I just received an email from pierre i will be hunting with him in the selous in september 2007 the hunting blocks he hunts in the selous or the blocks i will be hunting are blocks R2 and MK1 iam assuming these blocks are good blocks to hunt cape buffalo......

Capebuf,

I am heading there, R2 with confidence..Many friends before me have shot some very nice buf with Pierre there in the past few years..
I will be there on a full bag 21 day license...15 animals and 2 buf and plains game and lion, leopard, ele, hippo, and croc..
My son informed me he wants a baboon skull...

Mike

37 days till the Selous

I'm going there a bit after Retreever, be there Oct 5 for 16 days. I have instructed Pierr'e to let Retreever run the buff around and tire them out so I won't have to work so hard when I get there. I have also heard good things about this area and Pierr'e. Between the two of us Mike and I should be able to give you an idea of the this years hunting oportunities. I'll post my results in the proper African forum after I get back.

Retreever,

I thought there were 3 buff on a 21 day?

MK1 is allocated to Intercon and R2 is allocated to Eco hunting (I believe same owners?).

I know the blocks opposite R2 on the Ruaha river very well and they were very nice blocks. The ruaha makes for a spectacular landscape. If you enjoy fishing, then you will have great opportunities for some superb tiger fishing. There is a place all the way downstream where the ruaha narrows through a rocky gorge which is breathtaking. Make sure they take you there! I have often found single dagga boys at this place.

MK1 is much more flat and does contain very good populations of plains game and buffalo. It borders onto the photo blocks of the Selous. It has been hunted very hard over the past 10 years and records show that it consitently produced more buffalo than any other block in the Selous. You draw your own interpretation

However, if you are hunting primarily cape buff then why visit 2 blocks? Concentrate on one either R2 or MK1 for the entire duration. R2 is definetely more scenic because of the Ruaha but MK1 is equally nice for different reasons.

Congratulations! Ought to be a great hunt!

FWIW, The biggest herd of Buff I've ever seen anywhere in Africa was in MK1. We stopped and filmed it and I'd estimate the herd to be over 1000 strong...... and all just stood and looked at us....... As BwanaMich also says, the Rs are also nice areas....... although you do have to remember that the game in the Selous is always completely free to roam and it follows the best rains and grazing etc....... one area might be stuffed with game one year/month/week and then most move to a different area.....

I'll also second the comment about the fishing... if you hunt the Rs, - TAKE A FISHING ROD!!!!!!!!!

I hunted R2 with Pierr'e last year. R2 is hilly and rocky. Be sure to take good supportive footwear and be prepared to do a lot of walking. I took a nice Buffalo and a warthog on a 7 day safari. Pierr'e will work hard for you and you will have a great trip. Good luck and good hunting!!

the babo skull will cause you some difficulty with the CDC

Lewis50, you are coming in right behind me, my 10 day buff hunt ends oct 3 and we return to Dar on the 4 th. Perhaps we will run into each other at the Sea Cliff and I will buy you a drink and we can swap lies! Lee

Lee,

Your last night in camp will be my birthday so give me a toast while you are there...

Mike

My wife and I will be at the Sea Cliff on Oct. 3 after a bit of sight seeing up Arusha way, with any luck we'll get a chance to down a few. Mike, I'll toast your birthday, just leave some money at the bar to cover the tab.

I shot 2 good buffalo in R2 with Pierre last June

Mike, with pleasure! Lewis, my wife will be with me, along with my hunting partner Bob Moore. Hope to see you and give you the lowdown! Lee.

Took a nice croc in the narrow area of the Ruaha River in block R2 or R4 by wadding out in the river at night to several sand bars in the middle of the river. Very exciting, but effective as you are among them, The river is so large in most areas that you can't shoot across, but the buffalo hunting was very good in these blocks.

Dak

Never been to R2 but R4 is also a Intercon Block south of R2 with big Elephant Bulls and good Lion population but few Buffalo and Plainsgame. Mk1 has very big Southern Impala around "25, Many Big Warthogs, Lots of Nyasa Wildebeest, Eland and spooky Buffalo !!!! Saw big LION and Elephant there.

r.
Seloushunter

The Ruaha river is quite a beautiful setting; do bring a fishing rod, and when you reel it in, don't stand too close to the river bank.

We are hunting MK1 first week of Sept with Pierre and Wikus Groenewald. First Selous hunt so we are looking forward to it. Only 7 days. How is MK1 for impala, warthog, hartebeest, zebra, and wildebeest. I have heard everyone about the buffalo #'s but what is realistic?

Thanks

kudubull,

I leave to hunt with Pierre in 23 days...I will be hunting for 21 days and have 15 animals on license...

Mike

Kudubull,
Don't worry, you'll see enough of those species to fill your bag if the hunting Gods are with you.....

Is this the same area where Sheephunters fiasco took place?I do not recall the specific area, and if memory is right SH was there in October and not September.

Capebuf,

I will be hunting with Pierr'e in July 07 for the third time. Actually it may be the fourth time with Pierr'e if Judge G gets a hunt put together in March.

In my opinion, you have picked a very good PH for a buffalo safari as well as other game.