All this talk of the Matetsi units begs the question, where in Zim is the best destination for a short safari - 10-12 days - with a very good chance of a 40+ sable and a good solid buffalo?

Moreover, where in all of Africa is the best destination for a short safari - 10-12 days - with a very good chance of a 40+ sable and a good solid buffalo?

Will, Mozambique offers a couple of good places for what you are asking about, and most should not mind if you bring your own PH. Solid Buff? You are not going to shoot a 44" easily in Moz, but you should get a respectable, 36-40" hard bossed bull there. The country is of course famous for it's Sable and Elephant.

i shot a beautiful 46" in matetsi but that was in the mid 90's. last time i was through there it seemed like the squatters had pretty well taken over the place. i believe the sable in moz are classified as roosevelts which would make them a bit smaller. My son took a 41" out of the save area and i've seen others there that would go over 40

Will,

You are beating me up mate.

Just the hunt I'm looking for as well. I've seen LOTS of Sable when hunting in Moz, but a monster is hard to come by. Andrew, it's a shame about the Zambia turn-about.

I hunted HHKs Matetsi area in Sept. I saw half a dozen Sable over 40, including a monster in the neighboring unit. I have pictures of it if you are interested. They said it was 45-47. My brother shot 2 buffalo and a sable in 10 days. Biggest buff was 42 and the sable was 42 as well. It's not very exciting or interesting country, but the sable are as tame as cattle. It was a diesel safari which most people like. Not me though. There are very few normal plains game trophies, as it is heavily shot out. I also saw and photographed a huge male leopard and a good male leopard besides a dozen lions all during daylight. The buffalo as well as elephant bulls are transitory, so it's hit or miss. My brother hit it perfectly. The Tigerfishing was great and Vic Falls is a must see. I would definitely recommend it for sable in the 40 inch class.

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
All this talk of the Matetsi units begs the question, where in Zim is the best destination for a short safari - 10-12 days - with a very good chance of a 40+ sable and a good solid buffalo?

Moreover, where in all of Africa is the best destination for a short safari - 10-12 days - with a very good chance of a 40+ sable and a good solid buffalo?

Wait for 2014 and do it with Andrew. BIG Sable and hard bossed Buffalo.

Will,

From everything I read the feeling is Zambia will reopen in 2014 at least for non-cats.

Cheers
Jim

quote:

From everything I read the feeling is Zambia will reopen in 2014 at least for non-cats.

Cheers
Jim

Great to hear.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:

quote:

From everything I read the feeling is Zambia will reopen in 2014 at least for non-cats.

Cheers
Jim

Great to hear.

It is Africa!! We'll see.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Will,

You are beating me up mate.

If Zambia goes back on line, I have my answer, of course.

Here's to hoping that it happens sooner rather than later.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Just the hunt I'm looking for as well. I've seen LOTS of Sable when hunting in Moz, but a monster is hard to come by. Andrew, it's a shame about the Zambia turn-about.

I am working on it mate.

Hey Will,

Zambia is the obvious answer and when Andrew gets up and running that would be my call. I surely hope to hunt with Andrew again. However for 2013 I am giving Ngamo Sikumi a try in July for Sable. My PH is Terry Anders.

The game farmers that started early with farming buff and sable are now setting aside good sable and buff to hunt and all animals areold bulls

Hey Will,

I conducted almost a full season in Matetsi #6 during the 2004 season and our average out of the allocated 5 bulls was 44 1/2". A huge privilege to hunt such a magnificent animal of that calibre.

I have not been back since '05 but I hear the Sable population has been somewhat impacted negatively due to the increasing Lion population. Another reason why the Lioness should NOT be taken off quota!!

Cheers,
Brent

quote:

Originally posted by MANDLAZIM:
Hey Will,

I conducted almost a full season in Matetsi #6 during the 2004 season and our average out of the allocated 5 bulls was 44 1/2". A huge privilege to hunt such a magnificent animal of that calibre.

I have not been back since '05 but I hear the Sable population has been somewhat impacted negatively due to the increasing Lion population. Another reason why the Lioness should NOT be taken off quota!!

Cheers,
Brent

In the past three years we have conducted several sable hunts in Matetsi Unit 1. We are still averaging over 40 inch but must admit we are hunting harder each year for them. The lion population has definetly had an impact on the sable as well as some other species. The Matetsi area still remains one of the great areas in Zimbabwe for the prospect of large sable and also better than average waterbuck.

A couple examples from the past couple of seasons

46 - 47 inch Royal Kafue bull.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:


46 - 47 inch Royal Kafue bull.

Drooling......

Damn!!

quote:

Originally posted by FishN4Eyes:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:


46 - 47 inch Royal Kafue bull.

Drooling......

Damn!!

Yea! Me too.
Very nice Sable

quote:

Originally posted by FishN4Eyes:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:


46 - 47 inch Royal Kafue bull.

Drooling......

Damn!!

And dumb!! You can practically pet them.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by FishN4Eyes:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:


46 - 47 inch Royal Kafue bull.

Drooling......

Damn!!

And dumb!! You can practically pet them.

Wow!! What an awesome animal!

That's the kind of sable that makes writing the check much easier.

Fairgame, you are a showoff.
What a fantastic specimen

quote:

Originally posted by tim416:
Fairgame, you are a showoff.
What a fantastic specimen

If you have got it flaunt it!
Wow, that is a specimen..

Andrew,
Not fair!
Incredible sable.
Hope things are looking better for hunting in Zambia.
Cheers
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Steve416:
Andrew,
Not fair!
Incredible sable.
Hope things are looking better for hunting in Zambia.
Cheers
Steve

Our Chief is approaching Government to apply for a waiver. After all we have nothing to do with the concessions or the tender. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve416:
Andrew,
Not fair!
Incredible sable.
Hope things are looking better for hunting in Zambia.
Cheers
Steve

Our Chief is approaching Government to apply for a waiver. After all we have nothing to do with the concessions or the tender. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

My fingers are crossed Mate. I hope they see the logic of Royal getting quota and your ability to continue the magic that has been started there.

We hunted Matetsi with HHK in Oct/Nov 2010.

We took three buffalo in camp 39", 41", 43.5" (won best buffalo in Zim 2010). I also hunted sable but only secured the permit on the second last day. I shot a lovely 39 1/2" which is probably not very large for that area. I did see other earlier in the hunt and one bull which was probably 42 or 43".

I agree that Zambia is probably the answer; particularly for the sable.

I also agree that Matestis is "soft" sort of spot and stalk type hunting. But a beautiful area and lots of different game to see.

It must be bloody frustrating not being permitted to harvest your own crop!

I grew up in Matetsi and have hunted there since 1979 Professionally, in addition have also hunted Zambia since 1983. There is no doubt that the best Sable come from these two countries. I have prob; taken better Sable overall in the Kafue than in Matetsi but not by much. The biggest Sable I guided a client to was in Zambia in 1984 in Naamwala 49" and in Matetsi in 1981 48", so it is a little academic as to which area is better.

Zambia is currently closed unfortunately. Matetsi still has great hunting all round with good Buffalo and a host of plainsgame, In addition I think Matetsi has the best maned Lion available today.

Both great areas, Happy Hunting

Where there are Sable in Zambia you will find Roan and L. Hartebeest which are desirable add ons to any safari. In northern Kafue the Crawshay's Defassa Waterbuck is also common.

Andrew, STOP IT with pictures like that!!! I have a Merkel 160 sidelock DR coming in 8x75 RS that I think I'll name Sable....cuz that's what it's for :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Andrew, STOP IT with pictures like that!!! I have a Merkel 160 sidelock DR coming in 8x75 RS that I think I'll name Sable....cuz that's what it's for :-)

Look forward to seeing it in action mate.