Lefol Expelled from SCI

[DieJager]

I'm not triggered but multiple people are conveying this message throughout this thread. I can only see one person questioning the authenticity so either I'm missing something or is this brought up earlier on another thread?

 

[TheGrayRider]

Thanks for the information and update. I spoke extensively with Lefol Safaris/Kewin several years ago at the DSC Convention in Dallas about a bongo hunt in the CAR. His father was still alive at that time. Something didn’t seem right with the situation and with the vague answers I was receiving…

I ended up contracting with NOA and had a successful bongo/forest sitatunga hunt in 2024 in Cameroon. Notably, all of my trophies arrived in the USA in less than 7 months, I believe. I am returning with NOA to Cameroon in 2/28 for LDE.

Sorry to hear about your problems with Lefol Safaris and those French hunters.

Good luck in the future and happy hunting to all, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[Sarg]

Greetings, all,

Don't be fooled by any Lefol safari offers.

His father (who worked tirelessly) with his mother to build a great concession passed away years ago. Kewin (Kevin) took over, but, per the attached notice he was expelled from SCI per the April, 2026 issue from SCI.

He had us drinking/brushing our teeth with water from a barrel of caught rain water and didn't furnish bottled or other safe water even after I informed him of my concern. He put me in a hotel without notice or permission that was different than the one I picked and he had supposedly arranged. The one he picked had a 220v outlet right in the shower with cracked tiles all around it. In the middle of Bangi vs, the surrounding area with the beautiful one I picked. He couldn't export my trophies probably due to him not acquiring the proper authorizations & licenses before my safari, at least two other hunters were cheated too. Over months on contacts with him I heard every excuse and some outright lies about me getting my trophies. One time he had some supposed "agent" contact me about shipping details he was needing. I was told my, "critters were at the airport"-whatever. Another example is when I asked for documentation that my trophies were authorized to ship. He just sent a listing of my animals-no governmental stamps or anything "official" on them.

Andrew Goodwin, PH of SA booked hunts there as a PH too. I don't know what all he was aware of, or complicit, and if his hunters received their trophies.

It was supposed to be just me in camp, but three other people were in camp, they were from France as is Lefol. During meals they just all spoke French so I couldn't understand anything even though they all speak English-pretty rude, I think. Expressing my frustration to Lefol resulted in no change in that. I got 5 animals, but not a Bongo which is always a target animal in C.A.R. To me, he seems very immature. He is now working for

His father built a great concession in C.A.R. but it's not been sold to an excellent safari company. It is managed by Arnaud Mermet, owner of Ganam Safaris.

Anyway, you get the idea. Good luck in C.A.R with Ganam Safaris

Mike


View attachment 758230

Thank you for letting us know.

Did you have a good hunt otherwise, what animals did you actually shoot, could we see pictures ?

Love seeing animals from those far off places.

I lost my Muskox trophy was lied to & cheated by the booking agent, great pity as it was a very nice looking Bull.

 

[Mike Nicholas]

Honestly when I read your post, I thought you had just copy and pasted from the article giving everyone a heads up. Sorry you had a poor experience.

But I am surprised that one complaint can get you ejected.

No worries. Thanks for getting back.

Damm thats terrible, especially on an expensive hunt

Is he Alain's son?

 

[Mike Nicholas]

"His father (who worked tirelessly) with his mother". It was his father.

 

[Mike Nicholas]

Thank you for letting us know.

Did you have a good hunt otherwise, what animals did you actually shoot, could we see pictures ?

Love seeing animals from those far off places.

I lost my Muskox trophy was lied to & cheated by the booking agent, great pity as it was a very nice looking Bull.

I should've gotten a rare Yellow-Back that the guys all said was within 10 yards for a few, but I couldn't see in the think almost jungle place he was at.

 

[dchum]

I should've gotten a rare Yellow-Back that the guys all said was within 10 yards for a few, but I couldn't see in the think almost jungle place he was at.

My gosh, what a true giant Forrest hog

 

[Ridge Runner]

Those are some nice animals. It's a shame you are not able to get those trophies home.

 

[Kharn]

Unfortunately we need hunters to suffer in order to expose these scenarios, solely to maintain the most professional quality possible, the hunter always loses out in these scenarios but simultaneously exposes & warns the rest of us.

Lefol safari - "Kevin Lefol"

 

[Shakka]

Again, I ask, is Kevin Alain's son?

 

[dchum]

Again, I ask, is Kevin Alain's son?

Yes.

 

[deewayne2003]

Unfortunately we need hunters to suffer in order to expose these scenarios, solely to maintain the most professional quality possible, the hunter always loses out in these scenarios but simultaneously exposes & warns the rest of us.

Lefol safari - "Kevin Lefol"
View attachment 758333

I’m sorry but I can’t take a grown ass man that goes hunting with a mustache like that seriously.

Honestly he looks like he should be wearing a top hat and tying a woman to railroad tracks in a silent film!

 

[dchum]

Huh?

I was responding to a different user.

Somehow @Kharn thinks that Arnoud and Ganam are involved in your unfortunate hunt.

I was explaining to him that is not the case.

Only that Ganam is now taking over the concession since Kewin is done.

 

[Mike Nicholas]

Ah yes, so it’s you not understanding,

Lefol is now out of business and no longer conducting hunts there. He gave up his concession.

A new operator who is COMPLETELY not related or in business with Lefol will now be operating in the concession. This new operator is well respected in Tanzania.

That is good news.

“Buts its now been sold to an EXCELLENT safari company … Ganam”
- says op.

Does that make sense now? Or still want to double down?

** I know there are lots of members on here in which English is their second or third language. So if you are one I apologize. Would make sense how you could be confused.

I can report that the Lefol concession HAS been to a private investor, but that Ganam operates the old Lefol concession for that private investor-I know who it is, but can't expose his name because he desires to remain unnamed. He is defiitely not related in any way to Lefol, though.

 

[Mike Nicholas]

I was respond to a different user.

Somehow @Kharn thinks that Arnoud and Ganam are involved in your unfortunate hunt.

I was explaining to him that is not the case.

Only that Ganam is now taking over the concession since Kewin is done.

You are correct, sir.

 

[Mike Nicholas]

View attachment 758396

CRAP, I meant now been sold vs not been sold to an excellent company. I appologize for, well, I'm 70 and can't type good anyway.

 

[Mike Nicholas]

My gosh, what a true giant Forrest hog

I think the Sing Sing waterbuck would rate even higher in the record books though. I love that Blue Duiker.

I'm not triggered but multiple people are conveying this message throughout this thread. I can only see one person questioning the authenticity so either I'm missing something or is this brought up earlier on another thread?

Jesus you’re dense.

It’s an obvious typo. Use the context of the rest of his sentence.

I can’t believe this is so hard for you to understand.

Ganam has nothing to do with the hunt.

They are taking over the concession since Kewin is no longer operating. Have nothing to do with each other. Please look at the context. Jesus man

Can anyone with half a brain please back me up…. I’m pulling hair over here.

Please be nice; we're all hunters here. Right? But, you are correct. I meant to type that it has been sold. I appologize.

 

[Mike Nicholas]

All I can do is appologize for my mistake and show respect for your efforts. Is there something else I can do?

 

[VertigoBE]

I put my antenna out with someone who is very close to the Lefol family. He confirmed 100% what the article describes. Kewin has neglected to send trophies for at least three years and never bothered to occupy himself with the operational part of Lefol Safaris. He has burned his name for good in this business and his relatives are furious with him.

That being said, a group of prominent hunters, ex-employees and others have stepped forward to try to disentangle the mess Kewin left behind and with new management and more trustworthy local people on the ground, they are still trying to get those trophies out and put the territory back on track.

Sometimes the apple does fall far from the tree. A shame what Kewin did to the hard work and decades of struggle his father went through to build up Lefol safaris.

I’m very sorry for this situation @Mike Nicholas.

V.

 

[Philip Glass]

How important of a person do you have to be to get someone kicked from SCI over one bad experience? Seems like this fella has a lot of pull

Edit: I didn’t realize OP was the hunter

Typically the SCI ethics committee will have a long list of complaints before someone is kicked out. They are very serious about bylaws being violated. It's sad when it happens but just know there was a process that was followed.