The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting 2006 cape buffalo hunt Zimbabwe/MozambiqueGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| 2006 cape buffalo hunt Zimbabwe/Mozambique | Login/Join |
| One of Us |
This new guy has enjoyed reading the many posts on a wide variety of topics from well qualified people. I am trying to educate myself in regards to the who, what, where of an African adventure and had about narrowed it down to either using Luxury Hunts/Jeff Martinelle for a Zimbabwe buffalo/plains game or Hunters Quest/Wendell Reich for the same hunt in Mozambique. I had been a little queasy about Zimbabwe/Mugabe and hate to add any money to his pocket but realize if the PH's are to hang on they have to have hunters. The post by LHowell "Zimbabwe Turns To Wildlife As A Food Source" has me thinking that I should forgo any consideration of Zimbabwe as a first safari. Maybe not Mozambique either but the references and the consultant speak highly of the concession Piet Hougaard has. Cost is a factor, and that is why these two packages appealled to me in that it would leave a little money left over after the buffalo to hopefully harvest a few plains game animals. I am looking at a 10 day hunt. My background is as follows, I am years 59 old in good health and good shape. I have hunted all my life for the local whitetails,and turkeys. I have been out west a few times for elk and antelope, Canada for moose, and Alaska for grizzly bear and caribou. It has been my dream to get my boots muddy in Africa. Any suggestions you guys can make to help me make the right decision in regards to consultant, Safari group, or location would be appreciated. | ||
|
| one of us |
xgrunt'' Have you considered one of LuxuryHunts Tanzania hunts for close to the same price? Also see the string on Cheapest Buffalo hunts | |||
|
One of Us |
Xgrunt, welcome to the forum!! I am booked on a Cape buff hunt in Zimbabwe and also am getting nervous about the post you were referring to. Africa seems to change almost daily, so the best you can do is stayed tuned to get the current situation in Zim. My money would be that Zim. would be the better hunt and experience, but I have never been to Mozambique. I will be interesting what some of the more experienced posters say on this subject. ______________________ Age and Treachery Will Always Overcome Youth and Skill | |||
|
| one of us |
As one of the posters suggested, you can never be too sure about press releases from Africa. They all seem to have their own agenda and one cannot always determine their bias or agenda. I would not rule out a Zimbabwe hunt with a reputable operator on the well known concessions. Do your homework, talk to as many booking agents and outfitters as possible and determine your comfort level. Many AR members have had excellent recent hunts in Zimbabwe. Go over past posts to get a feel of who has been there recently and contact them. Remember too, that booking agents have existing relationships with various outfitters in other countries and that their suggestions or comments on Zimbabwe might be more self serving than factual. Good luck in your research. Regards, RCG | |||
|
| one of us |
Book through Wendell, you won't be sorry.........JJ " venator ferae bestiae et aquae vitae " | |||
|
| one of us |
xgrunt, I would have no reservations about booking you with Barrie Duckworth/Mokore Safaris in Zimbabwe. Barrie has been in business since '79 and he's not going to let his clients have a bad or dangerous experience. A 10 day buffalo hunt will run right at $9900 dollars all inclusive. ALmost any of the indigenous plains game can be added on a trophy fee basis. These hunts are offered on the Save Conservancy and I was just talking to a very experienced African hunter and he described the Save as the "Garden of Eden" for hunters. If I can supply more information let me know. I have brochures and an excellent DVD on Mokore. I also can supply references from recent buff hunts. One thing about Barrie's hunts is that all the money stays in the States until just before the hunt. So if something really weird did happen your money would be safe. Regards, Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
|
Moderator |
xgrunt, Welcome, glad to have you on board. No matter what it takes, you have to get your "boots muddy in Africa". It is an experience you will never forget. It is probably wise that you are using a Booking Agent for your first safari. I know Wendell and he is first class. With that said, no matter what Booking Agent you use, you need to conduct your own research on the outfitters they use. So your real question should be, "Does anyone have any experience/opinions on Piet Hougaard's operation in MOZ (booked by Wendell Reich) or ___________'s operation in ZIM (booked by Jeff Martinelle)." I haven't hunted in MOZ, but I have hunted in ZIM in 2003 and am headed back this year. If you let every bad press report turn you off of ZIM, then you will never go. We have had nothing but press from ZIM since 2000. Not to say that you should ignore the current information coming from ZIM. Like Mark said, the use of a US based booking agent should keep most of your money in US until shortly before the safari (but check this out with your Booking Agent). Regards, Terry  Msasi haogopi mwiba [A hunter is not afraid of thorns] | |||
|
| one of us |
Have you thought about Namibia? Buff are only in certain areas and can be expensive but Namibia has a wealth of other impressive trophies including some of Africa's best Kudu and Gemsbok plus the only place to hunt Mountain Zebra ....and Red Hartebeest, Wart Hog & Eland. DB Bill aka Bill George | |||
|
One of Us |
I may be wrong, but I think the difference between Zim or Moz and the best there is, which is the Selous or Masailand in Tanz, is probably no more than a few grand for a ten day safari. And in Tanz you can get two buff. I know a few grand is real money, but I'd hold out, save up and go for Tanz--and the Selous in particular. You need to do it! Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
|
| one of us |
The Selous has two problems: the charter flights can be 2-3 grand and the buffalo are not as big as in Masai or elsewhere. Not that I am an expert, but my two buff in the Selous were not terribly impressive. If you go to the Selous, don't go before mid-August. | |||
|
| One of Us |
What can you tell me about Wendell. He comes across on the phone as a straight shooter and he has been prompt on all my questions. Thanks | |||
|
| one of us |
xgrunt, wendell is indeed a straight shooter, I booked through him in 2003 & had a very good hunt. If I wasn't dabbling into the booking agent field also I would certainly use him again (still would if he had hunts soemwhere that I didn't already have contacts) I spoke to my PH in Bulawayo just this morning after he was with the Parks Division still trying to get elephant quotas straight, he pooh pooh'ed that press release. Good luck which ever way you go. Mike "Too lazy to work and too nervous to steal" | |||
|
one of us |
Here's another recommendation for Wendell although from a different vantagepoint: I had a 10 day Tanzania Masailand hunt planned for this July but was diagnosed with colon cancer in January and am undergoing chemo. Wendell worked for me to retrieve the lion's share of my deposit, eventhough the concession owner didn't allow refunds, and he will let me use the balance of the deposit on a future hunt. | |||
|
one of us |
I'm not trying to put you off Mozambique - but if you hunt there you'll need to be FIT and I also suggest you be very careful about the time of year you go.....the hot months are seriously hot. (IMO) success rates on Buffalo are higher in Selous or Masailand Tanzania than they are in Mozambique.......but the tougher hunting in Mozambique is reflected in the cheaper prices. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Steve, Which region of Moz do you hunt in? Is it swampland, or mountanous country? Or is outstanding fitness required because there are are few roads so the hunting is done on foot? Just curious. I have heard of hunting buff in swamps, and it must be dreadful. | |||
|
| One of Us |
in general you will find zim to be the cheapest. mozm & tanz are both loaded with verious government fees and charter air costs, that are not present in zim. So far as the future goes in zim, who knows, but I for one do not see problems with hunting buffalo for at least the next couple of years. Poaching is on the upswing, but buffalo aren't the choice for the poachers, plus they bring in foreign currency, which old bob an co.,of course grabs as fast as they can, thus they are protecting the big game areas pretty well. | |||
|
| one of us |
.500 grains I've never hunted them in the swamps but I have hunted the Mozambique side of the valley on & off over the years. The game there had a hard time of it during the war and other factors since then (poaching amongst them) has kept most of the game very "twitchy" - It's not at all unusual to have to run and walk after the Buff (esp) for hours on end.....add on the fact that you might have to drive considerable distances at each end of the day and then factor in the heat if you hunt outside the winter months and the hunting gets really tough sometimes......funnily enough the Elephants don't seem to be as hysterical as most of the other species - but I don't know why. I do know guys who have hunted the swamps and as you say that also is pretty tough. For someone who is looking for a Buff hunt in Mozambique then Piet Hougaards place would be a good choice - although he does sell out early. Comparing countries is always a problem as you then have to generalise but the average Buff herd in Tanzania will usually stop and look at you as you pass which gives you plenty of time to look them over in return - but the average Mozambican Buff herd will run for the border as soon as they hear a sound or get a whiff of something they don't like - but as I said the difference is reflected in the price. - It's a few years since I've hunted there and to be perfectly honest I now get one of our other guys to do the hunts up there as I reckon I'm getting too old for all that running!!!....but I hope to hunt Tanzania until the day I die. | |||
|
| One of Us |
You're right that charters in Tanz are expensive. Hell, the charter flights can be close to five grand if you fly the Pilatus. But deals can be had for much better prices. I have seen some very big buff in the Selous and taken a couple of good forty inchers, too. That's not to say that they're bigger than the Masailand monsters, but they're nothing to sneeze at. But the Selous is special because of its status as an untamed and unsettled wilderness--the size of Switzerland--filled with teeming herds of game. Hundreds of elephants and buffalo may be seen in some blocks, along with large numbers of Nyasa wildebeest, common waterbuck, Burchell's zebra, southern impala, Lichtenstein's hartebeest and hippo, the occasional East African greater kudu, Roosevelt's sable, eland, common reedbuck, lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog. The Selous is wild Africa in its most pristine state and every African hunter should hunt there before he dies. Ever since I did, I've known that I'll die the happier for it.  Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
|
one of us |
I hunted Piets concession about 3 years ago with PWN and Ganyana and had a great hunt. My trailer has only just "limped" back to Harare after sitting with a bust axle in camp since that hunt. The road is TUFF. We saw plenty of buff, one herd of in excess of 200 critters. Piets camp is right on the Zambezi, rustic but more than sufficient. Hippo hunting is also an option there. Good luck Harris Safaris PO Box 853 Gillitts RSA 3603 www.southernafricansafaris.co.za https://www.facebook.com/pages...=aymt_homepage_panel "There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne." - Karen Blixen, | |||
|
| one of us |
xgrunt, Wendell took this "rookie" buff hunter and steered me in the right direction and he is very honest. Wendell explained to me that trophy fees can and will change and to be ready for them, somthing he has no control over. He took alot of time and answered my questions although I'm sure they were mundane to him. Wendell worked his ass off to get me good dates to hunt in regards to the weather. Wendell put me where I have the best chance for a good buff. I verified this thru another source. In short he really could have rooted me and I would be none the wiser until it was too late, but he took care of me in grand style......JJ " venator ferae bestiae et aquae vitae " | |||
|
| One of Us |
Many thanks for all the good information and pertinent planning points you guys have taken the time to give. I do have one question. What do you consider as the best month for a Mozambique buffalo hunt in relation to game availability and weather? | |||
|
one of us |
One other option is Zambia! The Buffalo are great there in the Luangwa Valley's upper, and lower Lupande concessions. The Luangwa River has about the largest population of Hippo in Africa today. Other species found, almost only there are the Puku, and Cookson's wildebeast. Wes Hixon is one of the booking agents for the Luangwa Valley, and he books for Peter Chipman, the PH that was the target of a lion attack in the film "JAWS OF SIMBA" which was filmed in the Lower Lupande. I have hunted both these concessions, and am thinking about going there again for Buffalo, and Leopard, probably with Peter Chipman. Peter is from a long line of PHs in his family, and is a good guy. The Luangwa can be reached by comercial airline, into the town of MFUWE, and the airport is only a few miles from the Upper, and Lower Lupande. Also over near the Kfuwe Ntl Park, Bala Bala Safaris has some very good Buffalo on private land, and the charter from Vic Falls is not that bad, and costs can be shared. Peter Bird books for them and the ranch is owned by his brother, with his Nephew is a full time PH there. This is not what we call a RANCH here, it is wild bush of the first order, and is vast. I've not booked with Windell Rich, but I know him,causually, and know lots of folks who have hunted with him. The reports I get about him are all very good. Another one you might try is Ray Atkinson who posts here on a regular basis, I know him as well, and can vouch for his honesty, without fear of leading you wrong. In any event do your homework, and have a good hunt, and I doubt you will see any "MUD" on your boots, but you'll get pleanty shooting in, if you go to ether place. Late July is cool, and dry,in Zambia's Luangwa! ........Enjoy! ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith  | |||
|
| One of Us |
Mac, I am currently booking a Zambia buff hunt myself for 2006. Very much looking forward to it as I missed out on the Zim hunt I wanted for Sept. | |||
|
| one of us |
xgrunt, Barrie Duckworth has a 1 million acre concession in Mozambique just a little south of the Zambesi. Hunting does not start there until August at the earliest because of the hieght of the grass. Late September through early November are prime times there. I personally am hunting there in late Sept.'07. Barrie told me to expect it to be hot and the walking be fairly easy but there would be alot of it. The hunting is almost all by tracking. Someone mentioned something about extra charges, charters etc. in Mozambique. The costs through Barrie are the same as Zim. Actually they are a little cheaper since you can take a sable in Mozambique for the same daily rate you pay for a buffalo in Zim. Also there is no 2% tax and the road tranfer from Harare is $600 which doesn't seem outrageous. Regards, Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
|
| One of Us |
I was in Matetsi Unit 6 last Sept. with my wife. I took a great Buff and a lioness. One problem. The worst case of jumbo fever set in. We had such a great experience that when we got home we booked our next trip within days. The cure was prescribed. We booked an elephant / leopard hunt in Chewore North. I just returned form Zim. last Saturday. We traveled thru Harare, where we spent the night. Never once did we feel uncomfortable. Despite the elections have been held four days prior to our arrival. It is a beautiful country filled with some of the friendliest people. Don't count Zim. out. If you take the time and do you diligence as far as your outfitter is concerned you should be fine. | |||
|
| one of us |
A good friend of mine hunted buff with Piet Hougaard several times and had only the best things to say about him. He said he said it was a tough hunt, but then he was hunting with a longbow. I will probably go there myself when I can fit it in to the schedule! | |||
|
one of us |
I think there is a picture of him on the wall of the dinig area. | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting 2006 cape buffalo hunt Zimbabwe/Mozambique
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia