Finally getting over the jet lag, sunburn, tick and fly bites and will try to expound some on the just completed trip to Mozambique.

Hunt dates: Sept. 01 thru Sept. 15, 2009

Safari Operator: Mashambanzou Safaris

Location: Near Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

PH: Grant Taylor

Additional PH's: Boet and Marcel. Additional apprentices: Andy and Kevin l

Animals hunted: Leopard, Buffalo, Sable, Hippo, Croc.

Hunters: Larry Sellers, Hunter Krenz; Brandon Wynn


This hunt started off with the usual planning and waiting game. We booked this hunt over 18 long months ago and finally it all came together. Months of practice on the range and in the Desert of New Mexico proved to be very helpful and everyone had complete confidence in their chosen rifle and shooting abilities. Mine a CZ 550FS in 9.3 X 62 topped with a Trijicon 3 X 9 performed flawlessly. Hunter chose the left handed Ruger African in .375 Ruger and Brandon the CZ African in the clasic .375 H & H. These two rifles were also scoped with the Trijicon 3 X 9.

Then the dreaded flights began on Aug. 28, 7:00A out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. United to D.C./Dulles went without a hitch. The transfer in D.C. was no problem, except for the 4 plus hour layover. We boarded our SAA plane right on time (contrary to what we had heard here on AR) the plane was spotless, the crew friendly and very courteous. Then as we taxied out, thunderstorms arrived in the area and we ended up being 3 hours late departing D.C. So all in all nearly 21 hours enroute to Joberg.

We had arranged for pickup and overnight accommadations with the Afton House folks and their services were outstanding as usual. A quick steak and chips then it was lights out. Our flight to Beira, Moz left Joberg the next day around 12:30PM, so it was a short, but well deserved rest and we were ready to continue. We had checked our luggage all the way from Albuquerque to Beira so all fingers were crossed on getting everything at our final destination.

Arriving in Beira, we were met by my good friend PH Grant Taylor and cleared Customs, got our Visa and were off to Jardim Das Velas, right on the Indian Ocean, for a night of real sleep and relaxation. Dinner included prawns and other delights and of course some of the local spirits. Everything did indeed arrive, so all gear and equipment were in hand.

Early next AM it was off to camp, a four hour, really scenic drive to our destination. Upon arrival we all checked into our chalets, unpacked had a cool drink, then off for a game drive before dinner. The food was always great, game meat aplenty, and very much looked forward to at the end of a hard day afield.

Now the first day of the hunt. We all headed off in different directions as I needed to shoot some Leopard bait, Brandon for Buffalo and Hunter looking for targets of opportunity. Several baits were secured and hung and the hunt for Spots was officially on. Early AM the following day Hunter and I drove about 3 hours to a neighboring concession to have a go at Sable and Buffalo. Up early, Hunter headed for the swamps for Buff while Grant, Boet and I started looking for Sable. Our search was fairly short and within a couple of hours we were making a stalk on a group of Sable with a really good bull in the mix. After several attempts we finally got on the sticks and made the shot. I finally got to see MY Sable up close and he was a real dandy. Pics and more pics then back to camp for brunch and relaxation. Hunter was having a much tougher go with his Buff and ended up getting back in camp around 11:30 PM that evening. After nearly 21 hours he was back with a very nice Buff indeed.

Day three we were headed back to main camp with a stop off to hang another two baits, using the Sable as the major offering. The rest of the day was relegated to more bait shooting, another nice dinner and hitting the sack fairly early. Day four found Hunter and I headed for the River Camp up on the Mighty Zambezi. Another four hour drive, everything seems to be four hours away from each other. Upon arrival, camp manager Chris had everything ready and waiting, we stored our gear and headed for the river for a quick look around and a gorgeous sunset on the river to boot. Day five, I think I am counting right? Hunter and his PH Boet were off downriver to the local village to secure a dugout and crew for the morning Hippo hunt. Grant and I headed upstream, in a more conventional boat, much to my liking, looking for Hippo and Croc. After spoting several pods of hippo and quite a few crocs along the way, we stopped for a chat with a local chap living on one of the river islands and was pointed in the direction of what he said was a large hippo bull. Sliding the boat onto a small island, we moved across and set up looking at 3 hippo pods just offshore. A really good bull was seen and after and hour and forty five minutes on the Bog Pod, I squeezed off a shot at around 150 yards. The bull sank like a brick, with what appeard to be a perfect shot. After waiting about 45 munutes, we clued the locals in on our success and then made a quick trip back to camp. A hearty lunch and then back up river and sure enough the bull had floated up and was in the capable hands of eight locals. We couldn't get the bull completely out of the water so pics were taken where he rested, the hippo was dressed out and the locals had meat for many days in tow. Hunter also managed a well placed shot on his hippo bull later that day and it was a real cause for celebration in camp that evening.

The celebration was short lived, a call was received from main camp that a Leopard had hit one of our baits, so next AM very early, you guessed it, another 4 hour drive to main camp, quick lunch then off to set the bait that had been pounded. We took a tent for overnighting, as this bait was of course, the farthest from camp. We sat the bait that evening with nothing coming back for another meal. The next day I shot a couple more baboons to spruce up our active bait, these were hung alongside the two sable legs and we rested until time to return to the blind. We arrived at 4:15P and at 5:05P a strange thing happend as we glanced to our left out of the blind only to see a Leopard standing, staring at us from all of 15 feet. After it's hasty departure, we were left thinking our night was over. After waiting about 45 minutes, Grant sent his apprentice Andy off from the blind to the cruiser with instruction to make a lot of noise while leaving. The plan was to make our early arrived Leopard think we were leaving and maybe possibly he would return? An hour an a half passed, then sounds on the bait. A quick flick of the light showed a Leopard on bait. It was behind the hanging bait and didn't present a shot and jumped the tree after about 20 seconds. Light off, waited another few minute, more sounds at the bait, light on, another Leopard on the lower bait, no shot. Light off, a few more minutes passed, more sounds, light on, two Leopard on bait, two others on the ground near by. Four sets of eyes, four Leopard there at one time. Grant instructs we to shoot the one on the lower bait, the 9.3 responds and my very first Leopard is in the salt. Now what to do? We have three other Leopards around who don't want to leave. Shouting, whistling and general panic finally convince the other cats that safer ground is in order. Within minutes of all our commotion, Andy and our two trackers arrive. Now with five of us, we at least outnumber the Leopards. Everyone back to our tent camp, pics taken, hot coffe and dinner from the cool box and I crawl into bed and go over and over the fantastic events that have just taken place. Wow what a night!!

Back to main camp the next morning, got the Leopard to the skinning shed, then a really great brunch. Later in the day Grant and I go to the local village and present two Safari Club Blue Bags to the population.
These include supplies for the school, meds for the small clinic, some sewing items, and two soccer balls that are the hit of the day for the kids. This is a truly cool experince, to see the reaction of receiving things we simply take for granted here at home by people who are truly in need. I would like to suggest to others out there to try and take the SCI Blue Bags on their next trip if possible.

Hunter was still having a go at crocs on the Zambezi and still had not located his hippo. After four days in the river it finally washed ashore nearly 27K downstream. Days of anticipation and wondering were put to rest, his hippo was finally in his possession. One more day in camp looking for Buff tracks, as Brandon and Marcel were having a tough go at getting on a big Buff. Then back to the Zambezi, another four hour ride, for some croc hunting as well. When arriving, Hunter informed me that we had guests in camp and that I would be surprised as to who it was. That evening, none other than fellow AR member, the infamous Mark Young and his lovely wife Sadie appeared for dinner. This chance meeting, was really neat and it was great spending a couple of evening fires with Mark and Sadie.

The croc hunting proved to be tough, the river was up due to the release of water upstream and most of the crocs favorite sandbar haunts were underwater. We pressed on and managed to get set up on the place where my hippo was recovered and sat behing a blind and indeed a large croc appeared. He was facing directly at me at about 50 yards, and although I had a steady rest from the Bog Pod, the shot went a little off target. At the hit, he lunged backward, made one roll and was back in the water. The local guys tried for a day and a half to probe the depths with no avail. Grant said there is still a chance that he will float up and the guys on the river will defintely spot him if he does. So it's still a wait and see game on my croc. Hunter in the meantime managed a good croc on the last day. Then back to main camp for the two of us.

Brandon managed a great Buff on the last day of his hunt. He and his PH Marcel worked extremly hard for this well earned trophy. He also managed a Sable and Baboon for my Leopard bait stash.

Back to Beira, overnight at the seaside lodge, another outstanding seafood dinner, prawns that night were over 10 inches in length. Next day off from Beira, via Joberg, D.C., Denver and return to Albuquerque. Brandon did loose a couple of items to thieves along the way somewhere, and my bag was gone through but nothing lost except a small leatherman tool. Not too many ill effects from the journey, some ankle swelling, tired, jet lag and the famous Judge G "CAS". A truly memorable adventure to one of the more "Old Style Africa" places, Mozambique.

I hope you enjoy the pics and retoric? Longwinded I know, but it's hard to describe an Adventure to Africa in minimum terms. The sights, sounds, sunsets, people, places and hunting in Africa are trully outstanding. I'll put pics on another post rather than trying to incorporate them here. Thanks.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Fellow hunters, Hunter Krenz and Brandon Wynn

Larry,

Sounds like a great hunt but I don't see any pictures.

Steve

Trying to post the pics seperate but can't get them from photobucket to AR post. Help anyone. The pics are resized and uploaded to photbucket I guess I don't know the proceedure to post them on AR?

Larry Sellers

Click under the image and copy "img code" and paste it in the message here.

I would pay good money to see a video of 4 leopards at the same time. What an experience that must have been. Congratulations.

Four cats on bait is good, but 10 inch prawns . . . WOW!

What is the Rowland Ward record for prawns?

Congrats on a great trip and safe return.

Safari-lawyer: +1!

Just bumping this to the top. I guess I should have put the retoric on the same post as the pics. I know, I know, pics are a lot more fun!!

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member