Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Africa - First Trip

Just got in this morning from my first trip to Africa. Hunted in S. Africa. Trip was truly amazing. Seeing that much game, hunting all day, drinking at night, sleeping in a bed. Big change from DIY elk in the Rockies. But working with a great PH, seeing the trackers/skinners doing their job was a great learning experience. I'll add more details later, but here is a start.

Basics: Kimber MT, 338 Fed, 160 TTSX. Shots were 50 to 190 yards and nothing traveled more than 30-40 yds.

16 Hours Dulles to Jo-burg(via Senegal)


First to go down was a nice Gemsbok. (~168 yds off sticks)



On day two, I got lucky to have this great Blesbok stand out from the herd. (190 yds). Credit for this really has to go to the PH who spotted him in the herd and was able to quickly talk me onto him.



Saw lots of game!




Yea, it was rough!


My favorite of all!
[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...y0/td8dTeax-5k/w422-h563-no/DSCN3636.JPG[/img]

These guys are hard to see in the thick stuff! Finally found one, and was able to get a shot, after three days of trying.

[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-...zE/t15xTbbUU4Y/w751-h563-no/P1010574.JPG[/img]

Last, but not least, was this fine Impala.

[img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...zc/SQ87lnJGnt0/w672-h504-no/P1010671.JPG[/img]

Can't wait to go back!
[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...1o/KkLWjcHjzJs/w751-h563-no/P1010425.JPG[/img]

Looks like you had a great trip. Congrats on making it all happen.

If you don't mind, a couple or three questions.

Did you go with anybody or solo?

What was the size of the property you hunted?

If you went back, would you go to the same place?

Thanks for posting the pics. Africa is something on my list to do someday and reading about a "first trip" is very helpful.

I went with two friends. Highly recommend going as a group. The socializing is nearly as important as the hunting for the overall experience. Every night was spent at the bar and then around the fire. We even did the Impala hunt as a group. Great time! Hunted two different concessions. The smaller was 3000 acres I believe (Gemsbok). If I had to do it again, I'd stick to the larger which was enormous. 70k+ acres I believe. It effectively had no borders to impact the game. The PHs and the lodge hosts were exceptional and I'd go back with them in a heartbeat. Duke Safaris.

Very nice report, congrats on your animals! Your favorite shot is a real winner. Nice angle! I'm leaving for RSA in just over three weeks and seeing this is getting me pumped! Also cool to see the Kuiu gear in Africa.

Eric

Fantastic Waterbuck!









When are you going back?

Congrats!

Great pics, nice shooting. Congrats on a super trip and super trophies.

Dude, you suck.....

Congrats...I never saw a waterbuck like that when I was there....what a magnificent trophy!

Great trip and that WB is superb!!!

Congrats!

Here I am up at 3:30am looking at your pictures trying to get back on Central US time again......dern jet-lag

Great pictures and I hope your experience was what ours was.

Thank you for sharing and I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

Beautiful pics. Congrats on a great hunt.



maddog

Couple of notes, I used Air 2000 Hunters Support for the trip over. They made the whole process of getting the rifle in country a piece of cake. Very little delay and no hassle. Others have said they had to send ammo in it's own case. I did not. Flew South African both ways and ammo in the luggage was fine. They did ask that the bolt be out upon inspection at Phalaborwa for the return trip.

Dress warm in the morning! A couple of the mornings were near freezing and combined with the wind from being in the back of the truck made it quite chilly.

Sux you all talk about riding in the bed of the truck

Glad my PH puts us in the cab and the help in the bed

Only things in the back of the bakke were the two dogs....and they didn't like the cold! We (PH and I) were in the front seat where there was no wind!

The hunter was in the front with the PH for a transit to an area, but once hunting, hunter and PH were in the back.

Either the hunter and PH or hunter and guide. Once hunting I was always in the back. When Ellice was with us she was in the back also.

I also prefer the larger properties.

Congratulations on your first trip. When is the next one scheduled?

Awesome - thanks for the pics and report. Nice animals!

Day 1 Travel: Arrived at Dulles quite early. Checking luggage and getting rifles taken care of went smoothly. No issues with ammo being in checked luggage. Had to take rifles down to TSA inspection by the United counter then back to South African counter as usual. Spent some time in the USO club. Watched a bit of the France vs. Ecuador world cup match. Boarded Airbus A-340 and flew from Dulles to Johannesburg. Approximately a 17 hour flight with a one hour layover in Dakar, Senegal. Getting luggage and then getting the rifles through customs went very smoothly and efficiently thanks to Air2000 Hunter Support. $60 on tips helped too. Our guides met us at the airport and we drove to The Free State along with two trackers. Arrived late that evening at our camp. Very nice accommodations. Met owners of camp. The camp itself is fantastic. Wood beams, thatch roofs and numerous mounts. Had a drink, talked, admired mounts. Trying to imagine the hunt that awaits us the next morning.