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My wife and I flew out of the Missoula, MT airport May 3rd on our way to Johannusburg, RSA via Altlanta, GA. The flight from Atlanta is a direct flight to J'burg but 15 hours seems an eternity. We were met by Nihan Engelbrecht of Huntersgame Safaris out of Barley West in in the north cape province. From J'burg we went to Kruegar Nat'l. park for a 5 day photo safari. Then on to Barkley West to hunt with Nihan and his great staff. At this point I might ad that this was our second trip to RSA to hunt with Huntersgame Safaris. Our 1st trip was in May of '09 when I took a Kudu, Gemsbok, Burchells Zebra, Impala and a good Warthog. Back to my 2011 trip. We were accompanied by our friends, Wayne and Bonnie W., from Laurel, MT on their 1st trip to "The Dark Continent". We were fortunate enuf to take a geat Waterbuck, a very good Red Hartebeast, a Blue Wildebeast and the four color phases of Springbok. Wayne to a Kudu, Black Wildebeast, Red Hartebeast, Blesbok, common Springbok, Impala, Gemsbok ans a Warthog. I have not included these pics. All of the animals I have taken on both trips I took with my Rem. 700, SPS, SS, 300WSM using Nosler 180 gr. Accubond handloads. These have performed excellent and I retrieved 2 bullets from the trips. Both Nosler 180 gr. Accubonds had 120 gr. + weight retention. All animals were one shot kills. I cannot more strongly recommend www.Huntersgame.co.za for anyone that may be thinking about a trip to RSA. The accomodations, food, staff, atmosphere is excellent. Nihan Engelbrecht is the owner,outfitter/PH who is a truly great person IMHO. The Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeast and the Red Hartebeast mounts will be done by Red Dune Taxidermy near Kimberley, RSA. The four Springbok mounts will be arranged in a collage of shoulder mounts all placed together on one pedestal by Alpine Artistry in Arlee, MT. We plan to return to RSA in the future for one more trip as I have a desire to take a good Sable, Black Wildebeast, Blesbok and who knows what else? I have stated to my wife of 40 yrs. that I am indeed trying to get Africa out of my system, to no avail. But, she is not the voice of reason when it comes to travel and hunting adventures. Guess I'm a very fortunate husband in this regard. Anyway, enjoy the pics. MTG

MTG,

Welcome to AR, and congrats on a fine safari!

Great trophies, congratulations!

Exciting to hear. I love for the dark continent in 13 days for my first trip. Cannot harldy wait.

Welcome to AR, I understand your love of Africa, leaving for Africa in 33 days. It will be my 10th trip and I am just as excited now as 2000 my first trip. I will be hunting in RSA (Natal) for 5 days for Red Duiker and maybe some other species and then on to Moc. for 7 days for Suni and Sharpes Grysbok. This will be my first hunt in Moc so that will add some flavor to the trip. One thing I can say it never, I mean NEVER gets old. I started planning and packing about a month ago and repacking. My wife use to think I was crazy with all the prep but now she just looks and says nothing.

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
My wife use to think I was crazy with all the prep but now she just looks and says nothing.

Yeah! But what is going on behind the eyes and between the ears? MMmmmhhh?? Still waters??

Scriptus, she is thinking "how much longer until he goes and I have MY vacation." The first time I went to Africa it was 2 weks in Natal and when I returned she said You will never go for two weeks again, so the next year I went for 3 and she has said nothing since.

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
Scriptus, she is thinking "how much longer until he goes and I have MY vacation." The first time I went to Africa it was 2 weks in Natal and when I returned she said You will never go for two weeks again, so the next year I went for 3 and she has said nothing since.

You have obviously got this all worked out, and maybe you should let others in on your knowledge.

Thomas McIntyre, one of this country's best writers said..

"It may be one’s best intention to see Africa just once in one’s life—to get the chasing of its game out of one’s system—but it is an intention almost impossible to carry though on. Once seen, Africa demands to be seen again. And again."

You may be making more trips than you or your wife have planned on.

How true about "The Dark Continent". We plan a 3rd trip in the no so distant future. I doubt I will ever get Africa out of my system. But, age and other trips can be deciding factors in ones resolve. I/we are contemplating an Ibex hunt in Spain. This, along with a tour of the Spanish sights and of course some time in Portugal. I have been put on notice that our trophy room has shrunk considerably due to numbers of critters that are being mounted and will take up lots of wall space. I do not want to put on an addition as this will cut into my travel account. This is a double edged sword. Too many mounts, not enuf time to do all the trips I desire, too little wall space and a wife that is not the conscience of reason to any of these dillemas. In the past I have asked her if she would like to go to? Before I get the location out of my mouth her answer is YES! When do we leave? This not a complaint. Only a dillema. MTG