Dates: June 25-July3
Areas: Limpopo Province- Thabazimbe, Kameelpoort Ranch
Stoffburg Area, at Thaba/Nkwe Lodge plus adjacent Bergland Farm
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PH- Charl van Rooyen Owner/Operator Infinito Safaris
Trackers - Philoman and Solley
Camp Manager: Erica
Airline- Delta (Atl to Joburg and back)
Overnighted @Emperors Palace Casino, Hotel Dorreal Grande/Joberg
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Rifles used Mauser G33/40 .280 Rem custom by Winston Elrod 1909 Argie .375 H & H Custom by Winston Elrod/Tom Griffen. Ammo - My handloads using 175 gr Swift A Frames in .280 and 300 gr A frames in .375 H&H. Animals hunted: Kudu, Gemsbock, Giraffe, Zebra, Impala, Warthog.

This is the report on the P.G. Hunt, that I won from Infinito Safaris here on Accurate Reloading.
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Day 1: After a good breakfast prepared by Erica, we got in the Landcruiser and headed out to Kameelpoort, the 20K acre ranch that Infinito has exclusive hunting rights for. One thing I noticed right off the bat, this country is as thick and dense as anything in South Texas, in other words, this ain’t gonna be a cake walk! Within the first 30 minutes the trackers spotted a Kudu Bull, we continued driving along the track for another 300 yds. or so before bailing out of the truck and circling around downwind to begin the stalk. This began my education on why the Kudu is called the "Grey Ghost." After carefully stalking for about 30 minutes, we were rewarded by the sound of a Kudu making tracks after I had stepped on a twig....busted! This was not to be the last time on this hunt that Kudu eluded us, not even close! One thing was for sure though, there were animal tracks everywhere, and no shortage of game, but thick cover would make for careful hunting. As we drove the ranch, we were constantly seeing a wide variety of game, Giraffe, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Bushbuck, you name it. We broke for lunch around 1 p.m. and decided to have an early day to let Terry and I get better regulated to Africa time.

Day 2: Up early and on the truck, man it is cold in the early morning on back of the Land cruiser! Good thing I brought wool gloves and a Carhart Jacket. When the sun gets up, we are treated to a gorgeous day that sets the pace for the rest of the hunt, blue skies and temps in the mid to high 60's. What a relief from the 97 degree days we left behind in Houston. Right off the bat, we see a very good Nyala, but it is not on my list, my goals are Kudu and Gemsbock, then Zebra, Impala, Giraffe and Warthog. I have limited trophy space, but the Nyala was tempting. Charl spotted some Gemsbock just before noon and we were off on the stalk. It was amazing to me that a guy that is built like a Sherman tank can move that quietly through the dry grass and sickle bush. We get within 100 yds. and after carefully glassing the animals, Charl tells me there is a nice bull just out of my sight. As the minutes tick by and the tension mounts, the bull finally moves into my view. With the .280 balanced on the sticks, I take the shot and the bull drops like a stone as the rest of the herd scatters. As we approach the fallen bull, we put a finisher in him, as it seems I had pulled the shot high and spined him. Charl diplomatically suggests I hit a twig, but I retraced the bullet path and that did not happen! I am not happy with my shooting, but the Gemsbock is in the salt, time to move on! After lunch and a nap, we are back on the trail when Philoman spots a small group of Kudu cows and a good bull, deep in the brush, how these guys can spot them, never ceases to amaze me! We take off on the stalk and maneuver to get ahead of them to find a spot for a clear shot. As we await the approaching Kudu, along comes a quartet of Warthogs directly toward us at about 50 yds. This spooks the Kudu off in another direction. Charl whispers that we need a non-trophy Warthog anyway and tells me when he grunts like a Wildebeest, the Warthog will stop, and to hit him right between the eyes. Charl grunts, I shoot, end of story for the Warthog. My confidence is restored. Dr. Van Rooyen at work!


Day 3: Another beautiful day with multiple stalks for the Kudu, shifting winds abort most of them, but they are all very exciting none the less. After lunch, the trackers, spot another bull and we are off. As we negotiate the thick brush to try to get in a position to ambush the bull, Charl finds a good spot and puts up the sticks. He whispers that he can hear the bull’s steps as he approaches (I can't) and points out a likely clear area for a shot. I get in position, tension mounting, and then all Hell breaks loose! About fifty yds. from our position, there was a small herd of Impala in the brush, a Cheetah launched his attack and Impala were flying in every direction! It was over before my brain could process what I had seen; I still have a clear memory of a long cat moving at high speed, close to the ground. Charl and I just looked at each other in amazement! We stood there, whispering about what we had just seen, needless to say, the Kudu Bull was long gone! As we were standing there recovering, we now see a group of Zebra approaching directly towards us. Charl whispers that the stallion in the lead is a good one, and when he grunts, shoot him in the chest. Hey, I can do this! Fifty yds. frontal shots on game off of sticks are my specialty! At the sound of the grunt, the Zebra stops and I send 175 grains of Swifts finest right below the chin into the chest. I am amazed that the Zebra drops in his tracks, kicks spasmodically a couple of times and it is over. The Zebra I got in TZ a few years ago had made me decide that the .375 H&H was a good idea, but this was another target of opportunity and I had the .280 in my hands. It proved to be enough cartridge, as we would see repeatedly during this Safari.

After we off-loaded the Zebra, we were back out spotting, we never had a lack of animals, but they are very wary and do not linger in the clear. So much for the myth that South Africa plains game just hang around, waiting to be shot! We hunted hard every day, had many exciting stalks, successful and not. Half of the fun is being on the ground, rifle in hand, following the tracks of the animals. As the sun started to go down and we were headed in, we saw a comotion in the path ahead. Two very large Waterbuck bulls were fighting it out, the sound of their horns clashing rang out loudly as we stood transfixed by the sight of this display of territorial aggression! Charl advised that both bulls were very good and they were so consumed in their duel, they did not seem to notice us. It would have been fairly easy to cover the 100 or so yds. and make the shot, but instead, we just enjoyed the spectacle. Back to camp for another of Erica's delicious meals and a good night's sleep!

Day4: This is to be our last day of hunting at Kameelpoort, we will leave for the Stoffburg area the next morning. About mid-morning the trackers spotted a nice herd of Impala and got very excited about the ram, Charl said it was a very big one, so we set off in pursuit. After about twenty minutes, we were in position for a shot and I set the .280 on the sticks and fired. The ram went down, but immediately got up and took off at high speed. Charl and I had an understanding, I am a terrible running game shot and had told him at the outset that I would not shoot at moving game. I had also made it clear that if I screwed up a shot and he could put the wounded animal down, that he should do so immediately to prevent any undue suffering and loss. Solly brought Charl's CZ .308 and off we went, several hundred yds. later, Charl took a hard running away shot and brought the ram down for good. I could never have made that shot! The ram turned out to be 25 1/2" trophy. I had again, pulled a shot high off of the sticks. I was more than a bit upset over this. Later that afternoon, the trackers spotted a big Kudu bull on a small brushy hill, and after getting within eighty yds., I proceeded to completely miss him on a broadside shot! Talk about a bad day! I was very upset about my poor performance, but Charl was philosophical, and said, everything happened for a reason, and that the Stoffburg area that we were going to next, was known for producing very big Kudu bulls. The really bad part of this?, the bull I missed was a high 50" maybe even a 60" bull. I felt like a heel!

Day 5: After a good breakfast, the trackers and staff are all loaded and we hit the road for the 3.5 hr. drive to Stoffburg and the Thaba/Nkwe Lodge. This daylight drive gave us the opportunity to see some of the country and small towns along the way. It was an enjoyable trip. Arriving at the lodge, we were met by the owners, Willie and Gerta Roux, who showed us the lodge and grounds. The lodge at the first camp in Thabazimbe was very nice, Thaba/Nkwe was more like a luxury resort, it was almost too nice. After a delicious dinner and great conversation, it was off to bed in preparation for tomorrow's hunt!

Day6: With an early start, we are after Giraffe today. Charl knows of a large old bull that will make an excellent dark skinned trophy rug that I can put in my office. After a few hrs., we find the tracks of a big bull and off we go! About 20 minutes of tracking and we find him and he is the bull that Charl had in mind. It is very difficult to clearly see the bull in the thick cover, their camoflauge serves them well. As the bull moves away, I see a chance for a clear shot and take it, the 300 grain Swift from my .375 goes through the shoulder and into the heart. The Giraffe ran approximately 75 yds. out of the brush and onto a dirt track before going down. Watching him fall was like watching a tall building collapse during demolition, an amazing sight. It took a team of skinners 14 hrs. to skin out and cut up the Giraffe.

Day 7: We are still hunting for a good Kudu bull, but I am beginning to think that it may not be this trip. At this point, we have upgraded Terry to Hunter status. We have had a full moon for the last two nights, and while we are seeing game, there were less of them in the day, because of night feeding. During the day, we spot some big Bushbuck and Impala and Blue Wildebeest. No shots fired this day!

Day 8: We get up early, today Terry will also hunt. Last day and my hope is that she will get a nice trophy. Charl and I discussed this and concluded that we would take whatever opportunity arises for her as long as it is not an Impala which she took on the TZ hunt. As we travel the roads looking for tracks, Philoman and Solly simutaneously spot a good Kudu bull up on the side of a nearby mountain. Charl and I bail from the truck as it goes behind a tree and continues on down the road. The bull is alert, but paying close attention to the truck, which allows us to sneak up through the heavy brush, almost to the base of the mountain. Charl tells me it is a "good" bull, but this is as close as we can get, he lasers the bull and tells me it is 280 yds., can I make the shot off the sticks? I put the .280 on them and sight in on the bull. This is my last chance for a good Kudu! I feel I can make the shot and tell Charl so, I drew in a breath, let half out and began the squeeze. At the shot, I lose my sight picture, but Charl yells that the shot was good and the bull is down. I was aiming just behind the shoulder, the bullet hit the shoulder directly, breaking it and the off shoulder as it exited the body. We flew up that steep slope in minutes..... as we got a good look at my trophy, Charl said, "you know, I said he was a good bull, but I did not want you to get too excited before making the shot, I really think this bull will be close to 60"! Man, was I glad he had kept that to himself, when glassing, 'cause I sure did not need that stress after already missing a big one on day 4. To say I was thrilled is an understatement, I would have been happy with a 50", but this was icing on the cake. Last day and last chance, you cannot beat an ending like that! Or can you?

After my bull was taken to camp, we ate lunch and went out again, this time in earnest, for Terry to bag an animal. Throughout the afternoon, we jumped Nyala and a big bushbuck, but no shots were available. Around 4:30 p.m., it was getting late and we were basically heading back to camp when Charl spotted a Kudu bull, on the side of the same mountain that I had bagged my bull on earlier. How he saw it, I do not know, as even the trackers couldn't see it 'til he told them where to look. Terry got into position and was trying to find the Kudu in the scope, finally with Charl's help, she spotted it at 150 yds. and said excitedly, " I see it, he is looking right at me!" I heard Charl say, "He is not posing for a picture, shoot as quick as you can!" At the shot, the bull took off, only to pile up about 100 yds. away. For the second time that day, we ran up that mountain and what a sight! He was a mature bull of 55" with a wider spread than mine and a much bigger body. He was magnificent and I would have been thrilled with him, but for Terry to get him was the best part of the whole Safari. The look on her face when she saw him was worth every dime spent and every long hour getting there!





I and Terry, never gave a thought that both of us would get such great trophy Kudu, and on the last day to boot! I had talked to Judge G. (Ernest) before I left, and he told me to just go and relax, that Charl would handle everything and would work very hard for his client's. I would say that was an understatement. I have never seen anyone work harder and get his client's on more animals than Charl did with Terry and I.

The camps, lodges food and staff were all first rate. The results speak for themselves. Would I do it again? absolutely! Would I recommend Infinito Safari's to others? absolutely! Will I be going back? Count on it!
P.S. Hopefully Charl will get a chance to chime in, and add some better quality pic's than these!







Lee & Terry Greenlee

Very nice report. Worth waiting for.

I also had a great hunt with Infinito.

Excellent trophies!

Good one there Charl, no bushpigs?

Great hunt and report!!
Count your blessing....60" Kudu is a once in a lifetime trophy!

Well done Lee,Terry,and Charl
Congratulations

Congratulations on a successful hunt.
Gorgeous deep curls on your Kudu.
Charl did his job well.

Congrats, looks like y'all had a great time.

Congrats! Looks like yall had a wonderful time! Charl is a great guy!!

Very nice report. Charl really is a great guy and does amaze you in the bush. That looks like Solly holding the ear of your Kudu. Man I would pay money to have seen Charl toss that rubber snake he carries down there with him in that position. Solly is seriously afraid of snakes and Charl takes advantage of it. I'm glad you had a good time and your trophies are magnificent.

Don

Great report!

Congratulations,lee440.Good job on the giraffe.-hose swifts are fine bullets.Nice pics too.

Bob, I love your kudu horn config. and deep curls.

Terry good shooting also.

Mike & Cherie

Congratulations. What a fun hunt and good report.

Congrats on a good hunt

I love that narrow Kudu bull!!

Beautiful animals, thanks for the report.

Great safari, trophies, photos, and write up. Congratulations.

Lee, congrats to you, Terry, and Charl - well done!

Great report, Lee! Congratulations on an great hunt!

Congrats on a good hunt. Great pics along with a good report..

Congratulations on a successful and fun hunt! Charl is a pleasure to be around!!!

Where was Fredrik????

Best regards, D. Nelson

Folks, a short reply from me as I'm bussy with a Leopard hunt. Don, you will be pleased to know that Southpaw is taking bait and a new cat "Dikkop" is also been in and out of the bait. Client got to see Dikkop but he was too quick for the shot.
Terry and Lee are wonderful people and I had a great time with them. I have to eat humble pie here a bit. The area's are big and the game abundant. None of my friends here on AR, save The BIG Guy, as hunted these new areas of ours. WE ALL worked hard and the results speaks for itself.
That's all for now, and I will post some better pick's next week when I'm done with old spots, and a Cape Buffalo!
Darin, Frederik left Infinito Safaris, by his own accord in January, and I believe is not guiding any more, or for the time being in any case. With the new areas, we revamped the company a bit with some new faces.

Some pictures from me!

Bwana Lee

“Mamma” Terry

Last day Kudu Bulls:
60”

56”

25,5” Impala Ram!

Bushveld Gemsbok

Exciting Zebra

Giraffe-Black Bull

Great hunt, trophies and pics!

Well done, great trophies .

Some familiar areas there too.

Very nice. Congratulations!

Great pictures, really like the "Between the eyes" warthog.

Knowing Charl, this reminds me of the old "Vacation in Philadelphia" joke....First prize is a week-long hunt with Charl. 2nd prize is 2 weeks :-)

Got ya, buddy! :-)