Just returned home from our first african safari. What a time!. Went through Cruisers Safaris, and used Kathi at Wild Travel, and was not disappointed. Better than that, pleasantly surprised.



We left Cleveland on Aug 14, flew to Dulles, and then took SAA to Johannesburg. Arrived the evening of Aug 15. Took the advice of Cruiser Bob, and did an overnight at Afton Guest House. Here we met evryone that would be in camp with us for the next 11 days.

The 16 was a travel day from Afton to camp, and also to verify our rifles were sighted in. Leah is using a Tikka T3 Stainless Lite in 300wsm using Winchester 180 gr Silver tips. I am using a Browning A-bolt in 7mm Rem Mag with Federal 160 gr Accubonds. Oh boy tomorrow we HUNT! Our PH is Pieter, and our tracker is Isak.

Woke up, had breakfast and then off to one of the consession. The first thisg we see is a Blue Wildebeest but it takes off. Not so for the Blesbok. Leah takes it with her 300wsm. One shot.



We load her Blesbok into the vehicle, and shortly thereafter we find a beautiful Blue Wildebeast. I shoot, it stumbles twice and disappears into the brush. Short story, no blood, and cant find. $#@#!
As we continue I find a Blesbok, and shoot. Its down


Two Blesbok down and only 4 hours into the hunt!
So we continue on and we find some more Blue Wildebeast. One looks like the one I shot, so Leah shoots. Another kill! But not the one I shot.



We spent the rest of the day searching but never found blood or the one I shot.

The second and third days past without a shot op. Many stalks but not close enough. Made a stalk to a water hole to look for warthog and was confronted with this:


We backed away slowly and returned to the truck to try again the next day. Evenings were spent hearing about the days hunts and a great dinner. Even a glass of wine.

Our forth morning we took off to a new concession and on the way ran into a free ranging herd of Impala. We located a bull and made the stalk. Impala Down!


That evening after lunch, we went to a neighbors place. Chatted with them a while and then went on the hunt with the owners son, Hans.

Leahs turn, and what do we find.....KUDU SHOOT!, Another one shot kill.


Man can she shoot. We load the Kudu and for the next hour try to get a shot on an Impala. Finally near dusk she gets her chance. Did I mention that it was another one shot kill?


Thanks Hans for a great hunt. We met Hans father that night and expressed our appreciation for letting us hut the property. Very nice to meet them.

Our fifth day starts again with breakfast, and then off to hunt.We return to the scene of the crime from the night before. This time the owner does not join us. I'm looking for Kudu. Theres one! 150 yards, aim one third up, above the leg....squeeze....BOOm....Kudu down.


51 inches each side! 10 1/2 in bases!

We return to camp. Word comes in that one of the guides has spotted a nice Nyala. So off we go. A short stalk later and he's down.


After a great lunch we head out for an evening hunt. We see Gemsbok but no shot. However, we do find Zebra, and one makes the mistake in standing still in the open. Leah shoots and there is a cloud of dust. He has to be down. We get to the spot and no Zebra. Isak the tracker finds blood and 60 yards away we find the stallion. Yes, another one shot kill. Do I need to shoot?

In picture, Isak, Pieter, Me, and Leah.

5 days of hunting done. Five more to go. But tomorrow is a rest day. So we take a day trip to Marekele Park. Yes its nice to relax. Tomorrow is Sunday and the last five days start.


Hunting is tougher now as we have fewer animals to hunt. The afternoon we set at a water hole. Alot of animals come in like Eland, Kudu, Warthog,and a small Gemsbok. But none for me. However just when we are getting ready to move out, a shot comes from Leahs direction at another water hole. No second shot. Hmmmm. Warthog down.


Yes, 6 shots, 6 animals....why did we bring 80 rounds a piece?

Two more days of no shots, but some great photos.




OK, 3 days left. Leah goes to town with some of the others in camp and I go hunting for Gemsbok and warthog. It"s acool morning and the animals are skittish. 4 hours into it and we find a Gemsbok bedded. I set up and what seem like an hour but was only five minutes and I get the shot. Gemsbok down.


Alright!
We head back out for the afternoon. Looking for a Warthog or a Steenbuck.
After several sightings I finally get the " Get your rifle ready" "There next to the shrub at 125 yards is a good Steenbuck"
I place the crosshairs and ........

Steenbuck steaks baby!


The remainder of the time we try for a Bushbuck but dont get one. All in al a great time. Great people. No regrets.
We'll go back someday.

Oh, and here is a shot of our camp.


What a great trip! Great camp, Wonderful food and rooms. We really enjoyed meeting Tony and Loretta, Larry, Kenny, Joe and Enzo. Would I recommend Cruisers.....see the smile in the first picture, that says it all.

Congratulations on a great safari... having just returned from my first safari a couple months ago, I know how you feel. If you are anything like me, you are hooked.
Best of luck on your next.
Andy

Great report, I like the Wartie, it has a lot of character.

Great trip, great trophies, thanks for sharing! The nyala looks very nice and the warthog has some fantastic teeth! It's even better that you got to share it all with your wife.
Chris

Congrats on a great trip!

Poochuss;

Congratulations on a great "husband-wife team"... You took some very fine trophies, but as a woman hunter, I especially like Leah's shooting!!!! Way to go girl!!!!

Welcome to the ranks of African Addicts...I'm sure you are already, or soon will be, planning your next safari.

Best regards, D. Nelson

D.
I am very proud of Leah. It is so great to have a spouse that wants to hunt and go on these trips. Just like one of the people in camp said, "It is so great that hunting can be the common thread for friendships with new people from very diverse backgrounds". We have experienced some negativity for a woman being in a hunting camp, but this only makes her more determined to prove them wrong about the attitude.

Great report, animals, pics and a wife that can really shoot. Congrats all around and thanks for sharing your experience with all of us.

Congrats on the trip! Fine pics!

Can't believe its been over a year, since we hunted with Cruiser. Great bunch of people!

Mad Dog

That girl can shoot! Congratulations to you both!

congratulations to you both on some fine trophies.

Great Hunt!
Great Report!
Pieter and Isak are great to hunt with aren't they!

D.
I really enjoyed the time with Pieter and Isak.

Always great to see families sharing a hunt! Congrats.

Amazing pics...congratulations on the safari !!!

Check out my blog about this trip at:
http://www.squidoo.com/south-africa-safari-adventure

Great hunt! I just returned from a 2 week safari a few months ago. I still relive the trip. It sounds like you saw a lot of animals and had a fantastic hunt. Too bad about the first wildebeest. That was my biggest fear; shooting a good animal and not being able to find it, but I worried for nothing.
Good hunting.

PBens.
Later found that after sighting in my scope crapped out. Luckily the owner, Pieter, had an extra 4 power that we installed and sighted in for the rest of the trip.

Congratulations to you both!