travels and hot hunt!
Good luck!
H. A.

 

[BryceM]

Visited the Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian today. The bongo there sure is pretty. Best of luck!

 

[gillettehunter]

@gillettehunter , are you stuck in Atlanta? Friend of mine flight to Johannesburg was canceled last night and was rebooked on a flight to Paris tonight. Just got a text from him and said that there is an emergency at the airport.
Hopefully your flight was earlier and you have smooth travels and hot hunt!
Good luck!
H. A.

My flight was at 3:43 and I got out on time. Had a small snaffu with my ticket out of Paris. Wouldn’t pull up a QR code on the ap. Said it needed required information, but the fields for that were not available. Luckily the Delta help center was close by my first check area. About a 25 minute wait to get a paper boarding pass.
Security never likes my replacement hips and knees. Had to even take off my shoes for a foot search…..
Another 2 hrs until takeoff. Then an 8 1/2 hr flight and I’ll be in Brazzaville. Then off to the hotel for dinner and bed.
Bruce

 

[DieJager]

Watching this thread with great interest. Hell of an adventure. Waidmannsheil!

 

[Hunting Hitman]

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

Best of luck on your Bongo hunt! I look forward to reading your report.

HH

 

[Fordy]

Gday Gillettehunter
Wishing you the best of luck & looking forward to hearing more on your journey as it goes

Cheers

 

[AZDAVE]

Safe travels. Getting in shape and dropping weight takes diligence and hard work. Nice work.

May the hunting gods smile on you for your hunt.