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Hunting in Ethiopia: - Lion Hunting and Sable Hunting, Africa |
| Ethiopia
| Mountain Nyala in Ethiopia | Professional
Hunting and Tours in Africa |
| Information
on Ethiopia, Africa |
Ethiopia,
the oldest independent nation in Africa, is strategically
located in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia is a land of spectacular
natural beauty, covering an area twice the size of Kenya,
France, or Texas. The proximity of Ethiopia to the Middle
East and Europe, as well as its easy approach to the major
ports of the region, boosts its international trade.
Ethiopia is spread across
an area of approximately 1.14 million square kilometers. Due
to the influence of high altitude, the central highlands,
where the majority of Ethiopian people live, usually enjoy
temperate and pleasant climate, with average temperatures
below 20 degrees centigrade.
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Map
of Ethiopia, Africa |
Ethiopia
receives a moderate rainfall at approximately 850mm with the
rainfall occurring in two distinct seasons, during February
and March and from June to September. |
Nile
River of Ethiopia, Africa |
Ethiopia has a rich diversity of culture and
geography that fascinates the visitors. The attractions
of Ethiopia are of world fame, and its development as
the leading tourist destination in North East Africa
has opened up Ethiopia to a new generation of tourists.
Ethiopia is a land of rugged mountains, with around
25 mountains being over 4,000 meters high, broad savannah,
lakes, and rivers.
The
unique Rift Valley is an amazing region of volcanic
lakes, with their famous collections of bird life, great
escarpments, and stunning vistas. Tissisat, the Blue
Nile Falls, is one of the greatest natural sights in
Africa today. After the rainfall, Ethiopia is a land
adorned with flowers and many more native plants than
most countries in Africa. |
Ethiopia with its 14 major wildlife reserves provides
a microcosm of the entire sub-Saharan ecosystem. Bird
life flourishes and indigenous animals from the rare Walia
ibex to the shy wild ass, roam freely. |
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| Information
on Mountain Nyala, Ethiopia |
One
of the most indigenous animal of Ethiopia is Mountain Nyala,
famous among the hunters all over the world, Ethiopia is also
known as meccah for hunting mountain nyala.
The mountain nyala, a kudu-like
antelope, is definately one of the main attraction of hunting
in Ethiopia. Mountain nyala weighs up to 300 kg and is found
in highland forest and heathland, between 3000 - 4200 m. The
lower reaches of the mountains, around 3000 m in the ecotone
between the lower edge of the Juniper/Hagenia woodlands and
the riverine grasslands are preferred over the upper, less
vegetated areas. Mountain
nyala mainly feeds on herbs and shrubs and occasionally on
grass, lichens, leaves, and ferns in the evening and early
morning.
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Hunting
Mountain Nyala in Ethiopia |
Ethiopia-
Mt. Nyala hunt safari tour |
Mountain
Nyala generally can be seen in groups of up to 15 individuals
and sometimes can also be seen alone. Mountain nyalas are
fond of thick riverine bush and graze all through the day
and night. They are very sensitive to weather conditions and
any form of unnatural disturbance or presence.
Mt.
Nyala safaris are conducted in both the Arusi Mountains and
the Bale Mountains at altitudes anywhere from 6,000 to 11,000
feet. It’s forest hunting and is a cross between a sheep
hunt and a “vertical” bongo hunt. The concessions
are located in Bale Province, just southeast of Goba and Bale
National Park which is a nine hour drive southeast of Addis
Ababa and the Din Din mountains which are a 6 hour drive from
Addis. It is possible to charter flights from Addis to within
an hour drive of the Bale camp. The tented camps have running
water (both hot and cold), indoor toilets and showers. Demerow
begins at 6,000 feet and goes up to 7,500 feet. Odo Bulo,
which is the adjacent area, goes all the way up to 11,000
feet. The Din Din region also gets as high as 11,500 feet
as well. Mtn. Nyala is the main species hunted here and a
very wealthy population of Menelik’s bushbuck is also
present. The hunting is conducted by horseback and often spike
camps are used.
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The
thick forest means normally shots are less than 200
yards: however, one must be prepared for the possibility
of a longer cross canyon shot in excess of 350 yards.
Mornings are often damp and there is always the possibility
of rain. Good rain gear helps keep one dry from early
morning dew and since temperatures can be in the upper
30’s in the mornings and 80 by noon, layering
is the answer to all day comfort. Other species found
in the area besides Mtn. Nyala and Menelik’s bushbuck
included spotted hyena, Abyssinian Bohor Reedbuck, East
African Bush Duiker, Klipspringer, Leopard, Giant Forest
Hog and Colobus monkey.
We have clients use everything from the .270 Win to
the .375 H&H. Here too, premium bullets are a must.
Any rifle and caliber that you would be comfortable
with hunting elk would be suitable for Mtn. Nyala. Mtn.
Nyala hunting is getting up before daybreak and trying
to be at a good promontory for glassing. If, after a
few days in the area close enough to stay at the main
camp no suitable bull has been seen, we start fly camping
at further extremities. The concessions cover 2000 sq.
kilometers so there are areas that we will never see.
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Ethiopian Mountain Nyala |
| Female
mountain nyalas confine their movements to about 5 sq
km during the rainy season. Male mountain nyalas take
up a range of up to 20 sq km. The mountain nyala can attain
a density of over 20-individuals/sq km in Bale National
Park. |
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| Information
on Professional Hunting Tours, Ethiopia |
Professional Hunting Tours - Mountain Nyala, Ethiopia |
Mountain
nyalas are usually hunted in the early morning and late afternoons
when they move into clearings. Hunting mountain nyalas
is a very challenging prospect for hunters when hunted on
foot and the hunter should spend time patiently by completely
searching an area before moving on as they are very well camouflaged.
Mountain
nyalas are soft animals and when wounded will not travel too
far. It is best to leave wounded mountain nyalas for a while
before following, preferably overnight. Wounded mountain nyalas
are usually found dead the next day not far off. A good-sized
male mountain nyala will have a distinct bell shaped set of
horns, with the tips being ivory and flaring outwards. Nowadays,
on a usual 10-day safari, a 25-inch bull is a good hunt, with
28 and upwards being an exceptional trophy |
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| Click
below to visit the official site for Swanepoel and Scandrol Safaris, a team
of professional hunters, providing hunting tours in South Africa. |
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