Gariya Safaris
Does anyone have any experience with Gariya Safaris? I was told they have the Tsholotsho south concession. A good friend who is a PH is trying to convince me to do a hunt there and I have not heard anything one way or the other about them. Thanks!
03 April 2011, 19:03
ROSCOEI have hunted Tsholotsho South several times but not directly with Gariya. Interesting area that has the potential to produce big ivory. The hunting methods are a little different than other places I have hunted due to the proximity of the park.
04 April 2011, 12:15
Neil-PHI hunted the Tsholotsho South (and North) as a PH for many many years. It does have the potential to produce big ivory, as the elephant cross the fence from the National Park.
You would do well to consider the time of year you do your hunt. Early season is wet, and getting around the southern parts can be tricky with all the black cotton soil and clay; however with the rains comes food !! The elephant love the corn that is grown locally and find it hard to resist. An added bonus in the early season is the relative ease and speed in which you can track down your quarry, but be wide awake, chances are your encounter could be a very close one !!
As the area dries out, food becomes scarce and believe me, the elephant knows what the fence demarcates - safety on one side and conflict on the other. This doesn't mean there are no big tuskers around; put in the effort and you may well be rewarded.
I would avoid late season hunting (Oct -Nov).It is extremely uncomfortable with the temperatures ranging into the 120 degree zone. Another influencing factor are the Cicada beetles. I noticed a distinct drop in elephant activity the one year, but a distinct increase in Cicadas. I discussed this with National Parks Ecologists who believed the niose created by the little critters was just too much for the sensitive elephant ears !
Not sure who owns Gariya Safaris now, back then a guy by the name of Jack Andrews did. He ran a good camp, provisions were always in supply, and staff were fine.
In my opinion,don't worry too much about Gariya, but rather the timing of your hunt. Speak with your PH about it.