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.

Thanks for the loading pics....
For me, Safari finally becomes a reality when I sit down to load for the up and coming trip..
More than practice ammo, each round is carefully produced as each round promises an adventure.

I am having fun practicing off hand shooting at 100 yards using 2 308 rifles with military ammo.

I said two because I started with one and had to change to another one.

First one was a Kimber 8400.

It is a bit heavier than my 375/404 that I hunt with.

It also has a heavier trigger pull.

10 shots aimed and fired off hand, twice for a total of 20 shots per target.

Didn’t do so well.

Looks like I was hitting the target 50-60%.

Rest are all out.

I changed rifles to a Sako A7 S.

Slightly lighter, but has a much better, and lighter, trigger pull.

Again, same 20 shots on each target.

Looks like 100% are on target!!

Targets are still at the end of tunnel.

Will post pictures when I get them back.

I have a very light trigger on my 375/404.

Many people think it is far too light.

But it works fine for me.

Can’t wait for the daily reports as always Saeed!

Same area, same camp as last year?

Yes, we are hunting Madaba safari area again this year.

It borders the new lake, and is not too far from Dar.

The airstrip is also close to camp this year.

Last year it was an almost 3 hour drive, despite the distance was not that great.

We just have to jerk the trigger at the right millisecond.

Why do we miss?

As the great Yogi Berra explained one time when the Yankees lost:

“We made the wrong mistakes.”

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
We just have to jerk the trigger at the right millisecond.

Why do we miss?

As the great Yogi Berra explained one time when the Yankees lost:

“We made the wrong mistakes.”

Actually, you are absolutely right.

I get people come to shoot here, and it is fascinating watching them pull the trigger.

Some you can see the trigger finger totally off the trigger, they tough the trigger, let go off it, tough again, may be several times, then yank it!

I try explaining to them how it is done.

I will post my targets later today.

I do some trick shooting for the kids.

Like shooting off hand, shooting with the rifle upside down on my forehead, or standing facing away from the target, bending over and shooting between my legs.

The kids absolutely love it!

The right trigger pull can mean all the difference.

In hunting situations, one is never really still at all, except may be on leopard from a blind.

And trying to hit anything while moving all over the place is where a light trigger pull comes in handy.

Hi Saeed
I'm very sorry to learn Lema has passed away. If you posted that news before I missed it, sorry. Lema seemed to be a content and easy going old gent. The sort of man I could sit at a fire with to listen to tales of adventures past. I hope he joins up with Walter and both watch over your safari this year.

I’m saddened to read that Lema has passed. I know his health was declining and he had to retire, but definitely a somber note to read he’s passed. He was a good man, a good driver.

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
I’m saddened to read that Lema has passed. I know his health was declining and he had to retire, but definitely a somber note to read he’s passed. He was a good man, a good driver.

Bloody hell!

I hope no children look at this picture!

They would be scarred for LIFE!

Lema was a great guy.

On one hunt he watched us go off after buffalo for hours, and get back with nothing.

And on two occasions, not once, he had the last laugh at us.

Driving along one afternoon, he slowed and stopped the truck.

No one asked him to.

He had his palm out of the window, pointing a finger slightly forward.

Less than 50 yards, was a bulla standing there totally unaware of us.

We jumped out of the truck and shot it!

A few days later, almost exactly the same thing happened again!!

And like all of our crew, he had a sense of humor.

Everyone went off looking for tracks, me and Lema stayed behind.

I took my camera and tried taking pictures of insects around.

I saw piece of dry wood.

From a certain angle, it looked like the head of a rhino.

Called Lema and told him I found a rhino.

He started laughing, saying there no rhinos here.

Got him to the piece of wood, and he looked at it.

He burst out laughing.

Yes he said it IS a rhino.

wait till I show them this.

They won't believe it.

Sure enough, as soon as everyone was back, he took them to the rhino.

They were laughing non stop after that!

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
I’m saddened to read that Lema has passed. I know his health was declining and he had to retire, but definitely a somber note to read he’s passed. He was a good man, a good driver.

Lovely photo Dan. Two old friends in a happy time.

It will be interesting if some of you try this test.

The difference between a heavy trigger pull and a light one in off hand shooting is remarkable.

Our hats re unique each year.

They are designed to make one invisible.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Our hats re unique each year.

They are designed to make one invisible.

I'm going to have to break out some magic markers and give them and my hat to my 4 year old grandson.