Hunt Type: Plains Game
Hunt Dates: Sept 24th - Oct 8th, 2010
Hunters: Myself & wife Amy, friends Jeff & Karen, Roger, Gary
Safari Co: Progress Safaris
Location: Namibia
PH: Mike Kibble
Gun & Caliber: Dakota 76 330 Dakota, 225gr North Forks

Hello everyone,
We have recently returned from my first safari. To say the least it was a life changing experience.
I booked my first safari with Progress Safari's with PH Mike Kibble www.progress-safaris.com. He has come highly recommended as a PH that not only produces extremely high quality trophies, but also a excellent choice for a first time African hunter. Mike is also one of the few licensed dangerous game PH's in Namibia.
I also had my best friend and wife Amy along as an observer who has never hunted before.

As you can see the progress ranch is a first rate accommodation with all the amenities. The women in the group felt very comfortable.

Sonja, Mike Kibbles wife was an awesome host catering to every need.

As you can see the trophies speak for themselves. I couldn't have asked for a better PH. Mike skillfully and calmly instructed me during the stalks and setups and was just as excited as I was when we were successful.We all became great friends and look forward to more adventures.

I would also like to say thanks to Mike and Sonja for being so gracious and enthusiastic during my first safari experience. It must have been very difficult for them because their 10 year old daughter Kara has a life threatening heart condition that needs to be dealt with in the next few months. The only qualified facilities and doctor in the world are located at Stanford University. They are scrambling to raise the 1 million dollars needed for the operation. Needless to say any and all donations are gladly accepted.

There are many a great story to tell, but here are the pictures for now.

[/img]
Excited to be on our way after years of planning.
[/img]
Our great host Sonja Kibble
[/img]
Progress Ranch
[/img]
Roger enjoying a cigar and sundowner
[/img]
We spent our first 3 days touring Etosha. This turned out to be a great idea. It helped to recover from jet lag, and get our game eyes on.
[/img]
Our Tented room.
[/img]
Dining area
[/img]
Etosha Plains.
[/img]
Etosha Zebra
[/img]
Etosha Zebra

[/img]
Etosha Water Hole


My first African animal a fine Eland.

[/img]
Jeffs Great Eland


A very nice Blue. The first time my wife was with us on a hunt. Mike did a great job making her feel comfortable. It was fantastic to have her there to experience the hunt.

[/img]
Kibble discussing hunting strategies.

[/img]
Jeff and his fine Blue.
[/img]
My Kudu with my wife Amy.
[/img]
My fine Mountain Zebra. The most difficult hunt.
[/img]

[/img]
Kibble and I after a great stalk
[/img]
Here is a typical performance of a.338 cal 225gr North Fork. This came from the Zebra. Kibble really liked the knockdown power of the 330 Dakota.


Needless to say we are already planning the next trip.

One more phote


[/img]
Jeffs Great Eland

Thanks for sharing your great photos.

Looks like a great trip and hunt.

that is an impressive eland

Really nice eland !! Congratulations.
Great pics.
The 330 Dakota is just a perfect chambering for the big PG.
Bob

Beautiful pics, thanks for posting them.

Congrats on your adventure!

Very nice Mike, welcome to the disease!
David

What type of camera did you use to take the picture of the fighting zebra. It's amazing!

Congrats on the hunt, you collected some nice animals.

Thanks for sharing a great hunt & experience. The eland is incredible.

The pics of the zebras fighting were amazing. Looks like a wonderful hunt. Bet your probably already planning the next African hunt.

Thanks everyone for your positive responses. The camera I used was a Canon Rebel with a 250MM lens. We were pretty close to a large herd of Zebra so we got some great shots.

I believe I'd have to mount and frame the picture of the zebra fighting. Just outstanding!!!

Congrats on a successful hunt!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Michaelp59:
Thanks everyone for your positive responses. The camera I used was a Canon Rebel with a 250MM lens. We were pretty close to a large herd of Zebra so we got some great shots.

Nice report.

Did you stay in Etosha? We stayed at Mushara Lodge (outside the East gate), Halali, and Okaukuejo.

No shortage of critters eh?

We stayed at Etosha-village outside the southgate. Great hosts, great food and accommodations. We loved it.
Here is the website.

http://www.etosha-village.com/index.html

Great photos of the Zebra,and the other animals as well..Thanks

Congratulations! Are you already planning safari number two? The zebra picture is outstanding.

Very fine trophies indeed. Congrats.

Congratulations!! Superb animals and the camp looks spectacular!

Below is an email I just received from the Kibbles concerning their daughters condition and fund raising efforts. I have more facts and details in a PDF if you so desire. She is a very very sick girl.
I will be donating a Kimber Super America in 300WSM for their Safari raffle which may occur at the Dallas convention if allowed.
The Kibbles can be reached at progress@mweb.com.na


Dear past clients,

We have sent this mail to you since you have been our guests and we had good times with you. Our daughter Cara, who most of you met when here on safari needs to have surgery in California and our medical aid here only pays for a fraction of these extreme costs, especially coming from a weak currency country. Whoever can contribute….every little bit helps and thank your for your time to read the attached document with all the details. We will also raffle a Namibian safari away including a rifle shortly and take the liberty to e-mail you with those details. Please forward this e-mail to whoever person or institution would be able to help us. We will be in the States in January for the conventions and stay on to have the operation done in early February. Hope to see you then!

Kind regards to all from Namibia,

Sonja and Mike Kibble with Cara and Alec



_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Progress Hunting Safaris/ Progress Farming/ Progress Guestfarm/ Just for Fun Safaris and Functions
P.O. Box 41, Hosea Kutako Airport. Namibia

International code|: +264-
Tel & Fax: -62-560033 (Ranch) -61-231573 (Town Office)
Mobile: -811246924 (Sonja) -811276924 (Mike) -811249100 (Renate) -811229822 (Wolfgang)

www.progress-safaris.com ( Hunting & Safaris )

Namibia Tourism Board Registration Numbers: TPH 00226 / GFA 00004 / TFA 00019

Members of the African Professional Hunters Association, Namibia Professional Hunting Association,
Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, Seeis Conservancy, Windhoek & Seeis Farmer's Association

Great photos..congrats on the hunt!

The North Fork 225gr weighed in at 218gr after taking down the Zebra. I am impressed.

Great Report!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing.

We have finally received our trophy's from Namibia. Above is our Blue Wildebeest. The European Mount plate was created by a 99 year old glass artist named Frank Springer. What is very interesting about Frank is that he is an ex-vise squad leader way back in the "Sin City" days of Portland Oregon. What a great guy and some incredible stories. He loved the project and would love to more. We gave him a cardboard template and went and picked out the glass with him. The type and colors of glass are unlimited. We bonded T-nuts into the skull and fabricated a simple plate for the back. I think that Frank would love to do another if anyone is interested.

Mike outstanding report and great pics.

Mike

Your report reminds me of my excellent trip to Etosha and Namibia last year. Congrats on a wonderful hunt and you should most definitly frame that Zebra photo. It is simply outstanding!

Beautiful job on the photos & report!
The two zebra's fighting was captured perfectly !!
Congrats on a great safari.
Cheers,
John

How does one add five stars to this report?

Congratulations on a great hunt. Thanks for sharing & pictures

O

Congratulations on a great safari!!!

I enjoyed your report and pics...