Outfitter: Classic African Hunting https://classicafricanhunting.com
Area Hunted: Kazuma Concession, Zimbabwe
Professional Hunter: Guav Johnson
Trackers: Lovemore and Steven
Firearm: CZ .416 Rigby 350 Grain Barnes Banded Solid and TSX
Animals Hunted: Tuskless Cow Elephant, Zebra, Spotted Hyena, Eland
Animals Taken: Tuskless Cow Elephant, Zebra, Spotted Hyena
Animals Seen: Elephant, Lion, Roan, Oribi, Zebra, Eland, Duiker, Steenbok,
Honey Badger, Striped Side Jackal, Wildebeest, Black Back Jackal,
Tseebee, Sable, Kudu, Giraffe, Hyena, Sable


Day 1

I would be flying SAA out of JFK to Johannesburg and then connect through to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, thus avoiding having to spend the night in SA. I arrived at JFK 3 hours before the flight and check in procedure with gun and ammo was simple and painless. The Port Authority Police were an example of professionalism, with the entire process taking less than 10 minutes.

While waiting in line I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Hober, President of Swift Bullet Company who was heading over on the same flight to hunt with Dudley Rogers and field test some new solids Swift had designed. It was a pleasure to spend a few hours talking with Mr. Hober before the flight about some of his previous safaris, bullets, ballistics, and all things hunting. I look forward to hearing about his new solids and how they worked in the field.

This was my 6th trip to Africa and I have flown SAA five times. I’m not sure if I have lower expectations or am just lucky, but the flight was uneventful . Service was fine ,and flight time was shorter in duration than prior trips (less than 15 hours). Landed in Johannesburg with a few hours to spare and made my connecting flight to Victoria Falls without any problems. Upon arrival in Victoria Falls, I cleared Customs and submitted the paperwork for my rifle within 15 minutes (I was the only hunter on the flight). Waiting for me was Dawna (Guav’s sister in law). She handles all bookings and arrangements for incoming hunters. She whisked me off to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge where I would spending the night http://www.victoria-falls-safari-lodge.com/



After getting situated in the room and I explored the grounds a bit and was impressed by the size of the warthogs that double as lawnmowers. Lest anyone forget they are wild animals as I watched an Australian tourist get a bit too close for a photo and almost get tusked.

I was warned to keep the balcony door shut or else the vervet monkeys would do damage to your room. I did catch two trying to sneak into my room as a turned my back for a second.



After a quick nap I walked outside to the balcony and watch a herd of Kudu cows feeding right behind my room. What a great way to wake up from 20 hours of flying.



I headed to the outdoor deck/bar area and watch buffalo and elephant come down to drink and enjoy a cold one after a long day of travel.





I was meeting Guav, Dawna, and his brother Court for a lovely dinner at the lodge. After dinner and a few beers I fell into a deep sleep only to be woken up at midnight but some ungodly noise. I stumbled in bed, trying to get past the mosquito netting and turn on a light. It sounded like a cat dying and I couldn’t pinpoint the sounds. I called down to the desk and get another set of eyes to help me figure out the mysterious noise. The culprit was an owl who made its nest between the thatch in the roof and was feeding its young. Welcome to Africa!

Day 2 – Hippos and the Zambezi

Since I had a day before I would start hunting I booked a few hours of fishing on the Zambezi with Joseph Rainsford vicfallsfishing@yahoo.com. Joseph had a car at the hotel waiting for myself and Guav at 7am. A quick ride to parks HQ to get our fishing license and then to meet Joseph at the Zambezi River lodge where he keeps the boat. We headed out onto the river just as the sun begins to peak over the trees.

Our guide Joseph




Sunrise on the Zambezi



My PH trying to stay warm on the ride up river


We ran several miles upstream into Zambia to begin fishing. We were casting along small islands and structure, just like bass fishing at home with the exception of the hippos. They are all over, and many don’t seem happy.





We came upon one island, made a cast, and woke a hippo from his nap. He proceeded to do a hippo flop into the water 15 yds from the boat. On another occasion we had one pop up 5 yds from the boat and I honestly thought he was going to flip the boat over. Always prudent to leave the motor running and in neutral. While we had quite a few hook ups on tiger fish, they would immediately tail walk as soon as getting hooked and spit the hook. I did manage to land a few fish.







Joseph brought us back to the hotel at noon after an enjoyable morning on the river. Joseph had a solid boat with a reliable motor, excellent tackle and lures, and an excellent knowledge of the river, its fish and animals. It was well worth it to say I fished on the Zambezi.

After checking out from the hotel we made a pit stop at the local grocery store since I had forgotten my toiletry bag back in the states. I was able to get all the basics I needed with the exception of shaving cream. We went into the pharmacy and saw one can of Gillette shaving cream . When getting ready to pay I was told it would cost me $20. After the initial shock, I figured it was just fine to grow a beard!

We had to stop off at the parks office in Matetsi to pick up permits and getting everything stamped. I will say the government in Zimbabwe loves stamps and carbon paper. While waiting for approval I noticed that the parks office is run down and could use some serious TLC (a coat or two of paint, some new ceiling tiles, and just a basic good old cleaning). It amazes me that the monies that are brought in from parks, in matetsi alone, a little bit could be reinvested.

After about an hour drive we arrived at camp that would be home for the next 10 days. I was greeted by the camp staff and the camp manager Henry. Kazuma is a hunting block that is run by the Forestry Department along with two other concessions (Pandamuse and Fuller). It borders Botswana to the west, kazuma national park to the north, Unit 2 to the South and Unit 1 to the West. Camp was simple, but nice and well run. After getting settled in we drove off to make sure the rifle was still sighted in and one shot confirmed it was still dead on.






Home for the week






Bush Chat Room



Hot Water Heater





Solar Charger for Batteries





Day 3- Time to begin hunting Friday 7/12

I awake on the first day of hunting which also happens to be my birthday. Can’t think of a better birthday present than hunting in Africa. Head out of camp looking for elephant tracks. During the morning drive I see Tesebee, kudu and some nice sable. During the entire trip I would constantly see young sable in the 38”-39” range and saw several that would be in the low to mid 40’s.

When in camp, and in discussion with others about hunting tuskless in Kazuma; I was told that while they are around, they are far and few in between. I should plan to do some walking and maybe getting one shot. Guav and I discussed that I was also interested in hyena and zebra if the opportunity arose. Jokingly he asked what was I going to shoot for hyena bait, and I said my tuskless.

After a few hours of driving (10:30) we came upon our first set of cow tracks,so we stop and decide to take a walk. After about 30 minutes we realized the herd were moving at a fast trot and we would not catch up to them. A quick walk back to the car and head back out. After going about one mile, we caught glimpse of the herd out in an open veld mixed with some mopani trees. We got out again to take a closer look. We initially got within 40 yds of a herd of 20 (young bulls and cows). To our surprise there were not one but two tuskless cows in the herd. We spent a few minutes examining the herd to make sure neither had a calf, and which one was bigger. We then begin the stalk for a shot. We creep up to a small patch of mopani trees, where the tuskless is feeding on the other side. As we wait for her to step out I glance to my right and see a young calf, the smaller tuskless, and an large cow feeding 13 yards to my right. I begin thinking what happens if they catch our scent.

As I’m contemplating scenarios, the tuskless enters the patch of tree’s. Guav is to my left and she spins around showing me her rear end. At this time we are about 12 yards from her. As she moves, she offers a small window for a quartering away shot. Guav tells me to take it. At the angle I don’t have a shot and she disappears back into the trees. The herd then groups up and begins to head toward the thick forest as it’s getting hotter. I can tell everyone is wondering why I didn’t take the shot. I explain that I was ready, but from my angle the shot just wasn’t there.

Now it was going to get interesting, We followed the herd into the forest and tall grass. Over the course of the next 2 ½ hours we would get up on the herd 4 different times. They would form a tight circle under the trees. They would ball up like a rugby scrum and throw dirt, fan their ears, and eat a bit. They would stay at a location for 30 minutes and then move off. Several times I was on the sticks (no shot), and some times we have to retreat as one or two would break off and start to meander our way. I can say being so close that you can hear their stomachs or see which leaves they are eating is an adrenalin rush. After a few hours of peak a boo Guav decided to try and get a bit further from them and have them come to us.

As it starts to cool a bit the herd breaks up and begins to spread out a bit. We spot the tuskless to my right behind a tree. There is a shooting lane to her right and I get set up on the sticks. Guav says when she steps out to take a heart lung shot. She proceeds to poke her head past the tree into the lane 3 times, but never stepping into it. During this time 3 other elephants were approaching to my left (about 20 yds away). Guav asked me if I was comfortable with a side brain, and I nodded yes. The fourth time she put her head in the lane, I put the crosshairs on her and pulled the trigger.

At the shot, her back legs immediately dropped and she never took another step. We quickly ran up and I put two more in her just to be sure and we then retreated back out to let the herd settle down and make sure they didn’t come back. After about 10 minutes we went back and she was laying where she stood when I pulled the trigger. My first herd of elephant I encounter hunting, on my first day of hunting, and one shot later I have my first elephant. Simply amazing.













Since it was late in the day we will come back tomorrow morning with the skinning crew and take care butchering. It was a great ride back to to camp. What a birthday present from the hunt Goddess Diana. I reminded Guav that we now have some hyena bait.


Day 4- Recovery Saturday 7/13

I awake to the sounds of lions clearing their throats about a half mile behind camp. The morning will be dedicated to recovery of the elephant. The entire process of skining and butchering is amazing. While I don’t want to bore those that have seen it before, I will say it was one of the questions I am most asked. It took the crew of 9 less than five hours to butcher the entire animals. All this is done with a few axes, some knives, and a few hooks.


Guav and Camp Manager Henry supervising the process



Removal of the ear



Cutting the panels



Waiting with hooks for the panels



Using a hook to hold back the skin





Now that's a backstrap



Propping up a leg




Swinging the ax




Halfway through the process the staff were getting hungry so the game scout took a shovel out of the back of the truck and dug a hole in the sand, lined it wood and got a fire started. He then cleaned the shovel and added some elephant fat. The shovel was laid over the fire and some elephant meat was added, along with some onion and salt and breakfast was served.

Getting the fire ready




Add the fat, salt, onions, and meat








Lovemore then took some of the cheek meat which is suppose to taste the best, cut a stick and made me kabob of elephant fat, meat, onion and salt. To say that is tasted incredible would not do it justice. The fat fused into the meat, with salt and onion gave it a rich and juciy taste. I was in carnivore heaven.

Trimming the meat



My Kabob





Bush cooking kit





The afternoon found us taking the skull, a leg bone and some stomach to set up two baits for hyena. We also took axes and made sure we had a clear shooting lanes to the bait tree from the location we would build the blind. The trackers tied the baits to the trees with wire and we then did a drag for about a mile.





Area around the hyena bait



Day 5 – Striped Horse Sunday 7/14

As we sat around the fire having breakfast, I said that Zebra was high on my list. On my 5 previous safaris I had never taken a Zebra much to everyone’s surprise. In South Africa I was never able to find the stallion (no mares allowed) and I didn’t see any on my last hunt in Zimbabwe. It has become quite the joke that I couldn’t shoot a striped horse in Africa. Ten minutes out of camp we see a herd of zebra feeding on some new green grass (they burn patches of grass in the early season as fire breaks). We drive a few hundred yards past them and get out. The grass is high and the zebra are on alert. We crawl and creep for about 45 minutes trying to get up on them. At one point we have a mare walk within 40 yards of us and stare us down. After a few minutes she walks off without a worry. A few minutes later Guav finds the stallion that is looking almost dead on at us about 75 yds away . I get up on the sticks and it takes me about 30 seconds to see those stripes in the tall grass. I get on the sticks and aim for inside the front shoulder. I take the shot and it sounds good. We get to the spot and don’t see any blood and begin to try and find his tracks. Lovemore climbs a tree a see’s the zebra 100 yards away sitting under a tree. I get up to about 50 yds get the cross hairs on him and shoot. He gets up, goes 50 yards and drops like a stone.

I have gotten my striped horse.







Guav figuring out how we are going to load the zebra




In the afternoon we go to check the two hyena baits. As we come over the rise to the spot we used the elephant skull we see a pride of lions on the bait. Several cubs, more lionesses , and a single male. They are not happy to see us and the head off grudgingly. The lions have completely devoured most of the elephant skull and picked it clean. Thankfully we brought more bait.








Building the blind






View from the blind to the bait tree



View from the bait tree to the blind




Day 6- Monday 7/15

Get up in the morning and it’s cold enough out that you can see your breath when you talk. Personally I like cold weather and I enjoyed poking fun of Guav and the staff as they stand in the fire to warm up dressed like they are getting ready to hunt deer in Canada. I’ve already take 2 of the 3 animals I wanted (elephant and zebra) and we are actively hunting hyena so I suggest trying to hunt an old mature eland bull. All tracks we see had crossed out of our concession into Unit 2 or Botswana. We then head to check the hyena baits. The bait that we ran the lions off from had some action so we decide to build a blind. The frame we build in the morning and we will return in the pm with brush to finish it. Hyena activity is better in the am but after we build the blind we sit in the afternoon. We manage to watch two striped sided jackals eat and make noise and as the sun begins to sink with hear hyenas off in the distance along with a leopard to our left. Before we exit, the jackals trot up and pass by us in the blind no more than 5 yards away. This area is full of predators.


Day 7- Fisi Tuesday 7/16

We awake early as we want to be in the blind before sunrise and we have a 50 minute ride to the blind. We park the truck about ½ mile from the blind and is we walk in I hear lion in the valley off to my right about ½ mile from us. As we near the bait we can hear the hyenas making a racket. As we get closer to the blind, one hyena chases another toward the blind before we can set and over the next ridge. We just missed them by 1 minute. We decide to give it another 5 minutes since we are here. The two jackals return and are enjoying the meal when all of sudden one stops eating and is on alert. I whisper that either a hyena or lion is coming in, and out steps a hyena. I let it walk to the bait, grab a bite, a pull the trigger. The hyena runs 20 yds and is stone dead. It is an old hyena with scars, almost no nails and smells beyond nasty.



Nice set of teeth


Notice scars on the head


Worn down nails


Happy Hunter



Days 8,9, 10 Eland, Animals and Kazuma National Park 7/17/-7/20

We spent the next several days chasing after eland and I can say they got the best of us. Several times we would pick up the tracks of mature bulls only to have them join a large herd of cows that would act as sentries and alert the herd if our presence. On another occasion we followed a herd from 8:30-12:30 only to have them avoid us. We got back on their tracks at 2:30 and followed them for 2 hours as they lead us in a complete circle and slipped across the boundary into Unit 2. On two occasions we did get up on the sticks but only to have young bulls step into the crosshairs.

During this time AR’s own Terry R and his hunting partner stopped in for lunch twice as they were hunting Fuller for buffalo but were after tuskless also and were giving it a try in Kazuma. It’s always nice to meet a fellow AR member (Terry came in wearing a hat). While his hunt has gotten off to a rocky start their PH James was doing a great job on getting them on some game.

I also had the pleasure of meeting PH Terry Anders who was hunting out of our camp for buffalo with a German client. At the time of the hunt, Terry had still not been issued any permits for the SAVE where he normally hunts, so he had switch to plan two.

During this time we encountered plenty of other animals, many up close and personal. Mature sable bulls, large kudu, duiker, honey badger and plenty and plenty of elephant bulls. On three occasions we saw bulls that were over 60 pounds per side and had one herd of bulls cross single file in front of us at 15 yards without a care in the world. I can honestly say I seriously considered depleting my daughter’s college account when looking at some of those bulls up close and personal.

The afternoon of the 9th day I decided we should drive next door to Kazuma National Park and drive along Kazuma Pan. I am so glad I decided to do it, as it’s a truly gorgeous gem. Picture tens of thousands of acres of open grassland filled with wildlife. As we drove we saw jackals, Oribi, giraffe, huge roan, eland, zebra, and wildebeest and elephant bulls along happy and content walking in an ocean of grass. To make it even better we never saw another human being. If you ever find yourself in the Vic Falls area you would be doing yourself a great disservice by not visiting.



















Day 11- Victoria Falls 7/21 Sunday

Instead of hunting the last day I decided to head into Vic Falls, get a room at the Ultimate Lodge, see the Falls and do some shopping. On the ride out we passed through the national park and Matetsi Unit 1 and were treated to large herds of Zebra, Kudu, big sable and eland. We dropped the game scout off at the Forestry headquarters and headed to see Russell Cadlecott at the Ultimate Lodge. http://www.ultimatelodge.com


I did a tour of the falls and was not disappointed. I can see what its considered one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
















Young Bushbuck at the Falls


Safety Fence at the Falls- A Lawyers Dream



A bit of shopping for the family back home at some very nice shops and back to the lodge for dinner and drinks at the lodge.



Rhino made from Soda Cans



Russell makes everyone feel like family as soon as they come in and is extremely accommodating. It is a fun and wild place to start or end your safari. The day I stayed there a cast of characters was present: PH’s from South Africa, Cameroon and Tanzania, hunters from the states and south Africa, and Chinese tourists who stopped in for dinner. It reminded me of cross between a fraternity house and the bar from star wars. The conversation and drinks around the fire were hysterical. Russell is a gracious host who knows just about everyone who hunts or fishes and make sure his guests are taken care of no matter what they are doing.

Day 12-13 Back to Reality 7/22-7/23

No problem exiting Zimbabwe and no issues on the flight to Joberg. Had a few hours layover before connecting to fly out. Had nice dinner, used the wifi, and watched a movie bought some books at the bookstore before getting on the final flight. No issues on the flight back, service was good and the flight landed 20 minutes early. Customs was quick and efficient. They checked my 4457 and rifle, asked how my hunt went and I was on my way.

Closing Thoughts

Kazuma-
Is a truly wild place and completely different from my prior buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe. Kazuma along with the two other forestry concession make up almost 240,000 acres. There were no villages, dogs, goat, chickens or snares when I was in Kazuma. It was truly wild Africa, quiet and peaceful at night with the exception of the lions.

The camp was well run, the chef did an excellent job, and the camp manager Henry ran a solid operation for Forestry. He wanted to make sure you enjoyed yourself and were successful during your hunt.

Kazuma is a big game area with excellent sable and some other plains game. There are lions all over the concession. We heard them every night, saw tracks every morning, ran a pride off our hyena bait and Terry Anders one morning has a lioness charge the truck about ½ mile from camp. Currently they only have 1 lion permit for all 240,000 acres. If they ever put lioness back in quota (it was closed for some reason) I would not hesitate to go back.

Leopard we saw tracks several times and heard them while hyena hunting. Forestry also allows hunting a night as an added option. Buffalo, while we did not see any in the area we were hunting, two had been taken while I was hunting, with one being a 43”.

As far as elephant, Kazuma has a lot to offer. I saw three bulls that were over 60 pounds (not even hunting) and saw herds of more bulls crossing in from Botswana. They are currently pumping water at 3 locations and are planning on adding two more. I cannot imagine how much better it will be come September and October. With Botswana closing elephant hunting, no one supposedly legally hunting unit 2, and a national park as other boundary big bulls are around. I know AR member MA baker took a 70 pounder on the first day of his safari last year. While I am a neophyte when it comes to elephant hunting, if I was looking for a bull over 50 with a chance for something bigger I would not hesitate to spend money hunting there.












Sable, there are some impressive Sable in the area with good mature bulls in 40”-43” range and lots of youngsters in the 38”-39” range. I also was surprised at the number of kudu cows and bulls we saw only a daily basis. Several kudu were in the mid 50’s. Other plains game available is zebra, eland, duiker, and warthog.







Professional Hunter Guav Johnson is someone I completely enjoyed hunting with. This was my second hunt with Guav and once again he did not disappoint. He truly enjoys hunting, and particularly hunting dangerous game, and is a true professional. Hunting elephant is his greatest passion and I feel if he were born 130 years ago he would have been an ivory hunter. He has been hunting in Zimbabwe for the last 14 years and when the season closes, is the senior PH for Mayo Odiri hunting Lord Derby Eland, Bongo and other creatures. He has a great sense of humor and enjoys practical jokes, which is right up my alley. He kept me laughing with stories from Cameroon and I kept him laughing with stories from 20 years of Public Health in Baltimore. I look forward to sharing a few more adventures with Guav.

In the end, this trip could not have gone any better had I scripted it. Having all my animals in the salt so early in the hunt is different from previous trips and allowed me to enjoy the safari in a different way. I always remember what an old skinner told me on first safari to Africa. A man's life is made up of 8 stones, the first two you throw away because you are too young to do anything, and the last two you throw away because you are too old to do anything. Life is what you do with those 4 stones in the middle, and I plan on using them.

As far as elephant hunting, all I can say is I understand why some hunters become totally hooked on elephant hunting. While some guys take one elephant and never want to do it again, I want to do it again. It seems to be crazy, dangerous fun, especially with a herd of elephants all around you.

Parting Photos

Lovemore- Tracker for Guav



Steven - Tracker for Kazuma/Nagamo Safaris



Michael- Game Scout




Our camp pigeons the male would gather twigs and fly them to the female who was building a nest




DU Chapter Kazuma Zimbabwe



Nothing is wasted, elephant meat drying




416 vs 303 enfield. The .303 was carried by the game scout, with a supply of 5 bullets. Not sure if the gun had been shot since WWII




Really?


Tough Broom



Bait









The danger of civilization, of course, is that you will piss away your life on nonsense

Great report and photographs. Thanks for that.

Great report. Fantastic photos. Congrats on a hunt well done.

Sounds like you had a blast.
I met Guav in Reno this winter.
Maybe one day I"ll hunt elephants with him.
Great report. Thanks, Milan.

Yes a great trip. Good hunting and plenty of laughs.

Great Report!
Thanks for taking the time,and Congratulations

Thank you for excelent report!

Congratulations....This should be published!
Undoubtedly the most wonderful Photo Journal Report that I've seen to date!

I was glued to it for every second...fascinating story and well-documented...you gave an awesome angle on everything and took a major interest in every facet of your safari!

Truly an adventure of a lifetime and your photos are SUPERB!!!

Well done!!!

Roland

Great Report. Congrats on your trophies.

Congratulations on your hunt!

Excellent report!

Thanks for a great report and wonderful pictures. I really enjoy the area and people pics.

Hutty.

Thank you very much for such a fine hunt report, with the greatest photos attached.

Congratulations on your hunt. What a grand and fine tusk less and your zebra is a beauty. I'm envious of all that have shot spotted hyena, but I'll congratulate you anyway!!!

Your hunt report was a joy to read, you clearly had a great time from start to finish, which you managed to convey so well in your fine positive way of writing.

I enjoyed your report very much.

Jytte

Thanks so much for sharing a great hunt. It brought back some great memories of a unique area and some very nice people.

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Absolutely Perfect Report!! Just the way it should be written. Congratulations on a marvelous trip. Well done.

Congratulations on a great trip!

Great adventure, real hunting ,thanks for sharing.

Awesome report - thanks for sharing!

Great report, great hunt, great pics.....
Now about that Yankees cap.

Thanks for sharing!

Looks like a great trip.

Great report and photos. You told us about your safari, not just what you shot, and I really enjoyed seeing and reading about what you saw, who you met, and what you did. Very nice photos as well, I loved the well-captioned wheelbarrow!
You have been bitten by the elephant bug, and I suspect you will be finding a way to stand in front of your first bull in the not to distant future.
Congratulations and thanks.

Great report and hunt!! Congrats!! I really enjoyed the photos!

Amazing report! I especially laughed about the blasted owls. We had that happen to us in June in Botswana. I seriously wished I had a shotgun.
Also, how cool is the shovel skillet? Terrific. I'd love to have been there for a taste.

Congrats on a great hunt.

Super report! Loved the photos.

Congrats to you.

Marty you are correct, I am totally hooked on elephant hunting. Time to start saving.

Superb hunt.
I want to do a hunt in this area of Zim with this outfit, sable being main quarry.

Fantastic report! Thank you for taking the time.


.

Steve. Great report!

Wow! Great report, thanks for posting it.

Great report Hutty
Joe and I enjoyed breaking bread with you in Kazuma. Great place for elephant which will only get better as Bots shuts down. Now there are two less tuskless in Kazuma/pandamasuie
TerryR

Hutty Outstanding reports and pictures. Congrats on the great hunt! I am glad you replied to my Hunt report I should have asked you when we met if you were on Accurate reloading forums!

Great report, thanks so much for sharing and congrats on your tuskless! Your experience has certainly got me into the mood for a return trip to Africa.

Great report - looks a fantastic area