Spent all morning walking in hills in-accessible by road, looking for dugga boys.

Did not find any.

In the afternoon I shot a wildebeest and a hyena.

Guess there's not much point in me gong back to Africa. I've seen about all of it right here.

Wow, this takes me right back to the Selous.

Love the spider pics.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Spent all morning walking in hills in-accessible by road, looking for dugga boys.

Did not find any.

In the afternoon I shot a wildebeest and a hyena.

Hi Saeed:

Thanks for allowing all of us to enjoy 'safari-by-internet'. The photos and stories are so well done – I could almost smell Walther's barbecue through the ether! By the way, hyena has been my nemesis for years. Any chance you could provide the story and post a few photos?

Looking forward to your next installment.

I shot an eland today, and it took us hours to recover it.

Got back to camp late afternoon, had a late lunch and stayed at camp.

Plenty of photo to come.

Huge Kudu Saeed...

That Kudu is fantastic!! Congrats Saeed. Looking forward to the eland pics too! You have taken some tanks in that concession.

The pics have been wonderful so far. I have been having a great time following along. Looks like everyone is having a great time. All the scenery shots make me feel homesick!!

Please say Hi to the Vincents, Walter and Gary for me. And Pete too1 We hunted together in 06 in LA1.

Best regards,
Chris

The Selous how I miss it....


Mike

Had a long day chasing buffalo for miles and miles, without too much success.

Late in the afternoon we found a herd in the middle of a sandy river.

I had a large bull in my scope, but Alan said it is better not to shoot it, as we would have a hard job recovering it from there.

We let them go, hoping to go and see where they go tomorrow.

Great collection of Buffalo and superb landscape photography.

Saeed:

Anyone currently in the Selous is a very lucky man indeed.

Keep it coming. One day I'll get back there.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Saeed:

Anyone currently in the Selous is a very lucky man indeed.

Keep it coming. One day I'll get back there.

Certainly the best time of the year - can be rather hot & humid, but very productive from a hunting point of view.

Chased a herd of buffalo this morning, and managed to get ahead of them.

Watched as they fed past. Plenty of nice young bulls with very good spread, but non old enough to shoot.

Later in the morning, we caught a herd that had been playing monkey business with us.

We normally catch them as they fed, and they always run across the river into the next concession.

Caught them closer to our side, and managed to shoot a good bull out of the,

In the afternoon I shot 2 zebra. They have been evading us so far.

I don't know, that boss looks a little soft.
Nice buff!!!

Nice close up of the python Saeed. How big was it?

Sorry I'm lost, What is the head count?

quote:

Sorry I'm lost, What is the head count?

Totaly not the point.

Awesome pics Saeed!!

Well, our safari is comng to an end.

I shot my last buffalo this morning, and we are going to spend the rest of day enjoying the scenery and taking phots of some cocs
we have been feeding for a while.

There is no big croc as far as we can see, but one has actually jumped quite high and taken one of our GoPro cameras!!

It really is amazing that 20 days have already passed since we came - seems like yesterday.

I do have a lot more photos and videos to post, which I will do as time permits.

I have not been posting much details about our hunts so far, because of lack of time, and I thought my time is better spent on preparing the photis to post.

I will try to relate some of the highlights.



STRANDED IN THE BUSH FOR 8 HOURS

There are areas in our cocession that ate inaccessible by road.

What we do is make a road after we shoot an animal, and recover it.

On this particular morning, we decided to walk up some hills that have spring water, and hopefully some dugga bys living there.

We left the truck, and walked a few Ks up the hills.

We found the tracks of what looked like 3 dugga boys, and started following them.

Soon we saw one bull standing ahead of us. We tried looking for his two comanions, and saw nothing except him.

The bull was facing straight away from, in the clear, chewing the cud.

Roy and Alan were slightly ahead of me, and I had a grand view of the comedy show that was to unfold.

Alan was waving his hands trying to get the buffalo to turn around.

Nothing happened.

He broke a branch. This got the bull's attention, but not enough for him to turn.

Alan then started dancing, and I was having a hard time trying to keep quiet because I was laughing!

Eventually the bull turned, and Roy shot him.

He ran a few yards, and dropped.

We took the usual pictures, then Alan and the trackers went to get the truck. Leaving me, Roy and our game scout by the buffalo.

This was around 9 in the morning.

Lunchtime came and there was no sign of them, so Roy and me went to look at some of th springs close by.

We found the tracks of the other two bulls that have seperated from the one we had shot.

We had a bag with water, but no food.

We shared a half liter bottle of water, and started wondering what had happened to our fellows.

The camp was just over 12 kilometers in a straight line, but about double by road. We did not want to spend the night where we were, so decided that we would start walking
about 5:30, so we can make it to the road before dark.

About 5:15 we were got ready to hit the road, and had half a liter of water each.

Less than 100 yards later, we saw Alan and Rober coming our way. They had a terrible job trying to get the truck to us, but there were far too many very deeo corongos to get therough.

So they decided to come and get us.

We cut the head of the buffalo, and carried about half a kilimeter to where the truck was.

We were very glad we did not have to walk back to camp.

The rains have started!

It has been pouring down most of the night. And now it is 6 in the morning and still coming down, but not as hard.

Time to come home, Saeed!

Saeed, I have been following your hunt and I am totally bummed you are leaving. Travel safe.

Wow! That was like a blink. Thank you for having taken us on the virtual safari.Have a safe trip back.


Best-
Locksley,R

We had our shooting contest this afternoon, with some hilarious occurrences.

We could not drive out of the camp to the shooting range - road too wet!!

And the range is about a half mile away.

Walter refused to walk, and had to be put in a wheel burrow and pushed by his PH!

Lots of fun was had by everyone, and we are all looking forward to getting back home to our families.

I have plenty more photos and videos, which I will post as soon as I am able once I get home.

The thing I love most about that concession is all the roadless area and the great ridges and korongos to walk.

Glad you didn't have to hike out in the dark or spend the night out!!

Really looking forward to the video, as always, Saeed.

Very glad to hear that everyone is safe and had a great time. Safe travels to all on you journeys home.

Best regards,
Chris

Amazing photos! I really like that Wildebeest.

Looks like a fun time had by all

Great pic's/updates Saeed, looking forward in hearing all about it when you get back.

Travel safe and see you soon

We are at the departure lounge at Dar airport, waiting for our fight to Dubai.

Roy and Rene are with us, and they will transit Dubai on their way to the US.

We thought we might not make it to our charter flight, as it rained last night too, and the roads became water logged.

We had two trucks, which was just as well, as each truck got stuck on more than one occasion!

One truck almost fell into a corongo as the road collapses underneath one of the rear wheels.

If that had happened with the front wheel, we would have had a difficult time.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
We are at the departure lounge at Dar airport, waiting for our fight to Dubai.

Roy and Rene are with us, and they will transit Dubai on their way to the US.

We thought we might not make it to our charter flight, as it rained last night too, and the roads became water logged.

We had two trucks, which was just as well, as each truck got stuck on more than one occasion!

One truck almost fell into a corongo as the road collapses underneath one of the rear wheels.

If that had happened with the front wheel, we would have had a difficult time.

Have a good flight guys, and congratulations on a successful safari!
........................................................ ...

Are the Safari Boys home... Or did you leave Walter in the Bush?....

We are all back home!

Funny how 3 weeks pass so fast!

A bit of work to catch up on and I will post lots of photos and videos.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
We are all back home!

Funny how 3 weeks pass so fast!

A bit of work to catch up on and I will post lots of photos and videos.

fantastic live report, welcome back...looks like you had a good time in the Selous... such a nice place to hunt...waiting for more pictures.

Having been hunting with the Vincents since 1982, we learnt a few things about each other.

Roy likes to comment on where the shot was placed, and sadly, I have terrible habit of placing my shots where he really wants them, except in very rare occasions.

He must have mellowed somehow, as TWICE he commented, on two buffalo I shot, and said "perfect broadside shot on a buffalo" on one occasion.

And "perfect raking shot on a buffalo" on another occasion.

But, I suppose old habits die hard.

We followed buffalo herds for a few days, without having any luck of getting a shot.

Buffalo tend to meander in their feeding, and all plans to get downwind get thrown out of the window as either they change direction, or the wind changes.

On this particular day, we have been chasing these buffalo all day, and in the afternoon caught up with them feeding with the wind generally good.

We followed them as they fed through some high grass and some thickets.

Making it very difficult to pick a bull out of the herd.

Late in the afternoon, they decided to stop in some very high grass, and us less than 100 yards from them.

I am sure they knew were there, but the grass helped them feel relatively safe.

Eventually we located a the bull we wanted to shoot.

Trouble was one can only see his head because of the grass.

Then he popped his head to look at us over the grass.

"Can you see him looking at us there?" Alan asked.

"Yes, which way is his body?" I asked Alan.

"He is almost straight, slightly angling"

"Block your ears, I will shoot him in the head"

I aimed for his right cheek, assuming the bullet will go into his neck.

He took off like nothing has happened after the shot, and the whole herd disappeared in the grass running away.

WE ran after them, and could see him running but falling behind as others were passing him.

I could not put another bullet in him, as others were in the way.

The whole herd stopped about 200 yards away, looking back at us.

It was getting late, and darkness will come soon.

The herd started to move, and our bull took off on his own into a thicket on the left of them

Two other younger bulls followed him, again obscuring him from a follow up shot.

We ran after him.

At the edge of the thicket, we found some blood.

A couple of yards away we found more and more blood. This was a bit of a surprise, as loosing so much blood, he should not have gotten that far??

The sun was behind the hills, and visibility was not too great in the thicket.

Suddenly, we say our bull lying down on his side, apparently stone dead.

I put a shot in him anyway.

Roy looked at him, and announced "that buffalo shouldn't have died!"

"Why is he dead then?" I asked.

"You must have poison in your bullets. Just look at where you hit him and where the bullet has gone. THAT BULL SHOULD NOT HAVE DIED!"

The bullet hit him in the right cheek, and went out middway on the left side of his neck!

And apart from the cheek bone, no other bones were broken.

Roy was right, that bull should not have died!

Maybe Walter mixed some poison with the moly???

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I aimed for his right cheek, assuming the bullet will go into his neck.
He took off like nothing has happened after the shot, and the whole herd disappeared in the grass running away.
...
The whole herd stopped about 200 yards away, looking back at us.
...
At the edge of the thicket, we found some blood.
A couple of yards away we found more and more blood. This was a bit of a surprise, as loosing so much blood, he should not have gotten that far??
...
Suddenly, we saw our bull lying down on his side, apparently stone dead.
...
The bullet hit him in the right cheek, and went out middway on the left side of his neck!
And apart from the cheek bone, no other bones were broken.
Roy was right, that bull should not have died!

So you cut his throat with a bullet?
Must have been jugular vein instead of carotid artery bleeding that finally bled him out ...
Gotta say it: Roy is not always right, but always entertaining. Poison bullets!!!

I got a PM asking about the locations marked on the map I posted at the head of this thread.

CROSSROADS

From the main road that goes to the village - and out of the Selous - one road leads to our camp, and the other leads to the camp of the other concession across the river.

WILDEBEEST

This was a an easy hunt, as we were driving along, and saw a lone wildebeest bull by the river.

I shot him at about 80 yards, facing me. The bullet hit him in the front of the chest, and went all the way to stop in his rear leg.

Despite this, he ran a few yards and stopped, and I shot him again.

WILDEBEEST

Rather, I should have mentioned 2 wildebeest.

WE saw a herd of wildebeest feeding on green grass by the river, and both Roy and me wanted one each.

Roy had first choice, as Alan picked a bull.

Roy shot his using my 375/404 rifle. The bull ran a few yards and dropped.

I took the rifle from Roy, and as Alan picked a suitable bull, I shot that one too.

We had quite a job to carry both animals to the truck, as the very soft sand in the river bed is terrible to drive on.

First we dragged Roy's bull down the river, then gutted him and carried him on poles to the truck.

We repeated the operation for my bull.

HYEANA

On the way back to camp at sunset, we saw a hyena running in front of us.

I jumped out of the truck and took a shot at it.

CAMP

Our camp is located at a wide junction of the river, and has fantastic views.

We see animals feeding on the river almost continuously, and hyeanas come as soon as the sun goes down, making an incredible racket.

It is amazing what vocabulary they, as they never cease to maze me.

KUDU

We saw a herd of wildebeest in the distance, and the wind was good. Roy was to shoot one, so off the truck we got, and went jogging to get ahead of them.

On occasions we could see them, but the distance was far, so continued our fast walk to get ahead of them.

They were heading over a slight hill, and we made our way to get in front of them.

Suddenly Alan stops, turns around and whispers to his father - Roy had the rifle, and I had the video camera. "Give Saeed the rifle!"

As both me and Roy are slightly hard of hearing, we did not hear Alan!!

We could see Alan's lips moving, his eyes are popping, and we were laughing!

He then takes the rifle from his father, and hands it to me, saying "KUDU BULL"! Pointing to where the kudu was standing!

I shot him and we all had a good laugh.

BUSHBUCK

There is a mountain standing about 3 miles from our camp on the edge of the river.

We were driving along, when Roy said he could see a kudu cow standing in silhouette on top of that mountain.

We stopped to take photos.

Alan looked with his binoculars, and said "bushbuck bull!"

I jumped out of the truck, got on the shooting sticks, and asked, "where is he?"

"That is him!" Alan said.

He was standing perfectly broadside, and a 300 grain Walterhog bullet went into his shoulder, and down he came tumbling.

He stopped quite high, and we all ran up to bring him down.

BUFFALO

That is the one I have already posted about, the one that should not have died according to Roy.

TWO BUFFALO

We were chasing buffalo herds for a couple of days, without getting a shot. That is because they always go into very thick bush, where we get into a sort of "stare down" situation where some cow will see us at close range, and we have to stand absolutely still for what seems ages!

On this particular day we were following them in the morning, and luckily the bulls separated from the herd, and we caught them crossing a sandy river.

I fired shot at the first one. He ran a few yards and stopped, blood pouring out of his mouth.

The two other bulls ran a few yards and looked back. I fired shot at the second one, and he ran into the Forrest at the bank of the river.

We ran after him, and saw plenty of blood on his tracks, and found him dead a few yards in the Forrest.

Roy and me waited by the buffalo, while Alan went back to camp to get another truck to take the buffalo back to camp.

We had several visits from all sorts of birds and animals while waiting.

I went and lay down on the downwind side of the dead bull in the river bed, and was able to take some nice photos of impala feeding towards me.

LEMA's PICKUP

Lema is our driver, and him and me have an on going battle of playing tricks on each other.

He hides my rifle and my cameras some time, I had his car keys, and sometimes disconnect his return spring on his accelerator!

Putting a rubber snake on his seat worked quite well too!

Anyway, I marked this place because if you look to the top left corner of the map, you will see some green hills and deep gorges.

One day we decided to walk from the top of one of those hills into a very deep gorge, and have Lema wait for us at that particular location.

It took us a few hours, and we had a great walk.

LEOPARD BAIT.

That is the location of a tree from which I shot a leopard, and another client shot one from it too.

TWO BUFFALO

There are several look outs over the river, from which we can see for miles around.

On this particular day we went there to look for buffalo, and could see 3 separate herds feeding on the distance.

One particular herd seems to be coming from across the river, and feeding on green grass on our side.

The wind was not very good, so to be able to get down wind of them we had to run alongside that hill, and try to find a way to get down in the valley.

It was getting late in the afternoon, so a quick run was in order.

We managed to get downwind of them in the valley, and the herd was spread over quite a wide area.

Alan picked a bull, and I shot him.

He dropped in his tracks.

They all ran a few yards and continued feeding.

Alan picked another bull, and I put a bullet in him too.

The sun was going down, so we called Pete in the other truck to see if he wasn't too far to come and give us a hand.

Luckily he wasn't and we loaded both bulls after the sun had gone down.

LUNCH WITH HIPPOS

This is a nice pool which has some hippos in it, and some shady trees we like to stop and have lunch under.

ROCK BRIDGE

This is a bit scary. A very high cliff, with what looks like a part that is broken off hanging by very little.

It is also a very good look out over the valley.

TWO ZEBRA

On our way back to cam late in the afternoon, we came across two zebra, and two shots and a few minutes later we had them in the truck.

ELAND.

We stopped at a shady place to have lunch under some shady trees after we had seen fresh eland tracks.

The idea was to have lunch, and then try to see if we could find them.

At 3 we left, and were driving along when we saw the herd in the distance.

The wind was good for a change, so we went after them.

A while later we got to about 100 yards from them, but because of the thicket, we could only see cows and calves at any given time, and just a glimpse of the bull.

"The bull is to the left of that cow, he might walk through that gap to the right"

I could see the cow, no sign of the bull.

This situation remained for quite sometime, and I was looking at Alan talking when he said "quick, he is walking through the gap!"

Luckily my rifle was on the shooting sticks, and all I had to do is look through the scope and pull the trigger.

He ran a few yards a dropped.

HIPPO

We wanted lion bait, and were walking along side the river in thick bush.

Suddenly a hippo took off ahead of us no more than 10 yards! It was a cow.

The bull just stood there looking at us.

Alan said we should shoot him, and a bullet into his ear hole did the trick.

We cut all his four legs and took them for lion bait, and left the rest.

We put a trail camera there, and got some good photos and videos of vultures, hyenas and a leopard visiting the carcass.

ELAND

This was one of this hunts that seem so easy, that turns completely different.

We saw an eland in the bush, and the wind was good.

We jumped out of the truck, thinking that in a few minutes we would have eland in the back of the truck.

There was a corongo between us and them, so we managed to get very close, but all we could see were cows.

We stayed like this for a very long time, eventually they must have sensed our presence, and took off towards the river, and to the other concession on the other side.

We ran after them, hoping to see them in the open in the river.

But, eland run faster than us, as we got to the river's edge, we could see them half a mile away!

"There is the bull, let us run!" said Alan.

The bull was drinking, and all we could see was his head andtop of his back.

The rest of the herd were more to the left.

We ran in the soft sand for a few hundred yards, and as soon as we could see most of him - he was about 250 yards away.

Alan put the sticks up, and I put a bullet behind his shoulders. He took off towards the other side. I put another bullet in his rear leg, which turned him back towards us. Another bullet into his shoulders dropped him.

LUNCH WITH DON

One of our favourite lunch place under a sausage tree.

I have started adding more photos, which you can enjoy from the first post on this thread.

I have added some photos from my pocket camera of the last couple of days, and will keep adding more as time permits.

Please look at the first post of this thread for updates, which will include videos as well.

I have not even started on the videos yet due to lack of time, but hopefully will get a chance in the next few days.

Nice photos.

A couple of things I noticed.

15 bullets recovered in one safari! (The first one is obviously an unfired sample.) That is a lot of bullets to recover. Would most of them be from buffalo? I know you got one from a frontal shot on a wildebeest.

Second point of note - Walters breakfast also had his pill box in front. I pray he keeps good health.