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Friedrich BohndorffGerman African explorer and ornithologist.
Date of Birth: 16.08.1848
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Content:
- Hermann von Bondorff: German Africa Explorer and Ornithologist
- Exploration of Sudan and Central Africa
- Accompanying Wilhelm Junker's Expedition
- Service in the Congo
- Return to Europe and Service with Hermann von Wissmann
- Later Life and Legacy
Hermann von Bondorff: German Africa Explorer and Ornithologist
Early Life and StudiesHermann von Bondorff began his career as a jeweler. However, in 1871, he embarked on a journey through Switzerland, Savoy, and Italy to Tunisia. He continued to Egypt via Malta, where he spent four years in Cairo studying Arabic.
Exploration of Sudan and Central Africa
From 1876 to 1879, Bondorff led a four-year expedition to Sudan and Central Africa. During his return journey, he was attacked and lost his valuable collections and notes.
Accompanying Wilhelm Junker's Expedition
In 1880, Bondorff joined the expedition of German-Russian explorer Wilhelm Junker. They embarked from Khartoum to explore the lands of the Mangbetu and Zande tribes, continuing the work of Georg Schweinfurth. They discovered the sources of the Uele and Aruwimi rivers.
Service in the Congo
After falling ill in 1882, Bondorff had to return. However, the Mahdi uprising blocked his path, forcing him to stay with the Dinka people in Bahr el Ghazal for over a year. From 1887, Bondorff served as a governor in the Congo. He crossed Africa from west to east with Oscar Lenz and Oscar Baumann.
Return to Europe and Service with Hermann von Wissmann
Bondorff returned to Europe briefly with Lenz, visiting Vienna and Brussels. He then went back to Cairo. In 1889, he became a dragoman for the Imperial Colonial Troops in Africa under Major Hermann von Wissmann.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1892, Bondorff went to Berlin and began giving lectures throughout Germany. He attended the annual meetings of the German Ornithological Society in 1893 and 1895. His whereabouts after that are unknown.
