Hunters: Ali and Haider Hakim
Safari area: Bubye Valley Conservancy
Safari Operator: Brent Hein Safaris
PH: Shaun Buffee
Camp: Lamulas
Rifles used: 375 H&H mag & 300 winmag
Hunt dates: 9th till the 24th of July 2012
Type of hunt: Cheetah, Gemsbok, Klipspringer and plains game
Game hunted: Gemsbok, Kudu, Livingston Eland, Klipspringer, Waterbuck, etc.


I had been hankering to go on an African Safari with my son Haider, who turned 18 this year. Fortunately for the both of us, this area turned out to be absolutely divine. I have been hunting in various areas of Southern Africa over the years, from Cats to all sorts of plains game, but have not come across any area which compares with the Bubye valley conservancy, both in terms of the quantity and quality of a variety of game species. All credit and utmost gratitude goes to my gracious friend Ahmed Sultan, a formidable Safari Hunter himself, who guided me to this particular area.

Our Arrival into Harare on Emirates Airlines was really trouble free. After an overnight stay in Harare, we chartered the following day into the Bubye valley conservancy. It was a 2 hour flight in a single engine Cessna, but fairly smooth. Being used to older and rugged PHs, I was a little surprised to meet Shaun on arrival. As it turned out, he was extremely professional, hard working, and above all picky about what we shot. At times we would pass up on several animals before he would be convinced that the quarry in front of the muzzle was the right one. He proved to be an ardent hunter with a discerning eye, and above all was terrific company both for Haider and myself.


It was wonderful for us to have actually seen all of the big five during the tenure of our hunt. Rarities such as packs of wild dogs, brown Hyenas, white and black Rhinos, even a rare Leopard rifling across a dirt road, were a treat to encounter. Shootable Sables, Gemsbok, and Nyalas also seemed to be in abundance. In the small antelope segment, Steenbock were in plenty, besides Klipspringers and common Duikers. The Elephant population and quality was not the best, but I believe in a few years the area will start producing nice bulls. The Lion population was ineffable! We ran into big male Lions at least 7 times during our 15 day hunt. Females were also present in abundance, and it was not uncommon to come across lone males and prides sitting on various antelope kills.











As per the conservancy regulations, when hunting Cheetah and Gemsbok, we were allowed to hunt on the entire million acre conservancy. It was being spoilt for choice, as the terrain and wild life in the various blocks was at times very different from others. From big granite boulders, to thick Mopani forests, to big grasslands resembling savannas, to absolutely arid terrain, we experienced it all. We did run into a couple of Leopard hunters every other day, who invariably told us about their sightings of male Cheetahs. Unfortunately for us it was more of a run around. Since you can’t bait for Cheetah, nor track them on foot, the only opportunity one could hope for was actually running into them driving around. We did see one female with a cub, but had no luck with what we were looking for in the 15 days we were there. The inordinate Lion population was mainly to blame for this. One can safely say that this area has probably one of the highest lion populations per square kilometer, compared to any other place in Africa. From the looks of the Lions we ran into, their genetics were absolutely fantastic. Big bodied and gorgeous manes were a staple attribute.






Although a very arid area, the reticulation of waterholes, supported by subsoil water keeps the wild life going fine. There are also a number of natural dams, replenished during the rainy season, which are a perennial source of water for the hundreds of thousands of animals that roam the area.

There were about six different camps in the whole 1 million acres, and each one of them was a treat on its own. They have been done up by an interior designer from South Africa, who has actually laid out every camp very differently. Our living quarters in camp were extremely comfortable. Round the clock hot and cold running water made all the difference. Being in the midst of winter, the usual bugs, geckos, and other critters that one would care less to run into, were just not there. The best thing being that this was a Tsetse free area. The dining and sitting area was very tastefully done up, and were complemented perfectly by the delectable cuisine. The efficient and cordial camp staff truly made all the more difference.




You know you are hunting in a great area when you can turn down an animal for a better prospect. We did that plenty of times, especially with Kudus, Elands, Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeest, Zebras and Giraffes. I'm sure if we were hunting Buffalo, it would have been the same. There were many dagga boy herds that we ran into, each of which had at least a couple of very decent heads in them.


















A must visit area if you are hunting Cats, Buffalo, and most Southern African antelope. I have a cat hunt booked next year in the same area. Hope to share more pictures with the hunting fraternity in 2013,

Cheers

Great animals and great report. Really nice pics of the cats, Ali. You should have no problem with taking a real toad next year. From the look on his face Haider really enjoyed his time with you. Congrats,


Dutch

Super hunt and a really nice report. Really great trophies. For some reason, I love to hunt impala, and yours are very nice!

Ali, What a wonderful report. Gorgeous pictures and great shooting, some terrific trophies and lifetime memories.

Mike

Great report, thanks for sharing the beautiful pics and congrats on some beautiful trophies!

Well done. I love that last picture.

Great report and picures, thanks for sharing.

That looks like a really wonderful area to hunt. I've been to Africa many times and to many national parks as well and have never seen wild dogs or sable. Great adventure.

Great report and great hunt?

I am confused? Gemsbok/Oryx in Zim?

Top notch.

Someone one needs to put a cap in that Lion.

Looks like you had a wonderful time with your son! Congrats.

Great report Ali. Wonderful pictures and animals.

quote:

Originally posted by infinito:
Great report and great hunt?

I am confused? Gemsbok/Oryx in Zim?

Charl,
Bubye Valley conservancy operators have Gemsbok listed as an available trophy. Expensive but available.

Wonderful report, thanks!

Yowzah!

Wonderful report, glad you and your son made those memories, good for you both!

Nice report, great pics too!!

Excellent report and trophies!

Congratulations on a great safari! Nice report.

Hi Charl, Gemsbok is indigenous to Zimbabwe, else the zim wildlife department would not allow this specie to be hunted. There are very of them, and in very limited places, Cheers

Oh wow, great report and excellent photos of a very successful hunt. Loved your Kudu and giraffe and it is such a pleasure to see you and Haider enjoying together, I am sure he must have appreciated it alot. and thanks for your kind words

A fortunate few Fathers get to hunt with their sons(the reverse also holds true).
Well done and thanks for the excellent report.

Very nice. COngrats on a wonderful safari...

Congratulations!

Ali:

I am surprised to see gemsbok in the picture. Are those native?

Larry:

We saw them in Matetsi in 96 but they were off limits, big time.

Well done
Congratulations

Fine photos, Ali, of what was a memorable hunt with your son.

Regards, Tim

[QUOTE]Originally posted by larryshores:
Ali:

Hi Larry, gemsbok are indigenous to zimbawe, although very few in numbers and in very limited places

Ali,
Just got back today from hunting the Bubye with Shaun. By all accounts from him, you had a tremendous hunt. In fact, I was flipping though a log in the skinning shed two days ago which chronicled your trophies with measurements and I was entirely impressed. Congratulations!

Congrats father and son,
Wonderful pictures, the wild dogs look fat and happy

pssssst! Just wanted to let you know that I am available for adoption in 2013 . . . . -WSJ

Familiar places and some faces from my hunt this month with PH Martin Nel. Been to the camps shown and they are nice. Congratulations on a successful hunt.

Great report and pictures.

A safari with memories to last a lifetime for you and your son...

Fantastic hunt and lovely pictures!

What rifle were you using Ali?

It's been said, that fathers who hunt with their sons, will not have to hunt for their sons.

Fantastic trip, enjoyed the pictures and the story as well.

The only thing better than a trip to Africa is a trip to Africa with your son! Congrats to you both, and thanks for your report and pictures, looks like you guys had a great time and shot some excellent trophies.

Totally agree with you in regards to Shaun, a fine young man, personable and easy to get along with, and I am sure an excellent, smart hunter.

Next year will be here before you know it!