Date of Hunt: December 6-12, 2006

Location: Eastern Cape South Africa

Animals Taken: Cape Kudu, Gemsbuck, Red Lechwe, Common Springbuck, White Springbuck, Black Springbuck, 2 Caracal, 2 Cape Bushbuck, 2 Common Blesbuck, Zebra, Bushpig, Warthog, Red Hartebeest, Nyala, Duiker, Steenbuck

Game Hunted But Not Shot: None

Game Not Hunted: Black Wildebeest, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, White Blesbuck, Impala

PH/Outfitter: Barry Burchel/Frontier Safaris

Booking Agent: Adam Clements Safari Trackkers Inc.

Hunt Summary:
This report is on a hunt that I did in December when I flew from Tanzania down to South Africa. I flew to Port Elizebeth to spend some time with Barry and Lizelle Burchell on their ranch in the Eastern Cape. I wanted to hunt this ranch and see what it was like, as I wanted to check it out so I could send some clients there. I have known Barry and Lizelle for sometime, and it was time for me to visit their operation.

The drive from PE to the ranch is about 1 1/2 hours and a very easy drive. This ranch is 75,000 acres which is high game fenced, but only on the exterior. There are NO interior fences within the ranch, which makes this a very special place and what I would even agree to be fair chase. This ranch is beautiful with several mountains, many river beds and creeks, with green and lush bush. There are only 3 main roads on this ranch, and the majority of the hunting is done on normal rough tire track roads. This is the only place I have been in South Africa where I really thought this was real hunting. Even in 7-days I still never saw the entire ranch.

The lodge is beautiful and set up on a cliff over looking a river. The food was outstanding, and the whole operation run very smooth. It is a great place to go with your entire family.

I was with my wife and my young brother in law on this trip as I wanted to introduce some hunting to him. My wife Chantelle enjoyed the entire week as she and Lizelle made daily trips into PE for either shopping or massages.

It is supposed to be summer time there, but it was bloody cold most of the mornings and evenings. I had to get my wife to buy me a fleece in PE in order to stay warm.

I did not take any of my own guns, and used one of Barry's .270 and .243 for the hunt. It was fun hunting as most of the shooting will be from a distance, and I enjoyed the challenge of long range hunting. It does not have to be all long range shooting, but most of my shots were from 50-460 yards. The longest shot I took was at my second Bushbuck more as a Dare and bet, and it was 610 yards. Barry bet me that I could not hit the Bushbuck way up on the opposit ridge feeding, and if I di hit it, he would give it to me for free! I do not think anyone would turn down such a dare, so I made my shot and admit to being a little lucky and dropped the Bushbuck. So, one on the house! We had a great time though and everyone had a blast. I would and can recommend this operation to anyone who is looking for fair chase hunt in South Africa and who wants to go and have a great time. There are other smaller ranches (20,000-30,000 acres) that they also use for day trips for certain animals as well.

Here are a few pictures.


These are the chalets that clients stay in


My Nyala


My brother in law JR with his Zebra


Red Lechwe


Common Springbuck


White Springbuck


Black Springbuck


Common Blesbuck


Cape Kudu


Red Hartebeest


Gemsbuck


JR and myself with his monster Blesbuck


One of my favorite trophies


My 1st Bushbuck


My 2nd Bushbuck on the house


1st Caracal

Very nice Adam, congrats! That should keep the taxidermist busy for a while!

Awesome nyala and bushpig - that must have been a lot of fun w/the dogs. Nice bushbuck too.

Regards, Bill

Awesome pics and it looks like you had a lot of fun. Is the "caracal" a good hunt? It seems like they would be challenging?

How would you rate this place and the PH with other hunts?

Dr. Tim

Bill, thanks and yes we had a blast. That was a very fun hunt and do not think that I have laughed so much in a long time. We had a great time with my brother in law with all the bush pranks we could come up with. I was blessed to get so many animals, but it was all about just taking time off and having a great time with friends and family.

I really enjoyed the bushpig hunting with dogs, and boy do they have a bad attitude when cornered by dogs!

Tim, the caracal hunt with dogs was very fun and highly recommend it. The dogs and dog handlers go out everyday looking for caracal and when they find one, they radio the PH and you get to the dogs asap.

I would rate this place in South Africa standards as a hunting camp as 4 star. The PH's that work here are all very hard working and will go out of their way to make sure you are having fun and getting your trophies. I did not meet all of the PH's, and only hunted with Barry and Jason while I was there, but everything I have heard about the other PH's is all great. Jason is the head PH and just a great vguy to be with. Very hard working and could not ask for any more from a PH in South Africa.

Nice report and pictures.

Thanks for sharing.

Kyler

Congratulations on some great animals. That is an AWESOME Nyala for the Eastern Cape! What did he measure? It seems like most from the Eastern Cape are in the low 20's.

Eland Slayer, the Nyala on this ranch are very good for the Eastern Cape, and there are plenty of them. This Nyala that I took was 26", and could have shot 25"-26" almost on a daily basis. There are a lot of Nyala on this ranch. They also have a couple Nyala in the 28" range, but they are hard to find, but apparrantly they are doing some good breeding there.

Congratulations on a fine set of trophies, Adam! That bushpig is my favorite... a real brute. I'll second the recommendation on the Burchell's Frontier Safaris... hunted with them way back in 2000. A fun hunt in a beautiful part of the RSA and the views from the chalets in the morning is something to see! Good show.

What a pile of trophy fees close to $20,000, just to put things into perspective.

I'm not seeing any of the pics??? I right clicked and "show picture" didn't open them either.

Adam,
That was a true family reunion. I also cannot open the pictures. I feel cheated. Why are some of us having problems?
Robert

fixed the pictures Robert and hope you enjoy them

Great report, great pics and great trophies!

Pics are up and running. Thanks Adam. Congrats on a great hunt.

Wow! What a great hunt and bag of trophies!
I hunted EC last march, and took many of the same animals..
Isn`t EC a great place? I mean, the hunting, animals and terrain is so varied..

I hunted there in September of 2001. Was on the way home from my red lechwe hunt when we got a call on the cell phone about the terrorist attacks. As you can imagine, the airport situation was a nightmare, I was supposed to fly out on the 13th. All flights were cancelled. Barry Burchell said " You are my guest until we can get you on a flight home" They put me up an extra 4 days at no cost and took care of all return flight arrangements. I will never forget his hospitality and kindness. The place is beautiful with abundant game, great food, and hardworking people. I was a Tony Dacosta customer at the time and actually met him and Sylvia there. This post brought back some wonderful memories.
Adam, if you get a chance relay this message to Barry and let him know I tell my story about his South African hospitality every chance I get.

Eric

I was there in April and would also recommend them. Just got my trophies hung on the wall yesterday

Looks Real nice.