I Just returned Sunday from Tanzania on a Safari booked with Jaco DuPlessis. It almost didn't happen at all. We were certainly misled by Roelene DuPlessis as to the status of the company. I've included a letter here that I sent to the "Hunting Report" which explains what happened. I'll be happy to respond to any questions any one might have.

Upon arriving at Dar Es Salom, my wife and I were met by Richard Brebner (PH
for Jaco DuPlessis Safaris) and Chris Hatty (one of the owners of Zuka
Safaris).

We were immediately informed that our gun permits and hunting licenses etc.
had not been bought and that there was no money in the DuPlessis Acount to
get them. We could go home, stay in Zanzibar or pay $1750.00 to acquire
everything and proceed as planned on the Safari.

Another hunter (Emory Reynolds of Oklahoma City) was also booked in that
slot, but only one PH was available (Richard Brebner) and that we would be
two on one instead of one on one, like we had booked. They promised to get
another PH if they could.

It should be noted that I have hunted with Richard Brebner before. He has
stayed on at Jaco DuPlessis's Selous camp, having not been paid and not
knowing if he will be paid for any hunts this season. We hunted 2 x 1 for
the first four days of our 10 day Safari. They got another Jaco DuPlessis
PH to drive in (2 days) named Rory Guthrie to hunt with Emory. Rory also
knew he may or may not be paid. I have nothing but the highest respect for
these two excellent PH's who are trying to keep hunting under these
conditions.

The hunt itself went quite well with charters, supplies, etc. picked up by
Zuka Safaris (more on this later). Richard did a great job and we got
Buffalo, Zebra, Lichtenktein, Hartebeest and Nyassa Wildebeest. We lost a
great Impala and saw two great Warthogs but could not get in on them.

The camp staff was excellent and the food was outstanding. We were a little
low on a few items like propane for the refrigerator and H2O, but were
restocked when Rory got in on day 4. The vehicles ran well and the camp was
clean and well organized for a tent camp in the Selous.

We had no problems with airline connections and guns. We flew United to
Amsterdam and KLM on down to Dar Es Salom. Even though United and KLM are
not affiliated, we had no problems at all.

I met with Chris Hatty of Zuka Safaris the night I left Tanzania (September
20, 2003). He and Ryan Wienand own most of Zuka Safaris. They have taken
over management and operation of the Masailand Hunting Company's concessions
in Tanzania. As of our meeting, they had a verbal agreement with Roelene
DuPlessis to purchase the company's assets and concessions. If this
happens, future Safaris in these concessions will be marketed by Zuka
Safaris. Chris has indicated that some Safaris booked or donated by Jaco
DuPlessis for the rest of 2003 and 2004 will be honored.

For more information or questions people might have, they should contact
Chris Hatty regarding their hunts:
Phone +255-744-655-078 - email c_hatty@hotmail.com

Zuka went so far with me as to credit me back the $1750.00 I paid for
permits and my prepayment of trophy fees (not taken) toward a future Safari.
I wish Ryan and Chris the very best of luck with this endeavor. From what I
saw they seem to be dedicated to detail and providing excellent Safaris for
their customers. Without them, and our PH and friend, Richard Brebner,
there would be a much greater number of DuPlessis customeras out of luck.

There seems to be questions here regarding Jaco's death or disappearance.
The circumstances and sudden financial status of the Company before and
after his disappearance leaves one wondering about what really happened to
Jaco. There are many rumors and theories and we may never know the truth.

But it does seem that the opportunity exists for the energetic and young
Zuka Safari Company to grow and hunt these great areas of Tanzania and
provide some of Jaco's customers a chance to hunt after all.

Again, my greatest thanks to Richard Brebner and Chris Hatty, whose ethics
and dedication allowed my wife and I, ten wonderful days in the Selous.

And that my friends is what I call the Tanzania tap dance, happens in many different forms and methods....

Apparantly Jaco was booked for 3 or 4 years in advance for the tune of a million in deposits and suddenly he has disapeared, supposedly in the drink, but no plane parts have been located and some folks are very suspecious about Jacos death...It is the talk of Tanzania at this time and I heard several versions from the PH's , Govt. officials and the locals in the know. The money is gone for sure and no one is getting the deposits back....Local gossip or did Jaco go down in the lake, who knows? but as an old investigator I cannot believe a plane crashed and nothing floated!

Well, when I was in RSA and Zim the rumors were flying about a 14 million dollar debt which came to light just before the plane disappeared. Nothing I can confirm but that was what is going around in Africa!

Ray, Ann,

Are these Zim dollars you're talking about? Did he pull a 'van der Muelen'?

George

I heard 15 million rand was the debt.

I was under the impression it was US dollars.

There seemed to be a lot of rumors going around about a lot of PH's. Among them was that Richard Rouget was jailed "somewhere" for training rebels/terrorists!

Ann,

Rouget was arrested by South African police for providing mercenaries to a West African country.

Haven't heard any news since he was arrested.

Regards,

Terry

P.S.

Here is a news story,

Rouget

Hmm, I guess there always is some truth to rumors! Thanks Terry, interesting article.

I wonder if he and David Van Der Muellen are having a 'sundowner' in the UAE?

Anybody but me remember when Zambian Safaris went under in the mid-eighties?

Hunting Report Jaco Safari Status

Bob,

Do you have a link to that report?

George

My outfitter in RSA had a group hunt with him for a week or so this June and then they were off with a videographer to hunt with Jaco DuPlessis's operation. Before leaving they were asked to bring a host of camp supplies including skinning knives since there were none. Not the warm feeling you would like to get the day before you leave. Then there was talk that their concession had not been paid for, but I got this second hand so who knows.

The report in the Hunting report newsletter is the edited version of the letter I sent at the top of this post. Since I've returned I heard that Zuka Safaris did indeed acquire the remains of the Masailand hunting Co. (Jaco's company)and will be trying to continue hunting those consessions Jaco had in the future.