Can't say enough about SAA, Afton House, Optima, Inyathi, Ultimate Lodge, Cabela's, Sako, Guav Johnson and his team, and Federal. All performed great. The only cooperation not given was that they had way too much rainfall. The grass and brush were thick. The normal herds of buffalo weren't moving through the consession (Matetsi-2). We had four bulls to choose from, three more that moved across the boundary one day, and back off, and another dagga-boy after my bull was on the ground. Matetsi-3 had one bull on the property for twenty straight days before about 150 buff moved through.

It was a smooth hunt, great experience, and tigerfish to boot.

A momentary scare on the tail-end when one bag didn't make it to my door from Washington until 2:30 this morning.

I few quick tips:

Don't be too fast to pay the $30 on the way out of Zim airport. I was told that was the airport tax by a number of people. They didn't ask for it at the airport. I didn't offer.

Don't convert your money to Zim dollars, but have plenty of your cash. No credit card use for the most part. ($1,000,000 bought two AA batteries.) The new $100,000 bills stated on them that they were valid from June 1st thru December 31st only.

Bring plenty of money for tips in camp. I probably spent $150 per day total, including PH.

Camo is fine. No one mentioned my camo until I brought the subject up. Theoretically illegal, but only the military pattern. Everyone mentioned how they loved the latest patterns, and how good they were in the bush.

The bottom-line was a 38" dagga-boy. (The big boy that crossed the boundary, crossed back after we were exposed by two giraffe on our final stalk.)

Summary - Loved Zimbabwe hunting, will probably go back in 2008. Vick Falls was a sight. Loved the campfire conversation at the Ultimate with Russell and Zandra. Guav is the ultimate PH. I really enjoyed his help and comments about buffalo, elephant and lion, and his stories of Cameroon and Boddington. I have greater respect for the man after Guav's comments about his ethics and honesty.

More later when I get back to India.

quote:

Don't be too fast to pay the $30 on the way out of Zim airport. I was told that was the airport tax by a number of people. They didn't ask for it at the airport. I didn't offer.

I may be wrong, but I think the duty tax is included in your plane fare now.


Kensco,

Sounds like you had a great time, look forward to the pic's!

Congratulations on your hunt!

quote:

Originally posted by Widowmaker416:
[QUOTE]Don't be too fast to pay the $30 on the way out of Zim airport. I was told that was the airport tax by a number of people. They didn't ask for it at the airport. I didn't offer.

I may be wrong, but I think the duty tax is included in your plane fare now.


Yes, it is.....
The $30.00 departure tax is included in your ticket price. Also there are signs at the airport stating that.

Kensco, glad your trip was successful and a hard earned trophy is a life long memory...

Mike

I forgot to ask a question.

Right before leaving for Zimbabwe I noticed my front ring on my scope had been displaced slightly due to recoil. I took the gun back to the shop and had them re-mount the scope. I left for Zim the day after sighting it back in.

Once I got in the field I noticed that at low power I could see the front sight on the end of the barrel in the lower half of the scope. In fact I could see the end of the barrel as well.

I don't remember seeing that until after I had the scope remounted. Is it normal to see your front sight in the scope at 3X or less on your DG rifle? It didn't create me any problem other than being a distraction.

I see the end of my barrel through my 1.5 x 6 Swarovski if I have it on the lower settings.

Kensco, congratulations on an enjoyable safari!

Seeing the front sight when the scope is on low power is normal, don't worry about it!!

Sounds as if you had a great trip, Congrats

Pictures please

Is Guav the tall super thin PH? The poeple at Matesi 3 say he looked just like his dad, both great PHs. Congratulations on a good hunt.

Sounds like a great trip. I've hunted Matetsi 2 and 3 with Guav, and will do so again in 58 days (but who's counting). A really nice young man and his bushcraft is indeed formidable.

He does like to hunt elephants !!

Guav is indeed super lean. He did me a great job. I had a number of his peers say he was the best up-and-coming young PH around, that could end up legendary, if hunting in the Cameroons doesn't kill him.

That final stalk on the buff was a classic. Guav gave him no chance to use any of his senses against us. Guav contradicted his trackers a number of times, and was right on every call. I would love to hunt with him again.

H. T., I think he mentioned you and your wife. if you used to live in El Paso. He's looking forward to your hunt. He had me convinced to hunt elephant, and I wasn't even interested until he started talking.

Say hello for me when you get there. He was way too good a salesman, in addition to being a super PH. I spent all the money I had, and then some.