This years Safari to Africa was a little different than my usual annual African Safari, not only for the fact that I was going to mix business with pleasure but also that my partner was going to accompany me. Being that she had never really hunted nor been to Africa could have made this one of two options.
One, a complete failure. Or two, an exciting month on Safari in an unusual land.
Another fact that might have been a problem was that for the first two and a half weeks I was committed to doing work with little time for play.
As it turned out I had no reason to worry. Other than Miranda being a little restless for the first part of the trip due to not being required to do any work but only relax and enjoy the comforts at hand. Soon enough she picked up the African pace though.
All too soon (not all that a bad thing) the work stage of our trip came to an end with more work accomplished than expected much to our pleasure.
On the day before our charter flight into KAMBAKO SAFARI"S Mozambican hunting concession two other Australians that were to join us on their first Safari arrived at the Lodge. Rick and his son John were after a Buffalo each, a Sable and a variety of common plains game.
I was as usual after a mature Buffalo, Eland, bush pig, Bushbuck and Hyena.
On arrival at Pemba airport we were met at the Cessna 207 by the Pilot and two of Kambako’s prior clients on their way out. One Being Mike who I knew from a previous Safari and AR member Chris Lozano. Both these great guys had what sounded like a great Safari with PH’s Jonny Johnson and Ryan Cliffe. A shame we only had a short time to chat.
The flight into the Niassa Reserve Concession went smoothly and as spectacular as always.
On arrival at Kambako we were greeted by our Ph Matt Hully-Miller. I had the pleasure to spend a day in the bush with him a couple years ago so was aware that he would be a pleasure to hunt with.
At camp we briefly caught up with Tim Herald and Jack before they flew out on their way home and we proceeded to get settled in.
Once settled in Miranda decided to take the first afternoon easy whilst Matt, the Trackers and I sorted out the rifle and went for a quick drive. Unfortunately leaving Miranda at camp meant she missed an opportunity to see a pride of Lion on a sand river that afternoon.
We spent the first few days looking for Buffalo with mixed results and even though there are good numbers of buffalo, hunting only Bulls away from the herds meant it was a little more difficult but also a pleasure in its self. We also found that the late rains had meant there was plenty of ground water thus making it hard to find any particular spot that the Buff would drink which meant more time on the roads looking for suitable spoor. Also found the Tsetse flies were particularly bad this season.
Around the dinner table at camp I noticed the PH's were often talking about this old scrum cap bull that had eluded them so far I felt it might be a challenge if by chance we found his tracks. He was known to reside near the springs on the eastern side of Repeater Range and during previous hunts had led the hunters on many a long tour of the adjacent countryside.
One evening on the way back to camp I noticed the trackers excitedly chatting to Matt in their native language from the back of the hunting truck. I asked the guys what it was about those tracks we just passed. They explained that it was spoor of the old Scrum cap bull. Figuring at this time of the day the likely hood of see anything else was unlikely, I requested that we stop and follow these tracks. The guys were so happy to be following this old Sage bull once again.
We followed his tracks until we could no longer due to the fading light. We then decided to check this area second up tomorrow after a look up the Luambezi River.

The next day after getting nowhere with some other Buff spoor we made our way Repeater Range and sure enough not far from where we lost last night's tracks we found he had crossed the hunting road some time that night.
The Tracks were heading up a slight valley in amongst long grass and unfortunaly with the wind blowing all over.
As the tracks headed along the edge of a dry creek bed it was quite obvious the bull was looking for a place to bed down for the day. Matt the professional hunter whispered that the action could start at quite close quarters! This I found quite obvious also! I was pleased to be toting my large bore double rifle.
Cautiously continuing on we heard some movement just ahead and sighted the old boy moving off to the left at around eighty meters. A couple quick off hand shoulder shots saw the Buff rock hard but due to their ability to soak up lead I put in another lot of shots very opportunity that allowed before the old bull died.Great fun chasing Buff with a large calibre rifle and this was no exception!
He was indeed the oldest buffalo I have taken so far and I think it might be some time before I find another Buff trophy that old. The Game Reserve's Ecologist aged him at between seventeen and nineteen years of age and felt it unlikely he would have made another season considering his age and teeth wear. My sixth Buff with Kambako as it turned out.

Unfortunately Miranda had decided to stay at camp that morning and missed the fun but now with the Buff down would not miss out on the Eland hunt. We now concentrated on Eland which again with all the surface water about was making this hard another hunt.
The evening of taking the Buff we followed a pair of Eland into the dry Jesse until we ran out of suitable light. This was Miranda’s first time in the Jesse. Only a few years ago this would have been a lot more risky as this place use to be full of Elephant and walking back in the low light is always a concern.
During this time chasing Eland we also set a Hyena Bait, spotted Elephant and wild dogs and sat over a Leopard bait anticipating a view of a female Leopard which had been viewed previously.
Day six found us tracking a lone Eland for some time and was fortunate to score a lovely bull after a great tracking hunt.



9.3x62
Now with the two main trophies down we could relax a bit and enjoy the other aspects of Safari such as a great night camping out down river and game viewing.
















Miranda at Hyena bait.


Elephant in there.

We also spent more time tracking Buffalo and even had the opportunity to inspect the neighbouring block and visit good friend PH Stu Taylor who was hunting in this block. I would like to spend some more time in this adjacent block as it looks like a good place for Buffalo and Leopard with minimum pressure at present.
It was quite obvious what Miranda thought of the trip when she said that next time we need more than ten days in the bush.
Our flight home went well with only one scare. When we arrived at Johannesburg our four rifles were nowhere to be seen. Thankfully as our AFTON LODGE pick up arrived Marius made one phone call and miraculously they were found. Can imagine the problem we may have had had we not had the help of the good people of Afton lodge.

Now that is a PROPER buf! 17 years old, that beats 45" any day to me. But I think his boss is a little soft, HA. Outstanding.

Great report. Congratulations on a memorable hunt with a beautiful lady.

You've made a scrum cap bull one of my goals.

Adam,
Fantastic trip and trophies mate. Well done and also to Miranda,on her impala (love the recoil pad on her rifle, or is it yours Hahaha)
That eland is unbelievable, as is the duggaboy.

Cheers mate

Nick

Well done Adam!

Look like fun for all. Great eland.

Well Done! Sounds like a proper time had by all.

Very well done, Adam. Beautiful old bull.

Best looking Buff I have seen for a long while. The Eland is a beaut and in all it looks like you and the Madam had a ball.

Fine looking area to boot.

Hey Adam, Outstanding example of a Surefiresk (aka scrum cap) buffalo!!! If I were to shoot just one more buff, that would be it.

Camping along the river sounds terrific. Nice that you were able to share it with Miranda.

Well done. Congrats to you and Miranda.
Proper Buff by far!

Very well done -- cool old buff and great eland!

Well done Oz!

Now THAT'S a proper old Buffalo. Well done. sounds like you had a great time.

Adam
Was nice to meet you also.
Glad you had a great trip. Super buffalo and eland.

Miranda is a keeper.
Any lady that could put up with those flies is a winner.

thanks for reply. any photo of buffalo skull?

Adam a fine report. The ancient warrior meeting a fitting end to his life in the bush. A slammer eland. Tell Miranda fine job on her first safari. She is now an African hunter.

Mike

great time

Thanks for sharing a fine report! Great old buff-well deserved!!!

Great old Buff!



.

Good shooting with the double on a fantastic old Buffalo bull, a very nice Eland too. Congrats. The tent camping along the river looks like a good time, great memories no doubt. Thanks for sharing.

Well done Adam! Looks like you folks had a grand time, and I am glad your partner enjoyed it as well! Looks as if she settled right into it!

Good to see Matt with Kambako after his fiasco with Safrique. His a good guy and great PH!

I'll never forget my first meeting with him in Lichinga drinking Laurentina's and eating fried chicken out of a plastic bag!

As an Eland nut I must say that is a fantastic trophy as well!

Good stuff Adam.

What double are you carrying?

quote:

Originally posted by MANDLAZIM:
Good stuff Adam.

What double are you carrying?

And what load in the 9,3?

Well done...............

quote:

Originally posted by MANDLAZIM:
Good stuff Adam.

What double are you carrying?

Cheers guys.
The Double is a Verney-Carron Safari Luxus in 470NE

Jaegerfrank,
I used 286grn Swift A Frame and Woodleigh RN bullets on the Eland which worked well as usual.Powder was 58grns of the Aus made AR22008 .

quote:

Originally posted by infinito:
Well done Adam! Looks like you folks had a grand time, and I am glad your partner enjoyed it as well! Looks as if she settled right into it!

Good to see Matt with Kambako after his fiasco with Safrique. His a good guy and great PH!

I'll never forget my first meeting with him in Lichinga drinking Laurentina's and eating fried chicken out of a plastic bag!

As an Eland nut I must say that is a fantastic trophy as well!

Charl,
Yes Matt is one of the good guys and I think I know that Chicken shop in Lichinga.
Oh, I prefer MANICA.

Thank you! Good hunt, nice company, nice rifles!

So who gets the next Buffalo???


And slightly warn out;

Adam,
I think a new two pipe 450/400 is in order for Miranda , or better still you may as well give her your Westley 375Flanged from now.!
I think you will be standing 3rd in line behind the PH and Miranda next safari!!!!!

Cheers

Nick

Nick, Maybe multiple Water Buffalo with you, Harry and some others next time?

We are hatching a plan for it 4 sure!!!,

Nick

Adam,
great trophy's and report, makes me want to get back over there. thanks for sharing

great stuff mate love that crusty old buff that's cool

Wonderful old bull! And congratulations for bringing another lady into the African fold!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Congratulations on a great hunt, that old bull is a beauty!

Thanks for sharing.

Congrats Adam. Love the buff! And nice to see your Missus took to hunting in Africa quite naturally.

Great photos. Thanks for the report

Adam,

Well done. So nice to share a safari with folks that are important to you. Eland is a toad and although a scrum cap is not my cup of tea if you want one that is a perfect example. Congrats to your gal. Easy to see she is enthused with safari making you a lucky guy.

Mark