Is anyone familiar with the Kibaoni(sp?) block that Tanganyika Wildlife Safaris runs in the Selous. If so, how is its reputation? Will be a 21 day in Oct/Nov(Good Months?) with Elephant as #1 priority followed by Lion, Leopard as #'s 2/3 and then all the rest. If anyone has been to this block would very much like to hear your experiences. PM if you like.

Are there better blocks in the Selous if Elephant is a priority(H&H camp? Others?)?

I am not sure what the official name is (ie; LU5, etc) but will try to find out. It is in the southern part of the Selous.

Any info appreciated. Thanks.

Not quite sure which specific block it is in but TAWISA have some of the finest ele blocks in and around the Selous and these are all in the South. October should be great as its the driest period. Nov may be tricky with the weather anytime after around the 10th. Good rains will affect your hunt in a negative way.

The dates are Oct 14-Nov 3rd. Do you think it would be better to try to get the safari before (End of Sept to roughly Oct 14th)? They said it was one of their best Elephant blocks, just wanted to see if anyone had hunted there or knew more about it.

either dates should be just fine IMO. the former will give you the extra security that other than afternoon thunderstorms, you will not encounter any serious rain. Nov 3rd is generally still early for the short rains but one never knows, last year the rains came in mid-oct!!

bulldog563,

Kibaoni camp is in LU7, in the southern Selous, on the eastern bank of the Luwegu River. I believe that hunters booked in Kibaoni generally hunt in LU7, LU8 and LU6.

I have hunted there, as well as farther south and east, along the Mbarangandu and Njenje Rivers. As Bwanamich has said, these are good elephant areas. These blocks are swarming with elephant. You will see them every day, and you will see hundreds over the full 21 days of your safari. With elephant as your number one priority, I would say your chances of finding a legal bull are very good.

The Pasanisis run a superb operation. They manage their blocks very conservatively, never taking anywhere near the full quotas from them. They truly have no second rate blocks. You are in for the time of your life.

Later is better for elephant in the Selous, although it will be quite hot, and too late is not good because of the rains. I think the last few weeks of October should be about perfect. I have booked the same time period for 2008.

The elephant will be easier to spot, since all of the burning will have taken place, and with water getting scarcer, their movements will be more predictable.

Good luck!

And Good Luck to you as well! Did you see the pictures of the Elephant taken last year? Pretty Impressive.

You have a PM.