During 2005, I had a few conversations with a fellow falconer about their attempts to obtain a particular type and subspecies of falcon from West Africa. At that time, I told him he'd be best served to go over and get them himself. Barring that possibility, I volunteered to go myself. But sound advice often falls on deaf ears, especially when those ears have never been to West Africa, and so they elected instead to send more money to other people there in West Africa. For my part, I simply shrugged my shoulders and went on to travel to Europe and Morocco that summer.
The following spring, a couple of considerable sums lighter in pocketbook from lies about birds in hand, the subsequent wasted quarantine deposits, and actual cash sent to what may as well have been Nigerian scammers, the threat of Avian Flu loomed on the horizon, with the potential of shutting down all of the African continent. If Avian Flu were to catch hold in Africa, it was reasonably feared that it would be well over a decade before bureaucrats allowed birds to be brought in from Africa. After a couple weeks of trepidation, they decided to take me up on my offer to go to Guinea (Conakry) to obtain these unseen beasties. What ensued was nothing short of an adventure which spanned over 20,000 miles in four countries, included illegal border crossings, dull-witted Barney Fife types pointing loaded pistols at me, threats of Malaria and Cholera, all the joys and pains of travel in a 3rd World country, and one of the best, most invigorating, addictive adventures of my life. Though some aspects will not be specifically revealed, what you find in these pages is the general gist of it all, an adventure now shared with you, good and gentle reader.
What was said to be the Last Great Falcon Safari has, it turns out, become the first of the great falcon safaris for the new century. Insha'Allah (God willing,) you'll find future escapades chronicled here as well. It turns out that the very same red earth which coated and dyed my hair and skin has seeped down into my soul as well. I am forever, indelibly and irretreivably part African now. Future safaris are in the works even now.
I hope you enjoy sharing the ride, and that you'll join in future expeditions, either as a participant, a sponsor, or as a spectator, you'll be most welcome.
J.T.