Hi forks this is my first attempt at posting a hunt so please be patient

My wife, Vicki, our 15 year old son Jacob and I made our first trip to Africa. The premise was to visit Vicki's brother in Dar.

Of course we also booked a 2x1 7 day hunt with Pierre Van Tonder. Our PH was Wikus.

At Pierre's recommendation I bought a 375 for my son to shoot. He normally shoots a m-70 so that's what I bought. Pierre said to just bring 300 gr Barnes tsx and that's what I did.

The Mseguni camp was wonderful. We were waited on hand and foot.

The staff was very attentive and the food was the best.

Here's a couple of pics of the camp and the chef Alex. That kitchen looks pretty primitive but the meals he prepared would put most high dollar resturants to shame







On to the hunt.

Things started out a little slow. We put in some long days. One day we left the truck at 7 in the a.m. and didn't get back till 4.

We saw buffalo most every day. The cover was pretty thick, more so than I had imagined.

Several times in the long grass we were within 30 feet of the buffalo but couldn't see anything, that is until the wind changed then all hell broke loose.

The wife and I had to run to get out of the way of the moving herd on one occasion. In hind sight my wife and I were too ignorant of what was going on to be scared. We just saw the bobbing heads coming towards us and ran.

By day 3 things were picking up and Jacob shot a nice Hartebeast at 150 yards

Jacob is in the middle with trakers Saidi and Mbejani on his left and the gov scout and antipoach guy on his right.

here's some more thick cover


Vicki and Jacob and Wikus




On day 5 we got onto some hot tracks. We followed the tracks for less than an hour before we caught up with the herd.

We were in a small bowl with the wind blowing hard into our face. Perfect conditions.

We moved right into the herd and I waited what had to be the second longest 5 minutes of my life.

Wikus was scanning some buffalo ahead of us with his binos. I sat and counted 35 head to our right not 75 yards away.

Finally Wikus motioned Jacob to come forward. (We were maybe 10 feet behind) Up go the sticks and now the longest 5 minute wait of my life.

Jacob was on the sticks for a good 5 minutes. I'm sweating bullets, the flies are biting, and I felt like I need to cough. Finally he shoots.

Wikus had told Jacob at the start of the trip to keep shooting till he says to stop. So Jacob unloads his gun on him.

The buffalo was 35 yards away and clearly hurt and then he started towards us, not fast mind you but come towards us just the same. Only nobody is shooting.

the trackers and scouts are yelling in Swahili "it is comming".

Finally Jacob reloaded and Jacob and Wikus shot at the same time and down he goes. An insurance shot ended it for good.
The first shot was on the money it's just that the buffalo didn't realize that he was dead.



Nice boss


Hard to top that day but the next day Jacob shot a nice wart hog off hand at 60 yards. Wikus said although the area has a lot of wart hogs, he seldom sees a shooter



The last day Jacob shot a nice zebra.


And even I got a shot. Nice impala at 170 yards which is a very long shot for me



How many times do you as a family get to sit down and eat every meal together, talk about you day and live new experiences together?

It doesn't happen very often with teenagers. It was a great 7 days.

Wikus is an outstanding PH and we all had a wonderful time.

Sidnye,

Great hunt. That Wickus is a buffalo killing machine.

Enjoyed seeing your family at the airport and its nice to see the good results of your safari.

We had a wonderful time.

My wife inquired of Wikus if there were any snakes. Wikus said that he very seldom sees snakes.

Well, we saw snakes most every day.

One day I was snoozing against a tree after lunch when the trackers started yelling and grabbed me.

A green Mamba was slithering up the same tree. We had to take detours around several black mambas while tracking buff.

Saw this 9' python, that Wikus described as a baby.


Every lunch after that Vicki would take a stick and poke the bushes and hit the tree to make sure no snakes.

What a great thing for the whole family. That really had to be a LONG five minutes!
Thanks for the report and excellent photos.

What a great Buff! Congrats and thanks for sharing the adventure. LDK

Now that is cool buffalo!! Your son will never forget that trip!! Thanks for the report and photos.

John

Sidnye,

I'm glad you and your family made it to Tanzania and had a great safari. Your son obviously made the very most of the expereince. If you remember I told you the grass would be tall making for an exciting hunt.

Congrats!

Mark

A wonderful time and what a great safari...Proud son and even prouder Dad...
Welcome home and you know, " you have tasted Africa" and when are you all heading back??

The Best,

Mike

quote:

" you have tasted Africa" and when are you all heading back??

My wife is back in the grind here at home, my son started soccer practice and there are girls and school on his mind.

I'm the only one in the family whose heart is still aching for the Selous. I think heading back may be the only cure.

I'm hopeful that we can repeat this soon but you know kids grow up fast and my son will go on to college in a few short years.

I'm so thankful that we did this trip when we did. There truely is no tommorrow.

Congratulations!

Incredible hunt. I look forward to being able to take my son. It has to feel great!

Hugh

Great report on a great hunt. I also look forward to going with my son. I look at all of my hunts as scouting trips for when we can go together. My son is 7 so I've got much more scouting to do!

JPK

I really appreciate all of you who take your kids hunting with you. That's inspirational to me as my girls are young. I hope they will join me someday.

You must be very proud!

Great to see a family hunting together... a super adventure that will be remembered for the rest of your lives! And congratulations on raising a fine young gentleman, they grow up quickly.