27 February 2006, 21:30
army aviatorMy 03 & 05 adventures with Numzaan Safaris
I went on my first African safari in late June of 03 with 5 other guys.
The hunt was put together by Jack Palwak; owner of Linn Creek Safaris
(1-573-363-9927) here is central Missouri. We all linked up in
Atlanta,including Jack; to take the same Atlanta to Johannesburg flight
together. Jack, and his wife Jane; made all of the arrangements to
include shipping the trophies back and Jack did the taxidermy work. Jack
specializes in African game but also does all other game. The entire trip
went without any problems. Numzaan Sarfari representives were there to
meet up. They loaded up our gear and we were off to the first camp
located somewhere a little North of Pretoria. This was a beautiful camp
with golf course like grass and French doors to the rooms. This camp does
not belong to Numzaan and I think we were there for our bow hunters. We
arrived in time for lunch and then it was off to the range where we
checked our rifles. I used a Savage in 308 with a S&B 1.5x6 scope and
165grain Trophy Bonded HE loads from Federal. Then we all went on our
first hunt. My hunt was a 7 day package hunt that included
Kudu-Gemsbuck-Impala-Warthog-Blue Wildebeast and a couple of other
animals plus I had added a Zebra. Well, I drew first blood; shooting a
nice Red Hartebeast. Dropped him in his tracks with one shot at 70 yards.
Next, we spot some Zebras and the chase is on. They were hard to get
close to as we had several stalks that we got busted on. Finally, we get
everything right and I take the shot but I was to far back only wounding
him. I try for a second shot but my gun jams(I later determined the jam
was caused by a dirty detachable magazine. I had not cleaned the oil off
back in the states). I finally get another round in him and he is down
for the count. We take pictures of him with my first African sunset in
the back ground. What a first day of hunting. Next day I get a very nice
Impala with one shot and he runs about 40 yards. After lunch, I go after
a Blue Wildebeast. This is my first set back as I make a routine shot
from 50 yards off the sticks and he runs off. Well, we track him for the
rest of the day with no luck. I think I may have hit him a little high.
Next day we are moving to the main camp of Numzaan which is located in
Limpopo near Koedoeskop. However, I get to go on a hunt for my Kudu
before I leave. After several hours, we spot a big bull just as he spots
us and I get off a quick free hand shot to his left front shoulder and he
only goes about 40 yards. This is a free ranging bull that measures 55"
and scores 134+. It is only midday of my first offical hunting day and I
have shot 5 animals. At this rate I will need a bank loan just to go
home. During the next six days I shoot a Blesbuck, 2 Warthogs and 2
Gemsbuck. One was free. My PH for all of this excitement was Johann
Combrink. A young PH; he is the brother in law of Stef Swanepoel, owner
of Numzaan Safaris. I had a great time with him as have several other
posters to this Web Site.Other game seen while hunting include:
Rhino-Waterbuck-Jackal Ostrich-Tsessebe-Giraffe and Baboon.
A web site address will be posted after part 2 to view photos.
Part 2: 2005
In Feb 05 Jean-Louis Viljoen of Numzaan Safaris was visiting Linn Creek
Safaris as one of the guest speakers. He offered a free 5 day hunt to
someone in attendance. The first 2 winners elected not to take the trip
as they had been for the past two years. The third winner later elected
not to go so I was offered the hunt. I extended the hunt to 10 days and
went in mid Sept. My flight was on Northwest and KLM. My route was Kansas
City Detroit Amsterdam Johannesburg. I can highly recommend this route as
you have some breaks to walk around and their were only two hunters on
the flight to clear JHB. Jean-Louis was there to greet me and we were off
to camp; arriving around midnight. I told Jean-Louis I wanted to try for
a good Limpopo Bushbuck, a Zebra,and a good Warthog plus my wife ordered
a Porcupine. I did not get the Porcupine so I must go back and try
again. Anything else would just be gravy and would depend on what we came
across. On the first day we went to the range and I checked my weapons
for zero. I was using the same 308 from two years before and I had a new
376 Steyr on a Montana Rifleman barreled action and put together by
Serengeti Rifles. Later we made several stalks on a herd of Blue
Wildebeast but could not get a shot.On the way back to the truck we saw
some Gembucks but did not get a shot. I really did not want to shoot one
on this trip. After lunch and a nap we went to a different location to
hunt a Bushbuck. I got a chance at a good one and took him with the 308.
After that hunt I used the 376 for the rest of my hunts. The next day we
made some more stalks on Wildebeast with no success. On the way back to
our truck we saw a herd of Zebra and I blew a routine 100 yard shot off
the sticks by pulling my shot to the right and nicking him in the left
shoulder. After much searching the trackers found a little blood but no
Zebra. One $900 trophy fee gone. For the next few days we hunted two
other nearby hunting areas that were so large that that I did not see a
fence except when entering and leaving the hunting area. The areas had
not been hunted for several years and Numzaan Safaris was the only
company hunting them. They were full of game and one of my favorite
pictures of a herd of Zebra is included in my picture posting. On one
stalk I could not take a shot because there were so many animals of
different types that to shoot would have wounded others. On our next
stalk of a waterhole we were nearly busted by several Elands that walked
pass at less than 100 feet as we lay face down in the dirt,thorns and
droppings. Finally, I get a shot at a Zebra off of John-Louis's shoulder
as we still sat on the ground. I connect on the Zebra but I shot him
again and he went down. One of my two recovered 270 grain A-Frame bullets
is from this Zebra and is still 267 grains.After lunch and a nap we went
back out to the same location and put a most exciting stalk on a big lone
Blue Wildebeast.I finally got a 4 oclock to 10 oclock shot at 90 yards.
He ran 40 yards and fell dead. His left shoulder and leg were broken and
the bullet was in the loose folds of his neck. It weight 237 grains. For
the next several days we spent a lot of time in shooting stands over
looking water holes in hopes of finding a really good Warthog.We saw lots
of animals: Warthogs Wildebeast Blesbucks Impala Elands but not what we
wanted. We also hunted for Waterbuck after I saw the one in a swimming
pool. He could not get out of the pool. The Vet finally came and he
darted him and we relocated him to another area.That was one of several
late nights. He measured 28/1/2. The story goes that a bigger one ran him
into the pool.The vet said it was a common thing for Waterbucks to go in
water when threaten. I wanted his big brother. We finally spotted a good
one and I took a hurried shot at him. We found no blood or skin but I was
assured that I had hit him and we would keep looking. The manager of the
property said he found him a day or two later on his 4 wheeler but did
not have his rifle. The nice home with the grass roof is the manager's
home. So much for having a rich Italian Uncle. He said he looked gut shot
and if they found him they would send him to me. We spent the next
several days and evenings looking for him with no success. I finally got
my chance at a nice Warthog as we sat in a huge stand that was 30 feet in
the air. This old Warthog was looking up as he approached the stand.
Markus, the property manager was on the right; I was on the left(remember
I am left-handed) and my PH was in the middle.Markus spotted him first
coming from right to left. I took him in his tracks, with the 376 at
about 80 yards..I just returned from Saint Louis where I picked up my
Trophies. The shipment has my wounded Zebra and Waterbuck. I think this
says a lot about Numzaan Safaris. My Waterbuck measured 27.5" with good
bases when we opened the crate at my Taxidermist. I was hoping for 30"
but I am glad to have him. While in camp, I was joined by to other
hunters and their wives. One was Dave from Ohio. Dave has been hunting
Cape Buffalo, Sable, and Leopard with Stef Swanepoel in another country.
After shooting all three he joined us in camp where he hunted many plans
games animals. I think Dave told me in an E-mail that he got a total of
17 animals. Dave and him wife are fun people and I would enjoy sharing a
camp with them again.See the pictures of my hunt at
http://photos.yahoo.com/bauhauscont