I had a wonderful safari with Trophy Game Safaris www.tgsafari.co.za this year from July 21 thru July 29.

This was my 3rd African safari and do hope for a few more to come my way. I have previously taken a cape buffalo and other plains game. Now it was time for some PG that I had always admired from afar.

Kathi Klimes expertly handled my travel, rifle permit, and Afton House reservation.

I thank AR and our posters for immeasurable advice and assistance. I especially thank Sniper for introducing me to Tino Erasmus.

My hosts were Tino and Amanda Erasmus and Tino's nephew and apprentice PH Arno. Tino has been a PH for some years and several here have hunted with him. Amanda served a wonderful gourmet meal each evening with grace and style.

Tino's operation is about an hour north of Pietersburg (RSA). An enthusiastic Arno met me at the Pietersburg airport 7:30 am and carried me to their beautiful home and base-camp Sand River Hills.

My rifle was a Rem. M700 BDL .338 Win. Mag. and the 225 grain Swift A Frames made one shot kills on everything. My after-arrival initial shoot-in off the sticks did not impress Arno! Things did pick up in this area! Should have practiced more.

After flying from Knoxville to JNB I stayed at Afton House with a wonderful group of folks going all different directions to hunt. Alas, no journal so no names. Next trip--do a journal!



The folks at Afton House were terrific but sadly Louis was unable to visit with us. Arie fixed us a fine dinner of steaks and scalloped potatoes and then got me thru JNB onto the plane to Trophy Game Safaris very early the next morning.



Tino's main camp was beautiful inside and out.

My rondavel was very comfortable with twin beds, hand painted art, and ensuite facilities.



I had wanted a sable for many years. The stalk was intense for this 42" beauty as the wind swirled and he was suspicious.



Here is Tino, the engaging and superb tracker Thomas, Arno, me, and the sable.


Tino and a happy hunter


Here is Thomas, Tino, and Sacha the boerbull.


A very friendly welcome was certainly extended by Trophy Game Safaris



Next on the hunting menu was a giraffe. Closing in on a giraffe bull at 75 yards is a thrill. Got him head on between the front shoulders.


Tino must be under the mistaken idea that this giraffe is his!


Still a very happy hunter


One needs a proper caliber and bullet for this hide


A beautifully curled bushbuck was also something I wanted ever since my first safari


...and an nyala too!



Amanda prepared a gourmet meal each night which was terrific. Here is stir-fried sable fire-side


Altho I hunted alone on this trip many new friends were made especially my shower-mate


Tino and Thomas make a great dinner in this little cabin in the Soutpanberg Mountains


Tino's home camp features an impressive observatory cleverly built atop their water tower


This is why most posters here declare one should go to Africa being quite flexible as far as a hunting "list" is concerned. I had not even considered a Tsessebe but then...this guy was there. He is 17" and Tino really worked hard for us to have him.



I was leaving soon and the safari was over as quickly as it had began. The sun set each night but none so moving as this. I would go back to see my new friends and hunt again soon if health, time, and All that influences our lives will allow.

Congratulations on a wonderful hunt!

I enjoyed your hunting report very much and the pics you shared!

Great job, it sure looks like you had a splendid time!

Congrats on some fine trophies! Great pics too.
David

Yes, hearty congratulations. That is an excellent sable.

Dave

Nice animals. Congratulations.

Very nice sable! Some fine animls you took, congrats on a great hunt!

So glad several of you have enjoyed this and thank you for your kind complements.

On another thread I recently posted to turn your camera's date/time feature off as I think this actually has detracted from my pictures a bit.

You can have the dates photoshopped out....

Nice pics anyway.....fine trophies...

dan

Great trophies and pictures, congratulation.

I have a week spot for the bushbuck, and you got yourself a nice one

Thank you Arild. He was a bit shy of RW and that's perfectly fine as he was the bushbuck I wanted because of that long, beautiful curl. We saw several. That hunt was long, hard, and cold but very satisfying. I had problems seeing bushbuck as I was not used to looking that close to the ground. Tino was very patient.

All of your trophies are beautiful, but the Sable (42") and the Tsessebe (17") are particularly outstanding.

That Sable is gorgeous! Great report, thanks.

Congrats on your hunt. That is a great picture showing the thickness of a giraffe hide.

Thank you all for your kind complements. I did MISS a fine warthog by the way. On the giraffe hide I just threw the camera up and took that shot. It has been a popular picture.

A Sable is one of my "dream" animals! May I ask how far away it was that you shot him? A beautiful animal! Gary

Gary that was probably a 75 yard or so shot in kind of a bushy area. He ran about another 75 yards and dropped. Glad you like him. He was a dream for me too. Thanks.

Congratulations on your very successful hunt, especially your sable. I enjoyed your "warthog waiter" photo. Excellent photos and report.

kudu4u,

Thank you for sharing an engaging story and pictures of some truly outstanding trophies.

Now I must go and wipe the drool off my keyboard!

For those of you in the area and those that go to the NWTF meeting Tino will have a booth there in Nashville Feb. 20-22. Sniper and I will be there helping he and Arno out a bit. Come see us if you can. Thank you again for everyone's kind complements.

Great tessebe

Great!! Thanks for sharing..

Thanks you TerryR and Anders. I may have the Tsesssebe officially scored. Anders you have a neat website. Thanks for your complements.

That's a great sable and tessebe mate

And no flies on that bushbuck! Terrific trophies

quote:

Originally posted by Blair338/378:
That's a great sable and tessebe mate

And no flies on that bushbuck! Terrific trophies

Thank you!!

Love your Sable it is also on my wish list---one day.. congratulations on a succesfull Safari.

Thank you Matt...time sure does fly and I hope you can go soon!

LOVE that Nyala and Sable!!

Those are great trophies. Congrats! I really liked the sable and bushbuck.

Thanks Eland Slayer and Bwanna. Sure hope you guys and I get back there soon!