Does anyone have any experiences with either of these?

Thanks

John X is runned by Rick van Zyl and operates in the Eastern Cape and Karoo. He has an excelent setup and lots of concession areas.
Make yourself ready for lots of traveling but its worthwile.
I hunted for Rick for a couple of years and hadnt any complains
Enjoy

Anton- Does your pal stock animals right before the client arrives as you indicated was a very common practice in RSA?

I hunted plains game with John X in the Port Elizabeth area back in 1999. The food accomodations were first rate and the hunting was very good. Rick aparently has alot of different properties lined up so expect to do some traveling between the different ranches. All in all a good hunt.

Depending on the time of year, there may be quite a few other hunters in camp with you.

Please dont generalise now.
I you stick to welknown outfitters like John X etc. you can be sure on a good and fair hunt. Not all outfitters are makes use of the technique i described.

My dad, brother and I hunted with John X in August 1999. The Sidbury camp was excellent. Traveling up into the karoo to the Meriam camp was a long drive. The variety of animals were many, we took 27 different animals, 13 different species, several Gold Medal SCI quality.

When I hunted there, he used Derek Robinson for the dip and pack, and I really didn't like his services. I think their taxidermy work comes first and the other items (pack & ship)sit until free time allows. Our stuff never arrived stateside until end of June 2000, 10 months later. By comparison, I hunted with a different outfit in May 2002 and received my hides and horns stateside end of August. Something to consider and ask about.

Overall, I would recommend them.

Africa03
I hunted at Port Elizabeth with John X in 2002. I booked the hunt with Dave Harwood out of Tennessee. Gary Phillips was my Ph and is as fine a person as you would want to meet. I took 10 animals and had a great time on the hunt. If you hunt there be sure to take plenty of tick repelant and dope up good. All three of us had tick fever either over there or when we returned.
Dave Harwood assured us that 50 inch Kudu and 40 inch Gemsbok were abundant but we didn't find that to be the case. We all did finally take 47-48inch Kudu and 36-37inch Gemsbok. The food and accomodations were first rate and everyone seemed nice. Rick has a dry sense of humor that comes off as sarcastic at times but all in all a good hunt.

If you're looking for a good hunting venue at a fair price (with no added percentage for American accents etc) I can offer you a variety of great options.

If you (or anyone else) would like to receive a brochure with prices and references etc all you have to do is e-mail me with your postal address and I'd be delighted to get one to you.

Cheers

S

I hunted Zulu Nyala in 1992 for Nyala with Bow & arrow. I got a very nice bull. They have the largest Nyala herd in the world, I have heard and yes they have plenty to choose from. I am glad I used the bow, a rifle would be too easy. I remember when I was there at a water hole, I came to full draw on a huge rino at about 20 yards and asked, "shall I take him" and Nick Van Jones said, "No too small", I said "He's too small?" and Nick said "No your pocket book". He was right I did not have the $23K. He knew I was joking. They have many excellent animals to choose from. I just think that it would be too easy using a rifle. At that time they were not familiar with bowhunting, I may have been the first. I wanted to take a zebra, but could not get closer than 60 yards. It was a spot and stalk or sit on the ground on a water hole, with no blind at that time. I would like to go back and bowhunt with a tree-stand. Everything was good or excellent (equipment, trophy's, guides, food). They were putting in a pool an a new lodge when I was there. A great place to bowhunt!