I've been talking to Buzz about a tuskless elephnat hunt. Looks like we have the option of taking a charter flight into camp ($1600) or driving ($400). I'd rather spend the money on trophy fees but he says the drive is about 7 hours. The time we have for this hunt is pretty limited anyway and the drve sounds like it'll add another day on each end of the hunt. So how did you "get there from here"? How many days did it take to get to camp from Atlanta? Could we leave Atlanta the morning of day one and be in Buzzs camp the evening of day two if we take the charter?

Since Buzz buys elephants in various concessions, it's hard to give advice unless you specify where in Zim you're going!

If it's to Chewore North, where I hunted last year, it took somewhere around 7 hours to drive from/to Harare.

On the last day for example, we left in the afternoon, after having hunted until midday. We could have hunted longer had we been in the main camp, but had to fit in an hours boat ride to get back from the fly camp.

If you did the same, this would get you to Harare around midnight, go straight to bed, and take the flight home the next day (I didn't since I stayed in Harare an extra day anyway).

I'd say driving is worthwhile, since you'll be able to see a bit more of the country/people/etc then you would if you use a charter plane, and thus basically only see the airport.

I'm not sure which camp we'll be hunting out of, I have e-mailed Carla and asked?

If you were going to travel to some place 7 hours from your home in Alabama, would you charter a plane or drive?

Most likely I'd drive, unless time was limited or I was in a hurry. On this trip our time will be limited. If driving means we'll be gone 2 extra days then we may need to look into flying.

Most driving in Zim is done during the day due to hazards at night (donkeys walking into the road, etc.) so your drives (7 hrs x 2) will mean 2 extra days.

If your flight is the one that arrives 9ish at night, you are going to stay over in Harare. Next am, you either drive or fly, so the question is if you fly will this be a hunt day or not. If not, then this is a day either way. If it is a hunt day, you are cutting into this time and a valuable morning of picking up tracks. On the return, I think you could charter back and catch the flight out on the same day, so you would be "saving" a day here I would expect.

I've driven twice to the Valley w/Buzz (8-9hrs depending on camp and time of year). Not a bad ride especially on the way there, especially once you hit the park gates and anticipation builds...assuming you are not on the back of the truck. You should consider this too, and perhaps you have, as the cabin can get a bit too cozy w/three across.

EDIT: Something to keep in mind too is that if you are looking at 2007+, prices may increase especially for the charter.

I have hunted with Buzz twice and chartered in both times. The charter expense was not quite as bad for me as I shared the '04 and '05 hunt with two other buddies. The charter is nice and saves time...even if it's not a hunting day...it gives you a chance to unpack, shoot in rifles and unwind from the trip before your actual hunt starts. Likewise, going home, the bloody trip to my doorstep is sooo long any time I can save is a plus.

If you think the charter in Zim is bad...try Tanzania or Zambia...$1,750 one way!

I really didn't think it was that bad and 7 plus hours in a car aint my idea of fun either,especially after flying 20 plus hours, but I would rather spend the money on trophy fees. So how long is the flight?

Right at an hour, maybe less with a tailwind...

Hell, one way to look at it is its only the trophy fee on 32 baboons!

Baboons!!!
Now you're talking..

They are 'currency' to some of us...

I hunted Chewore with Alan Shearing, Buzz' partner last year and would recommend the flight (very scenic and informative). Consider the safety aspect - a road smash is likely to end up with you being robbed rather than assisted by bystanders, and the risks of a crash are much higher than running into trouble with an ele. Casevac from Chewore would be much easier than from the road in,especially if you're all injured and comms are down. My humble opinion.Charlie.

Dogcat,

You crack me up.

I agree with Bwanamrm...quicker to camp and quicker to get home to plan your next safari. Buzz is "the man". Check out his video and see Bwanamrm shoot his ele.

quote:

Originally posted by cducat:
...- a road smash is likely to end up with you being robbed rather than assisted by bystanders,...

In Zim and most other southern African countries, I have to say:

Although I haven't hunted with Buzz, I have hunted several times in northern Zinbabwe. I have chartered in and driven in. I much prefer to drive. It gives me the chance to unwind a little after the long flight and I get to see some of the country I haven't seen before. I can never spend too much time there and planning am extra two days is well worth the experience. Last month I was amazed at the virtual lack of traffic on the roads. With the high price of petrol there the highways are literally deserted of traffic. Foot traffic and scotch carts with an occassional semi-truck is about all you will see.

465H&H

I would fly.



I hunted with Buzz's partner, Myles McCallum, and met Buzz in HArarre and again at the airport on the way out w Ganyana. This is a very competent and professional group of freinds.

Equipment was good, Cessna 206 with relatively low time and good condition. I had two different pilots, one, a young woman was excellent.

A 7 hour drive is only 7 hours if you dont have a flat, or two or three, or other unforseen event. It can and does happen. The road between HArarre and Dande North where I hunted was pretty rugged country. Everything from hard packed dirt to decent tar covered roads. But 7 hours should be taken w a grain of salt, especially if you are making a connection on airline.

Flying in also helped me get oriented to the river, escarpent and camp.

You will have plenty of time to visit w your PH driving in the safari car later.

Your biggest decision, who and where to hunt with, has already been taken care of.

Comming from west coast I really needed some time to rest and laid over at Afton house in J Berg for 7-8 hours before going onto Hararre, and stayed at a charming hunter only B and B Buzz and Myles set me up with.

See my hunt report, Dande North elephant hunt, for details.

Andy

I got a reply from Carla today, "You will be hunting in either the Lower Zambezi or along the Zambezi valley". So I guess we'er looking at flying, that is if we can get into Harare early enough. I'm hoping we can limit the traveling from Atlanta to Buzzs camp to 2 days?? Guess I need to call Susan Hill at Gracys.