Just returned. Briefly, excellent trip, virtually no problems. Hunted the East Cape area. Got supurb Waterbuck, Nyala, Vaal Rehbok, Red Hartebeest, Springbuck, as well as an unexpected excellent Warthog, and finally a decent Southern Bushbuck. PH and entire operation top of the line. Found SAA personnel as friendly and helpfull as ever, walked about all I wanted, service whenever desired. I didn't find the Airbus any less (certainly not more, though) comfortable than the 747. Of course the flight duration is horrid, but always has been. Found gun registration to be fast, simple, hitch free, I feel Air2000 is a waste of money. Found RSA general attitude to be good. Absolutely no problems. Hunted privately owned, large ranches (i.e. 200,000+ acres). Animals totally wild, free range. Fences, yes, but observerd myself that they don't deter animal travel much, and on 200,000 acres, what does a fence mean? Naturally reproducing, no put and take. Some long shots--320 yds in 40 mph wind for Vaal Rehbok, 430 for Red Hartebeest (both measured). Vaal Rehbok is a very difficult animal, overlooked by many folks, a lot of people who try fail. Saw lots of game, many species I didn't hunt. Used a wildcat 8mm I made--.320 DGC--200 gr Barnes XLC's performed flawlessly. Trip was a definite winner. Not darkest deepest Africa, not intended to be. If one wants to hunt, this is the place. We basically hunted on foot, on the ground. Of course you travel by Land Cruiser.

Interesting
How fast with the 200 grn bullet ?
The 8x68s does 3116 fps with CDP factory ammo
RWS makes a1,7 g bullet go 3247 fps
With your big case you should do better ja

Cheers,

Andr�

Built on a .404 Jeffery case, cut to standard length, i.e. .30-06, .338 Win/7mm Rem length. Pretty hot number.

What case is your 8mm build on ?
I am in the process of building a 8x68s

Cheers,

Andr�

Arts,

Congrats and glad to hear things went well! I came to a similar conclusion on my way thru RSA re firearms permit issues - no big deal. Albeit I'm a beginner (first safari earlier this year) you've hit upon one of my longer term goals - a hunt for nyala, bushbuck and vaal. Always planning for the future, and primarily interested in huge properties like you apparently hunted, with whom did you hunt, i.e. outfitter and PH?

Will we be graced with photos?