quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
The reality of hunting wild africa is that not everything can be found within a single area or even country; if it could be, then we would call it shopping rather than hunting. The term non-indigenous relates to the placing of species in an area where they do not occur naturally and is more common on african property than one might expect. Many times this information is not provided by the owner/operator. A copy of the SCI record book provides much information in this regard. You should also be aware of what constitutes free range v. estate (fenced) hunting/animals.

Likewise, some animals may be found only in very limited areas. Both the Kafue Lechwe and the Black Lechwe are among these and they do not occur together naturally. This usually, and rightly, places a premium price on these species and there is no such thing as a "budget" Sitatunga. Nor should there be, IMO.

Because you do not say which Lechwe you would like to take, Mark has given you the correct information regarding one option. However, you need to realize that the Bangweulu Swamps are a long charter air flight from the Zambia capital of Lusaka, is considered a specialized hunt, is expensive, has only a limited number of other species available and all can usually be taken within 5 days if you are lucky on the Sitatunga . Note, however, that Sitatunga are never guaranteed and can easily be hunted for 10 days without success, and oftentimes are.

If you forego the Sitatunga, you can drive from Lusaka to the Blue Lagoon or the Kafue Flats for Kafue Lechwe. Chobe Bushbuck are not particularly rare and can be found in many areas but exceptional animals are largely a matter of luck.

I am a huge fan of hunting in Zambia, although the current status is confusing. In 2004 I took a Kafue Lechwe at Blue Lagoon, chartered into the Mwanya area where I collected some world record class animals, including Bushbuck, Puku and Lion, and then flew into the Bangweulu where I collected those unique species that occur there. That 21 day safari included 4 charter flights and could not be classified as a budget hunt by any estimation.

I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck, but you have a lot of research, planning and decision making in front of you.

quote:

Originally posted by Late-Bloomer:
Andrew...your advice is much appreciated

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Take a Puku and maybe he can tempt you with some of his oversized Kudu.

quote:

Originally posted by Big game artistry:
I hunted sitatunga in the bangweulu with pete swanepoel jnr and few years ago and to save money drove up there from Lusaka with him rather than take a chartered fight. It was a great way to see more of Africa rather than just fly in, shoot and fly out which is what most people do when hunting the lechwe up there.

I'd hunt with (and plan to) pete again. Have a look at his website. Safaribwana.com

quote:

Originally posted by Late-Bloomer:
Much appreciated!
Thank you!

I'll be talking with Thor shortly!

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by Big game artistry:
I hunted sitatunga in the bangweulu with pete swanepoel jnr and few years ago and to save money drove up there from Lusaka with him rather than take a chartered fight. It was a great way to see more of Africa rather than just fly in, shoot and fly out which is what most people do when hunting the lechwe up there.

I'd hunt with (and plan to) pete again. Have a look at his website. Safaribwana.com

I was with Pete the other day. Good man that.
He is presently hunting next door to me.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by Late-Bloomer:
Much appreciated!
Thank you!

I'll be talking with Thor shortly!

Ask him if it would be easier for me to hunt the Kafue Lechwe with you. As it is on my doorstep? Sort of split the hunt with 2 PH's.

This photo is of a 21 inch Chobe and used to hang on the dining room wall at Munyamadzi.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by Late-Bloomer:
Much appreciated!
Thank you!

I'll be talking with Thor shortly!

Ask him if it would be easier for me to hunt the Kafue Lechwe with you. As it is on my doorstep? Sort of split the hunt with 2 PH's.

This photo is of a 21 inch Chobe and used to hang on the dining room wall at Munyamadzi.

quote:

Originally posted by poacher458:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by Late-Bloomer:
Much appreciated!
Thank you!

I'll be talking with Thor shortly!

Ask him if it would be easier for me to hunt the Kafue Lechwe with you. As it is on my doorstep? Sort of split the hunt with 2 PH's.

This photo is of a 21 inch Chobe and used to hang on the dining room wall at Munyamadzi.

Agree with Andrew it might be easiest if he does does the Lechwe with you as they are his end of the country!

quote:

Originally posted by Late-Bloomer:
Okay Andrew...I got the ball rolling in contacting Thor

Definitely adding a few days of dedicated Wildlife Photography to get me new material!