Heading to MAKUTI for 16 days for buffalo, leopard and elephant plus the odd plains game.

Looking for any advice from anyone who has been there on what to expect in the area. From numbers of animals, poaching scene and topography.

Any tips shall be greatly appreciated. Saw the beautiful leopard taken by Mr. Williams.

Thanks in advance

G'day GOB,

Mate one of the best hunts have ever had was in Makuti.
It was a late season hunt in 2011. Very large area, saw some really good herds of Buffalo and Elephant.
Did a hunt report but do not know how to link it, but if you search
"Elephant, Buffalo and Sable hunt with CM Safaris - September 2011"
in the Hunt reports to find it.
Enjoy the hunt, and if you get the chance go and see lake Kariba have lunch and a beer by the waters edge.
Scott
Scott

GOB;

I also hunted Makuti, although it seems like yesterday, it was in 2007...see hunt report link below.

Among other things, I took buff, leopard and elephant and had multiple opportunities on each. The only negative I can recall were Tsetse flies, but they were tolerable.

Who are you booked or thinking of booking with and which camp?

Best regards, D. Nelson

Have hunted Makuti twice. It is a big area and much of the area you will cover on tar roads. It has significant topography and so (1) a fair bit of the hunting can be spot and stalk, and (2) it can be a physical hunt getting up and down the hills. Very neat area with good game numbers (at least that was the case five or six years ago) if you do not mind covering it on the tar roads and you are in shape.

All that said, I would probably not hunt Makuti again . . . at least now. There have been a number of cases of persons contracting trypanosomiasis in the area. I personally know two people, Justin Drainer (cameraman for Charlton McCallum) and Blake Wilheimi (PH for Charlton McCallum) that got sleeping sickness in Makuti. I would certainly check into the sleeping sickness situation. I would also wear long pants and long sleeve shirts, treat them with permethrin and use lots of Avon Skin So Soft.

Lots of hills which you can glass from. It is helpful if you are in shape and can climb, although it is possible to drive to some vantage points, and I would imagine the trackers and PH can do some spotting. It is a very pretty area.

Here is a link to a hunt a few years ago, CMS is no longer hunting Makuti and I don't know how the game has fared recently, but I am pretty sure the mountains are still there.

http://forums.accuratereloadin.../1411043/m/227100909

EDIT: Doing an Advanced search on "Makuti" and selecting just the Hunting Reports - Africa" forum, there are quite a few reports, mostly from when CM Safaris was hunting it.

I was also there in 2007. We did a lot of walking for tuskless. I believe in the entire concession there is enough flat ground for one or two soccer fields. Expect that it will always be uphill back to the truck.

Had the time of my life.

No idea how the game is today.

Who are you hunting with?

Lots of rocks too, made more interesting when covered with long grass...good strong ankles would be a plus.

With places nicknamed with phrases like "The Dreaded Dreadful" you get the idea of what the landscape can be like. That said, it is certainly huntable for most folks . . . just helps to be in shape.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
With places nicknamed with phrases like "The Dreaded Dreadful" you get the idea of what the landscape can be like. That said, it is certainly huntable for most folks . . . just helps to be in shape.

Sort of place Bear Grylls avoids?

quote:

Originally posted by GOB:
Heading to MAKUTI for 16 days for buffalo, leopard and elephant plus the odd plains game.

Looking for any advice from anyone who has been there on what to expect in the area. From numbers of animals, poaching scene and topography.

Any tips shall be greatly appreciated. Saw the beautiful leopard taken by Mr. Williams.

Thanks in advance

GOB - When are you headed over? I'm hunting Makuti Oct 11th-22nd with Terry Fenn for Tuskless and PG...

Hi Scott,

Thanks for everything and being so kind. We are going with Dean Kendall and Tanya Blake as our PH's. Tanya is the only female PH in Zimbabwe and as beautiful as she is competent.

It is a shame that you are not able to come along!!!! You really were kind and helpful to us.

Actually Paul Carter who is coming with us is just prior to coming to Africa is going to New Zealand for a Thar and Red Deer hunt.

If you have time and it is possible could you please Scan a couple photos of your Hunt.

Our email address is bland@epix.net and if you have time our web site is www.woodcockhill.com

Look After Yourself,

Cheers,

Christa & Glenn Baker

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
With places nicknamed with phrases like "The Dreaded Dreadful" you get the idea of what the landscape can be like. That said, it is certainly huntable for most folks . . . just helps to be in shape.

Hey Mr.Jines,

Everyone is really helpful and thankfully everyone has given me the details on the topography. Guess what I had my right knee replaced three weeks ago. The good news is that I am walking two plus miles a day. It is like the Army, it is what it is and I have got to make it work and do my job. I now know that I shall have to train harder to make it work. I really appreciate everyone who is so helpful. With a bit of luck and a following breeze I may get lucky and get a leopard nearly as nice as the one Mr. Williams bagged.

Cheers,

Glenn

Good luck to you. It is a beautiful area and I am sure you will enjoy it.

quote:

Originally posted by Scott Powell:

quote:

Originally posted by GOB:
Heading to MAKUTI for 16 days for buffalo, leopard and elephant plus the odd plains game.

Looking for any advice from anyone who has been there on what to expect in the area. From numbers of animals, poaching scene and topography.

Any tips shall be greatly appreciated. Saw the beautiful leopard taken by Mr. Williams.

Thanks in advance

GOB - When are you headed over? I'm hunting Makuti Oct 11th-22nd with Terry Fenn for Tuskless and PG...

We are headin into Camp on 10 May so it is going to be a hoot with my new knee playing mountain goat. I am up to 2 1/2 miles up and down hills. I will give it the old college try to get the knee in full operational mode. I really appreciate all the advice, I know full well now what I must do to prepare.

quote:

Originally posted by GOB:

quote:

Originally posted by Scott Powell:

quote:

Originally posted by GOB:
Heading to MAKUTI for 16 days for buffalo, leopard and elephant plus the odd plains game.

Looking for any advice from anyone who has been there on what to expect in the area. From numbers of animals, poaching scene and topography.

Any tips shall be greatly appreciated. Saw the beautiful leopard taken by Mr. Williams.

Thanks in advance

GOB - When are you headed over? I'm hunting Makuti Oct 11th-22nd with Terry Fenn for Tuskless and PG...

We are headin into Camp on 10 May so it is going to be a hoot with my new knee playing mountain goat. I am up to 2 1/2 miles up and down hills. I will give it the old college try to get the knee in full operational mode. I really appreciate all the advice, I know full well now what I must do to prepare.

I just had my leg screwed back together in December after breaking it - lots of walking for me to prepare! I did not realize the terrain was that rough!!

I know I will be ready - I can't wait!! I have dreamed of this hunt for years!!!!!

Thanks for posting the links to the hunt. All you can say is WOW! It certainly looks everyone had a fantastic time.

Very sorry to hear about your leg fracture, it does sound as if you had planned that little venture. Hopefully things are improving dramatically for you.

Here is a link to the 2009 tuskless hunt we did with CMS at Makuti.
http://forums.accuratereloadin...941080411#9941080411

It is certainly approachable if you are fit. If I were to hunt there again, I would have a pair of hiking boots in my kit. A lot of the country is fairly rocky, and it can get steep.

The sleeping sickness information above is, unfortunately, true. I would second the notion of treating your clothing with permethrin.

Hi Marty,

That was a great hunt and some superb photos. Thanks for sharing. Are you guys planning another trip?

One of the most remarkable things I found about Makuti was seeing elephant on mountain ridge lines. Or hillsides, like mule deer hunting in Wyoming. It was a very unique and special area.

You'll have a great time.

Best Regards, D. Nelson

. . . another thought that occurred to me. If I was going again I think I would take Black Diamond trekking poles. That would be a big help going up, and more so going down, the hills. Just a suggestion.

I'll second the trekking pole idea. I just use a single pole, and I don't stumble that way. It's unbelievable how much my endurance multiplied when I stopped using energy stumbling.

Mike,

That is certainly a great idea especially with the new knee. I shall sort that out and there is plenty of room in the Tuff Pak for the stick plus it will give me less worry.

Cheers,

Glenn

These are the poles I like. Unbelievably light and strong.
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Di...0TTKBP86AFTX3BKG12TT

Thanks for the link they look great.

Generally this time of the year, the grass will be pretty tall and so you might not see as much as you would in say August/September/October. That being said though, you are going at a very good time for leopard and things like buffalo will always be there. Don't pass up a 40lbs elephant, even if it's on the first day.

Have fun and enjoy it. It's what you make of it that counts the most

AVON Skin so Soft mosquito repelant keeps Tse Tse's at bay

quote:

Originally posted by Thierry Labat:
Generally this time of the year, the grass will be pretty tall and so you might not see as much as you would in say August/September/October. That being said though, you are going at a very good time for leopard and things like buffalo will always be there. Don't pass up a 40lbs elephant, even if it's on the first day.

Have fun and enjoy it. It's what you make of it that counts the most

Would you book a hunt this time of year?

I hunted Makuti twice with CMS when they hunted there, first in 2007 and then in 2009. Maybe Alan and Rich were taking it easy on me, but I didn't find it that strenuous. It is hilly though and the hill tops provide great vantage points for spotting game. Here are my 2 hunt reports:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=244102507#244102507

and
http://forums.accuratereloadin...851012511#9851012511

Dave

Dave!! What a welcome blast from the past to read your 2009 report again!
Sue and I send our very best wishes to you and Diann. Hope to share a fire with you again one day.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by Thierry Labat:
Generally this time of the year, the grass will be pretty tall and so you might not see as much as you would in say August/September/October. That being said though, you are going at a very good time for leopard and things like buffalo will always be there. Don't pass up a 40lbs elephant, even if it's on the first day.

Have fun and enjoy it. It's what you make of it that counts the most

Would you book a hunt this time of year?

For leopard - Yes. For sable, buffalo etc, I'd personally go August onwards.

Thierry,

I'm hunting Makuti Oct 11th - 22nd.. What are the conditions then? I'm assuming dry and brown...

GOB Congrats you have the combination for an excellent safari- thats a great PH combined with a fantastic area. Deano will deliver for you as for Tanya- I hear very positive feed back on her also.

Regards Makuti- we hunted it for 3 years. If you want ALOT of references go to www.cmsafaris.com and go to hunt reports and look back a dozen or so pages until you get to Makuti. Everyone of our hunts from the start are on there.

Makuti for me is the most beautiful area in Zimbabwe. It took us roughly 2 years to learn though. It is very mountainous- has excellent leopard far superior then the valley- outstanding buffalo and below average elephant bulls. If you are after tuskless then you are fine. Regards the bulls - the biggest we shot in 12 bulls was 45 lbs. Dont pass on a 40 and conciser shooting a 35. There really are 2 better areas in Makuti for ele bulls and that is the Ruia River and the 24 km peg on the Kariba road. I will call Deano and tell him.

Leopard- no issues there Dean is an excellent leopard ( and buff hunter)

Buffalo- lots of buff and dugga boys when you know how to find them. Spotting is the key to Makuti not tracking. Let Deano use his short legs to climb and spot for you!!! Take trekking poles they will help you immensely.

Personally I would have much preferred to hunt in July and August after the burns for the hunt that you are doing. May the grass will be very high and will make the buff and ele much harder. You will still get your buff though but the ele will be your hard trophy.

Sleeping sickness is a MAJOR problem- make sure you wear long trousers and shirts and spray. Justin and Blake got it and in our staff of 4 two died the year we left with sleeping sickness. Take a Mozzi net for afternoon siestas also.

Parks now run it - unfortunately! Make sure Deano over sees the trophies and preferably goes out with them. Make sure Deano takes extra $ for Diesel as they will ration you to 20 l / day which will get you over the first hill!! Take extra food as from reports that was lacking! Knowing all this you will have a GREAT hunt though- Makuti -my most favorite area in Zim and if it was not for the sleeping sickness we would make a major effort at getting it back!!! As I said I will give Dean a call and have a chat on the "hot spots" for you. I will also look at my calendar and if I am not hunting Dean can use one of my trackers as we know all the "secret valleys "etc- Have a great hunt and I look forward to the hunt report! Cheers Buzz

Scott!!- I am glad your hunt came off! Oct is excellent! You will spot alot. I know that you are after tuskless- awesome hunt there! For you and Gob if there is a spare sable tag grab it- there are some Monsters!! Who are you hunting with?

GOB - Sounds like you are in for a great adventure and here is wishing you all the best in your quest. Never been in that area but from the sounds of those here who have, should be a trip of a lifetime.

What's up with all the knee and leg problems going on here? Hope your "new" knee does you well. Seems you are headed in the right direction. Scott, hope you are healed and ready as well. My left quad surgery is now in it's sixth week and all going well. I did however postpone my annual 30 day trek to Moz for this year even though my doc said I would be a 100% by September. Going sailfishing in Guatemala instead this year. Again good luck and stay safe.

Larry Sellers
SCI(International)Life Member
R8 Blaser
Sabatti "trash" Double Shooter

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Scott!!- I am glad your hunt came off! Oct is excellent! You will spot alot. I know that you are after tuskless- awesome hunt there! For you and Gob if there is a spare sable tag grab it- there are some Monsters!! Who are you hunting with?

Thanks Buzz! I'm going with Terry Fenn. The sleeping sickness issue concerns me some - extra precautions I guess!

It has been a rough winter - both the cold and broken bones / torn up appendages! I'm walking better everyday but it still hurts some. I'll be good by October :-)

Larry - Good to hear the quad is on the mend!

Hi Scott

Great Terry has tons of experience and is a nice guy also you will have fun! Yes take extra precautions with the flies and you should be fine- long trousers when hunting for sure! Let me know how it goes! Cheers Buzz

quote:

Parks now run it - unfortunately! Make sure Deano over sees the trophies and preferably goes out with them. Make sure Deano takes extra $ for Diesel as they will ration you to 20 l / day which will get you over the first hill!! Take extra food as from reports that was lacking! Knowing all this you will have a GREAT hunt though- Makuti -my most favorite area in Zim and if it was not for the sleeping sickness we would make a major effort at getting it back!!! As I said I will give Dean a call and have a chat on the "hot spots" for you. I will also look at my calendar and if I am not hunting Dean can use one of my trackers as we know all the "secret valleys "etc- Have a great hunt and I look forward to the hunt report! Cheers Buzz

Class act Sir!