GBE and I had been searching for a 2:1 Buffalo hunt for some time.

We were fed up with the run around we had received from several operators across several countries and were just about resigned to putting it off until 2015 when salvation appeared in the form of a late season 10 day offer from Andrew Baldry of Royal Kafue. Ironically, one of the several “hunt offers” that we had pursued was on a concession very close to Andrews. We had reached the point of booking flights and arranging deposits when the “outfitter” advised that, in fact, no quota existed.

A good many of you need no introduction to Andrew and Royal Kafue so I won’t repeat details of his beautiful camp and concession but it was with great relief that we were able to connect with him.

In anticipation we had been spending a bit of time at the range testing loads and zeroing our rifles. GBE kindly slaved over both the load development and the bulk of the range work, graciously saving my shoulder rebuild scars from too much recoil pounding.

All the usual necessary preparations were completed with the anticipated mix of brilliance and idiocy from the relevant authorities.

Murphy’s Law saw the Aussie dollar tank about a week before we were due to lodge our advance payment but we weren’t to be deterred – we were on a mission!

Virgin Australia tried their very hardest to ruin the moment when the front wheel of our plane seized while taxiing from the gate to runway at Brisbane airport en route to Perth. What followed was the usual run around some airlines like to put you through when they f#^k up and want to minimise the impact on their bottom line. Let’s skip past the appalling treatment we received from Virgin and suffice to say I would NEVER patronise their services again and reserve the right to bad mouth them at every opportunity – enough said.



Thanks to great service from SAA we arrived in Lusaka, via JoBurg, exactly 24 hours late. Luckily we had built a one day buffer into our programme so no hunting time was lost.



Mr Baldry was “airside” at the airport and we were efficiently shuffled thru the V.I.P. channel ahead of a Chinese “trade delegation” and through Police formalities in record time once our gun case was off loaded from the plane (the last item of luggage to appear!!).

Due to our delay we had elected to go straight into the bush so with our Cook in the back of the Cruiser atop a pile of food and fluids we were off.
Although this was my sixth visit to Africa, I never tire of the sights and smells so despite the weariness from our travels we were all eyes, ears and questions throughout the journey.



For GBE, this was his first visit and for that reason we had focussed on areas that could provide true wilderness hunting opportunities. Four hours later we were confident the next ten days were going to provide just that.

We reached Mutambashi Camp just on dark after picking up our Game Scout at Mumbwa along the way.



I played the “age” trump card and scored the double bed while GBE unfolded and reluctantly accepted the big single.



Urgently needing rehydration after the long dusty journey, we kicked off the G & T ritual with a solid absorption of the stuff before dinner.



Camp proved to be wonderfully comfortable in an idyllic setting and despite the wonderful remoteness of this location it was gratifying to note that essentials such as ice, cold drinks (both alcoholic and non) were available at all times as were laundry services. It also became apparent that much attention had been made of our responses when Andrew had asked for our food preferences and dislikes so we ate well every day and cold fluids were always available in field.

Day # 1 – Baldry’s Balderdash!

It’s not “cricket” to kick off a hunt report with a dodgy impression of the P.H. but it is what it is!

Andrew had been very upfront in all his responses to our multitude of questions leading up to this point (a stark contrast to the bulldust we had received from some other operators who post hunt offers here on AR) and had concluded with the statement “you won’t see lashings of game here at Mutambashi, but, if you hunt hard, what you will see will generally be very good”.

Well – hour one of day one consigned that little gem straight to the crapper.

We started off from camp a little later than was the norm for the next nine days in order that we could put a few sighting rounds through our guns to check they had survived the handling.

We were both using Blaser R93‘s in off road guise.
GBE’s was in the classic 375 H&H shooting 350 grain Woodleigh Round Nose softs and solids in front of 70 grains of AR 2209
I was shooting the venerable 9.3 x 62 using 320 Woodleigh Round Nose softs and solids in front of 53 grains of AR 2208.

Getting off the truck after a five minute drive from camp we looked over our shoulders to see a monster of a Reedbuck standing about 70 m away. GBE gave him the day one pass over – oh well – we’ve all done that one - once!

We were getting set up to shoot when Andrew spotted some Bushpigs out about 150 m. I’ve searched for these buggers many times and had yet to connect so off we went. At one stage, they trotted up to within 25m of where I was on the sticks when we realised they were youngsters – beautiful none the less. Before we could get on with the sighting business Andrew spotted a mob of Sable out a further 300m or so. A bouncy “Tojo” approach later (thankfully for my bank account Andrews quota was committed) we were taking snaps of a magnificent bull of around 42” plus and several very impressive up and coming young males.



Turning 180 degrees we were attracted to a group of Lichtenstein Hartebeest led by a very strong, well massed bull. At this stage I hadn’t considered hunting this species as I didn’t realise just how tough and challenging to approach they could be – lesson learned for me!

So – we had just witnessed effectively four trophy species in our first 30 minutes! Further proclamations and edicts from Mr. Baldry were scanned routinely from that moment forward!!

We were onto a group of Buffalo bulls a little later that morning and we stalked through the long grass to within 25m of a mob of 12 that we had followed until they lay up under some cover for a siesta. After considered appraisal of every animal Andrew decided we could do better and we quietly reversed back out of sight.

We had both mentioned to Andrew that our preferences were to stalk as close as was practical at all times and already, this first morning, we were impressed with his response. The terrain is not easy to work with. Typically the country is very open with little substantial cover and the difficult underfoot contour that the seasonal flooding and retreating water creates, proved a challenge for our big feet. Adding to this was our height – both of us being over the old six foot mark. Undaunted by our apparent handicaps, Andrew and his tracker, Michael, consistently had us in close every time.



Later that day we spotted Waterbuck (Crawshays), Duiker, Warthog, Olive Baboon and more Reedbuck.

Returning to camp for a late lunch (a routine we sometimes varied by lunching in the field) we met the bull Elephant that had crapped behind our room earlier in the night. He was around camp the entire ten days and apart from a bit of a fright when stalking Bushbuck behind camp one morning, he didn’t prove to be a problem.



I’m sure GBE would have relished the opportunity to manage any life threatening charge if it had eventuated although I predicted he would be doing dishes at Mutambashi for the term of his natural life if he had.

Out again after lunch and we bumped three Kudu bulls while hot up the arse of another mob of Buff. Regrettably, we passed on the biggest to concentrate on the Buff who were only a further 400 m away. Again, after lengthy and detailed glassing, it was concluded that no suitable hard bossed bulls were in the group.
GBE and I were quickly learning some valuable lessons in Buffalo trophy evaluation for beginners during these glassing sessions. We saw any number of huge curled, deep drop, wide hooked bulls that once coached into greater examination proved to be too soft to be worthy of Royal Kafue’s standards. I must have “shot” more than thirty bulls that first day in my mind before I caught onto what mattered. Thanks Andrew for the education.
Our return to camp that night in darkness was delayed courtesy of a large herd of Ele’s in no hurry to make way for us!

Highlight’s of day #2 were sightings of Roan, Oribi, Puku, Hippo and more Sable.

In the dim light before dawn I dragged GBE down to the river to glass a “giant” Puku on the opposite bank that disappeared into the reeds just before Andrew joined us for coffee. In the days that followed, as we glassed Puku, Andrew would ask if any were bigger than the one we had seen.



Eventually he realised we had in fact seen a Sitatunga. We regularly glimpsed these secretive beauties from camp as they ghosted in and out of the tall reeds.
I was on the sticks briefly for Hartebeest that afternoon but no shot was offered.

Day # 3. We cut tracks of four bulls early on. We were hot on their trail when an easy shot at a nice Bushpig boar had to be declined – we were – after all – on a mission for Buffalo!

It wasn’t long before we were circling wide to get downwind position on what now became a group of thirteen bulls. We followed closely at their brisk rate for the next couple of hours, hunching over to lower our profile whilst trying not to trip on the uneven ground. Keeping to within 50 m as they slowed to graze and using what little cover there was, we evaluated each head. One old bull with a polished boss was identified early as being a worthy trophy. Andrew turned to us and whispered – “we are going to kill a Buffalo today”.

And so it happened. As the mob began to move to some leafy shade to bed down in the mid morning heat, we crept up to a comfortable shooting distance. They were alerted but not alarmed. GBE calmly sat down, braced his elbows on his knees and took the shot. The bull moved off a short distance before going down. A great shot. It was 10 a.m.



Upon closer inspection we discovered a number of fresh fang and claw wounds under the chest and around the head of the scarred warrior. Evidently a Lion has recently attempted introductions.




By 11.30 GBE’s old Kakuli was halved and loaded into the Tojo. We triumphantly returned to camp for a great lunch. While we ate, a beautiful Oribi grazed to within 30 m of our table.



Day # 4. One of Andrews poaching patrol scouts walked nearly 20 km yesterday looking for sign of Buff movement. A good sized herd had walked in and back out of the concession in the night. Mid morning we found they had crossed back over our tracks so the stalk began. We spent the next five hours stalking around the grazing mob, evaluating every bull we could find. We crawled, stooped, ran, bum shuffled and crept about, eventually employing an unusual tactic of walking straight at the mob in order to force the split off of a small group of bulls that had wandered ahead of the main herd. This was surprisingly successful and we now followed up on these seven bulls until they bedded under some cover. Another creeping bum shuffle saw us within 70 m of the group. One bull in particular had caught our eye but before he was in the clear he sat down!



I was on and off the sticks for the next half hour and had the Blaser primed twice. Because the bull was behind cover the only shot offered was a difficult and risky frontal quartering shot that Andrew rightly cautioned against. Hoping to get the bull to stand and step clear of the deflecting cover, we had Michael – our tracker – stand up but that had zero effect. Finally we got GBE to haul his 2 m plus frame into full view but still no response. In desperation (our position was very hot and quite exposed) GBE waved his hat and in a blink all seven bulls rose to their hooves and took off – I think his ponytail did it!

It was a hot, tired and filthy crew of four that trudged back across the lumpy ground to the Tojo that afternoon – immensely satisfied with the experience.
Later that day we found the main herd again and repeated the stalk/glass routine. At one stage we were sprung by around forty cows so we rushed at them in order to get a better view of the bulls feeding behind their defensive wall but eventually concluded there were no shootable bulls within the group.

On the way back to camp at last light GBE grassed a real stonker of a Reedbuck. This ram really set the bar high for future stalks and made up for the monster he turned down on the first morning.



Day # 5. We were away before first light, heading to the Southern edge of the concession. In an area I nicknamed the “Golf Course” as it lacked the rutted ground contour of the Dambo’s, we glimpsed a mob of Hartebeest. Andrew, Michael and I took off into some cover in an attempt to move closer but they were already very spooky. As we emerged from an area of long grass we found the mob had swung around in a broad arc and when the herd bull propped briefly at a shootable distance I was on the sticks. The 9.3 spoke for the first time in Africa and my trophy was on the ground. He is a fine old bull with good mass.




The frontal shot was true and the Woodleigh’s performed perfectly. The crew at the southern patrol camp were closest so we made for their camp and while they skinned the animal GBE and Andrew performed open heart surgery on the Scouts FN 30-06. Nothing a splash of brake fluid couldn’t free up!!





That p.m. we hung bones and inedible remains in a bait tree hoping for Hyena.



We saw Side Striped Jackal today in addition to the usual suspects.

Day # 6. We stalked through the thickets behind camp at first light, looking for the elusive old Bushbuck ram that lives around about. The camp Ele forced us to detour and we got a fleeting glimpse of the ram as he leapt away. We searched hard for Buff sign all morning with no success. Returning to camp along the river we found the Puku ram we had earlier identified as being a nice mature trophy (although not as big in horn as a Sitatunga!).



A fast short stalk with a clean heart shot at an easy distance and I had my trophy. Not a challenging or especially difficult hunt but a nice representative of Zambia’s popular species.




Back in camp we hosted the District Commissioner, the Chief of Police and a couple of local bureaucrats who were visiting after “dealing” with the illegal bar that had sprung up in the fishing camp on Andrew eastern boundary and was, in turn, fostering increasing poaching activity. Later that afternoon Andrew and I put in an interesting stalk on a Reedbuck but he got the better of us by somehow crossing over with a smaller buck that then gave us a good run around for a while. Clever bugger!

Andrew was convinced the Buffalo were moving back our way on their typical feeding/watering circuit despite the interruptions the local and sometimes vocal Lion population were providing. Later that night, Iran, the camp manager tapped on the screen next to my bed and whispered - Bwana – the Buffaloes are feeding by the river. Later, the sounds of their grazing could clearly be heard. I slept well knowing they would be about in the morning.

Day # 7. We had elected to keep the generator off in the mornings in anticipation of the Buffaloes movements. Lions were heard roaring earlier and the camp Ele had spent some time farting behind our hut in the night. We were off before first light and fairly quickly onto sign where they had crossed the track on their way to graze. We were within sight of a big herd of approximately 120 plus within twenty minutes. Employing some of the tactics from day 4 we closed on the trailing cows frequently. The bulls were often well screened by the girls and feeding, unconcerned, just beyond the first defence line.



At some stage in the stalk we were concentrating on a small group of bulls to the far right of the herd when they all swung around and started to move towards us (GBE was fortuitously about 75m behind us watching this come about). Very quickly, the entire herd, spread out in a line about 70 m wide, gathered speed and charged!!

The three of us instinctively turned and ran about ten paces before we realised this was futile. Andrew and I turned to face the mob and raising our arms we began shouting at them as loud as we could – a desperate act in some ways but surprisingly successful. At a distance of about 50 m the lead bulls turned and the mob moved off to our right. They milled around out about 200 m while Andrew and I checked our shorts for signs of involuntary discharges!

Andrew’s classic first words were “we didn’t have enough bullets for this shit”. That little bit of humour certainly relieved the tension from the potential danger of the situation we had just faced. Perhaps we had pushed them a little too hard!

GBE arrived at the scene, pleased he didn’t have to explain to my elderly Mum why I didn’t come home. He had watched the entire event unfold from behind a spindly tree while thumbing solids into his magazine. It was 7 a.m. We regrouped and carried on.

The mob was spooky and easily flushed everytime we attempted to close on them. They put in a good distance between us at one stage and when next spotted they were spread out on higher ground across from one of the many Dambo’s. Every beast appeared to be looking directly at us! Andrew steered a wide arc away and around from the mob over the next couple of hours. We had to wait out a herd of Roan that were away to our right and capable of ruining our approach. We were busted by cow groups several times but we persisted as some good bulls were about. Another series of bold, head first approaches had us in scant cover about 120 m out. Despite being under full scrutiny from the herd we patiently glassed the shifting beasts. We had glimpsed a big bossed bull earlier but were having trouble finding him behind the screen of constantly shifting cows.

It was hot and the herd was reluctant to move from the little shade they had found.



Finally Andrew’s voice gets serious. “Get on the sticks” he whispers. Some time later he directs my attention to where the bull is standing – naturally behind a couple of cows. The Blaser is primed and we wait for an opportunity. Two cows are about to cross right in front of our bull – briefly creating a window of opportunity. It’s now around 11.30. The cross hairs travel up the line inside of his near front leg – he is almost directly facing me. At the shot he turns and is swallowed up by the cows as they move off to our right. They stop again some 30 m off and three different groups of bulls break away and stand around watching us from about 250 m. Carefully we creep closer, glassing the bull groups constantly looking for our man.

GBE has concentrated his attention on the main herd and now notices quite some ruckus going on. We all swing our glasses to the spot he indicates to see a lot of cows pushing at something on the ground and getting very agitated. It becomes apparent they are goading the downed bull to his feet and are briefly successful. We glimpse him rising before the cows surround him and move him away.

Some minutes later we advance and find blood at the scene and a little later, across a small Dambo, we see our boy looking very sick laying under a tree. As we come into view he gets to his feet and tries to move off in the direction of his girlfriends who are now almost out of sight in the light cover ahead. GBE and I put in finishing shots and he’s down for good. Thanks for the backup mate. Approaching the bull we are full of admiration for his size, strength and tenacity. His boss is beyond my wildest dreams.





We are all pretty pleased with ourselves. We have hunted hard, put in the miles and varied our techniques according to the conditions. Above all, we have worked well as a team.

Our main mission is over – it’s Midday.

GBE and Michael walk the considerable km’s back to the Tojo while Andrew and I try to nap in the little shade on offer. “Helmet Head “ as I have affectionately named my bull – lies out in the open Dambo with Andrews double across his body – apparently to keep the vultures away – potentially more Balderdash but I’m too happy in the moment to give him stick on the subject. I spend time alone next to the bull and reflect on the dreams realised with this journey.



The boys return after collecting Steven the skinner from camp and while keeping the cape cool with regular dousing in water, they quickly begin skinning him out. Andrew likes to cape out from beyond half way back so as to leave plenty for the taxidermist to work with should a pedestal mount be selected.



Later that day GBE puts in a short stalk and successfully takes a nice old Impala ram.



Some debate appears to exist over the potential “sub species” classification of the Impala found in this area as they are significantly smaller than elsewhere in Africa.

The absorption rate of single malts, beer and wine, increases alarmingly that evening!

True to our requests, over the following nights we dined on buffalo tongue canapes, buffalo tail stew, impala liver with bacon and onions and marinated steaks of reedbuck, puku and hartebeest cooked over the fire.

The next three days are spent looking for other game but despite our sun up till sun down routine and Andrew’s hard work, we must concede that Diana has decided our bags are full.

We visit the site of a future camp at a point distant from the river where Andrew has recently completed setting up a bore and pump to deliver water to the wildlife.



The camp Ele has resorted to playful rushes from thickets next to the track as we leave each morning. Perhaps he’s tired of being ignored around camp.



We continue to see monster Sable and Roan plus occasional Bushbuck that don’t offer a shot. One morning we are lucky to see Blue Duiker on three separate occasions – tiny little buggers – smooth bore fodder I reckon.

All too soon our adventure is over and we return to Lusaka. We crash Andrews home have a bit of a celebratory drink that night.
A big thanks to Andrews wife and family for their kind hospitality and great company – sorry about your Scotch Andrew!!!

Next morning we have time to visit Bangweulu Taxidermy and arrange our dip and pack before lunch and the start of our long journey home.




SAA loose our bags somewhere between Lusaka and Perth but the guns arrive and our bags follow the next day.

No doubt Andrew will be reading this and thinking he got away unscathed. Well almost my friend.

Mention must be made of that special place, out there in the bush, miles from civilisation – where the Verney Carron doubles can be found – if you look hard enough – just leaning up against tree’s!



Lucky we found yours again eh?

And mention must be made of the morning when GBE and Andrew managed to get lost – just a little – while chasing Bushbuck in the thickets. Not to worry, Michael and I would have found you – eventually!

In closing, and on behalf of my buddy GBE, I want to thank Andrew and his team for their dedication and hard work in support of our quest.


Iran - camp manager

Michael - tracker

Chris - anti poaching manager

Charles - ZAWA game scout

For a couple of hunters who have saved for this dream for many years it was more than refreshing to work with someone as honest, supportive and communicative of our mission as Andrew – thank you.

What he is creating at Mutambashi deserves support and admiration from all hunters and conservationists alike. Thanks also to Steve416 for his encouragement.

As for the pissing locusts (actually Cicadas) – I thought it was more classic Balderdash but – forgive me Andrew – it was true. Imagine – getting pissed on by locusts!

Footnote; we are now planning a group hunt for November 2015. Six hunters, Andrew and Thor as P.H.’s – watch this space for details.

My wish list for next year includes smaller feet, shorter legs, younger knee’s and, not surprisingly – Cheerleaders.

Some interesting birds that were new to me this trip included; Pennant Winged Nightjar, Coqui Francolin, Crowned Eagle, Lappet Faced Vulture, Racquet Tailed Roller and Purple Crested Lourie.

Nice report. And looks like you have a fantastic time all around. Excellent.

Great hunt.Nice photos

Fantastic Trophys !
Well done

Congrats to the Hunter and PH

Brilliant report. Thanks for sharing.

What a fantastic hunt you had with Andrew....I hope to hunt with him soon...Zambia seems very exciting huntingwise....as your "helmet" buff prooves..

Great report and photos - one of the best posted here recently. Nice trophies as well!

Congrats! I really enjoyed your report.

Great report Really liked the way it was told/written!!

Seems that you had everything a safari needs. A bit of ekstra excitemenet with the buffalo charge One sentence unrelated to hunting really got me.

"True to our requests, over the following nights we dined on buffalo tongue canapes, buffalo tail stew, impala liver with bacon and onions and marinated steaks of reedbuck, puku and hartebeest cooked over the fire. "

As a foodlover, I would go that reason alone

Nice report, great photos, too.

On my trip to Zimbabwe I was taught that things in Africa can, and frequently, do go wrong. That is when the PH's shrug and say "TIA" which stands for "That is Africa". In your case it started early in the trip or, perhaps, TIA means "That is Australia".

Morten

Great report on a wonderful trip. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Well Done!!

Excellent report and a fine time! Great photos as well.


.

Another great report and great hunting opportunities with Andrew.

Dutch

Very well done, a great read and excellent photos

Ridgeman,

Well written and very entertaining report. I've been Mr. Baldry's guest myself. The area is very good and getting better under his stewardship.

Mark

Ridgeman, What a great report . Royal Kafue and Andrew sound like a lot of fun.Thankyou.jc

Thanks for the report and congratulations on those fine trophies!

We can hardly wait to return ourselves.

Great hunt report and wonderful pics!

quote:

Originally posted by Ridgeman:
No doubt Andrew will be reading this and thinking he got away unscathed. Well almost my friend.

Mention must be made of that special place, out there in the bush, miles from civilisation – where the Verney Carron doubles can be found – if you look hard enough – just leaning up against tree’s!

Misplacing rifles? Never!!


Nice report. Thanks for sparking some memories.

Cheers
Jim

Great report, sounds like an adventure of the good kind! The 9,3 was up to the task, well done and Waidmannsheil, Dom.

Heckuva buffalo! Nice trip and pix.

Great hunt loved your commentary

Outstanding report! Great trophies.

That is an excellent report.

Well written with lots of humor, just how I like'm!

Congrats on a great hunt.

Ridgeman;

Too bad Andrew doesn't know how to host a successful and fun hunt!!!!

Well done and congratulations! Great pictures too!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Thank you for posting this enjoyable and well written hunting report. Congratulations to you both on some fine trophies. You obviously had the finest time at the Royal Kafue.

Jytte

Most excellent! Looks like everything you could want in a hunt.

Great photos and report - congrats. It brings back recent pleasant memories. AIU

Tremendous report! What a dream. Thanks for sharing.

Beautifull trophiees and you seem to have had a wery good time Hmm interesting.... will look at Next offer

Good looking buff. Sounds like a good time. Bruce

Splendid hunt, Superb report!!

Great report on a great hunt! Thanks for sharing. I love the boss on your buffalo!

Best,

jpj3

Ridgeman. Great report and adventure. Incredible trophies. Buffalo are real bruisers.
Glad things all worked out ok.
Cheers
Steve

Thanks for the report mate. I drove past the Verney Carron tree the other day but it was fresh out of doubles.

Great hunt and you both were a pleasure to be with.

See you in Luangwa.

Best

Andrew

A very readable hunt report with just the right amount of humor and sarcasm! Well done on some fine trophies!

Congrat to you all on a great safari. Those are some first class buffs!

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I drove past the Verney Carron tree the other day but it was fresh out of doubles.

Andrew

I think I know what this is about

Very well written report with some very nice trophies to go with it. Well done to you, Andrew and the team.