I'm thinking about booking a plains game hunt with Lowveld for 06. I want to take my parents along as non-hunters.

Has anyone hunted with Jannie, and Lowveld? Is it too dangerous in Zim to take my parents on this hunt?

Thanks any and all...
dave

Before you book, make sure you are on a government concession, not a confiscated ranch. Hunting on a confiscated ranch can get you prosecuted by the USF&WS under the Lacey Act.

However, safety is not a concern for hunting in ZIM. Just legality in case you would end up hunting a piece of land that the black government decided to seize from white folks. Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous outfitters who would sell such a hunt.

Good luck!

Well, thanks. I hadn't thought in those terms....

Jannie is one of the oldest operators in Zim. While anything is possible, it is unlikely he'll offer you a hunt on seized land. As a hunting client, safety concerns in Zim due to political/economic problems are nil.

I have made 7 trips to Zim and the area I least preferred was the lowveld. It is much like hunting in SA to me although it was productive. I would look for some of the more remote areas. If I were going this year, I would try to book with John Greef. I belive he is handled by Wes Hixon. I think John Sharp is highly regarded also. This is just my opinion but it is really cool to be in the Matetsi or Zambezi valley. Have fun!

David

Barrie Duckworth has been in business since '79 and can provide anything you might need in Zim from a wilderness hunt in the uninhabited Chewore area to the 850,000 acre Save conservancy. The Save might be the best deal for you and your folks. Beautiful camp and great hunting with all the Big 5 present. Kudu and plains game here are truly amazing. 60" kudu come from this property ever year.

If you'd like more info. just contact me anytime.

Mark

Jannie owns the ranch he hunts on in the lowveld and has two communal land concessions - one in the Zambezi Escarpment and one in the lowveld.

Depends on how "soft" a safari you need for your folks, and what your principal animals are

Thanks for the replies. Always helpful to talk with others. The trip is for 4 hunters and 3 non-hunters. Plains game animals are what we are after, specifically sable and waterbuck.

My folks and a friend of theirs are the non-hunters. They don't need a "soft" trip, just want them to be safe. A friend has hunted with Lowveld before, and his non-hunting companions had a blast.

Thanks again.
dave

I would ask some very specific questions about Sable hunting in the Lowveld. I don't think they are very abundant there unless a stocked herd on private fenced land. Most good Sable hunting is much farther north. I have hunted this lowveld area twice and saw only a hand full of Sable all of which were bought and re-introduced. The Sable I have shot were from the Gwaii Valley and Matetsi where they are plentiful. Some of the other AR hunters may have more experience for this area for Sable.

Jannie runs a good outfit and has good trophies collected over the last 25 yrs or so that he has been hunting in Zim - the other PH's that he uses are all experienced and know their stuff - I am sure you have received all the info from Lowveld about their concessions and in my opinion there is no exaggeration or colouring of the truth. I sincerely doubt that you or your companions will be disappointed if you choose to book with Jannie and Lowveld Hunters.

All the best

I have only heard GOOD things about Jannie Meyer. I am told by friends that have hunted with him that they had good hunts and would hunt with him again. Do your home work and don't be switched easily by people with an agenda. CHEERS

David; did you ever take your hunt to Zim??

I realize this is a very late reply, but if you haven't made your trip, I have some suggestions...ZIM is still a safe place to hunt, but things have changed and continue to change from day to day.

Jannie has had an excellent reputation over the years, however, there is rumor that he lost some or up to half of his Lowveld Estate where he runs his hunts...that said there is also rumor he has recently received some of it back from the Government?? check this out as it will affect the quality of game still there.

He has been very busy as I know a fellow that won a buff hunt with Jannie through an SCI chapter, he was put off two or three times and finally gave up on taking that hunt.

I also know some people that hunted in Chewore [concession] and had a great hunt, their first, so they were very impressionable, took lots of nice trophies. That said these fellows bought an auction hunt donated by John Sharp for his Malangani ranch... they had a fantastic hunt, 22 animals and have said it was a MUCH BETTER hunt, accommodations, food and general ambience all around!! That is quite a statement in comparing a concession hunt to a ranch hunt!!

If you are going on your first hunt and are not contemplating a concession hunt, my vote is with the best...John Sharp on Malangani, a 155,000 acre ranch...outstanding!! I hunted there in 96' just as they were getting it pulled together...it was fantastic and I collected a great Leopard...after 5 unsuccessful hunts for leopard over the years!!
John also offers great concession hunts as well.
Enjoy!! 470Eddy

470Eddie: I've hunted with John Sharp twice now and soon a third time and he IS fantastic. I made a buff hunt with him in the Dande North, then wound up back in Malangani and had a great time. Even took my wife with me. jorge

470Eddie...

John's Malangani leopard:

[

I'm off to Zambia in Aug for my lion with John

John is a class act...steve

John sharp is a CLASS ACT...hands down, no questions!! I didn't know he was hunting ZAMBIA?? Would be interested in hearing more as I may go to Zambia for Hippo and Croc...to finish the Big 7!! I am not big in Ranch hunts, however, for the first time hunter MALANGANI with John is a full blown expereince!!
470Eddy

Hi all,

I just returned in the last week from my Zim hunt. I was there for almost 3 weeks.

I guess the simplest way to put things, is that I had an extraordinary time, and would give Jannie the highest of recommendations.

Now I just have to figure out how to get back there, soon.....

Thanks a bunch for everyone's input and advice while I was making my plans......

Dave

I have been to Zim twice. In May of 05 and May of 06. Both trips were awesome. Know your PH and do your research. In my opinion, the best PH is Johnathan Hulme of Zambezi hunters. His camp, Sango, in the SAVE Conservancy is the most incredible place you could ever hunt or stay. Your family would love it. Check out the hunt reports on Zambezi Hunters on this forum or go to Zambezihunters.com.

Dr. Tim Burkhart

I am looking at Zim in 2007 or 2008. Hoping to do both cape buf and filling my card with plains game. Has anyone hunted with Bishopstone? What are your experiences?
Lucky1

Way to go Dave. You finally made it. How about some more details. I haven't seen you in a while so I was wondering if you ever went or not. I booked my now 4th trip with Jannie Jr. and will be chasing Ele and Lion in the Lowveld in spring 07. Nows your chance for another trip. We can make the room provided you don't drink all the beer.

i too hunted with jannie and could recommend him 100 %. he has 2 sons that hunt for him as well as other ph's. took a nice elephant bull 55# and 57 1/2# nicely matched in the lowveld communal land concession. and a giant gold medal lion that had wandered on his ranch.
on my second trip with jannie i got a nice leopard and a good buff too. you can be sure jannie will work hard to get you the trophies you want.

Marc, good to hear from you. I'm doing musk ox again in March 07 with my friend Jim, and Brother Bill drew Kodiak brown bear, so that'll be April. I think my spring 07 plans are set...

Hope all is well with you, man.........send me your phone number.

dave

Too bad you can't come along. I have my dates firmed up now. March 1 thru 15. I was in the Wrangells in early September and took a really nice ram and a very good Grizzly. My best griz so far. Black with silver tips and 8'-8". I am back in West Africa now till mid November. Hopefully we'll get some snow in western MT so the deer and elk are easier. I will call you at work soon. So how about some news here. what did you take? Did you stay in the Lowveld or go to the valley? I'm sure you made the trip to Vic Falls.

Marc; Who did you hunt with in AK for the big Grizz...I am interested for next season.
What are you doing in West Af...Benin or Burkina Faso ?? Hunting Roan and NW Buff??...sounds like you are living right!! I should have done that a couple of years ago when I had a great chance...missed that one...still interested...

470EDDY,
Sorry for the delay. I am here in Nigeria. I work here in the Oil fields or what's left of them anyway. I have a great opportunity for you if you are interested in Alaske for Moose/Grizzly. The price is right and I can be reached at martelma@montana.com for further details if interested.