This is going to be long report, as it was my first guided hunt, as well as first trip to Africa. I wanted to give back as much as I obtained from scanning through all the info on this forum. Saeed really started a good thing here, and would like to thank him for all his work to maintain and expand this site.
This all started when two friends from the Natural gas processing plant I work at, started planning their trip to Africa in 2005. I listened with interest and envy, as I had just built and moved into a new house in 2004. They went to Port Elizabeth, RSA in April 2006, with their fathers and another friend from the gas plant, and had the time of their lives. Until I absorbed the details of the planning, execution, and costs of a trip like this, I never thought it was possible. Trapntrav introduced me to the AR site as they were gleaning info in preparation for their trip
Once they were back, and I saw the pictures and heard the stories, I was hooked and the desire to go burned stronger. Then, on Dec.09, 2006 (my 41st B-day) my wife surprised me with a birthday card full of images and pictures that said lets make a plan and make it happen. We had been married 12 years at that point; two boys aged 6 and 3, and survived building a house. She never ceases to amaze me, and I am truly a lucky guy to be with her.

After much research, I narrowed it down to a place in RSA or Namibia.
I chose Cruiser Safaris in RSA, due to the positive reviews on AR, and their website answers nearly every question you could have. If not, their USA contact, Bob Clark was quick with an E-mail reply. I contacted Bob and told him I was interested in July /Aug/08, and was put on this list of people to be e-mailed on March 01/07.
I waited until March 1/07, when Cruiser takes bookings for the following year, and got a booking for Gloria and I. Once the dates were confirmed and deposits paid, we waited to book flights on points. All the other details slowly came into place, time flew by, and we were heading out to visit our parents in Saskatchewan. We set the boys up for an adventure with their grandparents and cousins.
We promised the boys that Mom and Dad are checking things out, so that when you two are old enough to handle the flights, long days of seeing sights and hunting with Dad, we will take you with us next time. (Funny how I hadn’t even been there yet, and was already talking about next time!)
We said some tearful goodbyes, and we were headed to Calgary!

Dates: July 31-Aug.31/08
Booking Agent: Robert Clark
Company: Cruiser Safaris, near Matlabas, Limpopo Province, RSA
PH: Craig Diplock
Flights: Calgary, Alberta to FRA overnight (Air Canada,) FRA-JBG overnight (SAA)
Same route coming home
Rifle: Remington 700 Sendero in 7mm STW, tweaked to my liking over 12 years.
Scope: Nightforce 5x15x56 with illuminated reticle
Bullets: Federal factory loads of 160 gr. Nosler Accubonds
Pictures: Nikon P5100 and D300 (18-200 mm lens)
Animals seen, but not hunted: Kori Bustard, Bat eared Fox, Mongoose, Steenbok, Giraffe, Aardwolf, Eland, Bushbuck, Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Secretary bird, Water & Rock monitor lizard, Bush babies, Spring hare, Brown Hyena, Nyala, Baboon, Black- backed Jackal and Ostrich.

July 31/08
We were standby for business class and got it for the CGY-FRA overnight leg. I had originally asked for Lufthansa, when booking on points, but didn’t get it. Glad I didn’t as on July 28th, I checked departure times, to find Lufthansa has a service disruption due to labour troubles. There were some travelers freaking out, trying to get on the same flight we were, as AC is a Star Alliance partner with them, and was trying to accommodate as many as possible.
I have never flown Business class, I burned up nearly all the points I had to get my wife the comfy seats, as she gets motion sick quite easily. Points or buying economy ticket and using points to upgrade ahead of time is the way to go on a long flight. I have done long flights to Thailand and Hong Kong in economy years ago, and that sucked when the seats were wider!.
The service was awesome, as was the food, & wine and full reclining seats!

Aug.01/08
Stumbled around FRA airport for the day until our FRA-JBG overnight flight left.
I’m not sure which is the busier airport, FRA or Hong Kong, but it was like being in an anthill that was kicked repeatedly.
Business class on SAA was just as comfortable as AC.

Aug.02/08
Arrived in JBG, and cleared Passport control quickly at 0715, and grabbed our luggage. The one hiccup in the whole trip was that I didn’t know, or missed the part where you have to go over to the station beside baggage services and sign for your rifle. I proceeded to the SAPS office, waited 5 minutes for the guys in front of me to finish, and then talked to the officer, who looked and said your rifle is not here sir. I did my best to remain calm; we quickly figured out that I had not signed for the gun to be moved from the station beside Baggage Services to SAPS. An airport employee got me back through the station. I gave him a small tip, for helping sort out my screw-up. Coming back through, we met Arie from AGH, and he came with us to SAPS, the rest went smoothly and quickly. Total time was about 45 minutes including my screw-up.
Went to AGH, and got settled in. Arie is Louis and Annelise’s son-in-law, and has quit his aircraft mechanic job, and works full time now at AGH. Arie and his wife also look after the SAPS import permits associated with AGH. We never got to meet Louis, as he is very sick with cancer and in the hospital. We had several heartfelt talks with Annelise, she is holding up well under considerable stress.
We relaxed for the day, sorted out the final details of half-day trips to Sterkfontein Caves, and Cullinan Diamond mine, and 3D/2N trip to Kruger Park. I’ll post a report/photos about that on the travel forum, eventually.
A very comfortable and welcoming place to stay, Arie cooks a mean slab of meat on the Braii, and that Castle lager sure tastes good around the fire. As all the other hunters we met at AGH were from the States, us Canadians were quite the novelty.

Aug.03/08
Sterkfontein caves and Cullinan diamond mine
AGH overnight

Aug. 04-06/08
Drove to KP with our guide Dirk
Overnight at Thanda Nani game lodge, near Malalene gate, both nights
All of 5th and most of the 6th was spent in the park; I’d say we got a good look at the lower sixth or so of the park. A very worthwhile experience to sharpen the eyes for spotting game. Gloria surprised Dirk and I with her ability to spot game, considering she has never went hunting with me. I had to take her to the other side of the planet to make that happen.
Back to AGH on the 6th, late and they were full, so we got moved to Waylynt GH nearby. Not a problem, but your room’s bathroom is across the hall

Aug. 07/08
Back to AGH to meet the rest of our group, load up and head to Cruiser Safaris.
Heinz from Montana (been to Africa before and has taken the Big Five)
Tony, his wife Chris, and daughter Jill (from Montana, friends with Heinz)
Rick, his wife Nancy (from Oregon)
Our driver was one of the PHs, Johan, who was to be paired up with Tony.
The four-hour drive went by quickly as we visited, and soaked it all up.
Stopped at Thabazimbi for a snack and a stretch.
Next thing you know we are, turned off the tar road onto gravel, then onto a side road, and we are there!
The staff, PHs, and Lizelle the owner’s wife greeted us. Her husband Pieter couldn’t make it in until that night. Chef Tonya gave us fresh squeezed OJ, as we met our PHs and were then shown to our rooms. Very nice accommodations and setup.

Lodge pictures




Lunch and off to the shooting range. Everyone needed to tweak their rifles a bit, as they wanted us zeroed at 100 yds. The dense bush on most of their properties made long shots unlikely.
We were given to option of hunting for the rest of the afternoon on our arrival day, if we shot something, we would be charged half day PH rate. If no blood spilled, then you got to see they lay of the land and some game.
The other three hunters were signed up for 10 days of hunting; we were signed up for the same, with an extra hunting day, and an extra day for sightseeing.
We all jumped at the chance for some extra hunting time!
My PH, Craig, got the Toyota Landcruiser ready, we picked up our driver, Tira, and headed out to one of their larger concessions ( 30,000 acres). We had to pick up a local guy, David, part of the agreement for them hunting there.
Craig and I discussed what my priority animals were in the package, and what other animals I was interested in. The package animals were Kudu, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Warthog and Blesbok. I hoped to add Waterbuck and Bushbuck, but Bushbuck was not available (other hunters had taken the management limit), so I went to plan B, a Red Hartebeest. I told Craig, I was happy to take things as they come, I wanted mature animals, and if they happened to make record book, then I would consider myself lucky.
I also have to mention here, I have NEVER been the lucky hunter who gets a really nice animal in his sights. I have no taxidermy in the house, a few European mounts I have done myself, as I have never shot an animal nice enough to consider getting taxidermy done.



Terrain was fairly flat Bushveld, with few openings in it. As I was to find out, this terrain provides ample cover and opportunity for the animals to elude you.
We went for a long spot and stalk, after being dropped off, and had chances on Red Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest and Impala. The wind swirled, or I was not fast enough to get on the Bog-Pod sticks before they left. It was a bit overwhelming to have that many chances in the first few hours of hunting.
We worked out way to an open field where Blesbok like to hang out, and saw the other group’s truck. We watched for any sign of them, and tried to raise them on the radio. Rick had wounded a Blesbok, and they had been trailing it for some time. There was a Blesbok in the field Craig wanted to make a try for, so we crawled up behind a tree on the edge of the field. Craig set up the sticks, behind the fork of the tree, and we agreed we were both looking at the same one. He’s by himself; when you are ready and he is standing still, take him!
I settled in behind the shoulder, he moved slowly to my left, feeding and pausing. I waited until he paused and BOOM. He ran off, apparently unscathed. We went and checked for blood and there was none. I had missed clean.
Man, did I feel lower than dirt, missing my first animal in Africa.
As we went back to the lodge, Craig and I discussed what happened. I had a similar thing happen last year Elk hunting. Using a fork in a tree as a rest, tracking on an animal as it moved, I missed a shot I would normally make. We thought the barrel was touching the tree, as I pulled the trigger, altering how the barrel moves. I wanted to double-check the zero on the rifle, before we went out again for my own piece of mind. Craig wanted to put out the spotlight and check it on the range at night, I said at first light in the AM would be fine. Craig and I were to learn that things happen for a reason.

Aug. 08/08
The official first full day of hunting in Africa, little did I know what an action packed day lay ahead.
We were the last ones out, after checking my rifle. I was good left to right, and an inch high at 100 yds, so our barrel touching the tree idea seemed to be the problem.
First chance at a red hartebeest bull spooked and took off. We stalked into a waterhole, nobody home, so we decided to sit in a blind, to see if the tail end of the dry season, would be bringing animals to us. We cleared out the acacia thorns, and chatted as we got settled in. We stopped talking, and sat and listened. Not five minutes later we herd a peculiar grunt( baroo), I looked to Craig, he said Blue Wildebeest, bulls made that sound when chasing cows. I’ve seen a good one here before, but no client has got a shot at him.
We heard them approach, three cows in the lead, being chased by the aforementioned bull. They circled the waterhole, and a cow came to take a drink in the shooting lane I had. The bull came up behind, Craig said to get ready, getting into the kneeling position I drove the one thorn I missed into my knee. The bull sniffed her and started to chase her around, before he ever got into the shooting lane. He’s running away, shit, wait, no, he’s coming back, said Craig. Get ready, when he pauses, shoot him. He slowly came into the shooting lane, I put the crosshairs on his shoulder, Craig said take him, take him NOW.
BOOM, He’s hit hard, he staggered off about 25 yards and stopped, get ready to shoot him again said Craig. The bull wobbled on the shoulder I damaged, coughed up blood, almost went down, wobbled another 25 yards and paused under a tree and went down.
I can’t tell you how happy I was, all the planning, hoping, dreaming had come to realization. Gloria asked me if I was OK, as we walked up on the bull, as I was choked up with emotion, and she had played a huge part in making it all happen.
Craig looked the bull over, the rascal that had eluded him before was down, and he scored 82 SCI. That means very little to me, as I was so happy that my first African animal was this mature bull, one of the animals that I always think of when I picture Africa.

Blue Wildebeest


We met up with Rick and Nancy; Rick had shot a nice Gemsbok. We transferred my Wildebeest to their Landcruiser, as they were headed back to the lodge for lunch after visiting the skinning shed. We drove off and met up with Johan, Tony, Chris and Jill for a bush lunch over the fire.


Out for a cruise after lunch, a bit sleepy and full! We spot a lone Gemsbok, and he’s a shooter. I try to settle in on him, and I step on Craig’s dog, he yelps, but the Gemsbok is still staring us down. He’s going to leave, Take him now! I shoot and his legs go out from under him. We approach and there is no blood from his mouth, I must have shot a bit high and spined him, so I shoot him again in the crease behind the shoulder. A nice representative mature male.

Gemsbok


We cruise around, spot and stalk, get busted on that same lone Red Hartebeest, and an Impala, see some Warthogs, but no shooter males and some Eland. We go down along the Matlabas River and see quite the termite mound.

Termite mound

The sun is starting to get low, and Gloria spots a set of shiny horns in the bush. Third time we’ve seen this old Red Hartebeest today, in this 30,000 acre property. The vehicle drives ahead out of site slows, we bail out and start slithering, and leopard crawling. We close the distance on him slowly, as we move in the shadows when his head is down feeding, and freeze when he looks around. The thickness of the bush and this slow approach let us get to within 60 yds, but it takes nearly an hour. The sticks are set up, Craig says, he doesn’t know we are here, settle him and take him when you are ready.
I make sure I am aiming lower on the shoulder than the Gemsbok, and shoot. He wheels and staggers, but does not go 20 yds. I broke his near shoulder and the bullet passed through just in front of the off shoulder. Third time was the charm, for the third animal of my first full day in Africa. I cannot believe my luck!

Red hartebeest


The skinning shed was busy that day, with eight animals taken between four clients!
A cold Castle or two sure tasted good before supper!

Aug.09/08
Stalked into a waterhole, nobody home, so we spruced up the blind and sat for a bit.
We had a group of Kudu cows and calves walk within 10 yds of the blind.
Later a Waterbuck bull waded in for a drink but he was not quite mature enough. As we were watching him, a male Warthog came trotting in. He’s a good one, you’ve got to shoot him when the shot is there, and Craig told me. I shot, but could not see the result from the dust cloud. He ran 25 yds and collapsed, spinning and kicking up dust. The onside shoulder was broken but no exit wound. Very happy with a very even first Warthog

Warthog


Rest of the day was spotting, but no stalking and got close to a group of rhino

Aug.10/08
Cruised around, stalked into a waterhole, nobody home. Collected some Gwari bush, and made a blind at a concrete pan.


Saw shooter Warthogs, Waterbuck cows and bulls (no shooters), and Kudu cows. One young one came up and nibbled on the blind, and we sat motionless in amazement. The cow came over to check things out, and she looked into my eyes from about 2 yards. She did a double take when I blinked, and slowly walked off.

Aug. 11/08
Gloria stayed behind this morning. Drove and spotted for a few hours, stalked into a waterhole were a good waterbuck bull had been seen recently. Nobody home so we set up a blind, and waited. Warthog families in/out for a drink, some Waterbuck cows walked right by us, they have an odor somewhat similar to elk. We had been in the blind nearly 2 ½ hours when a group of male Warthogs comes in one extreme right side of the waterhole. Both of the one we could see were shooters but smaller than the one I shot. I see some additional movement, there are actually three pigs, but I am on Craig’s left and he can’t see it yet. There’s another pig there, I whisper, and then it moves to give me a good look. I think that’s a really nice one, I should take a picture. I quietly move to grab my camera, and the pig in question slowly walks away from the other two. I look over at Craig, and I wish I could have captured of what happened. The look on his face was extremely intense and focused. Put the camera down, you need to shoot that pig RIGHT NOW! I did have the idea that if I was to shoot extra animals, an extra warthog was fine, so I listened to my PH, settled in as Mr. Pig gave me broadside and motionless, sniffing the air. I shoot and he dropped, both shoulders broken on a pass through. Craig said, you are going to be really happy you did that. That’s the biggest pig I’ve guided, and will likely be the biggest one shot with Cruiser this year. I didn’t really realize it, until we walked up to him. Word traveled back to camp that I shot a big warthog; Gloria said that couldn’t be right, he’d already got one!

Mr. Pig


Once cleaned up he was 15 5/8†and 10 1/2 “. Pieter the owner told me that in 13 years of running Cruiser Safaris, three other pigs had been taken with at least one tusk over 15â€. I had to choose to do a shoulder mount for the Prestigious Mr. Pig.
I’m starting to feel embarrassed at my good fortune!

Gloria came out with us for the afternoon, drove and spotted. We spotted five shooter Kudu bulls close to sunset, but the quota for that property was already taken for the year.


Aug. 12/08
Went to a different property, where the bush was thicker and the animals were very skittish. Chance at a very nice Impala ram, but I needed a few more seconds to settle on the 200 yd shot he gave me. Spot and stalk here was very difficult.
Stalked into a waterhole, nobody home, built a blind sat, and then the landowner came into pump out the concrete pan for repairs. We came back later, the wind had switched, so we rebuilt the blind in another location. A group of Waterbuck came in, one cow was suspicious, hung around the blind and snorted at us repeatedly from about 5 yds.

Aug.13/08
We went to the Rose Valley concession for hopefully some Blesbok redemption. A large high voltage tower runs through this property, Craig climbed up to get a view of the fields that the Blesbok like to hang out. He could only see a small group after much looking, so we decided to make a play on them to see if any were shooters. We drove to within a kilometer of the field and stalked in. We had to avoid, blue wildebeest and impala on the way in. We slithered in to within 200 yds, but too much brush for a good view or shot. We belly crawled to within 100 yds and set up the sticks for a kneeling shot behind a small scrubby bush. He was facing me, and I waited for a quartering shot, as he did, Craig said you must take him now!
I shot and he crumpled, got back up went a few steps and flopped back down. Craig said I would be very happy with this one, as he rough judged him at 16â€
When we looked him over, Craig we happy he was wrong. He was 17 ½ “ both sides and heavy bases, but what really mattered was that I had the redemption I had hoped for. Many times Craig and I talked about things happen for a reason. My screw up on the arrival day let me have the opportunity for a really nice one!

Blesbok


We were back to the lodge early, got a tour of the owner’s new house nearly completed. Very Nice!
Craig and Pieter (owner) are scheming in the corner, and come over to tell me, we are going for Kudu after lunch. Awesome lunch, but it seemed to take a long time.

We went to the base of some of the Waterberg Mountains, and arrived at a farm around 2 pm. Craig had arranged with one of the cattle ranch workers, to monitor where he was seeing the larger Kudu bulls most often. He was seeing them high on the hills during the day and down towards the cattle’s watering holes near sunset. After the scouting report, we cruised around to find some Gwari bush. We picked a spot under a shady tree about 175 yds from the pan and built our blind. The cattle were very curious, about what the two-legged pink things were doing, they came over to inspect the blinds very closely for the next two hours, exhausting our supply of rocks to pelt them with. The boss cow finally gave the call to come back to the pen, just as Craig and I were figured what the trophy fee would be on RSA cattle. Two hours of cow snout & ass in your face is not something I want to repeat anytime soon. As they cleared off, it was getting dim as the sun went behind the mountains, and some Kudu cows came in. As it got dimmer, some immature bulls came in. Craig asked me to check my sight picture, on one of the immature bulls, lots of light I told him. It got dimmer, he asked me to check again, and no problem I told him.
It got dimmer, I checked again, I’m Ok, but not for too much longer, I checked with the reticle on, and that improved things. Nothing was coming in, so Craig made the call to Tira to come pick us up. He stood up to look around, and got very excited, called back Tira and said do not start the truck. Craig said a very good mature bull is coming in from the left, he will cross in front of us at approx. 80 yds, can you still see OK. As he came into view, I could see his shoulders clearly, I told Craig I was good, and he said you must take him now. I shot and the muzzle flash obscured my view. Craig said he’s hit good, but despite his encouragement for him to drop, he staggers out of the field and into the edge of the bush. We move quickly, to follow him up we get to the edge of the bush and listen. We are both worried about losing him to the bush and darkness.
We hear nothing, then ragged breathing and a crashing of sticks. We are upon him and the darkness of the bush swallows us up. The flashlights come out to make sure he is dead as we approach. An old mature bull, tips worn off, and 54 ½ both sides. I cannot believe how lucky I am to have killed such a magnificent animal.

Kudu


Aug.14/08
Craig and I were off early and Gloria stayed behind. We went back to the thick property with spooky animals. Chances at really nice Impala, on spot and stalk did not pan out. Went back to the same blind were the waterbuck cow snorted at us, and spruced it up were sitting by 0830. Animals came and went, no shooters it turned out to be the hottest day while hunting, near 30 C, so it got a bit snoozy in the blind. Went for a walk to stretch the legs, then back in by 2 pm. Watched a troop of Vervet monkeys come in, then Warthogs. A group of Impala came in, females and little ones, then the buck ghosted in. I spotted him and asked Craig what he thought. When he gives you a shot, Take It! was the reply. I waited a long time until he was motionless and clear of the other animals, at about 75 yds when I shot. Down he went and didn’t get back up, pass through and both shoulder broken. A nice mature buck with a tipped out horn pattern I really admire. While doing pictures I found out what paper thorns are, even stuff that doesn’t look like thorns, still sticks you in Africa!

Impala


Went for a night game drive, but the near full moon kept most things hidden. Saw an Impala ewe killed by jackals

Aug.15/08
Into Thabazimbi, to see a few shops and pickup camp supplies for the morning.
Once back at the lodge, we went out to an adjacent property to look for a Waterbuck that had so far eluded us. This property had not been hunted much this year, so the animals were not a nervous about seeing a Landcruiser. We made it into a watering hole in the heat of the afternoon and found a small group of Waterbuck bulls just leaving and at the edge of the clearing. The farthest one on the right, Craig and Pieter (owner) said. I settled in for a longer shot, approx. 200yds, and fired. The bull ran about 25yds, and collapsed. This would turn out to be the first bullet I would get to recover, found inside the hide offside shoulder. I like the horn pattern, a little different than the other Waterbuck taken by the other hunters.

Waterbuck


On the way out we saw Giraffe with a new calf, portions of the umbilical cord visible



Aug.16/08
Day trip to Lesedi Cultural village, near Hartebeespoort Dam, with Johan, Tony, Chris, Jill, Gloria and I. A different way to spend the day, it was busy, but enjoyable.

Aug.17/08
Went to mountainous property, near Marong. Climbed up to the top of a Koppie,

and promptly spooked a Brown Hyena out of it’s den. Looks like the offspring of a dog and a bear, seriously. Climbed and looked all morning, then hiked down for lunch as the weather started to change. It got cloudy and very windy.
After lunch, went for a bathroom behind a brush pile and noticed a set of eyes looking back at me. They belonged to a rock monitor lizard, luckily sluggish due to the cooler weather.

Rock monitor


Drove around, went for walks to see what was hiding in the bush in the cooler weather. Walked up on a Warthog, and several shooter Kudu bulls. Saw a really nice long Gemsbok, that would have been tempting, if she didn’t have a reddish calf with her.
Chance at a really nice Impala, but gave us the slip.
Back to camp for a last meal together, as the rest of the crew leaves early in the morning.
It was a real treat to share camp with such down to earth people, who had worked hard to make this trip a reality.

Final meal


Clock wise from lower left:
Heinz, Rick, Nancy, Gloria, Me, Tony, Chris, Jill

Aug. 18/08
It was cloudy, windy and cool, so going to the mountains to look for little critters in the rocks would be pointless. What else was I interested in, for your last two days, I was asked. Let’s go look for Warthog, monster Steenbok and Zebra, was my reply. I had been looking at the Zebra taxidermy, (Flat skin rug and shoulder pedestal mount,) in the lodge with Gloria and decided that if I were to get one; the pedestal mount would look nice in the house.
We spotted and stalked, belly crawled and leopard crawled several times to get into position within 80 yds undetected. No clear shot, as they were hanging in the thick stuff.
At one point we crawled to where they just were, Craig was lying on his belly with a fresh pile of Zebra crap in front of him. He grabbed a stick to flick it away, but each flick removed some crap and shortened the stick, until he had only a nub left. The wind helped us get that close, and it also helped hide my snickering!
Found a dead Kudu bull, approx 45â€, under a black oak thorn that was starting to bloom. This is one of the first signs of spring, but this guy had been dead for a few days.
Quiet night at camp, but got a really good visit with the PH’s and owners.

Aug. 19/08
Last hunting day, cloudy, windy again but very humid, so no trip to the mountains. Gloria was tired so Craig and I left at 0730, to try and do better than yesterday. Saw a Kudu bull feeding on black oak thorn blossoms; this helps tide the browsers over until leaves come in. So many of the blossoms had popped in the last day that the scent really hung in the humid morning air.

Kudu and black oakthorn blossoms


Tried the larger herd of Zebra from yesterday, but they had had enough of us. Located another smaller herd and we were in business.1 ½ hours of slithering and crawling got us into position on the presumed stallion, then they slowly fed behind cover again. We paralleled them, moved ahead and waited. The group came within 35yds of us is heavy brush with a few openings. The lead animal, never did step clear enough to show us tackle to confirm stallion status. It did step forward to show us head, neck and the front of the shoulder. One more step, and he looked at us, looked back at the group and slowly swapped ends and went back to feeding. We scratched our heads, when I looked to out right and saw another Zebra standing broadside looking at us. Craig slowly looked it over, nice clean pattern, no scars, likely a younger male or mare. Can you make the shot through the brush? I needed to move, so with the Zebra watching us, we slowly moved the stick and I shifted around. I found the triangle on the shoulder and shot. It did a lip stand, then got back up and tried to run away with both front shoulders broken. It collapsed within 20 yds, but kept rolling trying to get back up. A second shot, just behind the shoulder helped finish things. Things just fell into place over 1 ½ days for this to happen and I couldn’t be happier.

Zebra


Came back to the lodge, and Gloria and I went with Craig to see the Nyala breeding program. They had shot 4 bulls out of the group this year, look like a few will be available next year.

Nyala


Arrival day for the next group got to meet them after they had lunch, down at the shooting range. The group consisted of: a Father and son hunting 2x1 from Montana, two old friends from Georgia, and a PhD Nuclear engineer. I had to talk to that guy twice to make sure my first impression wasn’t wrong, I told Craig that Johan might have a difficult client on his hands.
We went back out for one last drive, Craig said I should bring the rifle in case we get attacked by Jackals or a monster Warthog. We found a really nice eland bull, Craig said, when you are looking for one like that you don’t find them, and if you do, they sure don’t let you look at them this long. I’ll chase him or his offspring next time. We actually did find a really big warthog, but he gave us the slip. It was an excellent way to spend the last hours of hunting and enjoy one more sunset!

Craig, Blue, Tira


Sunset Braii


Aug. 20/08
It was sad to leave and say our goodbyes, but I think we arrived clients and left more like friends. A delay sorting out some building materials for Pieter and Lizelle meant we had to do some low flying to get back on schedule. We stopped at Highveld Taxidermy on the way to the airport, quite the shop! I could have spent hours walking around looking and taking pictures.

Here’s a few




The lion and Buff were taken by the same client on the same hunt. the lion is to be mounted on the buff's back/neck. WOW!

Handshakes and hugs at the airport and we were in the anthill again. All went smoothly, back through FRA and onto CGY. Standby for business class didn’t work for the FRA-CGY leg, I’m not sure we could have got shittier seats! The attendants were getting miffed in explaining the same things over and over again, in German and English to a German tour group. It went by quickly, and we were collecting our things and going through customs. The young customs guy must not get too many people traveling with firearms, as he was very curious, and I explained some of the paperwork to him. Collected our truck, coffeed up and drove to Edmonton. Met my folks and sons at the hotel, spent the night getting reacquainted, before passing out.
Their big adventure was as much fun as Mom and Dad’s big adventure. I couldn’t be happier about how the whole experience unfolded. I have no other guided hunting trips to compare this to, but I can recommend Cruiser Safaris wholeheartedly. Professionally managed, lots of game, lots of opportunities on mature quality animals on a variety of properties.
I have to finish paying for this and take the family to California, before another hunting trip unfolds. I plan to take my boys back there, when they have hunted and taken deer around here with me.
It’s taken me longer than I thought to finish this report, with work, fall yard work and local hunting season in full swing. I thought I used up all my good luck in RSA. I was wrong! At 42, I killed my first sheep! Look for another report in Canadian hunting, when I get time. More taxidermy bills!

Excellent photos and a very well written report! Can't wait to see your post on the sheep

Congratulations, exellent trophies and story.
That Mr Pig i something else
You really hit it big time!

nice report, sounds like a great hunt. I look forward to reading about the sheep.

Today I drank a pot of coffee to finally finish posting this report, and my Stone sheep hunt report is done and on the Canadian hunting forum.
I hope people enjoy it.

Great report! Brings back memories from my 1st safari which was with Crusiers as well and Craig was my guide too! Thanks for posting.

Beautiful pictures. The Kudu is an old warrior and that second pig is awesome.

Good report! I hunted with this outfit in 2006 and will hunt again with them in June of 2009.

Congratulations on your hunt. Great pics.

Great report, photo's, and animals!

Jeff

Congratulations, and thank you for the excellent report!

Great report! Brings back huge memories of my hunt there in July. Craig was also my ph. Tanya is one helluva cook! Glad you had a great hunt with them. I hope to be ablr to go back in 2-3 yrs.

Mad Dog

Good report, excellent story and great pics. Thanks for sharing!!

Dulcinea

Fantastic safari... and you and your wife got to experience a wonderful "First"safari together...

Mike

Great report, I also hunted with Craig last year. You picked up some very nice trophies and that warthog, he is a pig!!

Excellent photos, report and trophies!! Congratulations on a very successful hunt.

Great report and photos. I did my first safari with Pieter and Cruiser. Brings back great memories...