La Montefeltro’s serene hills, nestled in the Rivergaro hunting reserve, are a place where stories of friendship and shared passions come to life. Here, among tales of past hunts and maps of distant lands, Mario and Luca Bogarelli gathered to plan a journey they would remember for a lifetime: hunting the elusive bongo, the majestic ruler of Africa’s rainforest.
Seated around a table, with the scent of damp earth filling the air, they discussed every detail—from the route to the remote Cameroonian forest to the essential gear needed for such a monumental endeavor. With the dream of an epic adventure in their eyes, the two friends made a pact: to journey together into the wild heart of Africa.
The Beginning of the Adventure
Their adventure began with the thrill of a dream coming true. After an intercontinental flight brought them to Douala, a vibrant city where African chaos blends with contagious energy, Mario and Luca took their first steps into the journey. The bustling streets filled with market stalls, the vivid colors of local fabrics, and the warmth of the people offered a glimpse into the continent they were about to explore in depth.
From Douala, a small plane carried them southward, soaring over an endless green carpet interrupted only by winding rivers and scattered villages. Here, modernity gave way to primordial nature. Upon landing on a dirt airstrip, they transitioned to off-road vehicles, traveling for hours along dusty roads, passing through villages where children ran alongside their convoy and time seemed to flow at a slower pace. Along the way, they encountered men and women carrying baskets brimming with exotic fruits, tropical birds soaring above the tree canopies, and a way of life perfectly in harmony with the environment.
Finally, their journey led them to an operational base nestled in the heart of the rainforest—a simple yet welcoming camp where the distant roar of lions and the songs of nocturnal birds reminded them they were truly in the wild heart of Africa.
What to Pack for Such an Expedition
Preparing for such a journey was no simple task. Mario and Luca understood that success hinged on attention to every detail. Among the essentials they packed:
- Technical Clothing: Lightweight, breathable, and durable fabrics essential for enduring the jungle’s stifling heat and humidity.
- Waterproof Boots: A must for navigating dense undergrowth, streams, and muddy terrain.
- A Wide-Brim Hat and Polarized Sunglasses: To shield against the sun and pesky insects.
- Hunting Gear: A perfectly calibrated rifle, appropriate ammunition, and high-definition binoculars to spot the bongo hidden among the foliage.
- Survival tools: compass, a multi-tool knife, a flashlight, and a first aid kit: indispensable for navigation, handling unexpected situations, and ensuring safety during exploration.
- Insect repellents: essential to keep mosquitoes and other bothersome insects at bay.
- Food supplies: energy snacks to sustain long hunting days.
Each item served a specific purpose and was an essential part of preparing for the unknown. “There’s no room for mistakes in the forest,” said Mario, emphasizing the importance of being ready for anything.
The Hunt for the Bongo: An Experience of Poetry and Tension
The Bongo, with its majestic beauty and elusive nature, is among the most sought-after animals for hunters worldwide. Its bright orange coat, adorned with white stripes, makes it nearly invisible in the dense forest vegetation. Moving silently like a shadow, the Bongo’s long, spiral-shaped horns, both elegant and powerful, appear sculpted to symbolize the raw strength of nature itself.
Unlike plains-dwelling antelopes such as the Kudu or Nyala, the Bongo thrives in the dense undergrowth of the rainforest. Here, it feeds on leaves, shoots, and fruits, perfectly adapting to the wild, remote environment that shields it from the outside world.
Accompanied by skilled local trackers, Mario and Luca ventured into the forest with a deep sense of respect and attentiveness. Each morning, before dawn, they set out following fresh tracks: footprints in the mud, broken branches, or markings left on trees. Every sign was an invitation to continue, a clue that brought them closer to their goal. The journey was slow and silent, interrupted only by the songs of birds and the awakening sounds of the forest.
After days of anticipation, the climactic moment finally arrived. A silhouette emerged among the foliage. The Bongo was there—majestic, with its deep eyes seeming to peer into the very soul of those who gazed upon it. Adrenaline surged through Mario and Luca as they prepared to take their shot, fully aware that they were living a singular moment—the culmination of a journey marked by sacrifice, patience, and emotion.
The Bongo: An Extraordinary Animal
From a morphological perspective, the Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) is one of the largest and most spectacular antelopes. Males can weigh up to 300 kilograms, standing about 120 centimeters tall at the shoulder. Its coat is unique—brilliant and striped, a perfect blend of beauty and camouflage. Bongos typically live alone or in small groups, favoring the densest parts of the forest, where the ground is damp and shadows prevail.
Unlike antelopes of the savannah, the Bongo is shy and reclusive, a true symbol of untamed nature.
The Return: A Life-Changing Experience
When Mario and Luca returned home, they brought back much more than a trophy. The journey had been a transformative experience—not merely a hunt but a profound lesson in life. The rainforest, with its secrets and allure, had taught them the value of patience and respect for nature. And the Bongo, with its mysterious elegance, would forever remain in their memories as the symbol of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
If you long for such a profound adventure, Cameroon is ready to reveal its treasures. Hunting the Bongo is not just a journey but an encounter with the untamed heart of Africa.
In Search of the Bongo: The Thrill of a Multi-Species Hunt in Cameroon’s Forests
Cameroon, with its lush rainforests and vast wilderness, is not only the ultimate destination for pursuing the majestic Bongo but also offers extraordinary opportunities to encounter two other captivating species: the forest buffalo and the sitatunga. These animals, each with unique characteristics and specific habitats, make a hunting expedition in Cameroon a comprehensive experience for those who love the outdoors, the raw beauty of nature, and the unpredictability of the hunt.
Hunting the Forest Buffalo: The Small Giant of the Jungle
The forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus), a subspecies of the African buffalo, is smaller than its savanna counterpart but no less formidable. Measuring approximately 120–150 cm at the shoulder and weighing between 250 and 320 kg, this compact yet incredibly powerful animal is a challenging opponent. Its coat is typically dark, ranging from reddish-brown to a deeper hue that intensifies with age, a coloration perfectly suited for blending into the dense forest undergrowth.
The forest buffalo lives in small groups or as a solitary animal in the most inaccessible parts of the rainforest, where the vegetation is so dense that a machete is often necessary to clear a path. Known for its unpredictable behavior and tendency to charge when threatened, it presents one of the most thrilling and dangerous challenges for a hunter.
Hunting the forest buffalo demands patience, focus, and steady nerves. Hunters often track the sound of its movements or look for fresh signs in the mud and broken vegetation. With each step, the tension builds, knowing the animal could charge suddenly, turning the hunt into a fight for survival.
The Sitatunga: Phantom of the Swamps
The sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii), also known as the water antelope, is one of the most elusive and captivating creatures of the African forest. This stunning herbivore is perfectly adapted to swampy and marshy environments, where it spends most of its life. It is characterized by a sleek body and a reddish-brown coat in juveniles, which turns gray-brown in adult males. Its appearance is further enhanced by white stripes along its back and long, spiraling horns in males, which can reach lengths of up to 90 cm.
The sitatunga is a true escape artist, blending seamlessly into its surroundings. It thrives among reeds, tall grasses, and swamps, moving silently on its long, narrow hooves, perfectly adapted to walking on muddy and unstable terrain. Primarily active during twilight and nighttime hours, it spends the day hidden within the vegetation.
Hunting the sitatunga is as fascinating as it is challenging. It requires venturing deep into its habitat, often crossing waterways and muddy areas. Every movement must be slow and calculated to avoid startling the animal, which vanishes instantly at the slightest hint of an unfamiliar presence. Spotting a sitatunga is a magical moment; its eyes seem to hold the mysteries of the forest.
An Unforgettable Hunting Experience
Combining the pursuit of the bongo with that of the forest buffalo and sitatunga offers a complete hunting adventure, testing every skill a hunter possesses—from the physical endurance needed to navigate the undergrowth to the patience and precision required to track and wait for the perfect shot.
- The Bongo embodies the silent challenge of encountering a majestic and elusive creature.
- The Forest Buffalo symbolizes the raw confrontation with an animal that combines power and unpredictability.
Together, these hunts provide a profound connection to the wild, where each moment demands respect for nature’s beauty and ferocity.
The sitatunga embodies the delicate beauty of a complex ecosystem, where every step must be thoughtful and deliberate.
Venturing into Cameroon’s forests is more than just a hunting expedition—it’s an immersion into the heart of untamed nature. Here, time seems to stand still, and every sound tells a story. It’s an experience that fosters a deep connection to the land, instilling a profound respect for the animals and the environment that sustains them.
If you’re ready to test your skills and embrace unparalleled emotions, Cameroon awaits with its challenges and the untamed allure of its forest. Hunting the bongo, forest buffalo, and sitatunga is not just a test of ability—it’s a journey into the soul of Africa.
