08 August 2013, 23:51
Rob HaughtBuffelspan Safaris
Outfitter: Buffelspan Safaris
Limpopo Province South Africa
PH's- Johan Human, Martin Booysen
Dates: 17 July-5 August
Hunters: Rob Haught, Tom Breen
Rifles: Ruger Africans in 9.3x62 and 338 WM
Ammo: 9.3 Reloaded with 286gr Barnes TSX
338WM. Factory Federal Premium 225 TSX
Animals taken: Cape Buffalo
Sable
Waterbuck
Nyala
Kudu
Impala
Bushbuck
Blesbok
Steinbok
Civet
Honey Badger
Tsessebe
Eland
Our travel arraingements were handled by Shawn an Gracy Travel. We flew Delta and tried he Economy Comfort seats. We were very happy with them. On the trip over we had the bulkhead row and it was great to have the legroom but the swing up trays pretty much suck. The return trip we had the next row back and was ok. Better than the previous trips in coach for sure.
We were met by The reps from Gracy and ushered through passport control and then to the SAPS office to get our rifle permits. They had been pre approved and went very smoothly. Buffelspan uses a transport service to shuttle hunters from the airport to camp. An older gentleman named Noel made the trip to camp very enjoyable with a history lesson on SA at our request. He could have been a retired history professor.
We had previously hunted with Buffelspan and knew what to expect, great food, service and fantastic hunting.
We took a four day break and drove to Kruger Natl Park for two days of self driving and the ultimate guys road trip!
Another week of hunting awaited us on return to camp and we were very successful.
If anyone cd help post pics I have some great ones.
Anyone looking for a great PG hunt should give Buffelspan a serious look. A well appointed camp, and great game dishes served everyday, great housekeeping and trophy care, and trophy quality game is thier trademark.
09 August 2013, 00:10
Rob HaughtThis was my first hunt with a 9.3x62. It came highly recommended by friends who have lots of African experience. I was not disappointed, it was the perfect combo of controllability and power for me. The TSX bullets were textbook in performance. I recovered one each from a Zebra and Cape Buffalo. I couldn't have asked for more. I took along some solids for the small stuff like Steinbok, Civet and Honey Badger and they worked great for this application. Anyone looking to go to Kruger, I highly recommend it. We stayed three nights at the Mopani rest camp and had a cottage overlooking the lake. Great scenery with Hippo and Crocs out on the water. We did our own cooking in the evenings and it was great to BBQ on the deck.
09 August 2013, 02:46
The Artistry of WildlifeGREAT Safari. Can't wait to the pictures!
If I wasn't leaving work I'd post them for you but trust me someone will help out. If I get back online after dinner I will help you
Congrats on great trip Rob.
Producing the Highest Quality Custom Wildlife
Visit our Studio Online at:
The Artistry of Wildlife "2009 World Champions"
"Best in World Combined Artists"
World Taxidermy Championships
" 2010 Michigan State Champion"
Email:
info@artistryofwildlife.comVisit our studio on Facebook Updates and large galleries to view09 August 2013, 04:03
Rob HaughtOne of many great stories from this hunt was the camp dog Springcon(?) a whippet mix was actually leading a pair of Honey Badgers to the skinning shed to scavenge and was taking scraps into the bush for them. The trackers told us this was happening but we had to see it to believe it. After they stole my Steinbok skull we set up an ambush and sure enough the dog went off into the bush and brought the Badgers to the bait. This added a pair of Badgers to the tally. The dog was so despondent she wouldn't look at us for days.
09 August 2013, 04:21
The Artistry of WildlifeHey Rob send me a few to
cremudgeon34@yahoo.com and I'll at least some pics posted for you
DENNIS
That is funny stiff about the Whippet...I'll bet if she had the chance over the few days after the killing !!! she would have pissed in your boots...I have a female Golden that would have paid me back that way.
09 August 2013, 09:52
fairgameImpressive. Love the colours of the Hartebeest. Proper Buffalo that.
09 August 2013, 13:49
R8 PROwow just wow! that is an impressive bunch of trophies! great pictures also looks like you had an amazing time. not too jealous......
09 August 2013, 17:28
matt uOutstanding collection of Trophies...

09 August 2013, 18:01
Rob HaughtAll in all, this was the trip and hunt of a lifetime for us.
The camp staff performed a traditional song and dance ceremony at the end of the hunt to celebrate the killing of the Buffalo that was very emotional and I will never forget.
I find family and friends all want to know about my trips when I get home each time from Africa and they always ask why I go back. For those that know and have been there, no explanation is needed, for those that haven't, no explanation is possible!
09 August 2013, 20:16
Nevada WapatiFantastic trophies. Congratulations.
Love the photo of the buffalo in the brush.