The Accurate Reloading Forums
Cape Buffalo in Malapati with SSG-Nixon Dzingai
Cape Buffalo in Malapati with SSG-Nixon Dzingai
Outfitter: SSG Safaris, Charidzi Zim
Booking: Tim Herald, Magnum Hunt Club
Travel: Steve Turner, Travel with Guns
PHs: Nixon D, Simon D, Ishmael
Hunters: Me (Biebs), Mark (from Long Island), Gustav (Dallas)
Rifles: Mauser M04 416 Rem, Blaser R8 375 H&H, CZ550 in 404 Jeffery
Game Seen: Buffalo, Giraffe, Impala, Waterbuck, Zebra, Bushbuck, Bush Pig, Crocodile, baboon, Vervet Monkey, Warthog, Cory Bustard.
Animals Taken: Cape Buffalo, Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Impala
I had a couple of first-time African hunters wanting me to arrange a Cape Buffalo hunt for 2103, and Tim Herald had a spot open with Nixon in the Malapati area in Zim. I had spoken with BEGNO (Butch), who had hunted with Nixon several times, so I knew it would work out well. Nixon recently picked up the The Sengwe 1 and 2 Communal areas left vacant when Aubrey Kent vanished, and had gained an unexpected 60 additional Buffalo tags with those areas.
Arrangements were made with Steve Turner at Travel With Guns, with all of us meeting in NY and flying to Jo’Berg together. The arrival at 8:05 AM allows one to catch the 11:05 AM to Harare, thus avoiding the SAPS fiasco and the cost of an overnight in Jo’Berg.
Malapati borders the Gonarazhou National Park, and game frequently crosses the river from the park into the area. Although Plains Game is not the usual quarry in Nixon’s area, there were great Waterbuck in the area (28” to 34”), and enough other animals to make baiting for Leopard easy. At this time of year, the jess was in full leaf, so visibility was short, and game was located by tracking. I was walking 3-4 miles a night in preparation before we left for the hunt, so the occasional 6-10 mile tracking of single “Dugga Boys” was easy.
As you can see from the photos, we had a great hunt. One of the hunters had a stalk end in a busted Buff, but when they stepped around some brush to continue the hunt, there stood a 49” bull just staring at them. You just never know!
The camp was comfortable, with masonry chalets with en suite baths/showers. The staff was well-trained, and everything was handled well, from wake-ups to meals to a Mopane fire so we could sit around in the evening and watch “Bushman’s TV” and review the day’s hunt.
An old Dugga Boy
Another happy Buff hunter
The 49" Monster, likely the best Buff out of Africa this year
Mark makes a new friend
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
15 June 2013, 04:38
bobgrowGreat bulls, Jon...congratulations!!
That 49" will always be a special memory.
Did you rebook already?
Bob
DRSS
DSC
SCI
NRA & ISRA
15 June 2013, 04:46
NakihunterBeautiful trophies. The first one is a real old warrior!
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick."
Bob, I'm juggling desires for Zambia (Andrew's Royal Kafue), Burkina Faso (Red and Black Buff), a return trip to Mozambique, another management Ele with Karl Stumpfe in the Caprivi, and a need to get back with Nixon. Decisions, decisions!!! :-)
15 June 2013, 05:14
David HulmeFantastic! I heard about the 49 incher on the local grapevine a couple of days ago....Incredible. The 'old warrior' (as Naki describes it) is my idea of the ideal buffalo. Well done gentlemen and well done Nixon and crew! Outstanding.
David
15 June 2013, 05:18
bobgrowJon...it's only five hunts, and only money.
Time is the enemy.
Bob
DRSS
DSC
SCI
NRA & ISRA
Great buffalo. Sounds like Nixon is still going strong.
"There are worse memorials to a life well-lived than a pair of elephant tusks." Robert Ruark
quote:
The 'old warrior' (as Naki describes it) is my idea of the ideal buffalo.
David, that's why I only like to hunt single tracks, not herds. If an old bull is now off on his own, you don't need to judge trophy quality....if he's lived that long, he IS A TROPHY :-)
15 June 2013, 05:51
AnotherAZWriterThat 49 incher is incredible.
15 June 2013, 06:16
David Hulmequote:
Originally posted by Biebs:
quote:
The 'old warrior' (as Naki describes it) is my idea of the ideal buffalo.
David, that's why I only like to hunt single tracks, not herds. If an old bull is now off on his own, you don't need to judge trophy quality....if he's lived that long, he IS A TROPHY :-)

15 June 2013, 07:46
elk88101Good job Biebs
Wish I could have made that trip.
But New Zealand was first
Next time
Larry
15 June 2013, 08:59
Bill73Great hunt Jon,you guys had a great time

DRSS
15 June 2013, 09:24
crbutlerImpressive buffalo!
Nixon is sure producing some excellent animals!
15 June 2013, 09:24
Texas Blue DevilGreat Bulls!!
Go Duke!!
15 June 2013, 09:40
cjfosterOutstanding!

Good to see two of my friends, Biebs and Nixon, together with an awesome old dugga boy.
That 49" bull is magnificent. Congrats to all on a great safari. Thanks for sharing.
BUTCH
C'est Tout Bon
(It is all good)
Congratulations on great buffalo.
_________________________________
AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim.
15 June 2013, 16:53
ZephyrCongrats to all...... must be a treat for you to experience Africa again through the eyes of first timers
quote:
must be a treat for you to experience Africa again through the eyes of first timers
Yes, it is....to see the awe in their eyes! It was fun to field their questions around the fire at night..."Do Buffalo ever charge? Will the Leopard come into a blind if he smells you? Will the Lion over there stick to the Buffalo and leave us alone?"
I'm already working on another "Newby" hunt for 2014.
15 June 2013, 18:02
DoubleDonNice bulls! Nixon's the best and I really enjoyed Simon. Hardest hunting SOB's I've ever been around.

Deo Vindice,
Don
Sons of Confederate Veterans Black Horse Camp #780
DO BUFFALO EVER CHARGE? I can guess that my name came up over that campfire.
BUTCH
C'est Tout Bon
(It is all good)
15 June 2013, 18:38
MonkeyhunterCongratulations to you all for a great hunt!
I should have been the fourth member of Bieb's party but as I type this, the Zimbabwean visa that I applied for last April 24 has seen no approval up to now. I sent my passport all the way to Washington, DC where my visa application was submitted because I tried to touch base with the Zimbabwe consulates in China, Japan and Malaysia to no avail. Citizens of the United States are blessed in that they are not required to have a visa to enter Zimbabwe. Being a national of the Philippines, I not only need a Zimbabwean visa, I also need a transit visa for South Africa even if I will only stay in Joberg for a few hours to catch the connecting flight to Harare. I was disappointed when I ran out of time and just could not make it - there were just too many hoops to hurdle. I'm disappointed more after seeing the magnificent trophies you gentlemen took.
Jon, I read that plans are already in the making for a return trip to Africa. Here's hoping I'll be able to go with you on that next trip.
In fact, I have not sent in my plane ticket for a refund....
Nice photos and report, thanks for sharing.
Best,
Jess
Cebu, Republic of the Philippines
quote:
DO BUFFALO EVER CHARGE? I can guess that my name came up over that campfire.
Butch, your name is among the legends of Malapati. I think I saw your image on a totem in the Sengwe Communal area :-)
Jess, you were missed for sure.
15 June 2013, 20:33
MJinesWell done Jon. Glad you had a successful and safe trip.
Mike
15 June 2013, 20:55
pagosawingnutGreat Job Jon!
Nice old dugga boy and the 49"'r is tremendous.
Was wondering how your trip went.
15 June 2013, 22:11
ManuelMSimply a perfect buffalo bull! Congratulations!!
Great hunt Biebs, I loved your old warrior of a buffalo but man that 49" is incredible!!!
USN (ret)
DRSS Verney-Carron 450NE
Cogswell & Harrison 375 Fl NE
Sabatti Big Five 375 FL Magnum NE
DSC Life Member
NRA Life Member
Thanks guys. Nixon put on a great hunt.
16 June 2013, 04:35
retreeverJon,
A wonderful report and superb example of an ancient dagga boy. Yea, where the heck is the double rifle? Woould have been great practice for the Vintagers.
Mike

Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting
www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
16 June 2013, 05:49
cnm123Biebs
Congratulation on a great hunt did you see any Elephants? I am heading over in September can't wait
Chris
Chris, we didn't go into the areas where the Ele were this time of year, but Bobby (Duxdog) took a 91-92 pounder the week before we arrived; likely the best Elephant to be taken this year. Good luck!
16 June 2013, 07:13
Equinsu OchaJon
congrats!
That 49"er looks like the bull my buddy Mark shot with Nixon in 2011. HUGE
16 June 2013, 08:01
PSmithWell played sir!
Paul Smith
SCI Life Member
NRA Life Member
DSC Member
Life Member of the "I Can't Wait to Get Back to Africa" Club
DRSS
I had the privilege to fire E. Hemingway's WR .577NE, E. Keith's WR .470NE, & F. Jamieson's WJJ .500 Jeffery
I strongly recommend avoidance of "The Zambezi Safari & Travel Co., Ltd." and "Pisces Sportfishing-Cabo San Lucas"
"A failed policy of national defense is its own punishment" Otto von Bismarck
16 June 2013, 09:42
dukxdogHey Jon. You guys got some dandy's. It was my pleasure spending time with you before your trip to Nixon's camp. Congratulations!
GOA Life Member
NRA Benefactor Member
Life Member Dallas Safari Club
Westley Richards 450 NE 3 1/4"
Bobby, it was a pleasure meeting up with you as well.
16 June 2013, 18:37
ScriptusJust lovely stuff, serious buffs.

Now if Biebs wore a set of horns, would one not think.......

Yes, I'm getting on in Cape Buffalo years. My "herd" at home has already turned me out to pasture, but that just means I get more time to hunt :-)