My buddy & I just booked a hunt with Kambako Safaris in Mozambique for this September. We will be on a 12 day buffalo & sable hunt. Can those experienced in hunting this area advise us on what weather we can expect? What preparations and precautions can & should we take for tsetse flies? Same question for snakes?? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance for your time. 163bc

Just happens that I hunted with Jumbo in September of 2013. You can expect it to be reasonably cool in the mornings, but quite warm, approaching 100F, in the early afternoon. Tsetses aren't too bad. You will run into pockets of the little bastards from time to time though. I used Avon repelent and pre-washed all clothing with permethrin before leaving. A long sleeve shirt is helpful if you can stand the heat. No snakes seen. Saw quite a few sable, and decent numbers of buff. Suspect that you will do well. Fell free to PM me if you want.

thanks for the reply. I hope you had a great hunt when you were there. I'm open to any and all suggestions about hunting and traveling there. I appreciate your time. 163bc

I have been lucky enough to have spent several months there over the years.
Yes September will get hot during the day but is about the ideal month for hunting.
Don't run into too many snakes and there can be big numbers of the fly away from the river. Cotton trousers would be good protection for them plus any odd mosquito that you might find.
I promise we will leave some big buff and Sable for you this season.

My favourite light camp that you must watch out for Lion;

You will be prey to tsetse flies. But they will also be your quarry, and there are no bag limits or trophy fees. If you learn the trick of the smack and smear, you will kill many dozens. Still, they will outnumber you, and they will take your blood and drink it down. There is no stopping them, no matter how hard you try. That is how it is and must be.

You will be tormented by Mopane bees. But you may slay them, too, by the dozens, with impunity, and without cost. A head net will be surer salvation than the purest soul at St. Peter's Gate. They are bigger than no see 'ums, so, as far as nets are concerned, what works here will work there.

You will be hot, will sweat bullets and will need to drink a lot of Vumba. A LOT.

There are snakes, too. But only black mambas. Notoriously slow and non-aggressive creatures.

Who said Africa was supposed to be easy?

So nothing stops the fly? Deet? The Avon product I have read about in some posts? Mopane bees? Are they like yellow jackets? Is it too late to book for Namibia?

well i don't know chit about the area but i do know john. you are about to have a totally 1st class experience. jumbo has worked for 1/2 his life to get an outfit like this together and now he has done it

I'll be in Jumbo's camp last of August. Tsetse fly, yep, MR has it right. Nothing stops them, not for long anyway. Deet, nope! Avaon, maybe for 10 minutes or so, at least the wimpy ones! That's about it. But slap and smear does work and it's quite satisfying to boot! Fact is, I much, let me repeat that ... MUCH prefer the fly to those damned Mopane bees. The fly you can get away from, the Mopane bees ... not so much. Do bring a head net as it will save your sanity somewhere on the 6th or 7th day of constant buzzing in your ears and around your eyes!

But, that's hunting Africa in the wild places. If that's too much, there's always RSA and the ranches!

We'll try to save you a couple of buffalo! I expect it will be epic! Have a good time!

Here's a nice trophy quality Tsetse fly. Mucho funo to smash one in this condition:

Hey Todd, looks like we might catch up in August.
Here is Tsetse protection Mozambique style. Better to cut out a breathing opening in that plastic bag;

If the bugs bug you, I might be interested in your hunt at a discount...

Guys, keep it up!

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
Hey Todd, looks like we might catch up in August.
Here is Tsetse protection Mozambique style. Better to cut out a breathing opening in that plastic bag;

Hey Adam,

Man, that would be awesome if we get a chance to meet up in Jumbo's camp. I'll get back to you with dates once I get a final itinerary.

Yep, a breathing hole is always a good thing!


Here's a preview of those pesky Mopane Bees:

I will take tse tse flies any day instead of the bloody mopane bees!

Tse tse flies bite you on your body.

mopane bees go for your eyes.

Sometimes at the worst moments.

Well it sounds like the place sure has bugs. Guess we're just going to have to deal with it as best we can just like everyone else. Thanks for all the replies. Lots of great information. Learning a bunch of interesting things which is much appreciated. Thanks, 163bc

quote:

We'll try to save you a couple of buffalo! I expect it will be epic! Have a good time!

Please do leave us a couple. Never thought I'd have a chance to hunt cape buffalo and might never get to again. I'll just be looking for a good representative trophy. Anything better will just be a bonus. I'm so excited I haven't been able to sleep since we confirmed the booking. I'm ready to head out tomorrow.

I have hunted Moz now 4 times, going back again this year. In all the trips have encountered a couple of dozen of our biting fly friends and never seen a Mopane bee. Been on rivers, swamps, dry areas and the lot. Guess I have been lucky to have avoided the situations experienced by some here. Been there in June, July, August and September. Never used a head net, except in the Artic for Caribou, never use anything with Deet, the Avon works as good.

The Avon Skin So Soft, obviously works to a great degree, on the Mozzies as well, since have only had a couple bites by them during these adventures.

Larry Sellers
SCI(International)Life Member
Sabatti 'trash' Shooter
Blaser R8
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by 163bc:
Well it sounds like the place sure has bugs. Guess we're just going to have to deal with it as best we can just like everyone else. Thanks for all the replies. Lots of great information. Learning a bunch of interesting things which is much appreciated. Thanks, 163bc

Hi Larry,
Being that Niassa is closer to Tanzania than the Zambezi the Tsetse fly are in higher numbers up there.

I have no doubt that you will have an excellent hunt with Kambako Safaris.

The mopane bees i have found to cause havoc after mid day and late afternoon.Trying to keep still with those little shits constantly in your eyes and ears can irritate the hell out of you.They can irritate you to the extent of not been able to take a shot.

1)"Invest in a head net."
2)Make sure you make a point of taking it with you every time you leave the vehicle.

3) Make sure you have underpants on as that little Tsetse proboscis loves that genital area when you are seated in the vehicle.Good luck,safe travels and enjoy the experience.

Item 3 on the list is interesting!!!! How many hunters turn up without underpants on?

Now I remember , Buzz does wear a mankini ,,mmmmm???????


Cheers

Nick

Adam,

So you are going again this year eh!!!! What dates mate and what are you hunting? I heard maybe you weren't doing this year?Harry and I will be in JBerg on 26 August overnighting on the way to Dande.

So if you, or if you Todd are around let's catch-up , we are staying at citi lodge at OR. Tambo

Cheers

Nick

Nick and Adam,

Looks like I'll be there the first two weeks of August.

Be damned careful of the Portogees.

In Zambia, the Mopane bees were fierce. Thank God I had my Shannon BugTamer jacket. Check 'em out: http://www.bugtamer.com/economy.html

Just imagine trying to wear a suit like that in 100F or more temps! I'd rather fight the bugs myself.

George

quote:

Originally posted by nickh:
Adam,

So you are going again this year eh!!!! What dates mate and what are you hunting? I heard maybe you weren't doing this year?Harry and I will be in JBerg on 26 August overnighting on the way to Dande.

So if you, or if you Todd are around let's catch-up , we are staying at citi lodge at OR. Tambo

Cheers

Nick

Hi Nick,
Planing on being in Moz for the whole of August so we wont be around.
Shot Harry's 458LOTT yesterday.

Skin so soft works the best for tsetse flies

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
Nick and Adam,

Looks like I'll be there the first two weeks of August.

Should still see you there but particularly if you stay at PBL.
Are you taking the Wife?

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
Nick and Adam,

Looks like I'll be there the first two weeks of August.

Should still see you there but particularly if you stay at PBL.
Are you taking the Wife?

I will be staying an extra night at the end of the hunt at Jumbo's place on the beach. Not taking the wife as this is a group hunt with Tim Herald. I think it's purely a guy's trip, but I could be wrong. Anyway, she will be going along next year when returning to Buzz's camp for another ele bull. We're doing a couple's trip along with Maximus Brutus and wife. Adam, have you taken your gal along to Jumbo's and if so, are the accommodations in camp good for spouses?

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
Adam, have you taken your gal along to Jumbo's and if so, are the accommodations in camp good for spouses?

I plan to do this this August and would think their camp and Lodge are about as good as a hunting camp gets for the women.