OUTFITTER Charlton McCallum Safaris
PH Alan Shearing
Observer Carol (Wife)
Camerman Nick Kotze
Rifles Searcy Classic 450NE
Ruger RSM 375 H&H
Bullets Cutting Edge Raptors
Dates June 11-21
Concession Nyakasanga

I booked this hunt at DSC in 2024 I wanted to hunt in 24 but all the good dates were sold out. After being there I understand why they were sold out. The place is unbelievable. It has a great tented camp right on the bank of the river, and the game numbers are hard to believe.
I have hunted in Chewore South and Dande, while both are great for dangerous game they lack the plains game. It is easy to see over 500 impala everyday plus Kudu, Waterbuck, Zebra, Grysbuck and Warthogs.
Once we arrived in Harare we overnighted there and got a nice shower and some good sleep. In the morning we made our way to the airport for our charter flight to camp. We flew in on a Caravan, it was not needed for us but there were 2 groups leaving on that plane. Once you land at the airstrip we were drivin a few minutes to a boat landing. From there we took a great trip down river to the camp. Once there we were introduced to the staff and shown our tent. The rest of the day we relaxed and went on a little booze cruise to see some sites.
Day 1First morning of the hunt we went to check the rifles. All was good so off we went, looking to see what we could see. Had no intentions of shooting anything this day. Just want to see the lay of the land.
We had a close encounter with a small group of elephant first time off the cruiser. Then we crossed paths with a pride of lions. At this point we already had a good day. It wasn’t long before we found a small group of buffalo that crossed the road. We looked over the tracks and guessed they were not that far ahead of us. We decided to give them a go. Alan and I agreed that we would not shoot one today, just want to stretch our legs. It had been 4 years since I hunted buffalo and it was great to be following them again.
We only tracked this group for an hour when we found them. They were just starting to lay down for the mid-day rest. The impalas were everywhere and we were sure they would ruin our stalk. Most of the group moved off into the thicker stuff and left the big bull out in the open. He was laying down facing away from us. We just moved from tree to tree getting closer. When we were out of tree cover we decided to put up the sticks and get a better look at him. When i got ready we both saw the size of his horns and a very quick decision to shoot was made.
The first shot hit him hard, then a few quick follow up shots were made. After seeing the video I put 4 shots in him in 25 seconds. https://photobucket.com/share/...0f-b6ea-9970c6290939 This link is for the video of the first few shots
Once we made sure he was dead we made our way back to the cruiser. It took an hour to cut a road for recovery. Over all not a bad recovery.

Day 2
After having a great first day we thought we would look for an Eland. About 5 minutes out of camp we saw a beautiful Eland bull by himself. We let him run off and settle down for 30 minutes, Then we took up the tracks. It only took 1 hour to catch him. It was in some pretty thick stuff when we found it. The sticks went up and I took the shot. The bullet was deflected by a branch but I still hit it. The shot was low. The trackers were amazing that day. I shot it about 730 am and it was 230 pm when we finished it off. It is truly amazing what the guys can do.
That’s when the real fun started. We hiked back to the cruiser and made some calls for help. The camp sent a truck with a few guys and the National Parks sent a truck with more help. Even with all the extra help it took hours to cut a road in to get it out. We arrived back at the camp at 830 pm for dinner. Everyone was dragging their ass to bed that night, we decided that we would rest the next day and not hunt. We spent the day on the river just having fun and getting some well deserved rest.
Day 3
Today we went buffalo hunting again. We cut some tracks on the road pretty early. We loaded up and headed after them. After a hour or so tracking we caught the 2 Dugga boys in some thick jesse. Easily could have shot either one at 25 yrd. Not what we were looking for so, we took some pictures and let them walk.
Day 4
Tried the same thing as yesterday. Same results. Caught up to them but not what we were looking for. The fact is I was having a great time just getting into shooting range. I really did not need to kill one.
Day 5
Decided to try something different, Impala hunting. Instead of just shooting one of the hundreds you see out in the open, we went to the dry river and hunted them. We had a great time chasing them in close cover. Eventually we found a good one to stand still for a shot.
Day 6-10
We spent a lot of time chasing the elusive 60” Kudu. We never did see one that size. We also spend most afternoons in the river. I ended up catching a Vundu and a good Tiger.
One of the last few nights there we went to an island in the river for some snacks and cocktails. That made a great end to the day. I cooked Impala tenderloin.
Overall this was a great trip. Alan is outstanding PH and a great person to spend time with. Could not ask for anything more from your PH.
Nick Kotze was our cameraman for the trip . He is also a great guy to spend time with. Very bush wise and a great help with everything.
The camp is very comfortable and food was great. The camp is all solar powered and had Starlink internet.
Each hunt I have taken with CMS gets better than the last one.

Thanks for your hunt report Chris. I think it's pretty typical of what hunters report of a hunt with CMS. They are well practised in providing great hunting experiences in well managed concessions. I too have hunted Nyakasanga ( once ) and know your account of game incidence is true.
Congrats on your beautiful Buff. The hunting gods smiled on you.
Any chance you could post a pic of youd Eland please ? The attachment in your report wouldn't open. Cheers.

Great writeup and thanks for sharing.

Hunted with Buzz there in 2018. Still beyond lucky to experience that place for my first safari.

Outstanding safari you had!

Congratulations and well-done Chris! Alan is an excellent PH.

Congrats on a great hunt!
That last photo is epic!

JCHB

Great hunt and report Chris. Great outfit and Al is the best!

Congrats. That is a great place.

Thanks for the great report and congratulations!