The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Hwange/Victoria or Kruger??Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| Hwange/Victoria or Kruger?? | Login/Join |
| One of Us |
Me and the wife have been to Africa a couple times hunting. Next time we are mostly interested in wildlife viewing and photography. We have good equipment and would like to have an opportunity too see a lot of animals with some up close opportunities. I've read several blogs and articles that say the private reserves in Kruger and Hwange are far, far more conducive to good photography than the non private areas. We aren't stuck on the big 5, we've photographed ele, lion and rhino as well as a ton of plains game. We are fairly open to anything but want to have a quality experience. If I can line up a 4-5 day hunt before the trip, maybe in Natal for blue wildebeest, nyala and warthog would be a bonus and I'm sure the wife wouldn't mind  Any thoughts or suggestions? I know some of you guys have probably visited the private reserves. Yes, they are more expensive, I've checked prices on various places and am OK with that as long as we get a fair opportunity. Thanks | ||
|
one of us |
There are indeed some great private lodges in the KNP but if you're considering a KZN hunt then I'd suggest you stay in that area and go to the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi park or one of the private game reserves in that area instead. | |||
|
One of Us |
 I would highly recommend while your in KZN you take the photo op time to catch some Nyala on film. They are plentiful in some areas of Natal and make for some outstanding album conversation. If your near some of the rivers, add Bushbuck, various birds of many species and the varmint crowd. An afternoon/late evening overlooking an alfalfa field should yield plently of photo's as well. LDK Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
|
| One of Us |
Shakman We wouldn't mind traveling after a hunt in KZN up to Kruger or Hwange. The hunt really is secondary but if I can arrange something I will. If not, then its a photography only trip. We'll have 10 days - 2 weeks. thanks | |||
|
One of Us |
Well, in 2006 the wife and I went to Vic Falls and Hwange after my hunt. We saw virtually no animals in Hwange, but it was one of those really hot and windy days. Victoria Falls is really interesting. But given the choice of the Falls/Hwange or Chobe (which isn't far from Vic Falls) I'd go with Chobe. Haven't been to Kruger so I dunno about that. Paul Smith SCI Life Member NRA Life Member DSC Member Life Member of the "I Can't Wait to Get Back to Africa" Club DRSS I had the privilege to fire E. Hemingway's WR .577NE, E. Keith's WR .470NE, & F. Jamieson's WJJ .500 Jeffery I strongly recommend avoidance of "The Zambezi Safari & Travel Co., Ltd." and "Pisces Sportfishing-Cabo San Lucas" "A failed policy of national defense is its own punishment" Otto von Bismarck | |||
|
| One of Us |
Thanks guys. I know nothing about Hluhluwe/Umfolozi but will do a bit of research on it. I Googled it right quick and it looks like it might be worth looking at. Thanks We had considered spending some time in Chobe and may do that if we end up in the Victoria area. Would like to see the Falls. | |||
|
| one of us |
You've gotten good suggestions but if you are already booked in KZN, why not try Mkuze then go to Kruger. My son and I safaried in RSA then he took an Aggie trip to Kruger and what is now part of the multi-national park. He loved it. Mkuze can be done in a couple of days and it is a real jewel. There is a high end hunting/game viewing concession next to Mkuze if you are interested in that. | |||
|
One of Us |
I can recomend Hluhluwe/Umfolozi park I`ve been there twice, a lovely place.  I will also recomend the Wetlands. False Bay and the city of St.Lucia | |||
|
| one of us |
One of the best things about Hluhluwe/Umfolozi is the game capture unit there. Hit it at the right time and the bomas are full.... | |||
|
One of Us |
I've visited all the places mentioned , except for Chobe and Hwange. I can't imagine anyone who hasn't seen Victoria Falls not taking a couple of days to visit it. That said, of all of parks I've visited, Kruger remains No. 1 in my book. The private lodges on its perimeter, especially Londolozi, Sam's Place and Mala Mala, do offer the be photo ops. Bill Quimby | |||
|
One of Us |
My wife, son and I are planning a trip for next year. We're going to be hunting in KwaZulu Natal. Before the hunt we're going to Victoria Falls for two days and Hwange for another two days. We're planning to stay at The Hide, luxury tents while at Hwange. While hunting we plan to take three days of non-hunting activities with the outfitter. One of those days we plan on visiting Hluhluwe park. Close to that area is the Ilala Basket Weavers and Dumaluzu, a native culture village we also plan to visit. I remember reading about a private lodge in the area that is supposed to be great for photography. It was rather expensive but if you want the name I'll look it up for you | |||
|
One of Us |
"The Hide" in Wankie would be my pick. | |||
|
| new member |
I've only been to Africa once, but it was a combined trip to Kruger and hunting. The hunting safari was the primary purpose of the trip, with the KNP tour as and add on. In retrospect the "add on" of KNP was a great decision. My wife and I had a great time and would like to repeat that with my sons someday. This part of the trip was definitely done with the budget in mind. We stayed at the Tremisana lodge. It's nothing fancy, but it was clean, the food was good and plenty of it, and the staff was great. The touring was a combination of visiting the private game reserves and KNP. We arrived late in the afternoon from Jo'burg and went out a couple of hours for a night drive. I don't think we were a 1/2 mile from the lodge when I started taking pictures of three lions snoozing in the bush just feet away from the truck. There is also a troop of vervet monkeys that have taken up the trees around the lodge as home. They're entertaining for sure and provide for a natural alarm clock in the morning when they come running across the metal roof of your cottage. | |||
|
One of Us |
I am currently constructing a luxury photographic lodge in the middle of Hwange national Park, I have a large private lease of approx 500 square km,s, we will offer personalized guided tours including walking safaris and tracking of the big 5 on foot, if all goes well,we will be fully operational by October 1 this year. Although many parts of hwange;s tourist routes are not conducive to great sightings, this is not the case in the private concessions. Your trip can be combined with a trip to VictoriaFalls. Martin martinpieterssafaris@gmail.com www.martinpieterssafaris.com " hunt as if it's your last one you'll ever be on" | |||
|
| One of Us |
The family and I are booked at elephant plains lodge in Sabi Sands reserve adjacent to KNP. They have excellent feedback on tripadvisor and the rates are significantly lower than similar accommodations. We then head to Kimberley for a 10 day plains games hunt. This will be in July. Can give a review when we are back. | |||
|
| One of Us |
It's hard to say. The private lodges around KNP and in areas like SABI Sands and in the Timbavati Game Reserve do provide good opportunities for photographic safaris. You can also consider Madikwe (in the North West province of SA and malaria free if that is an issue to you). There are lots of great places, but those would be my recommendation. None will be cheap. | |||
|
| One of Us |
having been to all those places i would suggest that time is your major consideration. knp you should really have 5 days minimum to see the whole thing. umfolozi and hluhluwe can be done in a day each. vic falls is less than a day or a day if you include the market. hwange should be 2 days. knp and hwange both have lodges to stay at in the parks. lots of eles in hwange, but the big old tuskers in knp are really something to be seen. depends on what you want to see and where you are and how much time you have | |||
|
| new member |
Darkside, Appararently I am not authorized to access the PM you sent. May need to add me to your "friend" list? | |||
|
| One of Us |
txdoc I'll try that or email, thanks | |||
|
| One of Us |
For some reason, I've never scheduled a side trip for photography in RSA even tho I have been there most....but any photo safari would be hard to beat what is offered in TAN say at Ngorongoro Crater or Tangire. | |||
|
| One of Us |
The thing about Kruger is that you can self-drive, which is what I did back in '03. Imagine being by yourselves, maybe 20 or 30 miles from the nearest camp. No one else around. Plenty of wildlife. That was something special. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Done this a couple time in Wankie (almost got eaten by Lion but that's another story). ::::: God does not have this Ox. ::::: | |||
|
| One of Us |
How are the game numbers in Hwange? Which Camps/areas are still nice? | |||
|
| One of Us |
The private camp "The Hide" is nice and have enjoyed camping at "Ngweshla" but you need to be self sustainable there. Going with a PH is a great option so Martin might be a good option in the near future. Main Camp and Sinamatella have basic lodging facility's. | |||
|
One of Us |
Darkside, The North West Province in S.A has Big 5 - Pilanesberg (Sun City / Lost City) and Madikwe Nature Reserve, all well known. Hunting camp's are operated in the region of 40-120 miles from these National Parks. One of the best places to see black & white rhino. Have all 3 species to hunt available. Walking Safaris can be arrage in these Game reserve's. Dream it...Discover it...Experience it... Patrick Reynecke Outfitter and Professional Hunter Bushwack Safaris Box 1736 Rustenburg 0300 North West Province South Africa www.bushwacksafaris.co.za Cell: +27 82 773 4099 Email: bushwacksafaris@vodamail.co.za | |||
|
| One of Us |
Darkside, PM send Dream it...Discover it...Experience it... Patrick Reynecke Outfitter and Professional Hunter Bushwack Safaris Box 1736 Rustenburg 0300 North West Province South Africa www.bushwacksafaris.co.za Cell: +27 82 773 4099 Email: bushwacksafaris@vodamail.co.za | |||
|
| 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 Hwange/Victoria or Kruger??
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia