SENEGAL: Falémé's Inferno

[DieJager]

Wish you the best on your last day

That last day was a couple of months ago .

I will try to write the next and final installments tomorrow. Sorry for keeping everybody hanging.

 

[DieJager]

Day 12 - The Final Hunting Day

27/03/26

Today is the last day. Is this going to be the day? I swing back and forth between hope and resignation. After the now familiar omelette, we set off on the long, bumpy drive to the area where it all has to happen. Do or die.

We walked and walked. There were plenty of fairly fresh koba tracks, but the dense vegetation made it extremely difficult. Then we saw a few beautiful specimens of……


……squirrels.

Yes, squirrels. That was the only game we saw all day. We tried to hunt them. Sina even attempted to crush one with a large rock, but we failed at that too. Defeated by a bunch of squirrels. At least we could laugh about it. We had fun anyway.

Falémé — what an area. What potential for a magnificent hunting reserve, but also a big chance that it will disappear entirely (the latter unfortunately being more likely). I have grown fond of this region and its people. Despite this being my least successful hunting trip in terms of trophies, it is the one that will stay with me the most. Raw, real, Africa.

Back at camp, the two French hunters Philip and Nikolai returned from the Nafadji area where Jacques had his koba debacle the day before.

While walking through the bush they came across a confused, completely dehydrated boy of about 14 years old. They gave him water and, with the help of the local trackers, eventually managed to understand how he had ended up there — far from any villages or roads. The poor boy had walked from Guinea to Senegal on a whim, without any preparation, desperately looking for food and work. It was a miracle they found him; otherwise it would almost certainly have meant death. They called the locals, who took him to Nafadji. The Senegalese were not particularly impressed — just another part of life here.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing by the pool with a few drinks. I personally approached every member of staff — right down to the cleaning lady — to give them their tips. This was greatly appreciated. It’s worth remembering that only Europeans come here and we don’t have a strong tipping culture. However, thanks to members on the forum I’ve been infected with this “virus” and played Santa Claus, giving generous tips. I didn’t have to pay much trophy fee anyway given the modest result.

 

[DieJager]

Return Journey

28/03/26

Today was the long 10-hour drive back to Dakar with Mamadou. First came the farewells — hugs and some snacks for the road. I dozed off from time to time. We drove through the national park. On the way in it had been dark, so only now in daylight did I see the true size and vastness of the park. It’s not completely uninhabited.

Exactly halfway through the park we stopped for a short break and something to drink. Monkeys approached me, so I took some photos and videos. Mamadou warned me not to get too close with my phone or they would snatch it.

In Kaolack we had a good meal with nice air conditioning. I enjoyed a delicious shawarma and a strong cup of coffee (too strong for Mamadou). I was apparently quite the spectacle — two young children around twelve years old kept staring at me and had to be told off several times by their parents. It didn’t help much.

Once in Dakar, Mody, who was helping me with the firearms check-in, was stuck in traffic. He arrived half an hour later. The return process with firearms was absurd — I was checked six times in Dakar. From security to security, down to the basement of the airport again to take the guns out (the second time) and the ammunition too. In the end everything was fine. I was very glad I didn’t have to do it alone.

I had another bite to eat at the airport, bought some sweets and had a few beers while waiting for the night flight. The flight itself was reasonable. This time I sat next to a drunk French lady who, of course, needed to go to the toilet right when I had finally fallen into a deep sleep. Nice upgrade with better seats when you end up with a passenger like that.

Paradiso

29/03/26

In the morning we landed at Brussels Airport. There was a brief moment of panic because my ammunition was missing. Fortunately I could show that it should still be on the plane. Security and the police didn’t seem too bothered — they first checked the firearms and said I could report it missing afterwards if it didn’t turn up. Quite casual, but okay. Luckily the ammunition did appear and the officer kindly brought it to me during my check.

Then it was the drive home and being reunited with my family. That is truly returning to paradise!

---

Word of thanks

A big thank you to my family, the wonderful people of Senegal, and to you — the readers of the best forum in the world, my hunting brothers!

Feel free to ask any questions you still have. I’ll do my best to answer them. And to one question I’ll answer in advance: yes, I plan to go back, because Mission Koba is not yet complete!

 

[Frederik]

Heel erg bedankt dat we jouw avontuur in Senegal mochten meemaken.

 

[Sarg]

Return Journey

28/03/26

Today was the long 10-hour drive back to Dakar with Mamadou. First came the farewells — hugs and some snacks for the road. I dozed off from time to time. We drove through the national park. On the way in it had been dark, so only now in daylight did I see the true size and vastness of the park. It’s not completely uninhabited.

Exactly halfway through the park we stopped for a short break and something to drink. Monkeys approached me, so I took some photos and videos. Mamadou warned me not to get too close with my phone or they would snatch it.

View attachment 768286

In Kaolack we had a good meal with nice air conditioning. I enjoyed a delicious shawarma and a strong cup of coffee (too strong for Mamadou). I was apparently quite the spectacle — two young children around twelve years old kept staring at me and had to be told off several times by their parents. It didn’t help much.

Once in Dakar, Mody, who was helping me with the firearms check-in, was stuck in traffic. He arrived half an hour later. The return process with firearms was absurd — I was checked six times in Dakar. From security to security, down to the basement of the airport again to take the guns out (the second time) and the ammunition too. In the end everything was fine. I was very glad I didn’t have to do it alone.

I had another bite to eat at the airport, bought some sweets and had a few beers while waiting for the night flight. The flight itself was reasonable. This time I sat next to a drunk French lady who, of course, needed to go to the toilet right when I had finally fallen into a deep sleep. Nice upgrade with better seats when you end up with a passenger like that.

Paradiso

29/03/26

In the morning we landed at Brussels Airport. There was a brief moment of panic because my ammunition was missing. Fortunately I could show that it should still be on the plane. Security and the police didn’t seem too bothered — they first checked the firearms and said I could report it missing afterwards if it didn’t turn up. Quite casual, but okay. Luckily the ammunition did appear and the officer kindly brought it to me during my check.

Then it was the drive home and being reunited with my family. That is truly returning to paradise!

---

Word of thanks

A big thank you to my family, the wonderful people of Senegal, and to you — the readers of the best forum in the world, my hunting brothers!

Feel free to ask any questions you still have. I’ll do my best to answer them. And to one question I’ll answer in advance: yes, I plan to go back, because Mission Koba is not yet complete!

That was a wonderful write up, thank you very much for taking us along with you.

I to was headed to Senegal some years ago & before that The Gambia but things got in the way, did make it to West Africa & I apologize that I haven't done a hunt report myself but I'm not a story teller like yourself & didn't take notes to do a nice report .

Again thank you for telling your story here !

 

[DieJager]

That was a wonderful write up, thank you very much for taking us along with you.

I to was headed to Senegal some years ago & before that The Gambia but things got in the way, did make it to West Africa & I apologize that I haven't done a hunt report but I'm not a story teller like yourself & didn't take notes to do a nice report .

Again thank you for telling your story here !

Thank you was a pleasure telling it, glad you've enjoyed. The Gambia is definitely still a bucket list thing.

I write my journal during the trip and afterwards make story in my own language and then I'll let AI translate it. First trip I've made to South Africa and didn't write a journal. That makes it breaks writing a report for me.

If I'm correct you did recently take a trip to West Africa or am I mixing things up?

 

[DieJager]

Heel erg bedankt dat we jouw avontuur in Senegal mochten meemaken.

Dankjewel Frederik, of beter gezegd dankie. Jullie allen zijn mijn motivatie en inspiratie om deze avonturen te delen.

 

[Kalthoff]

Thank you for a most enjoyable hunt report.

You choose to hunt a fascinating and challenging part of Africa, despite knowing in advance that returning with a fine trophy was far from given. Your hunting spirit commands respect.

The best hunting memories does not result from the finest trophies, but from having conducted a challenging hunt in the best possible way alongside good hunting companions. On that count your trip comes across as a hunting trip of a lifetime.

 

[bwanamrm]

An interesting safari well reported. Thanks for taking time to post. Not sure if Senegal is on my list of places to go but I certainly appreciated your first-hand account of the hunting there!

 

[DieJager]

Thanks you @Kalthoff and @bwanamrm for the kind words, much appreciated!

 

[Nyati]

A great adventure, and a great report.

Such a hunt would be a bit frustrating for me, but I see you take it in stride and enjoy it.

I wish you may complete Mission Koba

 

[dchum]

will you be getting the bushbuck skull home? sorry if I missed that.

Cool report, You had a small chance for a Western Roan! you will never forget that hunt. A return seems unlikely... but maybe that moment will bring you back?

 

[375Fox]

Very unique adventure. I enjoyed the report. I could only imagine the wildlife paradise it was at one time. I think you’ll remember this adventure a long time, but I’m surprised you want to go back. I’d think the hunting will only become more difficult every year that passes.

 

[DieJager]

will you be getting the bushbuck skull home? sorry if I missed that.

Cool report, You had a small chance for a Western Roan! you will never forget that hunt. A return seems unlikely... but maybe that moment will bring you back?

Yes, I've got the skull mounted. I'll take a picture when I'm home. Only need to paint the screws white but besides that it is ready.

I'm serious considering to go back in the future, to get a trophy in those circumstances would be a great achievement. I understand the French hunters going year after year but it is not for everyone

 

[DieJager]

Very unique adventure. I enjoyed the report. I could only imagine the wildlife paradise it was at one time. I think you’ll remember this adventure a long time, but I’m surprised you want to go back. I’d think the hunting will only become more difficult every year that passes.

Yeah you're probably right there are better places and maybe the pull is because it is still fresh. But would I be happy to succeed in those circumstances.

Once it was a paradise but sadly those days are mostly gone. Lions, buffalos, a few decades ago were still roaming most of the Falémé ZIC.

 

[grand veneur]

I was very surprised to read that big game hunting is once again being possible in Senegal. I was in Senegal several times, not for hunting, but already 40 years ago, there was no longer a big game hunting activity to be found there due to the shortage of game. Until recently, Senegal was considered a destination only for bird hunters, with the occasional opportunity to shoot warthogs, but nothing else. The big and dangerous game hunting in Senegal took place a very long time ago. The majority of the current locals cannot, due to their age, remember it anymore.

 

[DieJager]

I was very surprised to read that big game hunting is once again being possible in Senegal. I was in Senegal several times, not for hunting, but already 40 years ago, there was no longer a big game hunting activity to be found there due to the shortage of game. Until recently, Senegal was considered a destination only for bird hunters, with the occasional opportunity to shoot warthogs, but nothing else. The big and dangerous game hunting in Senegal took place a very long time ago. The majority of the current locals cannot, due to their age, remember it anymore.

Not quite true, it never went away in the Southeast it never stopped and the outfitter is operating in the area since 1998. There were other operators and still is one competitor I think. In those days lion was still on quota and till today buffalo still is.

The French hunter I met shot his buffalo in 2018. Pictures still on the website from the outfitter. The locals definitely remember this and lion still very rarely cross from the National Park into the area.

The information is not hard to find on the web. So I do not know where you got your information but it is incorrect.

 

[Wheels]

Great story.

I remember the airline crew setting off insect spray bombs inside the passenger cabin while we sat on the tarmac in Senegal. Thinking I may prefer the Malaria to cancer.

I have been on that flight too. Four hours stuck on the plane in Dakar and they set of the insecticide. Last time I flew South African Airways between South Africa and America.

 

[Wheels]

You had quite the adventure. Glad you enjoyed the safari. Thanks for the write up.

 

[grand veneur]

Not quite true, it never went away in the Southeast it never stopped and the outfitter is operating in the area since 1998. There were other operators and still is one competitor I think. In those days lion was still on quota and till today buffalo still is.

The French hunter I met shot his buffalo in 2018. Pictures still on the website from the outfitter. The locals definitely remember this and lion still very rarely cross from the National Park into the area.

The information is not hard to find on the web. So I do not know where you got your information but it is incorrect.

In French, one finds only poor informations regarding big game hunting in southeastern Senegal. All French outfitters primarily advertise small game and warthog hunting in Sénégal, mentioning only in passing the possibility of hunting big game in the Falémé region, under some generic designation Initiation a la grande chasse. You have experienced firsthand what that is in practice.