This year marks the 43th year since we have started going on safari.

Basically a lifetime of non stop adventures with close friends.

Time, of course, has its toll too.

As some of our friends have departed to THE HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS.

They are missed dearly.

But never forgotten.

We remember them at camp and the bush, remember all their laughter's, successes and mishaps.

The things that make a safari so wonderful.

We have a new friend joining us this, and several old ones who have been several times.

My friend Roy and his wife Rene will not be joining us this year due to health reasons.

Hopefully they both will join us next year.

As usual, we are hunting with Alan Vincent, who is probably suffering from some mental ailment, as he actually said he is looking forward to seeing us!

With all the endless hassle we cause him, he is a glutton for punishment.

Maktoum was here last night, and apparently he has some "plans" for his professional hunter, Pete!

Can't wait to see the results

Looking forward to it as it is the highlight of the AR calendar.

Wow Saeed…43 years!!! But think, we have been friends here for nearly 20. Time marches on for sure.

I wish you good luck and look forward to reading your exploits.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Wow Saeed…43 years!!! But think, we have been friends here for nearly 20. Time marches on for sure.

I wish you good luck and look forward to reading your exploits.

Thank you my friend.

When is your next African trip?

.

Saeed, I always wanted to ask - what have you done with 43 years of trophies ? Must be a huge trophy room

.

I don’t keep many trophies.

I have a few displayed in my house, many are in friends house, and some are in storage.

Looking forward to reports on “no miss” bullet performance and great photos. I hope you and your friends have safe travels.

Another year! I think we all look forward to this time of year as it’s always nice to follow along on the adventure, no matter where we are in the world.

This year will have a different feel without Roy there, but it’ll still be the same adventure in so many other ways. I guess he’ll follow along like the rest of us now.

Alan and I have discussed this eventuality, wondering how many more years it’d last and how things might change over time. He appreciates what a special gift all these years together have been. I think we all do. You’ve built something very special with the Vincent’s.

Looking forward to once again living vicariously through your report. Stay safe and enjoy every moment.

Cheers
J&J

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Wow Saeed…43 years!!! But think, we have been friends here for nearly 20. Time marches on for sure.

I wish you good luck and look forward to reading your exploits.

Thank you my friend.

When is your next African trip?

I don’t go back until first of June 2026 9 months from now.

I need to get one of those never miss stickers that you have…

That’s why I don’t always kill with one shot!

I hope I’m able to keep at it like you!

Too bad for Roy, but look at it this way… you and Alan can conspire for next year and he will never know what is going to happen next, you will drive him around the bend!

Hope he and his lovely wife are on the mend.

i wish

We wish you nothing but good luck, Saeed!

We left a lot of good luck unused in the Selous earlier this year, so there should be plenty laying around waiting for you!

Looking forward to your always brilliant reports.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
We wish you nothing but good luck, Saeed!

We left a lot of good luck unused in the Selous earlier this year, so there should be plenty laying around waiting for you!

Looking forward to your always brilliant reports.

Lady luck!

The most important companion one could have, especially in hunting!

We always either praise her, or put the blame on her.

And depending on who is involved, the results, and opinions, can be diametrically opposite.

Walter, who all know has a problem walking very far, wanted to shoot a buffalo.

We found an area where a bunch of dugga boys seem live in.

So very early in the morning, we headed there.

Sure enough, the trackers found fresh tracks.

We followed them until we came across them.

Back to the truck to get Walter.

And as luck would have it, they were walking heading to an open area.

We went ahead of them and waited.

They came walking along about 60 yards.

They all walked into a clear area, and stood inline as they saw us.

It was incredible how they stood, as if someone placed them totally broadside to us.

Walter "Roy, which one shall I shoot?"

Roy "Anyone! And be quick about it! They are not going to stand there long!"

Walter fires, and all the bulls take off running.

We saw the bullet hit between the bulls!

One of our trackers was laughing, and talking in Swahili.

Apparently he saw the bullet hit a twig standing between us and the buffalo.

Sure enough, there was about an inch thick twig which Walter had hit.

It was the only one between us and the buffalo!

Roy "did you purposely AIM for this twig?"

Walter "Of course not! I did not SEE this!"

Roy "You are doing your usual shooting habits! Missing what you are supposed to hit, and hit what you cannot see!"

The argument was cut short, as Walter somehow, in his unlucky day, stood on top of an ants nest.

They all walked up his trousers legs.

He was screaming, trying to take his trousers off while jumping up and down!

When this was all over, Roy blaming Walter for his miss by PURPOSELY shooting the stick.

Walter blaming Roy for MAKING him stand on the ants nest!

Lady luck must have been laughing her head off then!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
We wish you nothing but good luck, Saeed!

We left a lot of good luck unused in the Selous earlier this year, so there should be plenty laying around waiting for you!

Looking forward to your always brilliant reports.

Lady luck!

The most important companion one could have, especially in hunting!

We always either praise her, or put the blame on her.

And depending on who is involved, the results, and opinions, can be diametrically opposite.

Walter, who all know has a problem walking very far, wanted to shoot a buffalo.

We found an area where a bunch of dugga boys seem live in.

So very early in the morning, we headed there.

Sure enough, the trackers found fresh tracks.

We followed them until we came across them.

Back to the truck to get Walter.

And as luck would have it, they were walking heading to an open area.

We went ahead of them and waited.

They came walking along about 60 yards.

They all walked into a clear area, and stood inline as they saw us.

It was incredible how they stood, as if someone placed them totally broadside to us.

Walter "Roy, which one shall I shoot?"

Roy "Anyone! And be quick about it! They are not going to stand there long!"

Walter fires, and all the bulls take off running.

We saw the bullet hit between the bulls!

One of our trackers was laughing, and talking in Swahili.

Apparently he saw the bullet hit a twig standing between us and the buffalo.

Sure enough, there was about an inch thick twig which Walter had hit.

It was the only one between us and the buffalo!

Roy "did you purposely AIM for this twig?"

Walter "Of course not! I did not SEE this!"

Roy "You are doing your usual shooting habits! Missing what you are supposed to hit, and hit what you cannot see!"

The argument was cut short, as Walter somehow, in his unlucky day, stood on top of an ants nest.

They all walked up his trousers legs.

He was screaming, trying to take his trousers off while jumping up and down!

When this was all over, Roy blaming Walter for his miss by PURPOSELY shooting the stick.

Walter blaming Roy for MAKING him stand on the ants nest!

Lady luck must have been laughing her head off then!

Reminds me of someone walking over to the skinning shed, barefooted, at Mlele to photograph all his buffalo skulls while standing atop a termite mound and having his feet bit by ants…

We have a saying.

When the brain is dead, the body suffers!

And my body has permanent signs of non stop suffering!

Some would say that Saeed makes his own luck. He keeps himself very fit at an age when many are on walking sticks. He shoots straight with an accurate rifle and understands anatomy. He has a certain amount of experience after 43 years. He hunts with a great PH in a prime area and he knows how to have a bit of fun.
Having said all that, Lady Luck can still conspire to interfere with the best laid plans, so we all hope she smiles on you once more so we can be entertained vicariously. Inshallah!

I was asked about the ammo above, some have double shoulders.

These are new formed cases from the original 404 brass. Forming is very easy, I just run the 404 case in the 375/404 sizing die and trim.

Also asked about the ammo boxes.

These we make here on our 3D printer, as I could not find proper boxes to fit these cartridges. Available boxes are either slightly too small or too big.

Also asked about my rifles.

Here they are.

The one with the short barrel and messed up paint stock is the original 375/404 built by my friend Dwight Scott.

The other one I built myself.

Both are on Dakota 76 action.

The buffalo head on the scope mounts were a gift from my friend Todd Kindler.

He likes smaller calibers, and wasn't too impressed on me making shoot big bore rifles!

Apparently they rattle his brains!

We were in the Selous in January from our cruise!! Got it all warmed up for you, got very close to a pair of male Lions, and had one amorous young bull elephant give us a little charge!!

We met Roy Vincent in Victoria Falls in 1978 on our first trip to Africa. Our Letaba Ranch hunt went sideways when PH Norman Deane didn't show up and sent his arrogant son in to hunt us!! We hunted out deposits and left, on advice of the Govt Camp Manager. Went traveling instead... that's when we met Roy!!
Have a SPECTACULAR hunt with Alan, Saeed!!

CheerZ,

quote:

Originally posted by 470EDDY:
We were in the Selous in January from our cruise!! Got it all warmed up for you, got very close to a pair of male Lions, and had one amorous young bull elephant give us a little charge!!

We met Roy Vincent in Victoria Falls in 1978 on our first trip to Africa. Our Letaba Ranch hunt went sideways when PH Norman Deane didn't show up and sent his arrogant son in to hunt us!! We hunted out deposits and left, on advice of the Govt Camp Manager. Went traveling instead... that's when we met Roy!!
Have a SPECTACULAR hunt with Alan, Saeed!!

CheerZ,

Glad to hear it

You cannot go wrong with Alan.

He has had years of training between me and Roy.

Two of the most obnoxious old men he had to endure for many years!

Well another adventure is about to begin.

Who will be making the trip this year?

Looking forward to your photos and videos that we all get to watch a time or two.

Best of luck.

toast one for Walter as I am sure he is watching from above.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana338:
Well another adventure is about to begin.

Who will be making the trip this year?

Looking forward to your photos and videos that we all get to watch a time or two.

Best of luck.

toast one for Walter as I am sure he is watching from above.

And one for Roy. It’s going to be strange, for all of you, for Roy & Rene to not be there this year. We all hope that he will be back next year.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana338:
Well another adventure is about to begin.

Who will be making the trip this year?

Looking forward to your photos and videos that we all get to watch a time or two.

Best of luck.

toast one for Walter as I am sure he is watching from above.

Maktoum and Tony wanted a break from their respective wives!

Apparently an inaccessible area in the Selous is perfect for that!

We have a new friend from South Africa, Greg, who has not been there yet.

He will be hunting with Tony, who I am sure will be happy to show him the ropes, and play a few tricks on him.

Cannot let a good opportunity to pass!

The rest of the crew are all veterans with us.

Why they keep coming back every year I have no idea.

Endless complaints is all they get.

Got a message from one of the regulars.

He said is looking forward to being called "bloody useless!"

Those who have been following our safaris would know the atmosphere!

We start early, either Maktoum or me in the mess tent first thing in the morning.

I normally beat him if there are lions by the camp at night!

He says he waits in his tent for my screams if they are still in camp at the break of dawn!

We have had occasions were we had to go get some of our hunters from their tents with armed guards!

It normally happens with city dwellers.

We rarely come back before dark.

If we do, as sometimes happen when we shoot something early in the morning and return for lunch.

Lunch, whatever it is, is usually not what we want - at least that is what we always tell Rene!

She has a soft spot for me, as she always offers to prepare whatever I fancy.

The rest of them get told eat what is there or go hungry!

We are going to miss her.

Roy's non stop telling me and Alan off in the truck will be missed too.

Despite over 40 years of practice, we still have not got to the stage where what we do actually pleases him!

Another sad fact also our long time driver , Lema, has passed away.

Him and me had a system going.

As I get off the truck, he asks what are we after, and then he picks a round from my ammo belt to chamber in the rifle.

This has been going on for years, and never failed.

He likes to make fun of me too.

Once I was trying to shoot guinea fowl with a 17 caliber rifle, and wasn't able to get any.

It transpired I need to hit them in the neck of head, because hitting them on the wing at the shoulder does not work.

He said "Saeed my friend, 5 shots and no chickens. Yesterday 3 shots and three buffalo! Chickens are stronger than buffalo! Hahahahaha!"

He was the oldest of the crew.

The trackers and game scout prepare lunch.

They give him his lunch on a separate plate as sign of respect.

Then they all sit around the two pots and eat theirs.