In 2014 I told you all I had done my last safari, but I was wrong!

In my Hunt Report August 2014 for Buffalo in Bubye, I sadly and now erroneously purported that it was my last safari to Africa. I encouraged you youngsters to go while you could. I was very depressed about the thought, but the travel had taken a heavy toll on my hubby, so I accepted the fact that we had many wonderful memories in our trophy room and that would have to suffice. Several of you AR members consoled me. And, others thought I would get over my post-safari depression and recant. They were right.

In 2015 the African addiction re-emerged. (I shouldn't keep reading the Hunt Reports on AR). But the fact remains, my husband can no longer trek far from the house. We did do a Wyoming deer and antelope hunt in the fall, but it only confirmed any kind of travel for him is now out of the question.

I only had one remaining item on my African bucket list, a hunt with Andrew Baldry. I was almost persuaded to join his 2015 group hunt, but resisted the urge. Then, with my husband's encouragement, I succumbed to an opportunity to hunt with Andrew while celebrating my upcoming 70th birthday in August 2016 for a 21 day safari in Zambia. I agreed that a fitting end to my African hunting would be as it started: On my first safari in August 1996, I celebrated my 50th birthday on a 1x1 safari without my husband, who had developed medical issues in the interim after booking. Once again, I will be back in Africa 1x1 celebrating my birthday 20 years later.

The only thing better than having my husband there with me, is having a partner of 48 years who wants me to have a great hunt, to be successful, and to accomplish this last bucket list item for Africa.

So, to quote Andrew,
"Hartebeest are Red.
Wildebeest are Blue.
I'm going hunting.
Are you going too?"

I'll depart LAX on July 28 to Dubai with a short over-night, and on to Lusaka. Back the same route. I'm excited and anyone who can offer advice about transiting Dubai, I'd appreciate the input. Kathy Klimes of Wild Travel is handling all my travel and knows the gun permits I'll need, but it is always reassuring to hear from folks who have been there, done that.

My African addition is alive and well!!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Good for you! A 21-day safari is a fitting way to wish Africa goodbye.

Happy for you it was a wise decision

21 days with Andrew / Royal Kafue is a great ending to your safari career.

Happy hunting

That's great!

Epic

Have you no shame Darin . . . piling lie upon lie . . . you apologize for the last fib and then proceed to tell another, like this will really end up being your last trip.

My guess you will still be going long after I hang up the Courteneys.

for a minute there you had scared that maybe you did something bad like posting on the political forum but this is a good thing

Good for you!

I've hunted with Andrew for the past two years. He will take very good care of you.

Enjoy your safari (hopefully not your last). Once you've hunted Royal Kafue, you WILL want to go back. That's the good news!

Good hunting.

Wish you all the best Darin.

Sorry to have missed you at Vic falls in 2014.

God Bless.

Darin,
Excited to hear you are headed back, but last safari? Like Mike, methinks not...

I wish you great hunting in Zambia! 21 days... wow!

I may be a prime example of old "huntaholic"!! And you guys might reconize the signs better than I do! My "last safari", you have me doubting my ability to quit!!

We've seen it on here before and you youngsters are probably beyond saving (I wouldn't go home if I killed everything on my list the first day or broke my leg, by the way.)

Thanks for the understanding and good wishes! Darin

Good for you!

Keep inspiring us whippersnappers...

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Have you no shame Darin . . . piling lie upon lie . . . you apologize for the last fib and then proceed to tell another, like this will really end up being your last trip.

My guess you will still be going long after I hang up the Courteneys.

There is NO CURE for African addiction.

KNOWN or UNKOWN!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Have you no shame Darin . . . piling lie upon lie . . . you apologize for the last fib and then proceed to tell another, like this will really end up being your last trip.

My guess you will still be going long after I hang up the Courteneys.

There is NO CURE for African addiction.

KNOWN or UNKOWN!

Saeed! There is no doubt you are also afflicted! In fact this forum is for those "soon to be" or "already" African Addicts! My favorite people!

Best regards, D. Nelson

I will have the pleasure of escorting the madam during the prime month of August not to Royal Kafue but to a secretive place I know well in the Luangwa corridor. It is one of Zambia's classic hunting grounds and rich in game. It will be a champagne safari me thinks.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Have you no shame Darin . . . piling lie upon lie . . . you apologize for the last fib and then proceed to tell another, like this will really end up being your last trip.

My guess you will still be going long after I hang up the Courteneys.

My guess is that Mike will prove right
Why should you stop doing something that you love at a age of 70 ?

Many years to come lady


Morten

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I will have the pleasure of escorting the madam during the prime month of August not to Royal Kafue but to a secretive place I know well in the Luangwa corridor. It is one of Zambia's classic hunting grounds and rich in game. It will be a champagne safari me thinks.

58 days until departure, but who is counting?

Darin

Like they day "Never say never!" Good for you on your upcoming "Last" safari. I thought my "last" safari was over back in 2008 when I had end-stage-liver disease, but I am eagerly awaiting my Sept buffalo hunt.

BH63

Darin, best of luck on your coming adventure. 8 weeks of anticipation will be a wonderful thing.

We are very psyched for you Darin. You will get on famously with Mr. Baldry.

Cheers
J&J

I am sure Andrew has planned something special for you...

Dear Darin.

You go girl!

Teaming up with Andrew, for your "last" hunt in Africa you will never regret, nor forget.

Now, when your African fever jitters set in next year, let us make a plan and go hunt some buffalo together!

Good luck Darin!

Hugs Jytte

Buffhunter; I love your attitude

Mej, Frostbit and others, Thank you for the encouraging words. I think I will now take "last" out of my vocabulary!

Best regards, Darin

Really excited for you, and hope you have the best of lucks! A 21 day safari with Mr. Baldry sounds proper

Have a gret trip. I hope you'll be posting next year telling us how you're going to celebrate your seventy first birthday in Africa.

I'm already looking forward to this hunt report, well illustrated I hope.

Darin, seriously, that was not much of a confession. See below on how to do it properly.

Busted Halo: How To Go To Confession

If I were a priest, I would say, "Go in peace and keep on sinning as long as you can!"

Darin,

Mike's version of "Advice for Confessions" is actually quite useful. You must do your penance promptly. I think another safari where you can observe and appreciate all of God's wonders is just the ticket.

Seriously, I have thought about this, and I would have a hard time saying any given safari was the last one. I cannot imagine the last day of the last safari. Best to leave it open.

Sounds like a fantastic trip, though. I'm sure you'll enjoy it immensely. Good luck and can't wait for the hunt report.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Darin, seriously, that was not much of a confession. See below on how to do it properly.

Busted Halo: How To Go To Confession

If I were a priest, I would say, "Go in peace and keep on sinning as long as you can!"

Michael, if you were a priest you would be guiding me to Hunter's Heaven!!!

Thank you... I think I'm headed there with this hunt!

Best regards, Darin

quote:

Originally posted by Pondoro:
I am sure Andrew has planned something special for you...

As long as it's not the "hair net roast".

quote:

Originally posted by ManuelM:
Really excited for you, and hope you have the best of lucks! A 21 day safari with Mr. Baldry sounds proper

Ours was.

Sounds like an EPIC adventure.
All you need is the porters & gun bearers.
We've never met, but I am truly excited for you.

Good luck and good hunting!

Simply outstanding !!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I will have the pleasure of escorting the madam during the prime month of August not to Royal Kafue but to a secretive place I know well in the Luangwa corridor. It is one of Zambia's classic hunting grounds and rich in game. It will be a champagne safari me thinks.

you will have a most excellent time me thinks. great way to spend your birthday and plan your next hunt.........

Darin, you epitomize the wife we all wish we had. I love you from afar.

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
Darin, you epitomize the wife we all wish we had. I love you from afar.

Best regards, Darin

quote:

Darin, you epitomize the wife we all wish we had. I love you from afar.

Yep!
What a gal!

Bwana Cecil & FortestB

My husband's response to his buddies' saying "your lucky your wife hunts", was, "it always costs double and she gets the first shot"! So be careful about what you wish for!


Thanks for the kind words! Darin

.

Darin hi and great news!


Ad.dic.tion ( / e'dikSH(e)n/ )
Noun
The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing (sic Africa ) or activity!


21 days in Zambia with Mr Baldry will be a 'champagne safari'! The question is what label and how many bottles ??!!


Counting the days with you and looking forward to hearing how it goes !


Charlie


Ps from a guy whose wife - Anja - also hunts, yes it does cost double and the wives tend to go for the more expensive trophies too! But I would not want it any other way!



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