Unfortunately I don’t have pictures to share as my camera was misplaced/stolen at O.R. Tembo on the way back.

This was my fourth trip to Africa, my first to Zimbabwe and to hunt dangerous game. I had read and re-read the legendary writers Hemingway, Ruark, O’Connor, Capstick and Boddington. Watched numerous DVD’s, worked and hiked to be as physically fit as possible, and became one with my rifles. By the time the plane lifted off on May 31, 2010, I was as ready as possible to hunt in the land of my dreams.

Flying into Victoria Falls was spectacular the mist from the falls were visible from miles away in the air. Landing at Vic Falls, upon clearing customs I expected to meet up with my PH. Instead I was greeted by a host from Russell Caldecott’s Ultimate Lodge who explained my PH had a mechanical breakdown and arranged for me to stay at the lodge until his arrival.

What a great lucky break. The driver took me to the lodge and then we drove over to the falls where the majesty and beauty of Victoria Falls overwhelms the senses. From there we toured the town a bit and back to the lodge. For medicinal purposes only I brought along a good bottle of scotch. As an offer to the hunting gods that evening the bottle came out and Russell, his staff and I became well acquainted and you all can fill in the rest of that story. By about 11:00 or so that evening my PH, Tim Lamprehct had arrived and joined in and no doubt was bemoaning his fate saddled with his newest client.

The next morning we were off to the Sijarira Forest situated along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Kariba. Entering the concession we drove to the scout camp and gathering up two scouts who named themselves Happy and Sling. From the scout camp we headed off to check the zero on my 416 Remington Magnum and 30-06. Both rifles were built for me by Neal Bauder and are excellent examples of the gun maker’s craft.

Tim Lamprehct, is a great guy, knowledgeable, entertaining, but is secretly one of my former drill sergeants that must have been reincarnated. Like a good sergeant Tim knows how to lead, instruct, organize and has command presence. Every time I either stepped on a twig blowing a stalk or missing a shot, Drill Sergeant Lamprehct gave me a look whereby I had to stifle a Pavlovian urge to drop down and give him 20 of my best pushups.

Camp is the very well maintained Sijarira hunting /fishing lodge that is located on the shore of Lake Kariba that became my home for the next 14 days. Martin, the major domo saw to my every need. My chalet was clean, neat, with en-suite toilet. Food prepared by head cook Amos was superb, and dining in the open air lodge help to make the entire setting fantastic.

The first morning found us driving the area trails looking for tracks. The overall terrain varied from level to moderately steep slopes, punctuated by rock outcrops, and gullies. Vegetation is a primarily Mopane forest and brush. This past season vegetation was thick due to late rains consequently visibility was severely reduced. Rolling rock, limbs and twigs made it difficult to maintain noise discipline from time to time.

As we hung leopard bait at likely locations we always keep an eye out for buffalo and elephant tracks. When a likely track was spotted we off-loaded and set out. Observing our trackers, Tapisio and Lemore, was one of the many highlights of the hunt and were superb at divining the likely direction and location of game.

The daily routine settled in. Wakeup was about 4:30 AM, followed shortly by some coffee/tea and breakfast. As soon as breakfast was over we loaded onto the truck and were off. We did not have to drive long to come across tracks that warranted a follow-up. Grabbing the rifle and pack we were off. Most days we would cover 15 to 20 miles on foot, getting back to the truck about dark. Stalking up on buff and ele is tremendously exciting. A bit of adrenaline, anticipation and nervousness along with two trackers, one PH and two game scouts mixed with swirling wind and dense vegetation made for a tremendous challenge to get in position. Try as we might we could never seal the deal on Cape Buff. We worked so hard, unfortunately on the one our stalk that was coming together I blew it by stepping on a twig---they were off and gone. The look Tim gave me (drop down and give me 20) was quickly replaced with “We will wait a bit, let them settle down and we will try again.”

Ele’s were present throughout the hunt we often saw small groups of cow elephant that were quite cheeky. They were quick to trumpet and charge. One matriarch required a warning shot to change her mind!

On day 7, we came upon a large ele track that Tim said we must get onto. Shortly we came to a dung pile that a quick finger check indicated was hot. It was the one day there was no wind and a short 30 minutes later we found him standing in a clearing. ( I must digress here and tell you I had watched Boddington on Elephant, and Buzz Charton’s DVD on Hunting the African Elephant, consequently from watching these DVD’s I developed enormous respect for these wonderful creatures and wanted to hunt them honorably and be able to take them with a merciful shot through the brain). Before beginning the final stalk, Tim asked do you want to take him. His ivory is about 35 lbs about average for the area. I decided to take him and working to about 20 paces took the frontal brain shot. The 400 grain A-square solid did its job. Walking up to him I was feeling the mixed emotions of a hunter, greatly humbled at taking such a magnificent creature.

After taking the requisite photographs I sat back and watched the crew clear a path about a kilometer long from the road to the ele. Watching the crew skin and dress the ele was a wonder. Ultimately several tons of meat was delivered to the local communal area.

We kept working the leopard baits, two of the baits had been hit by females but no Toms. Buff kept eluding us as the hunt wound down to the last three days it was time to go after hippo. Hippo and croc are abundant in bays of Lake Kariba. One does not dangle fingers and toes in these waters!!

One would think potting a hippo in the water from the shore would be a simple task. Not true. That bobbing head and timing are a bit trickier than it looks in the movies. Thus, my first shot was a miss. (Damn those looks from Tim, but my arm and shoulder strength is really good now from doing those pushups)

Getting back into the boat and motoring over to scout an adjacent bay we spied two other hippo pods, one with a likely bull. Again, setting out and stalking to a point where a shot could be taken we waited. As the hippos kept bobbing up for air, “Tim whispered what are you waiting for?” “You”, I replied, “don’t wait on me, when he’s up again, shoot!” As he came up, I got my sight picture and fired. The shot was good, and down he sank. “Well he should come up in about an hour and we can tow him to shore” Tim said. One hour, two hours no hippo, by then it was getting late in the afternoon and decided to head back to camp and come back in the morning. Thus, on the 14th morning of the hunt we found my hippo floating in the backwaters of the bay and surrounded by six crocs. Firing a couple of shots in the water to discourage the crocs the guys tied a line around the hippo and we towed Mr. Hippo to camp. More protein was distributed to the locals. The rest of the day was spent fishing Lake Kariba for Tim’s real passion, Tiger Fish.

Hunting the Sijarira Forest is real Africa and real hunting. There are no fences in the Sij, the dense forest provides cover and food for an abundance of elephant, buffalo, leopard, zebra, kudu, impala and other game. It is truly a place for those who desire challenging hunts.

If you wish to hunt with my new best friend Tim Lamprehct, you could not do better. Tim hunts with Jimba Safaris out of Bulawayo. Book your hunt as I did through Mark Young with Adam Clements Safari Trackers. Have Annelise at Custom Travel (annelise@customtrav.agencymail.com 877-401-7557) book your airline reservations. Overnight at the renowned Afton House in Joburg, and then travel onward to Victoria Falls. I would also recommend taking a few extra days and hang out at the Ultimate Lodge and go Tiger Fishing with Russell.

SIDEBAR

I am a rifle nut. On this hunt I took two, safari grade, custom built rifles that my good friend Neal Bauder (http://www.nealbaudercustomgunmaker.com) had built. My 416 Remington Magnum has a Sako AV action, Krieger Barrel, on an English walnut stock and my 30-06, is on a Winchester Model 70 action, Krieger Barrel, on a Bastogne walnut stock. Both have palm swells, hand checkered at 27 lines per inch. The 416 Rem Mag shoots 400 grain Swift A-Frames powered with 72.1 grains of Varget quite well, along with 400 grain A-square factory solids. I load the 30-06 with 165 grain Swift A-Frames powered by 53.90 grains of IMR-4350. Both rifles are not only beautiful, but functional, reliable and accurate.

SIDEBAR

The Sijarira is situated in Northwest Zimbabwe and is about a 4 hour drive from Victoria Falls. The Sijarira Forest Land is located within the Chizarira Protection Area along the southwestern shores of Lake Kariba and is bounded on the west by the Chete Safari Area. The climate is hot and dry and rainfall is typically about 600 mm annually. Vegetation is primarily Mopane woodlands, with the occasional Acacia and Baobob tree. Although I did not go for crocodile on this hunt, they are quite abundant with some real monsters about. Something else to go back for.

It sounds great Tim, I'm sorry that you don't have any pictures to share. Another reason to go back I guess.

Great report. Sorry about your camera being stolen. Does your PH have any pics that he can email to you? Again, congratulations!

I spent some time in Sijarira in September and had a great time. September 2010 Safari

Congrats on getting an ele and hippo. Sorry about your pictures. I carry a pocket camera that is always with me during a hunting trip--in my shirt pocket from house to hunt, and back to house. Sometimes I take the card out and put it with my meds, or wherever is safest.

I hate that about the camera. Thieving bastards.

I certainly learned the hard lesson about cameras on the trip. Thank you all for your kind comments. I can't wait to get back to Africa

Sucks on the camera but sounds like you had a great trip.
I have a good friend that had his camera bag taken at JNB. It happens quick. He had it on the luggage cart and bent down to pick something up that he had dropped. When he stood back up the bag was gone. I was standing next to him and didn’t even see it happen. I always try to download my photos to my PH’s computer before I leave. That way if something happens they have a copy.

Good advice about downloading your pics to your PH's computer. I too, had two of my cameras stolen; a brand new Sony digital SLR with battery and 4 gig memory stick (never used) and a brand new video camera that had footage of our hunt and the delivery of school supplies to five different rural primary schools in Zimbabwe. Fortunately, a majority of our safari photos were on the two small pocket cameras that we were carrying on our person.

Tim,

Really a shame about the camera. We have not received any pix from Tim but if we do I'll get some to you.

I'm glad the safari turned out as it did and I think you had a great hunt as well a got a good deal.

It was a pleasure to assist you with this safari and I look forward to helping you in the future.

Mark

Thank you for the story. Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

Tim

Shame about the camera. Thanks for the report. Is this Tim Lamprecht the same one on lack Brittingham's Aftican hunt video?

Sorry about the camera. Tambo is a den of thieves.

I second the tiger fishing recommendation.