Many of you know Russell Caldecott who owns and runs the Ultmate Lodge in Vic Falls. The June/July issue of Universal Hunter magazine has a very good article about Russell. He also has a book due out soon depicting his life and the struggles he has had to deal with. I have read the rough draft and is very good and inspiring.

A very nice article about Russell. Must be a tough guy. It seems he has done very well for himself under very trying circumstances.

I stayed at the ultimate lodge for two nights this year, I highly recommend it. Russell is a great host.

I thought he had closed it down. Apparently not.

He was open in July

He is open on an informal basis. Russell has had to undergo an amputation of both legs due to an accident while hunting. But I believe he is hanging in there.

Russell is still up and running. I stayed their after my hunt in mid July and just talked with Russell last week.

He is heading out to do some hunts and check out their applicability for handicapped hunters in the future.

My daughter and I stayed with Russell a couple years ago - prior to having his lower legs removed. We had a great time, Russell always had a good dinner and some sort of guest or entertainment for us in the evening and a driver during the day to take us to see the sites. 1st night some native Matebele dancers came. 2nd night three of the original and few remaining "dugga boys" came and talked about the days in Rhodesia as Game officers - which was a real treat and I will always remember. The third night a ex. German fellow and his girlfriend came over, sang and chatted and was very interesting. Russell was well into music it seemed, played the guitar and sang a bit himself. As I understand it, Russell was a PH, got in to a wreck with the cruiser and broke his back and lost the use of his legs. I keep up with him a bit on Facebook, truly a nice guy
and I hope he is doing well

There is an excellent article about Russell in the latest issue of African hunter magazine. You can download the issue .

The same article on Russell appears in the issue of the African Hunter you guys have now got a digital version of, and he and I are talking about us publishing the book under the African Hunter banner. I will probably be in the Falls next week to chat with him about it.

Russ is an outstanding man for whom, the glass is always half full. Quite amazing and one of those people, that once befriended, has got your back.

I have spent time with him every year over New Years for the last three years, staying at his lodge, and always come away feeling humbled and more alive. Made lots of good friends there too.

Although he closed the doors of the lodge to general business, he still accommodates hunters passing through the Falls. His “kind” of people, and he has a long list of regulars. I spoke to him yesterday, and he said feel free to contact him directly should you want to visit and stay at Ultimate Lodge. His e-mail is russell@ultimatelodge.com.

More recently, he has been very involved in his work with helping other people overcome similar hardships, and is working with an organisation to bring recently disabled people (Marines) out to Africa - doing a bit of safari and even hunting - to help them overcome and move on. A couple years back he organised a container of wheelchairs to be shipped from the USA and distributed to those in need within his community. An outstanding contribution in a sector of society sadly neglected in Africa.

As I say, quite a man, and an inspiration.