Outfitter: Harloo Safaris, Edmond Rouillard

Location: Kwa-Zulu Natal, R.S.A.

Date: July 11-23, 2012

PH: Brian Suddaby

Hunters: Randy & Jack Halligan

On July 4th Cookie (my wife), Jack (12 year old son) and I depart Reno for our vacation/hunt in Africa. While this is my third trip to Africa it is my wife's and son's first and I wanted to make it special and memorable for both. Our route took us from Reno-Denver-Dulles and finally Johannesburg with no problems. We overnighted at Tehillah Guest House, which is right around the corner from the Afton House. I've stayed here all three trips and always have a good relaxing time and great meals.

July 6th we flew to Victoria Falls where we would be playing tourists and relaxing for four days. We had gone through Boo at Victoria Falls Guide for all of our transportations, accomodations and activities while in Zimbabwe. I need to tell you that she did a great job, everything was perfect and not one problem. If any of you are looking at visiting the Victoria Falls area, I encourage you to check out their website, it is packed with information. I had heard that the Victoria Falls Airport was outdated but being my first time there, I thought that I had gone back in time. Anyway, we got through immigration and got our bags without difficulty.

When we went out to the lobby, we found our driver who took us to the Main Camp at Hwange National Park. At the Main camp we transfered to a four-wheel drive that took us to The Hide where we spent two nights. The Hide is a luxury tent camp that sees to all your needs. The hot water bottles in your bed are very much appreciated for those cold July nights. On the way to the camp we sat in the back on the high seat and were able to observe numerous animals to include: elephants, giraffe, baboons, impala, baboons, kudu, wildebeast, zebra, waterbuck, sable and one crocodile. I think it was as much fun watching Cookie and Jack as it was watching the animals. During our time at The Hide, we went on four game drives per day, ate wonderful meals and generally relaxed. On one of the night drives, we saw four lioness with seven cubs and a porcupine. Later that night, we were awoken by a lion roaring close to the tent. He continued for nearly two hours before finally leaving the area.







On the 8th, we left The Hide and was driven to Victoria falls where we stayed at the Ilala Lodge in a great suite on the second floor. From our balcony, we could hear and view the mists rising from the falls. After settling in, we went and toured the falls. They truly are a "Wonder of the World". I believe that viewing them in July is the best time of the year to see them. That night we went to the dinner show, "The Boma" at the Safari Lodge. The food was very good and entertainment even better and we had the best table in the house! Don't know if Boo had anything to do with that or we were just lucky! The next morning we went to the gorge where jack and I had a tandem zip line ride over the Zambezi River, what fun! After that, we walked the town buying up curios and souvenirs. That night we had a very relaxing Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi, a.k.a the "Booze Cruise". The following morning, we went on The Flight of Angels helicopter ride over the falls, what a beautiful view of the falls.









After all this, it is time to leave Victoria Falls and fly to Johannesburg and on to Durban where we are met by our Professional Hunter, Brian Suddaby. From Durban, it was about a three hour drive to Harloo Safaris, located just below Swaziland near Pongola. By the time we arrived it was already 11pm, so after a bite to eat and settling into our chalet it was time to hit the hay. Normal wakeup time was 6am but we decided to sleep in the next morning. At 8am the next morning, we hear the Zulu drum calling us to breakfast where we met Johan-Drey, Edmond's nephew who was to video tape five days of our hunt. After breakfast, we met our trackers/drivers Eric and Happy Boy. We load up and head to the range where Jack and I get to shoot our borrowed rifles. I'm shooting a .375 H&H that rifle that Brian built on a Mauser action and Sauer barrel. Jack is shooting a .243 Sauer. So we both take two shots to make sure the rifles are on and to hopefully give Brian some confidence in our firearm handling ability. I'm sure Jack accomplished this as he outshot me with two holes in the bullseye. Now it's time to drive around the area to check it and some animals out. I must say that I was quite suprised at how big their hills are and how thick some of the brush was. When they told me the area was rolling hills I wasn't expecting what would be classified as mountains in many areas. Later that day Jack went on the first of many failed Impala stalks. Sometimes, the wind would swirl, other times they would see us and twice - other animals such as Reedbuck or Giraff would ruin the stalk. One time just as he was getting on the sticks the three rams ran off to answer the challenge call of other rams in the area.



On the second day, we got into what would be our normal routine; wakeup to the Zulu drums at 6am, breakfast and out at 6:45am, back to camp and a nap around noon, then back out at 3pm until dark. In the morning of the second day Jack tried to stalk some warthogs but they gave us the slip. Then he stalked some impala but they are too small. Then I got to hunt my buffalo, see my earlier post, "One tough Buffalo". That afternoon we saw numerous impala and nyala but no shots were taken.

Day 3 - Tried stalking Zebra for Jack but they gave us the slip. I was planning to sit in a blind this evening for bushpig but the wind was wrong so we called it off. Note: Brian had put five baits out three days before our arrival and two were being hit consistantly and a trail camera on one.

On the fourth day after a couple more failed impala stalks it finally came together. As we were driving along we observe a herd not far off the road. A couple hundred yards down the road we jump off the still moving vehicle and walk back towards the herd. A proper ram is spotted and Jack sets up on it, using a tree to help keep the rifle steady. The ram drops on the spot at the shot. At this time, Brian decides to have some fun with Jack - telling him that his ram ran off and that they need to stalk him again! So they start sneaking up the hill until Jack finally sees his trophy laying on the ground. Congratulations.... all the way around and photos. I must tell you that I was very proud of Jack! This was his first big game animal and his shot was so perfect that the ram died instantly, not bleeding enough to properly initiate Jack into the African Hunters fraternity. Once again, the wind was bad at the blind for bushpig hunting.



The fifth day was pretty slow with Jack sitting in a blind hoping for a crack at a Warthog or Zebra but it wasn't to be. Once again, the wind was wrong for the bushpig! This was getting a little frustrating but it's better to be patient and have the correct setup than to scare them off. On the sixth day, we had a couple of hikes looking for a Zebra for Jack but they always gave us the slip. That evening, we sat at a different bushpig bait site but nothing came during our time there.

On the 7th day, we drove to a concession in the highveld, near Winterton and the Drakenburg Mountains. We stayed at the Rose Cottage B&B which is very nice with great meals and had a wood stove for those cold nights, and yes, heavy frost in the mornings! That afternoon, using a .308, Jack shot a great 17" Blesbuck with another perfect shot at 120 yards!! This time, Brian was able to paint Jack's face with some of the blood, making Jack very happy! He likes to brag about his "One Shot, One Kill" record so I won't mention the two shots he missed at an earlier Blesbuck.





The next morning, Day 8 we were back out to the concession to look for an Eland for me. Early in the day, we found a herd half-a-mile away up a little hill. Seeing two potential bulls, we made a plan to drive around them to get on top of the hill. From there, we hiked over the hill and started our stalk down through the six foot grass and around a dazzle of Zebras until we were able to peek over a knoll at the Eland grazing below us about 80 yards away. Luck was with us - as the two bulls we wanted to get a closer look at were in the open where most of the herd was in the brush. One bull was very long, about 42" but very narrow. The other was an older mature bull, heavy but not as long. This is an easy decision, as I tell Brian I'm taking the older, shorter bull. One shot from the .375, the herd takes off but my bull separates and falls after only 30 yards, the bullet taking out the top of his heart. The rest of the day, we try to find a zebra for jack but the landowner said we could only shoot out of a bachelor group and none was to be found.



The next morning we drove back to Harloo, stopping at Brian's dads' Bed & Breakfast in Lady Smith. That afternoon, we did a little hunting with Jack taking his second and final monkey of the trip! That evening Edmond, his wife Jackie and their two sons joined us for dinner. Afterwards, they surprised me with a congratulatory ceremony, complete with champagne and toast for me taking my buffalo earlier in the hunt!!

Day 10 - I'm still looking for an Nyala, Bushbuck and Bushpig to hunt while Jack still wants a Warthog but not so sure about a Zebra anymore. Hunting was real slow this day as no animals worthy of a stalk were seen. In the evening Brian and I went back to the bushpig bait site and sat in a temporary blind that we put together earlier in the day. Only 45 minutes after dark, two bushpig came in and started feeding at the bait site only 25 yards away. I was able to take my shot, a painful experience, as I had been bitten by a scope for the first time (but not last) in my life! The .308 rifle (same that my son used with the Blesbuck) was fitted with a night vision scope and I had my eye screwed right up to it when I fired, cutting my nose. The good news was that the pig dropped on the spot with a shot to the neck.



The following day, we drove to another concession on the other side of Pongola. At this area, I was looking for a Nyala and Bushbuck while Jack would be looking for a Warthog. We found a good Nyala and after a short stalk, I got on the sticks and took a shot with the .375 as the bull starts to walk away. I hit the bull but could tell from it's reaction that it wasn't a good hit. We start following in the direction the bull headed and spot him standing in some heavy brush only 60 yards from where I first shot him. One shot to the neck and he drops where he stands. Inspecting the Nyala, we see that my first shot hit him way back in the hip but the bullet hole is oblong. A review of the video tape shows the bullet hitting a good sized branch that I had seen before the shot but thought I could sneak the shot in. Lesson learned, I was lucky this time but won't try it again.



Later that day, we drove to a river that was known to have some bushbuck in the area. After a picnic lunch, we start looking for bushbuck, seeing several but no trophies. We finally see a good ram across the river. I get set up on it, waiting for Brian to get the video camera ready. By the time the camera is set up, the ram is into the heavy brush and hidden from us. After a while, Brian spots 1/2 of one horn in a hole in the brush. We wait for more than two hours for him to get up and come out into the open. He finally gets up but disappears. Brian finally spots him still in the heavy brush. Brian thinks I may be able to get a shot but we have two problems, I can't see him and the sun is starting to set. Brian says we have one option and that is to go directly at the ram. We get into the river and Brian points at the Bushbuck but I still can't see it! We walk into the middle of the river and the same thing. We move further towards the ram and again, Brian asks me if I can see him. I say, "yes" to which Brian replies, "well, shoot him!" Needing no further coaching, I take the shot, dropping the bushbuck and almost doing the same to myself. Yes, I had been bitten by the scope again!! Lucky for me, this my last animal to hunt as I don't know if my face could take anymore of this! Once again, the animal was worth the punishment! The bushbuck was a very old battle-scarred ram that I'm very happy with.



We took the following day off from hunting and played tourist again. It was an enjoyable, relaxing day and it was good for my wife who was being very patient but getting tired of the hunting. We visited a Zulu cultural village called DumaZulu then went to the Ilala Weavers for some lunch and shopping. On the way back, we stopped by Ubombo Taxidermy in Hluhluwe. I'm having them do my dip and pack and a couple of skull mounts for me. Their prices are very good compared to Zululand Taxidermy which we visited on a later date. I believe Zululand does a better job on actual taxidermy work but Ubombo's skull mounts were fine.



The last two mornings were very slow with Jack & Brian sitting in a blind waiting for a warthog. Jack shot a few birds with an air rifle and a small management warthog. The last evening we took Brian, his lovely wife Miranda and their two wonderful children Bianca and Dillon to dinner at the Mkuze Country Club. We all had a great time and all the kids got to play togather on the cricket field. As a note to all you, Brian said this is the first time anyone had invited his family to join them when going out to eat. I think this is the proper thing to do if possible as the PH's families really don't get to see alot of their husbands and dads during the hunting season.



The following morning we left Harloo, driving back to Durban and flew home via Jo'Berg, Dulles and Denver. Once again, no problems but I sure dislike that plane ride! All in all, this was a wonderful and successful trip for our family. I was so proud of the way Jack handled his rifle the entire time, always following the rules of safety. He was our unofficial photographer and did a great job. I was able to collect all my targeted animals, Jack never found his warthog or zebra. Don't feel too sorry for him as we are planning a 2014 trip to Otjandaue in Namibia where I took a beautiful leopard last year. I highly recommend Brian as a PH and friend. He was so good to my entire family showing boundless patience in all aspects; hunting, shopping and asking 1000 questions (think he knew every answer). Brian took extra time and care in setting the animals up for the trophy photos. I would hunt with Brian anytime and anywhere again! The area of Harloo Safaris is quite beautiful, I would love to see it in the spring. The accommodations, food, equipment and staff were all very good. The food, prepared by our cook, June was so good that Jack even ate his vegetables. Both Edmond and Brian worked very hard to make our trip enjoyable and successful! Thanks for reading.

Excellent!

Good stuff

Congrats on a great hunt; you should be proud of your boy too!

Nice report and pictures. Thanks for posting.

Happy, happy, happy!

Randy, you've built memories for your family that they will always treasure. Fantastic report!

Congratulations on the wonderful hunt. I met Edmund at SCI a few years ago and, unfortunately, I haven't been able to book with him.....yet. But after seeing your eland, bushbuck and nyala.....

congratulations on a great hunt . Living in Carson City you do not have far to drive to the SCI convention

Randy:
Thanks for the links, enjoyed the read and pictures. Shall go to the others now.
Please let me know when Tex gets that CD of Jack's sent to you.
George

Great report. Thanks for sharing

Sounds like a good adventure. Congrats.

quote:

Originally posted by samir:
Great report. Thanks for sharing

+1

great safari congratulations .

Congrats to you and your family. Enjoyed your post and pics.

Memories you will never forget. Well done. Congrats!!!!