May - Mokore Safaris
Hunters: Jerry
Area: Sengwa Research
Outfitter: Mokore Safaris
PH: Doug Duckworth.


Sengwa Research borders onto the Chirisa Safari Area and Chizarira NP. The Sengwa River runs through the middle of this 100000+ acre paradise and is fed by two smaller rivers - the Lutope and the Manyoni. The result is a haven for the big 4 and a variety of plainsgame. As if this were not enough, the area has numerous sandstone outcrops that complete the painting.
Jerry arrived with his friend, Tom, to hunt a couple of buffalo and some plainsgame. Tom had hunted with Mokore Safaris the previous year where he shot two very nice Buffalo and a bunch of plainsgame. A daily report back to Jeremy had wet his appetite. Having previously hunted in Namibia for plainsgame, Jerry was keen to see what buffalo hunting was all about.

Day 0 – Down to the rifle range where, between Jerry, Tom and a few rifles, the box the hunters had set up at 50 yards took a beating. It was evident that both Jerry and Tom were very familiar with their rifles. Back to camp to watch a bit of bush TV, sip on a cold beer and get to know each other a bit better.

Day 1 – With most of the Dagga Boys still being in the herds in May, the herds would be what the hunters would look for. Doug decided to walk down the Lutope river first thing in the morning and try catch a herd grazing on one of the many small grassy vleis that the Lutope host. Luck was with them and after a short walk, they came out of the thick riverine and could hear a herd grazing just out of sight. The hunters got the wind right and attempted to approach the herd. They soon realized that this setup was no “shot placement book” with ankle high grass - this was over your head, tighten your sphincter, thatching grass - so the hunters backed out. On the opposite bank, there was a higher level where the hunters could have a good look at the herd and possibly make another plan. A few old Dagga Boys were spotted from here. Once again, Lady Luck smiled on them and the herd drifted out from the high grass and into the river. A quick “Butt Walk” was made and at 40 yards, one of the nicer bulls was standing perfectly broadside. This was too easy. Sticks went up. Jerry got up slowly and just about got the crosshairs on the old bull when, suddenly, the whole herd took off. The wind had shifted. Unfortunately, though they got close to the herd again that morning, the bull they wanted never presented another opportunity. The hunters decided to leave the herd and go back again in the afternoon. After a short lunch under a Mahogany tree, they were back in the same area chasing buffalo again. They had not moved far and, in fact, had settled in the high grass where they had been seen initially. Doug told Jerry that they would sit a little away from the herd and wait for them to get up and start feeding. They found a nice shady tree near a bit of surface water on the river and waited. Twenty minutes later, the first buffalo walked out of the grass and towards the water. Eventually, the whole herd walked out and drank, unaware of the hunters sitting in cover 60 yards away. They were were tempted to shoot one of the buffalo. He was, in all forms of the word a RAT, but an old rat. Seeing as though Jeremy wanted two buffalo, it would have been a decent first one. However, they declined the opportunity. The big bull from the morning never came out - possibly peeling off from the herd after the initial disturbance.

It was a great first day. Jerry was thoroughly hooked on Buffalo hunting.

The next couple of days followed a similar pattern. The hunters were in close quarters with Buffalo at least twice a day.


On Day 4, after trailing a herd since the morning, the hunters finally caught up to them on last light. The morning had revealed that there was 6 or 7 old, good looking bulls in the herd. Wind had thwarted the hunters in the morning. The herd had been on a slow but steady move and they never had a good look at them again until 5pm. A good 20km of walking helped fuel the determination. The herd was grazing over a large area and being close to the river, the thick riverine provided good cover for both hunter and buffalo. An hour of skirmishing the edge of the herd and they found a small herd that had dropped behind the main body. They closed closed in on them. 6pm, literally the last of shooting light. The hunters crawled up to the small group and there was a good looking bull standing right in the front. The sticks went up Jeremy got up and on them. The bull, in the meantime, had turned, now quartering towards Jerry. He put the crosshairs on the point of the shoulder and squeezed. The Bull took the shot well, dipping as he took the bullet and then was gone. The hunters waited a few minutes before approaching the area where the bull had been standing. Last light had now gone. It was too dark to be tracking, especially with a buffalo, so after some blood was found, it was left until the morning. Morning had them back in the area. There was no visible sign of a dead Buffalo but a very good blood trail. Unfortunately, this part of the hunt did not have a happy ending as they never caught up with the bull again. The blood eventually ran out a couple Kms from the initial shot. Solomon, Doug’s head tracker, did an exceptional job following the trail through some impossibly thick riverine.

Two Days later, the hunters were back on a Buffalo mission again. From one of the sandstone outcrops that litter Sengwa, they spotted a big herd in the vlei called Matikenya. Matikenya is a couple of kilometres wide, and from certain vantage points, a good variety of animals can be seen at any time of day. Once again, they got the wind right and walked in. The grass was above their heads and as they got closer, they knew it would be difficult but were going to give it their best shot. The hunters got in close. There was buffalo feeding 15 yards away and all the hunters could see was the grass moving. They decided to go for broke. Doug thought he had briefly spotted the shine of hard boss off to one side. Jeremy and Doug approached. The grass, for a change, worked in their favour and they were able to get in close. They could see the backs of a few animals but nothing to confirm what they were other than Buffalo. The bull Doug saw just for a second raised his head, confirming that he was indeed a fine buffalo. The sticks went up. Doug whispered to Jerry that he was going to call and that the buffalo should raise his head. When he did, he should then shoot him in the chest. Doug called. Every other Buffalo around him raised their heads except the old bull. Doug was about to call again when the bull slowly started to raise his head. Jeremy sent the .458 Lott round into the heart. The herd erupted. Jeremy was able to put another shot in him and then the grass swallowed all signs of buffalo. A death bellow. Fantastic. The old bull had run not more than 80 yards. A fine trophy, a fine hunt and a bit of luck.


During the rest of the hunt, the hunters shot a few plainsgame species, including a very nice Bushbuck (16.5), a Waterbuck (27.5), Warthog (13) Impala (22) and a Reedbuck (12). All in all, it was a great hunt.

Great report Doug,

Beautiful old bulls and the bushbuck is gorgeous. Too bad about the lost bull.


Thanks for posting.

Good stuff...

Enjoyed the report. Thanks. Great bushy!
Best. Steve

Great Hunt Congrats!!!

Seems like a great hunt (other than losing the first bull). Nice trophies.

BH63

Gorgeous setting, fine buffs and look at that waterbuck! You make me envious.

I too lost a buff in the brush, after tracking for over 13 hours, so it does happen. On top of that, my bolt action seized up in the heat, so I missed the chance for a quick second shot. Things happen on safari. Fortunately, I did get another.

On return, I got Butch Searcy to install a Model 70 CRF extractor and ejector on my custom 700 LH action, which he did in those days, so as to address the problem.

Congrats... thanks for posting.

Good report thanks. Brian

Congratulations nice animals great hunt . Sorry about you losing the Buff. While unfortunate anyone who has hunted Africa enough will lost an animal at some time.Do not let it define an other wise great hunt and Africa experience Thanks for sharing great photos great report.