This time next year I will be boarding a plane headed for the Selous. Until that time I will be even more useless than usual. I have spent the last few nights sitting around the campfire with Ruark watching the embers glow, listening to hyaena and watching the sparks rise until they mingle with the stars. The man could turn a phrase and there is something inspiring reading a book published a year before I was born.
My thoughts are constantly on caliber choice and bullet selection. Should I change the 300 RUM into a 404? Should I bring the 12ga? The 22? Damn, I wish I could go for 3 months at a time like Bob did instead of just 2 weeks!
The only consolation is that the next year of anticipation won't come close to the fun of the Safari!

Believe me, I can sympathize with you...Only kidding...The time the plans and all the prep what a high...The last two weeks go slow...

the Selous,

Mike

Blacktailer:

What will be best of all the anticipation is that Africa will exceed your expectations. Believe me, you will not be disappointed! I don't mean whether you get what you are going for or whether the PH is a great guy. (I was lucky to score on both counts on my one and only trip) It's what you will enjoy about being in the bush and experiencing Africa. You'll know better what I'm talking about when you get there. Have a great trip!

Russ,

It's great to have that to look forward to. I'm sure you'll have a terrific trip.

All the best,
Kyler

Blacktailer,

I hope you enjoy every agonizing minute of the next year. The Selous is a very special place and worth the wait. You won't be disappointed.

Bull1

I know your anticipation only too well. I am leaving for my first safari in 7 days. ...a calm has descended upon me. It only took 10 months of eating, sleeping, breathing safari to come to this point.

Enjoy the ride, baby !

The madness is more intense after the safari....when am I going back.....

Alas I've been asking myself that for 9 years and it looks like 2008 is the earliest I can return which will be 11 years.

It's taken me 3 years to get back. The only way I could convince Mrs Blacktailer to let me go was to promise that this will be the "last" safari.

I went under the "one year to go" point for my second trip, yesterday. Tested my new scope mounts on the .375 today and came home smiling. Each day I'll find another trip related thing to do, and I probably still won't be ready on time! They say suffering builds character so we'll be pretty rightous by then.

I share your anticipation/agony as i will be in Tanzania hunting buff next year at this time. Right now it seems like forever!

quote:

Originally posted by Blacktailer:
It's taken me 3 years to get back. The only way I could convince Mrs Blacktailer to let me go was to promise that this will be the "last" safari.

Last Safari???????????? The last safari is when they shovel dirt in my face, and I hope that's in Africa! Just send my double rifle back to my wife!

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:
Last Safari???????????? The last safari is when they shovel dirt in my face, and I hope that's in Africa! Just send my double rifle back to my wife!

Damn right about that. Except they can bury my double with me as I'm going to need it in the afterlife as well.

I am in the same boat. I will be in Tanzania for Leopard, Elephant, Sable,Eland and some Buff
if all goes well in just one year. It will be my second time in TZ, the first was in 2003. Third time in Africa, my first was in Zim in 2000. FUNNY IT WAS SUPOSED TO BE A "ONCE IN A LIFETIME" TRIP or at least that is what my wife was told at the time. It wasn't a lie. Before I went to Africa I never intended on becoming addicted. Once I was there I knew if I had to rob banks so be it I was going back!!

In the mean time I content myself bear baiting and trying to kill my first black bear with a bow. I am looking forward to deer season and then ice fishing.

quote:

It's taken me 3 years to get back. The only way I could convince Mrs Blacktailer to let me go was to promise that this will be the "last" safari.

I hope you had your fingers crossed behind your back.

The only way my wife will let me go is if I promise I will go again the next year to give her a couple weeks of peace and quiet!

quote:

Originally posted by Blacktailer:
It's taken me 3 years to get back. The only way I could convince Mrs Blacktailer to let me go was to promise that this will be the "last" safari.

Come on.. You know Mrs. BT is just holding out for that full length fox coat at SCI this year.
.

-Steve

I am one year out as well (Sept.16,2007) returning to the south and east cape region in hopes of bagging nyala,bushbuck and blue duiker.I got around the missses problem by booking her along for the ride.Told the outfitter all will be well as long as his supply of diet coke and lime hold out.As for me,I'll make do with the local libations.