Has anyone out there hunted recently with Miombo Safaris in Tanzania??

I checked the Hunting Report, nothing in 2006, a couple from 2005 and earlier.

I understand one can hunt the Big 4 from one camp and it is a very traditional tented operation with the dining waiters topped off with fez's, etc. All of this is fine if the hunting is excellent as well.

Would appreciate any feedback and experiences you have had recently...

They've been in the business for some years and to the best of my knowledge have a pretty decent reputation. Don't know if they still have the same concessions but they used to have one area area where a lot of the hunting is done with go devils (boats) rather than trucks......

It's possible in most areas in Tanzania to take the Big 4 from the same camp, (except in Masailand, where you can't usually hunt Elephant) so don't be suprised by that. In any Tanzanian area classified as a game reserve etc (such as the Selous) it's a legal requirement that there be no permanent structure in the reserve and consequently all camps are tented and usually with en suite bathrooms in these areas....... At the end of the season, all trace of human habitation has to be removed.

Hope that helps.

470,
Thay have a 1920 style tented camp (white canvas, square tents) complete with gramophone and bush bath in their Rungwa concession at premium prices. Ele hunting in Rungwa is not fantastic but as Steve said, most areas in Tz can offer the big 4 ....I saíd offer not guarantee

Steve, Miombo still have the Kilombero concession which is where they have the go-devil boats and a huge Florida swamp buggy!

They are a decent outfit.

Edited to include: 470, the hunting in Rungwa is excellent particularly for lion, buff, leopard, sble, roan and greater kudu oh and eland as well. But hunter should spend the entire 21 days there if possible...

Bwanamich,

I thought they still had the Kilombero concession but hadn't heard much of it for a while..... didn't know they had the swamp buggy though......

There are some really stylish camps in Tanzania nowadays, if you like that kind of thing. - Personally I think I prefer the good quality standard issue style camp to persian carpets and silver service..... but to each his own and if a client asks me to take him to one of those camps, I'm happy to do so. Certainly, the hunting is pretty much always something special as well............ but it ain't cheap.

Thanks guys, very helpful. Any idea about the quality of Elephant and Buff they take out of there??
Steve, I want to PM you privately about the Botswana elephants you posted some weeks ago. I have been burried with two big business deals closing and TAXES!!

i don't know anything about the company per se but one of their ph's is a guy named Darren Smit who i hunted with in Botswana 2 years ago(he worked for Greg Butler safaris at the time). helluva nice guy and excellent PH.

No direct experience but, In checking references for quality operators They got great reviews.

I hunted buff with them in 2002. They are a first class outfit and offer great hunting in some great areas.

They not only delivered everything they promised but went above and beyond. Everything was great from the meet and great to the day room they arraigned for me on my last day in Dar. And the no hassle trophy shipment was great too.

They are a hard working detail oriented bunch and I would highly recommend them.

470EDDY

I've sent you a pm asking for an e-mail address so I can send you the info......

quote:

Originally posted by 470EDDY:
Thanks guys, very helpful. Any idea about the quality of Elephant and Buff they take out of there??

Their primary elephant areas are down near the Moz border where they have 3 (or 4 ) concessions that are hunted separately or as one. There are plenty of elephants there and taking a legal size one is very possible. However, i know that Michel Mantheakis (owner/PH) recommends to hold out for a 60 pounder or more. The biggest they've shot there in 4-5 seasons was a 76 lbs i believe? Its the same elephants that come in and out of the Niassa/Selous ecosystem so a chance for a big one is always there.

Buffalo are as good as most anywhere else. Their biggest on average coming out of their Rugwa concession.

Edited to include: I'm sure they have pictures of both on their website.

470EDDY,
miombo have started exploring one of their kilombero blocks called kilombero mlimba, this area is exceptional for buffalo and now they have managed to cross a river by the name of klausia where they sre seeing herds of elephants that come down from the mountains in large quantities. it should be interesting to see what they will pull out of there ths year.

An American from South Florida has worked with them for several years. He runs a hunting operation for exotics, birds, deer, turkey etc down there. I spoke to him at length last year when we went down to shoot birds. He seemed very knowledgeable and had really good things to say. I have been 13 times to Africa.

You can contact him as follows:

Joe O Bannon
7600 SW Fox Brown Rd
Indiantown , Florida 34956
(772)597-4757

By the way, the swamp buggy that Miombo uses is a typical south/ central Florida buggy. It is Joe's.

Hey Guys;

Thanks for all of the positive input...this is looking better every day!! I will make the contacts as advised.

Anyone out there with anything negative to say...usually people don't want to say anything bad...unless proded. Everyone has a bad day once in a while...and I have had my share of so,so hunts...and down right flops...beginning with my first in 1979!! That said...most have been absolutely FANTASTIC!!

All of this is extremely helpful. THANK YOU!!

This outfit seems to be rather nice.When one says they are not cheap, just what kind of money are we talking?

For Rungwa or the southern elephant areas, you ballpark at $46,200 for a 1x1 21 day safari plus $8,400 in gov't fees & royalties, plus charter and trophy fees.

Kilombero & the selous are less as are 2x1 or 2x1 companion hunts.

Miombo used to be, and may still be, the outfitters for the Tanzania Buffalo hunts booked by Cabelas Outdoor Adventures.

Miombo is a good outfit as far as I know. They have been in the industry for while. I believe they may have gone through a management change, but I am not really sure. Nevertheless, I believe you will have a good time with them.

Zahir

Hi Zahir,

About miombos management change i personally think it is for the better. I was at their office the other day and was quite impressed to see what they were up to. Miombo have increased their antipoching operations immensly they have 15 teams in the field doing antipoaching with incredible results, not many companies in tanazania will foot the money that miombo is putting into the operation of the company. new camps have been ordered as well as vehicles you can see conservation is a major part of the company.

The only Mgmgt change is they got a new partner with financial backing and a strong political connection.

The company started with 2 friends and a small family loan over 12 years ago. They have been growing every year and their reputation as well

This may or may not make a difference to you but the two Boddington elephant shows were filmed with Miombo Safaris in the Selous area. Boddington was hunting with Michelle Manthiakas(sp). I know that there are a few old hands in the Houston Safari Club that have hunted many times with Miombo and swear by them. MUFASA