We made it!!! The Delta flight from Atlanta to
Joburg went smoothly. Spent the night at Afton's Guesthouse and met Ozhunter and DoubleDon.

When we arrived at Maun, we took the helicopter option to access camp. The Delta is incredible.
I would strongly suggest anyone coming to the Delta to take the helicopter into camp.

We are in the Ivory camp and it is set right on the banks of the Delta. The camp is really beautiful in a truly wild area. Cobus Calitz is the PH.

Spent the afternoon in the boat, looking over some elephant bulls. Saw some very big kudu. The place has an unreal amount of game.


Johan has loaned his 470 Nitro Express Double rifle for Rick to use. He is really excited about hunting an elephant with this rifle.


September 1 will be the first day of hunting.

Good luck. I would love to visit the Okavango one day.

I was fortunate enough to stay at Ivory Camp as well, Marc Watts and I traded camps, he went to NG41 for Jumbo after we were done there and I went to Ivory for Lechwe and Tsessebe.

It was the most beautiful place I'd ever been.

Steve

Glad to hear you made it Kathi. Look forward to hearing of your successes!

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Good luck. I would love to visit the Okavango one day.

X2

Rick & Kathi,

Glad you had a good trip over the pond. I bet that helicopter ride will be one of the best highlights of the trip. Well besides Rick getting a massive bull ele..hope you are having a video made of this great hunt.
Mike & Linda

Good luck and have fun.
Wesley

Kathi,

I was in Ivory Camp a few years back. Gorgeous location. A pack of wild dogs chased an impala into camp in the middle of the day. We think she escaped but you never know. As wild as any place I've ever been.

Mark

I'm excited for you Kathi, sounds like a fabulous safari!

quote:

We made it!!! The Delta flight from Atlanta to
Joburg went smoothly.

I would hope so. What would you do otherwise, scream at your travel agent!!!!!

If you see Double Don again, tell him it's not too late...I can still express ship him a good bolt rifle!!!

jealous here, Kathi, You and yours are going to have a superb time. Enjoy all of it, and I look forward to the report and the pics.

Oh man! Jealous here as well. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. I hope you get some BIG ones.

After a solid 10 years in the adjacent NG30 concession, I know what you mean about unreal....have a good one Kathi
Martin

Sounds like a dream hunt to me. Good Luck!

465H&H

Best of luck, be safe, savor the experience.

Have a great hunt Kathi, the Delta is amazing.

Will look forward to the next report!

Good luck Kathi, keep us posted...

Have a great time Kathi...pics please

This is completely different than any other African hunting we have done. We leave in the morning by boat and return at dusk. You glass the islands from the boat or "island hop" walking the larger islands looking for bulls.
You are almost constantly wet as the boat cannot make it all the way to shore and the islands have quite a few swampy areas.

Yesterday 18 bulls were seen. A one tusker sixty pounder and a really nice 55 that was sleeping under a tree. He never woke up and was left like he was found still asleep.

Today was 21 bulls, one tracker guessed 60, one guessed 58, Cobus guessed high 50's and Rick said he doesn't know his ass from a rake when it comes to an elephant so he won't even guess.

The ivory is snow white on these elephants. Cobus says it is because they are constantly in the water going from island to island. When the sun hits the tusks they look huge to me.

More tomorrow.

Sounds like an absolutely great adventure!Thanks for the report.Please update us as often as you can.Remember ,that 70 lb bull may be just around the bend.

Note to self...Don't ask Rick to rake the lawn.

Kathi-glad to hear you are enjoying the trip. I could hear the excitement in your voice when we spoke last month.

Perry

Kathi;

Can't wait to hear more.... tell Johann "Hello from the Nelsons". I know you are having a great time!!!!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Today a great bull was seen. He was estimated to be 46 inches from lip to tip, but small in circumference. He was estimated to be in the low 60's. After watching him for over 30 minutes and photographing him everyone walked away.

Christo and Anelia are the camp managers and do a fantastic job. Last night we had the telapia
we caught for dinner and they were great.

There has been no signs of any poaching probably due to the abundance of fish in the Delta.Fishing is really good here.

"(yawn) Just four feet sticking out (sigh) only weighs in the low 60's (yawn). Ho hum."

Sounds like hella good fun to me. Cant wait for a 75 pounder to hit the ground (or water).

Thanks for the updates Kathi.. it is fun to follow along on your hunting adventure!
Linda

Had a friend do the same hunt a few years ago with Johan... Once again I am full of envy!

What a fantastic experience this must be. Good luck on finding the bull you seek.

Some nice bulls were seen today but nothing over the magic mark.

Rick almost got a big red lechwe but he disappeared in the reeds.

The Botswana elephants are huge in body size.

We watched and videotaped a mid 60's bull today, which is the best we have seen so far. He was with another smaller bull and we spent almost 30 minutes viewing them.

I once again beat the guys fishing!!!!!

Kathi,

The updates are great, keep it up.

Thanks,
Kyler

Great updates so far, now we just need some pictures.

I am thoroughly enjoying this adventure told as it unfolds as some of us, myself included, are living the hunt vicariously through your reports.

Thanks for sharing.

Good luck to the ele hunter.

Mike

We spoted four bulls on an island. One of them looked huge so we beached the boat and they began the stalk while I had a great vantage point to video.

After they worked their way to the big bull they left without shooting after about 10 minutes.

When they returned Rick said when they got to the big bull he was going to shoot it. Cobus said he could not be sure it was over 70. Rick said he would not hold him to 70 pounds and if it was under 70 it was no problem. Cobus wanted to have another look at the bull and when he came back he told Rick we could do better. So they left him.

Rick is extremely impressed with PH Cobus.

Saw numerous bulls today but not the one. Maybe tomorrow will be the day.

Fishing was great.

Do I read correctly that you've hunted seven days?

How many are left to go?

I'm with Will, aka Factory Ammo Shooter, how many more? Good luck!

Still waiting with baited breath. It sounds like a dream trip. I am enjoying every word, please continue....