The wife (Christie) and I just made it back from our first trip to Africa. Here are the details of our trip.

Dates: 8/13/08 to 8/24/08 includes travel
Agent: Gracy Travel
Carrier: Delta
Location: Limpopo SA. Northwest of Ellisras
Outfitter and P.H.: Willie De Klerk
Rifle: Winchester 70 .375 H&H
Ammo: 270gr Barnes TSX, 74.0gr RL15
Rifle: Savage 10 .308win
Ammo: 165gr Barnes TSX, 44.5gr Varget
Species Taken: Impala, Blue Wildebeest, Warthog, Kudu, Blesbok and Gemsbok.
Species Seen: Brushbuck, Zebra, Duiker, Eland, Giraffe, Baboon, Hippo, Klipspringer, Nyala, Red Hartebeest, Reedbuck, Sable, Steenbok, Waterbuck, Tessebe, Buffalo and a glimpse of a Jackal and Porcupine.

We got into Joberg at 4:30pm on 8/14 and meet both Willie and Bruce in front of the SAPS office. We were heading to the truck an hour later, just in time for rush hour and the 3 plus hour drive to camp. At camp we met Willie’s folks and sister. The accommodations were very nice and they made us feel right at home.

8/15
Up at 6 am, breakfast at 6:30 and off to check zero on the rifles. Both shot to poa and we were off to the Bushveld. The main concession is just over 7k acres. I should mention at this point that I was a little concerned about hunting in a high fence area. This concern was laid to rest after we saw our first group of Impala that had some good rams. We could only get with in 200yds of them and that was through the brush. So much for hunting in a petting zoo. The second group was no different. They are as skittish as east Texas whitetails.

Blue Wildebeest was also on the list and after spotting a group of about 20 the stalk was on. We worked our way through the bush and downwind before I was on the sticks. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it was coming threw my chest. Hands were dripping sweat and mouth was so dry I couldn’t come up with enough spit to put out a match. I love that feeling and get it every time I am on the trigger at game. We were about 70 yards away when they all turned and looked dead at us. Nobody moved as they checked us out. Willie was on the glass and told me that we could do better and let these pass. About that time they turned and headed for the hills. We headed back to the truck and to camp for lunch.

After a short nap (I could get use to them) we were back out at 3pm. Found some Kudu bulls and at 70yds took a good rest. Willie was on the glass and in a whisper he said take the one on the right. I moved the glass to the bull on the right, good sight picture and squeezed the trigger. I never heard the guns report or feel the recoil but I did see the bullet impact the ground about 6 feet behind him. Did I mention how I feel when I am aiming at game? In my most dignified voice I said “*&#$%! @^%*$! I missedâ€. What a downer, I missed my first shot in Africa. Willie told me the bullet hit a tree branch and that was what caused it to go wide. I sure didn’t see the tree but I sure did miss. Willie did mention that could have been a very expensive tree. Ok, the first shot is over and since I didn’t bring my JFK magic bullets, I told myself it wouldn’t happen again.

After shaking that off we were back in the truck for some more looking. Saw some Impala Rams and got to about 60yds from them. I was on the rifle looking at the second one from the right when Willie said, “take the second one from the rightâ€. The rifle jumped but I didn’t see the bullet hit. Willie asked me if I hit it? My answer “yesâ€. Andres (our driver / tracker) took the lead and we headed towards the Impala. We walked right to him. Bang / flop.



After the handshakes and pics, we loaded him up and went off to look for Kudu. We were on 2 nice bulls after 50min. Willie pointed to the one on the left and I took aim. It was getting dark and the illuminated Leupold made the difference in the shot. The red duplex really made him stand out. I hit him a little high but it was a solid lung hit at about 90yds. We had a good blood trail and Andres walked right to him about 50yds from the hit.

Nice rack on the impala! That'll make a nice trophy for your wall.

Namibiahunter

namibiahunter

Thanks. On the morning that we left, I ask Willie if we could get the tape out. If I heard everything correctly at 5:30am the Impala hit at 21.5†and the Kudu at 33â€.

I will post more of our trip as soon as I can.

Dick:

Congrats on a good hunt and nice report but you didn't hear right, while I'm not sure about the Impala (photo angle may make him look bigger but he looks bigger than 21.5 inches to me) I'll eat the whole kudu starting with his anus if he's 33 inches.

Dick, welcome home and let me tell you, you are not the first to miss the shot... Speaking from experience...

Now the planning starts for the next safari...

Mike

Congrats on the Kudu and the impala.

Dick, Congrats on the trophies! Yer not the only feller to miss, be glad you didn't wound it, and pay again to take another. Been ther, done that

Mad Dog

8/16
We were back in Bushveld at 7am looking for Blue Wildebeest and Warthog. The Wildebeest have vanished, but we did find some Warthogs. Willie had Christie on the sticks a couple of times but they were all small. This went on until we broke for lunch. We were at it again at 3pm with the same results until 5 when we spotted some Wildebeest and the chase was on. Willie got us close several times but they seem to always have the drop on us. It is amazing to me how well they can hide. This lasted until dark without a shot being fired. Headed back to camp for good food and drink.


8/17
Went to another concession toady about 20min away looking for the Wildebeest. Found a group of 15-20 but made a lap in the truck because there were some Buffalo in the area. With a 10mph wind in our face the stalk was on. After 30min I was on the sticks looking at Wildebeest at just over 100yds. Willie and I agreed on one and I let the shot go. He bucked at the shot and took off. Andres, Willie, Christie and I went to the area where he was standing but found no blood. I told Willie that I hit him in the right shoulder and it was a solid hit. Andres and Willie looked at the ground for about 30 seconds and took off. They walked right to him, dead at almost 80yds from where he was hit. The 270 TSX was found under the hide on the left side after it broke the right shoulder, hit both lungs and clipped the heart. The TSX weighed 198grs. These are either double tough animals or to stupid to know when they are dead. I prefer to think they are tough. Also, I stand in awe at the tracking ability of these men. Following blood trails are one thing but they found him on hoof prints alone. After loading him up we drove the ranch just looking at the wildlife before heading back to camp.






During lunch Christie decided that a Blesbok was in order so we headed back to concession where I shot the Wildebeest. This place is over15k acres and we found the Blesbok in open range. We talked about a long shot but with the wind that was definitely out. Staying down wind during the stalk was not the problem but we really stuck out on that bald pasture. We headed for a small group of trees hoping they would loose interest in us. As we rounded the patch there was a lone male Blesbok grazing and facing the wind. Willie moved to a good angle and Christie was on the sticks. The Blesbok finally turned and Christie touched off the 308 at about 70yds. We saw the impact behind the animal and Christie reloaded and took another sight picture. She held it for about 8 second and then brought the gun down. Both Willie and I were about to yell, “shoot him again†when he fell over dead as a hammer. Total time was 10 to 15 seconds. I went nuts hooten and hollern. I have had several bang / flops, but never even talked to anyone that has had a bang / stand for 10 seconds / fall over dead. He still had grass in the mouth. This old guy was in bad shape worn teeth, covered with ticks and very thin. This is the first animal that




Christie has ever killed and she felt like she helped the old guy out.
After dropping off the Blesbok we were off to the main concession for Warthog. We made a blind by an almost dry waterhole and waited. It is good to know that I can sleep in a blind in Africa as well as I can in the USA. The Warthogs must have heard me snoring and we headed back to camp at dark.


8/18
Took off to a 9k-acre concession today about 45minutes away from camp looking for Gemsbok. Saw one group and they were on the move. We did give chase but never did come close. Lots of Eland and several Giraffe on this land. These guys sure do move well for such a big critters. Headed back to camp at 12:30 for lunch and a nap.

Back to the blind about 3:30pm looking for Warthog. We were in the blind about an hour when Willie motioned behind us. There were 4 Warthogs about 20yds and closing. They were all young but they did get within 10yds before running off. That was very cool. Right at 5pm several showed up at about 50yds in front of us this time. Christie was on the rifle and picked the nastiest one and shot it perfect on the right side. Christie said that we are doing them a favor by shooting them so they don’t have to look at their reflection in the pond every morning. The skinners tried to tell her that if you shoot a Warthog you have to eat a piece of raw liver. Yeah, like that was going to happen. My wife the Warthog slayer.





8/19
Back after the Gemsbok today at another concession that is real close to the Botswana border. Lots of animals but saw only one Gemsbok and he was running for the bus. After lunch Willie told Andres to find the Gemsbok and we were on the within an hour. Willie said take the one on the left he is a good male. I could see his head and the very top of his shoulder. I put the scope on the intersection of his neck and shoulder and fired. Willie and Abel (a PH from SS Pro Safari) took off running at the shot yelling that he dropped. Trying to keep my heart out of my mouth I took off after him. He dropped from a spine shot (a big thank you to the book Perfect Shot). Both Willie and Abel thought it was a male until we rolled her over. It is hard to tell from the pictures but they all said that she had some thick bases for a female. Got her loaded up and back to camp.




Christie wanted an Impala rug and Willie gave us a good deal on a female so off we went to shoot a rug. Willie asked me to use the 308 for the smaller holes. This is where it gets embarrassing. Not only did I miss high with the 308 at 50 to 60yds but I yanked the 375 about 4 feet right at the same distance on another. I told Willie that we were done hunting. I had 4 good shots; Christie had 2 good shots. I had 3 misses but did not wound any critters. We went back to camp for our last dinner together. Christie asked me what happened with my last 2 shots. I am not sure but I think that I was tired of killing.

Now for a little background, Willie used to PH for Unico Safaris. He went on his own a little over a year ago. He now runs WDK Safaris. He doesn’t have a web site (yet) but can be reached by e-mail at williedk@vodmail.co.za. The accommodations were first rate and everyone went above and beyond. We had a tremendous (dig into your thesaurus) time. Christie and I are planning our return trip in 2011. We figured we would wait until they get finished with the Wold Cup in 2010. Christie has her sights set on a Zebra and for me the Buffalo really got my blood pumping. Other countries have come up in our conversations but we are still working that out. We are using Nylstroom Taxidermy, that can be reached at www.nyltaxidermy.com.
Both friends and folks on this board have asked what was over packing or I going to forget for our first Safari. I took to many boots (3). We only needed 1 flashlight each. The worst of all was that I forgot to pack underwear (skivvies, drawers, etc). So yes, I was commando in the Bushveld. Well it is better than forgetting your pants.

We left Limpopo and took off for Cape Town for 3 days. I will post that report in a couple of days in the Travel section.

Dick

Glad ya'll are back safe.

Sounds like you had a good hunt.

No doubt he must have said "the Kudu is 53 inches".

Obviously the Kudu is not 33", but I think it is great that you think it might have been. Too many guys get hung up on measurements (including myself) sometimes and thats not what is important. A great trip like you had is whats more important! Thanks for posting.

Ok, so I e-mailed Willie last night about my memory. Yall were right on the Kudu. Here is the tail of the tape.

Kudu 52"
Blesbuck 16"
Impala 22"
Gemsbuck 34"
Bluewildebeest 27"

Very nice trophies and you sure know how to take good trophy pics.

Ace

Thanks for the kind words but Willie our PH took those pictures.

We came back with over 300 pictures and 400 minutes of video that we took. About 150 pics are keepers and after removing the video of the bed of the truck and the inside of my pocket we are down to about 150 minutes.
When we go back I will be looking into hiring someone to do the video. Both my wife and I flinch at the shot and don’t keep the camera on target. I took some great video of back of Christie, Willie and grass during the Blesbok hunt. I got the shot, but I missed him falling.

Congrats on your first and successful safari! Thanks for the posts. You won't often read it here but everyone misses sometimes!

JPK

When I was married, I sorely wished that my wife would take at least one little trip with me to Africa... She never wanted to go..

I was fortunate to take my daughters this year... I can not imagine anything better than sharing a safari with the one(s) you love as I did with my girls.

I now have a sweetie who loves to hunt... and I'm saving up to take her. Nothing like watching the sun set over a mopane forest with the hyenas beginning to hoot and whistle.