Well, it was far more incredible than either I or my dad could ever have imagined. I have added the details of our Cape Buffalo(sorry I talk all too much) and will add the Kudu, Wildebeest, Impala and Warthog in less verbose fashion later.

Where: Chirisa for Cape Buffalo and Inyati region for Plains Game

Organizer: Ray Atkinson, Atkinson Hunting Adventures

Travel Agent: Shawn Kennedy of Gracy Travel

Outfitters: Nengasha Safaris - Danny Friend and Paul Benny

PH: Wayne Bartlett

Dates of Safari: September 1 - 12th

Tools of the Trade:
Cape Buffalo:AHR-built 600 Overkill, AHR-built 585AHR - both with AHR X-Bullet; 600OK with Macifej Shark Solids and RGB Copper Bore Riders; 585 with Barnes Banded Solids. Each loaded first with - AHR expanding X-bullet, followed by solids in the mag.
Plains Game: Weatherby Custom Safari in 416 WBY Magnum and Remington 700Ti in 300SAUM - both shooting Swift A-frames (400gr/200gr)

Monday August 31st: After a good night’s sleep and hasty breakfast of coffee we were on the road. 7 hours later we pulled into a magnificent camp - the likes of which I have never seen. Beautifully thatched a-frame houses with running water, flush toiltes and showers. A dining area with game mounted on the walls, a beautiful table and all of the amenities one would find in an established Caribbean getaway. We were introduced to our chef, Steve who would make us anything we desired, as well as our trackers, gun bearers and game scout.
Immediately we saw Kudu, baboons, and an elephant - all from our dining vista. The sight of the dry river as it snaked its way across the valley at our feet surrounded by tree and brush covered hills and iron-stained mountains with singular baobob trees sprinkled here and there made the pictures in my mind pale.
It's said that no sunset rivals that over the African plane. I have witnessed such a sunset and can admit it is no exaggeration. As the sun slid behind the distant mountains, a fire was started in the pit overlooking the flood plain and kudu meat with chips and beer brought to our side by Steve. The meat was absolutely delicious - my dad happily said "Your mother should try this - she would love it." This was a "snack" before dinner. The game was calling, screaming, fighting and growling all around us. The stars obscured only by the smoke of the fire and the moon seemed small in the sky but exceptionally bright. Dinner was incredible and for desert we were served coffee, tea and apple crumble. We retired to the fire pit and watched in the darkness for a long while then made our way back to our chalet and hit the sack - both of us travel weary and bellies overflowing.
Tuesday September 1st: 4:30 arrived all too soon but we both slept well. The night had been filled with the sounds of Africa – howls, screams, barks, growls, chirping and snorting. This morning was actually cold - our breath forming thought bubbles about us as we considered the frost on the ground. I put on long pants and a short sleeve safari shirt over a tee shirt. Dad was in full cool weather regalia. We hastily took our pills and headed to the dining area for a quick cup of coffee and toast. We were on our first day of our hunt. We headed out in the old LandCruiser and saw game almost immediately. Baboon seemed to be everywhere. A gaggle of warthogs crossed in front of us, impala off to the left bouncing along with us and a small herd of elephants to our left that decided to cross the road to get to the other side - in front of us. Magnificent! Until one decided we were annoying him and then to charge the truck. Ears flapping, trunk up and trumpeting, Wayne said "It's just bluffing, just a mock charge." And it ended as quickly as it began. Thrilling doesn’t do it justice.
Buoyed by the elephant sightings, we searched for a couple of hours and found only days old track and spoor. "Fresh Dugga Boy track." whispered Wayne then promptly proceeded to first step on one then stick a finger into another huge pile of Buffalo chips.
“Seeing how fresh these are – still warm. Want to feel?”
Following the track through thorny bushes, there they were - Cape Buffalo. Screened by the brush, I could see the great horns wave, a tail flicker, an ear twitch. We followed them, thorns tugging at our skin and clothes as they walked away. Then the battle began. We couldn’t see it but these behemoths were dueling with each other even as we followed. A swirl and suddenly the wind shifted and so did the Cape Buffalos attention - to us. With the briefest of snorts, the ground shook; the herd off and away. Excitement and exhilaration ebbed and flowed as we made the trek back to the truck. We got stuck in deep sand and I taught Wayne the floor mat trick.
Wayne decided to hoof it and we strode out of the Cruiser and onto the sand. This powdery soft earth sunk 6 inches with each step and it was hell to walk through. Gladly we entered the brush - thorn bushes and jess. 3 hours of tracking turned up nothing for our efforts in the way of buffalo but we did see herds of kudu, a group of elephants, baboons, impala, monkeys, waterbuck, reedbuck and warthog. Not just one or two of each, but gatherings that would make an Italian wedding seem sparse.
Wednesday September 2nd: We were up before the knock on the door at 4:45. No more than 45 degrees outside and I was in shorts and t-shirt with short sleeved safari shirt over it. Safari hat in place, we were out the door for a breakfast of toast and coffee we were once again on the road. I tried to instill some enthusiasm and excitement but it was clear that Wayne was under pressure to produce. We passed more elephant and kudu, the ever common baboon and herds of impala all over. We crept along as the terrain got rough and then, there they were. Screened by brush, there were Cape Buffalo several hundred yards ahead. We crawled on hands and knees through rough dirt, sticks and thorns and were less than 50 yards from them. The wind was in our favor and we could barely make out a buffalo cow and a small bull but couldn’t see the herd bull that had made the big tracks. We were about to move closer when I heard the start of a big block Chevy engine. That's what it sounded like when the elephant roared and growled (I didn’t know they did that) to our left, a mere 40 yards away. The crash of the trees and brush was far more exhilarating than the buffalo ahead. I am man enough to admit it was more than a bit frightening. He or she winded us but just then the wind shifted and the buffalo caught our scent. They were on the move as a result of the wind rather than the elephant ruckus.
We carried on tracking over terrain that would make a goat blush but we were doing it. Dad was doing it and was doing well and was proud of it. Wayne frantically motioned me closer and pointed to a track.
"It's a buf with a broken leg. If we are charged, don’t wait for me to tell you to shoot, just shoot to kill. Don't wait to hear from me because he will be coming after us. Shoot everything you have and get behind a tree. Do you understand, just shoot and keep on shooting."
My thoughts turned to whether to tell my dad or not and what to do with him if the charge came. It didn't and I wasn't disappointed. I was worried for my father if it came to pass.
We were excited and all smiles even with injured knees and spirits. We trekked back to the cruiser but one more surprise was in store for us. Daneesa was leading as usual and suddenly leaped yards into the air and to his left. Wayne was in lockstep and I was a few feet behind but did not imitate their acrobatics. "SNAKE!!!"
“What was it."
"A black mamba - deadly."
We walked around it and back to the truck a bit dejected. As we drove, Daneesa suggested checking one more watering hole we hadn’t previously examined for track. When nearly there even I could recognize the huge tracks made by two buffalo. AND these were fresh given the dark brown color of the sand rather than the lighter beige color as it dried.
"A few hours at most."
For the first time, I saw a deep genuine smile on Wayne's face. It spread like wildfire to all in the party and then we saw the track of many buff. THIS was the place. At least two big boys and a herd of other buff. The tough part would be to shoot the right one and not another in the herd either in front of or behind the bull. “We’ll catch up to them this afternoon.
With much lighter hearts we saw a big herd of elephant perhaps 10 yards away. They posed for us then moved off. Next on the entertainment program were Impala - 20 or so decided to run ahead of the truck on the road, pogo sticks getting a good work out. The pulled ahead and veered off to the left bouncing ever higher. The show wasn’t over, though. A pack of warthog crossed in front of us - much faster than one would imagine, while monkeys climbed and swung from the trees above.
We arrived back in camp, took off excessive wear, washed up and had a sumptuous lunch of buffalo steak - more like extremely tender, breaded and fried veal cutlets in taste and texture. We started out again at and headed to the area that looked so promising earlier. The stalk was difficult, we worked out way through thorns and brambles, up hundred foot sand covered hills to nearly lose our footing as we descended. After 3 hours we arrived at a great vantage point - a huge termite hill affording a vista overlooking the flood plains and long grass where we expected the buf to arrive shortly. As we looked out across the open plain, a giant bull Kudu sauntered out of the woods and stopped a mere 20 yards away when I tapped dad and Wayne so that they could see it. If it were legal, I would have taken him and probably could have done it with a rock he was that close. Not legal in this particular area, though.
The sun set fast and beautifully on the still empty pan beneath us. We hiked back to the truck in near darkness, moonlight the only that we had when we arrived. No doubt we each were feeling similar despair. we didnt make it back to camp until past 8pm.
Another great meal but we were feeling deep physical exhaustion. Even Wayne, who did this every day said "I am really tired, that was quite a workout. Your dad did great though, really great."
"We'll head out early tomorrow - half past 4 so we can be on that flood plain before first light and catch the buf as they walk onto the green to feed.
Sleep came quickly after ibuprofen for both of us.

Thursday September 3rd:Four AM came too quickly but we were both up before the alarm or the knock on the door wake up call. The flood plain and long grass that held so much promise the evening before was bare. A thorough search showed the buf had already been through.
"Did we miss them?"
"No, they were through in the middle of the night. Nothing we could do about that."
Without a word but sensing my frustration and feeling his own internal pressure, we were off to follow track and spoor again. Today's trek was the toughest yet. 3 hours and about 5 miles through rough, hilly, sandy, rocky, thorny terrain had us internally groaning. The buf were there, including some big bulls, no idea of horn size but they were big and there were at least two. All in the jess. We continued to track, how Daneesa could see anything I do not know. Wayne and Daneesa became a bit more excited and Danessa ran off. Moments later I say him climbing up a hill then up a tree on that mountainside - it had to be half a mile away yet took him moments. Hands motioning wildly he literally fell down and ran back to us. A herd with two big bulls off it "that" direction. We doubled our pace and shortly thereafter, were motioned to crouch.
My dad said "This is too thick for me to see and shoot in, you take it if it looks good."
I came forward and saw three buf - one was a good bull - I couldn’t make out the others. The distance was over 200 meteres and Wayne and I both agreed too far o shoot, We started to move in and the buf, either because they sensed us or because they just decided, moved off.
We doubled our pace again and caught up to them a hundred yards away. A single tree separated us from them as they walked in the long grasses. I could see one standing out. The boss on this bad boy was solid even at this distance. Wayne was frantic.
"Take him, shoot him." he hissed.
I was on the sticks, readjusted them and squeezed. The bull stumbled and was lost in the swarm of the herd. I reloaded in less than a blink of an eye to put another round in him but Wayne stopped me. “Wait, you don’t want to hit any of those cows." We ran after my buf, Wayne asking "Did you hit him good."
"Hell yeah."
"Well, he's sick, if not dead already. I saw him go down with the shot, it looked like you made a good one"
We were running full tilt. The jess was a mere hundred yards further from where he was shot. If he had gotten in there it would be a long, frightening, dangerous stalk after a wounded Cape Buffalo – one of if not the most dangerous creature on the face of the Earth.
We ran hard, for all we were worth and unfortunately right past him mere-yards from the first shot. As we wheeled around to face him, the rage in his eyes froze us in our spot. He got to his feet and the charge began 15 yards from where we stood. I hit him again, the bullet entering his left neck and exiting behind his right shoulder, shattering it too, we later found. He dropped at the shot. Damn it but the rage was still in his eyes and as long as there was a bit of energy left in him, he was going to get the person who did this. Another shot to his left shoulder put him down again, this time for good.
I reloaded and put two more into him before we approached. The adrenaline which had spurred me into the 100 yard long sprint with all the speed I could muster and which compressed time so that I shot a 600 Ovekill thrice, reloaded and shot twice again in so little time my dad thought there were three of us shooting, was now beginning to ebb. I was elated at the incredible animal before me, the experience, the sprint, the charge, and my composure through it all, but as always a little sad at taking such a magnificent creature. Handshakes all around - several times and effusive congratulations shared among all.
36" spread with 17 ½ " hard bosses - a true Dugga Boy if there ever was one. Not the widest, not the deepest curls but a trophy of which anyone would be proud.
Daneesa ran back to the truck and returned with it about an hour later. He and our game scout went to work cutting this beast in half. Daneesa worked his knife through the thick tough hide from one side to the other. The game scout then went to work with a two handed ax cutting through ribs and backbone. After some deft dissection with the knife again, a heave on the tail pulled the great animal into two as if a magician sawing a woman in half. Pure muscle aided by an electric winch pulled each half into the bed of the Cruiser and off we went to the skinning shed.
We pulled in dog tired. Dad had fallen asleep in the truck on our way to the skinning shed. I felt as weary. We headed straight to our chalet and dad fell asleep before his head hit the pillow. I too tried to sleep but it wouldn’t come - still excited at the events of the day.
At 2 we got ourselves together and headed for some coffee and a ride out for dad's buffalo.
"Wouldn’t it be great if we got your dad's buf today? Two in one day - that would be something. I don't know of any PH's who have done that."




We headed to a mountainous area beyond the watering hole we had expected to find my buf earlier. We followed some track for 3 hours covering about 5 miles of truly grueling terrain. Dad did great and kept up easily, not seeming to feel the weariness I am sure we were both suffering. Wayne and Daneesa headed off up to the top of the nearby mountain to glass for buffalo. About 30 minutes later they were running towards us - they found a herd with a few good bulls.
They knew where they were.
"The plan is to try to ambush them."
We crawled on hands and knees the last 10 yards through the brush, thorns wreaking havoc on my bare knees. You would think I would have learned from the past few days.
We waited only 30 minutes and the sun was just beginning to find its way to bed when Wayne motioned we were on the move. In 20 minutes at a near run we were in thickets, paths formed only by the movement of the creatures who lived there. Big creatures! Elephants were quite unhappy with either our presence or that of the herd of buffalo just beyond the screen of thickets. We were surrounded and no one was pleased with our presence. There, no, there, no, over there. We were truly surrounded and then the titans clashed. The bellows, grunts and smashing of head and horn was thunderous as we crouched in the center. Imagine being surrounded by a group of angry professional linebackers who had just lost the Superbowl by one point and you were wearing the jersey of their opponents. That doesn’t come close, my friends.
We crabbed and as we did, Wayne and Daneesa froze, we followed suit whether from fear or simply following orders, I am not sure. Wayne frantically signaled with minute yet fervent gestures to my dad who got into position. Wayne and Daneesa pointed the bull of choice out and as dad assumed a shooting stance, they redirected him to another bull. He swiftly shifted his attentions and
BOOM!!!
"Hit him again."
BOOM!!!
I had a bead on him with the first shot but as the thundered rolled, the bull was already pummeled to the ground.
We walked up to it, the majestic creature down and out; dad put another into him as is the custom and practice for dangerous game.
We were beyond ecstatic. A great old Dugga Boy with thick, hard boss and nice curls - much nicer curls than mine and just about the same width.
Dad couldn't beam more brightly and I couldn’t be more proud of him.
"I TOLD you, you are the best shot I know! You are a pain in my ass. You pull the same crap every year and every year you outdo yourself and everyone else. I love you dad and I am very, very proud of you."
Overjoyed cannot capture it. A truly great Cape Buffalo. Downed with a single shot by my dad from 30 yards in setting sun and the thickest of jess. He fell at 6:05PM.
Daneesa and Wayne again went for the truck, taking Dad's 585 and leaving the game scout with his 303 and me with my 416. We were in the midst of the same herd who had returned to reclaim their already occupied bed - occupied by us and we were not welcome. They milled about us mere 20 to 30 yards away screened by the thick brush that would no sooner slow them than wet Kleenex if they wanted at us. The light was fading fast and we had no flashlights. Again left in the pockets of our jackets behind the seat of the Cruiser.
At 7:30 we could hear the truck somewhere nearby and Daneesa came wielding a machete like a man on a killing spree. Limbs and bushes were no match for this madman and all bowed to his power. He cut a truck-wide path through the bush and never stopped until he go to the bull and began his halving process once again. Dad’s buffalo was loaded on and we were at the skinning shed just after nine and eating dinner by 10. We hit the showers, put on our PJs and were asleep before the lions began to roar that evening.




Next up were Plains Game for us both:

7 hours- that's what Wayne said the drive would take and that was using his shortcut. Have you ever noticed that shorts cuts aren't? Ever wondered why, if they are short cuts, they aren't the main way everyone would travel making it the "regular way" instead of a short cut? There is a reason. The "short cut" which should have saved "maybe 100 kilometers" was a dirt road that some years in the past was relatively smooth and was now comparable to the face of the moon. Canteloupe-sized boulders interspersed with washboard surfaces and craters made going ...ummmm...rough and verrrrryyyy slow. Our earlier breakfast was compacted quite well int our lower GI tract by our arrival those 7 hours later.

"Well, next time I'll take the long route - at least it is paved."

We arrived in a villa that compared favorably to any caribbean resort at which I have vacationed. The staff had made up two separate chalets for dad and myself but we asked that we be in the same room. We planned this trip as one for us to share and share we would. Besides it's no fun to pass gas loudly when you are by yourself and if you laugh, you realize you must be a maniac for doing so.


The following morning we tracked a bull Kudu for hours and came upon a herd of Impala. This stalk required some fast hoofing so I took up the challenge.

"That ram has to go 23 - 24 inches. Rams around here go 18-19 inches so that is a real trophy. We need to take a female for the villagers as well so if you get the opportunity, take a female after we take that ram."

We ran in crouched position in the long grass and came to a stop about 100 yards from our trophy. A female stood exactly behind him and Wayne said
Take the shot - you'll get both and we need the female for the people of the surrounding villages."

I could see my Impala clearly and squeezed the trigger on the 416 Weatherby Magnum and both animals went down cleanly to the Swift A-frame.

We approached with excitement and sadness (at least I felt the latter, I am not sure Wayne sees animals as I do).

"That is a great Impala, simply an excellent one. There are no better I've seen come from these parts."

They are beautiful - these elegant, delicate creatures, beautiful of face, hide and horn.

We positioned him so that his horns would be skylined and took photos. The meat of both would go to the villagers and we would get a token piece of meat for the grill later on.

We went off again in search of our elusive Kudu.

My Impala:




In the course of tracking Kudu bull, we happened upon a herd of Blue Wildebeest. I video recorded the stalk as we approached and the hit was solid and precise. He was down with a shot that could be the example of perfect placement in a hunting magazine.

"That was great!!! He is a marvelous Blue Wildebeest. I saw that the horns came way past the outer edges of the ears - that's how we judge a great bull and this a great one." Wayne demonstratedhour the horns went passed the ears by pulling each to the side and sure enough, they were wider than the outstretched ears. "Excellent trophy. GREAT shooting!!!" Dad was grinning ear to ear.

Dad's Wildebeest:



Next morning we scouted and searched and stalked for Kudu but saw cows and a good bull who made for the hills the moment we spotted him. We passed long neck giraffe who I could have sworn winked at us as we went by. A herd of zebra thundered up clouds of dust as their hooves beat the dry earth, Impala ping-ponged from left to right and paced the car - this land's version of dolphin play.

We found bull Kudu tracks and we were on them. A few hours later of scrambling though those daggers from hell we regrouped.

"The warthogs should be ready to water soon so let's look for track and take a blind."

we did just that and had a great time watching monkeys frequent the watering hole, playinglike kids on summer vacation. An ancient warthog showed up too - perfect for our purposes but had only one tusk on one side. He wouldnt last much longer in the jungles of Africa - his life was nearing its close. Groups of other warthogs meandered in and our, wallowing in the mud to cool off and taking long drinks, while ignoring the pestering monkeys.

A small herd of Impala also appeared. A small ram taking a monkey to task and head-butting him over the water hole.

Then a nice, big Impala ram appeared. Majestic and beautiful, he was just what we were looking for in an Impala thought we were in this particular spot for warthog.

"Take him."

Dad did. His 300 again doing the job and the ram was dead before hitting the ground. Perfect heart shot. 20 1/2" horns - a hell of a shot, a hell of a trophy.

Handshakes all around - multiple times. We were thrilled and flyng high on a great day. Daneesa set to the job of skinning and we loaded him onto the truck. Plenty of people would benefit from the meat we have provided with these game animals.

Dad's Impala:



My Kudu:



Dad's Kudu same evening as mine:



Dad's Warthog:



A sunset from our camp:



Another sunset we happened to catch along the way:



Had a fantastic time, great trophies, wonderful people. Exciting and thrilling including a charge by an elephant (bluff obviously as i am able to write this) and charge from 15 yards away by my Cape Buffalo despite his shattered right shoulder.

Simply fantastic and unbelievable experience.
Paul

One more thing:

Aside from the excellence of Wayne Bartlett our PH, I MUST say something more about Paul Benny and Danny Friend of Nengasha Safaris. They were 100% stand up guys and gave us more than we had anticipated. When we were "settling up" at the end, we came up nearly $1,000 short. We had taken game that we hadn't planned on, we tipped more than we had anticipated and things added up faster than expected. Neither Danny nor Paul gave it a second thaought, not a pause, not a question.
"No problem you can just send it to Ray (Atkinson)and he to us or just send it to our bank in the states when you can. Nothing to worry about, just glad you had a great time. Dont worry about the money at all." I took their bank info and wired it as soon as we got home.

Yes, I realize, as they did, that our trophies were there but there was no intimation that they would be held "hostage" just as I had no intention of not paying.

As I was reading the woes of another AR member who was stewing over the poor treatement he and his two hunting partners received during their safari, I thought it was just as important to share something good of the people with whom I had an experience - a great experience.

Looks like you had a great memorable trip. Congratulations.
Jeff

Congrats on a good trip. Can't wait to read the report.

Well done. The story and the pics tell it all, especially of the wonderful time that you had with your dad. You will never forget that, nor will he!

Living the dream

Thanks for sharing, I'm glad you guys did well.

P.S., your dad's buffalo still looks ready to fight!
What a mean looking suminagun!

quote:

Originally posted by CCMDoc:

Eveing of day three, dad's Cape Buffalo:

WOW!

Congratulations Paul…

Those are some awesome looking trophies…

Must have been great to share that experience with your dad…

Can’t wait to hear the details…

Matt V.

Very nice Buffalo! congratulations to you both.

I was the safari right before you guys! I hunted with Nengasha but had Rodie Tourle as my PH. I'm still downloading pictures but will be posting my hunt report soon.

quote:

Originally posted by SilentT:
I was the safari right before you guys! I hunted with Nengasha but had Rodie Tourle as my PH. I'm still downloading pictures but will be posting my hunt report soon.

Rodie is awesome! We met him towards the latter part of our second week - he had a couple from northern California. He and Wayne have been friends for 18 years and we heard of some of their ... "exploits" ... together from earlier years.
Looking forward to hearing of your adventure.

Congatulations to you and your father.Did you see any lions in Chirisa?

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
Congatulations to you and your father.Did you see any lions in Chirisa?

Thanks.
We heard lion every evening and night and found were track, but we never saw them.

Thanks for sharing. looks like a great hunt. You will cherish those memories forever.

Wayne and Daneesa are great guy's as well as hunters! I hunted with them last October.

Does Wayne still use a Mdl 70 Classic 375 and a Brno 458? Just curious.

quote:

Originally posted by zimbabwe:
Does Wayne still use a Mdl 70 Classic 375 and a Brno 458? Just curious.

Still uses the Model 70 - stainless synthetic in 375H&H though the BRNO 458 remains in storage. He was even thinking of selling the BRNO .458WM to an Appy - Yorke - we met while in search of buffalo but I convinced him it is always good to have a back up especially when it isn't easy to walk into a store and buy a new one if he breaks the first.

Don't think he ever REALLY like the Brno. He also used to use a 308 Ruger very effectively. He's a good friend and excellant hunter who always strives to give his client the best that can be offered. VERY knowledgeable Leopard hunter.

quote:

Originally posted by zimbabwe:
Don't think he ever REALLY like the Brno. He also used to use a 308 Ruger very effectively. He's a good friend and excellant hunter who always strives to give his client the best that can be offered. VERY knowledgeable Leopard hunter.

His enthusiasm for making the safari perfect was clear and apparent from the moment we met him. Great guy!

Great report Paul!So nice that you and your dad could do that together!!I wish I could get my dad to go one time with me,but he says he never lost nothing over there!(doesnt like the thought of a lion dragging him out of his tent!)
Again,Great Safari and pics

quote:

Originally posted by SAFARIKID:
Great report Paul!So nice that you and your dad could do that together!!I wish I could get my dad to go one time with me,but he says he never lost nothing over there!(doesnt like the thought of a lion dragging him out of his tent!)
Again,Great Safari and pics

Thanks Tom. I don't think I would have gone without him. From the days when, as a little kid, I would go with him to the docks and watch him haul cargo off of ships to years I was a roofer and he would come by the job to make sure I was OK, there has never been a hunt that we didn't do together.

I look forward to the days that those hunts also include my daughter and my son.

I hope your dad changes his mind and shares the wonders,excitement and beauty of Africa with you too, Tom.

Thanks,

Paul

quote:

Originally posted by zimbabwe:
Don't think he ever REALLY like the Brno. He also used to use a 308 Ruger very effectively. He's a good friend and excellant hunter who always strives to give his client the best that can be offered. VERY knowledgeable Leopard hunter.

Yes, he told me that the 308 was a gift from a client who had a very successful hunt with him.

Wayne said I would be back for leopard with him.

Thank you for the stories and the photos.

Hunting with your father thats what makes the memories.

Tim

quote:

Originally posted by slimtim:
Thank you for the stories and the photos.

Hunting with your father thats what makes the memories.

Tim

Thanks Tim and you are 100% right-can-t imagine going without him.

Great Report! I'm gettin' the itch to slay some beasties. Glad to hear everyone's hardware performed as expected and then some.

See "One more thing" at bottom of my first post.

Very well-written report and you both got some great buff and earned them. Very nice plains game, also. Wish I had had the opportunity to hunt Africa with my dad. You are very lucky. Good hunting.

Paul,how old is your father?

jetdrvr - you are right, I am VERY lucky to have my dad, for him to tell me I am not only his son but his best friend and te be able to fulfill a dream with him.

I kept a daily journal of that trip - 121 pages long with a representative photo or two for each day of the safari. I had it printed in 14 point script (for easy reading), leather bound and gold foil embossed. The forward ends with "I am the luckiest man who has ever lived" and the last page simply has my sig as it reads below. It will be my birthday present to him.

Shootaway - he will be 70 on November 23rd.

congratulations on a great hunt. I'll bet it meant as much to your Dad as it did to you.

Paul.
How good to take your dad on such a trip. How many guys out there have not been so fortunate.You will never be embarrassed or shamed by the guy in the mirror.Well done.
Elton Rambin

Great hunt in a great area.

465H&H

Congratulations CCMDOC!!! Wonderful to share such an adventure with your Dad and good friend! Is an outing you'll remember all of your life.

Thanks all - We relive it every time we look at the photos, watch the DVD I made while hunting or read a few pages out of the journal I kept.

We're off to the Allegheny mountains for whitetail on Sunday. More than 40 seasons hunting together and I remember something from every one.

Again, thanks for the opportunity to share this and for all the kind words.
Paul

always good to hear of a a great African Eperience.Its especially great to hear about good hunts out of Zimbabwe, run by the right people.

quote:

Did you see any lions in Chirisa?

I Hunted Buff there in 2006 and we had lion sign almost every day, and heard them almost every night.
Dave