Date: May 16 - 22

Booking Agent: Crosshair Consulting - Wade Derby 925-679-9232

Safari Outfitter: Kei River Hunting Safaris 011-27-438-31-2024. Www.keiriverhuntingsafaris.co.za

PH: Andrew Renton

Lodge: Maweni Lodge

Travel Agent: Self booked

Permits: Bruce with Gracy Travel

Area: East Cape, South Africa

Firearms: Winchester Mod. 70. 30.06 with Burris 3 Eliminator 3x12.

Species Sought: Kudu, Gemsbok, and Warthog

Species Taken: Kudu and Gemsbok

We departed May 12 out of Lax. Route was Los Angeles-Dubai-Johannesburg-East London. Long flights but Emirates business class made it comfortable with the last leg being South African Airlines.

We arrived late on May 14 due to SAA delay and greeted by our PH Andrew and PH Jeremy (PH Arrington was waiting at the lodge) and made our way to the Maweni Lodge arriving at 10:00pm. We were welcomed with a wonderful late dinner and a welcoming chalet. We were accompanied by three close friends, 2 of which were hunters. We opted out of Hunting in the morning in favor of sleeping in. The Maweni Lodge is an absolutely beautiful place with individual chalets and 5 star services.

Day One: We awoke at 9:00am to a cool morning and a wonderful brunch, and the 3 PH’s glassing Kudu from the patio. Excitement building, we inhaled breakfast and were soon off to the range to check zeros. We all were targeting Kudu the first day. We looked over several Kudu but not one was workable. We then traveled to another part of the property to glass. Again, Tina and I were amazed at the amount of wildlife we got to see. Day one ended with plenty of memories but nothing in the salt.

Day Two: We awoke early to frost, and headed out with the focus on Kudu. Andrew informed me that we need to go to plan 2 as he glasses 2 nice Gemsbok. Off we head and we stalk to about 250 yards from the 2 and as we’re glassing Andrew approachs me and says “We need to discuss our options”. He advises me he spotted a HUGE Warthog above us and thinks we should go after him, as the Gemsboks aren’t going anywhere. So, we’re off on plan 3. We make our way over the top of the koppie as we figure the Warthog is probably feeding on the back side. We set up on a high point and start glassing. After about an hour we found some Warthogs but not the big one. All of a sudden Andrew motions me over to the spotting scope and says “Take a look at this”. Through the scope about 2 miles away is a huge Kudu. Needless to say, we’re off on plan 4. We work our way down and start the pursuit for Mr. Kudu. We spent the day looking for the cows he was with but couldn’t put it together. Other two hunters both connect with nice Kudu. They are on the board with a 51” and a 49”.

Day Three: Off again looking for that one Kudu. We find him and the cows and make a plan. As usual plans change as Mr. Kudu is chasing one cow and she is always headed the wrong direction. We finally put on a stalk that look as if it might work. But as fate would have it the cow charges off away from the rest of the cows and they are gone. One of the other hunters gets a nice Warthog and the other hunter misses one

Day Four: Off again early in search of the Kudu. We make our way into the area and start glassing. At noon we find the cows but can’t see the bull. Andrew is confident that the bull is there, just hidden. Finally Andrew spots a wild olive bush shaking. He whispers “It’s the bull”. We move down and set up on a boulder and wait for them to feed our in our direction across Canyon. For the next 4 hours we wait, move, wait etc. I have a couple opportunities but nothing great. Then finally at about 4:30 he steps out and stops. Andrew says “Ok, how’s he look?” BOOM! I send the round and down he goes. Finally, I’m on the board with an amazing Kudu! Well worth the wait.

Day Five: Off early looking for Gemsbok and/or Warthog. We figured out early in the trip, that the cool weather were keeping the Warthogs down until later in the morning when it warmed up. We set up and waited on a bluff hoping that huge Warthog would wander out. But only smaller boars showed, so I passed. We were told about a cave just below where we were hunting. Andrew and I decided to take a look and found a Bushman painting (pic below) from the 1600’s. In the afternoon we moved on a nice Gemsbok. We had to slip by a herd of Eland and set up at dusk on the Gemsbok. About 30 minutes before dust the Gemsbok show in a clearing and I took a shot. Gemsbok down! We had to leave it on the ground and retrieve it in the morning. No problem as it would be in the 30’s Fahrenheit that night.

Day Six: Gathered a bunch of help and went to gather the Gemsbok. Uneventful and now I decided to look for a Warthog or Mountain Reedbuck. We looked over several but nothing special. Since the others got their animals and we promised the girls a few days at the beach, I called the hunt.

Day Seven: We’re off to the beach. Andrew secured us a shack in the beach in the community of Chintsa. This shack had 5 bedrooms, pool, braai and the most awesome view. We all enjoyed the beach and had a wonderful dinner at Crawford’s Beach Lodge.

Day Eight: More beach followed by Andrew and Jeremy cooking us the most wonderful Kudu backstrap dinner. Also joining us was Andrew and Jeremy’s families. It was the perfect evening of fellowship and friendship.

Day Nine: Off to the airport




Equal sides 54 3/8 taken at 380 yards.




If anyone thinks these Kudu’s are average. I’m 6’3’ and 270lbs. Even makes me look small.




Another 380 yards. Must be the magic number




PH’s Andrew, Jeramy and Arrington tending the braai.




Bushmans elephant painting




Impala in the mist


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Not sure who’s photo bombing who.




Beach shack.


The trip was a tremendous success. Besides Tina and I had a wonderful time we got the enjoyment of introducing and watching friends experience Africa.

We want to thank Wade and Bruce with the paperwork. Andrew, once again did a near perfect job (no one is perfect). Jeramy and Arrington for the great conversation and guidance. Dagmar at Maweni Lodge for the absolute outstanding food and accommodations. Quinton for the most wonderful beach property. And Sutu, the tracker, for his hard work and outstanding eyes. Also thank you to Jdollar for introducing me to this African addiction.

Lastly, thank you to Tina for her patience and support throughout this trip.

If anyone is interested in hunting Africa, you will not find a better group to do it with. Their knowledge and experience is second to none.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Will

Thanks for posting Will...
Hopefully you can get the pictures to post.
I hunted near that area about three years ago.. it's very pretty.

There. Got it fixed, finally.

Monster cape kudu!

Thats a big Eastern Cape Kudu!

JCHB

Good stuff! Thanks for posting!

Looks great, Will!

Outstanding!

Thanks for sharing. Time to start planning your return.

Ski+3
Kalispell, MT

Congrats!!!

I've hunted with Andrew and crew twice now. Super good dude and always fun!

Once again, congrats are in order, Will. Both animals are great and it makes a huge difference to share it with your wife and friends. Gets me fired up about Bots in Sept!

Nice pictures..glad you got them up..
Wonderful Kudu..huge Cape Kudu indeed
I really like that picture of you and your wife with Jeffrey behind you...

what a kudu! congrats!!!

Will and friends, I am glad you enjoyed Trip#2! Thank you for sharing your experience and for your trust!