Outfitter: Pelandaba Safaris, Aubrey Kent
Location: Sengwe 1 Hunting Area, Southeast, Zimbabwe (near RSA, Zim, Moz borders)
Dates: Oct 26-Nov 2, 2010
PH-Ishumael Tshabalala; Trackers-Bob, Rebson, Machissa
Game Hunted: Buffalo, Bush Buck, Water Buck, Hyena
Game Seen: Elephant, genet, African Wild Cat, leopard, lion, hyena, waterbuck doe, bushbuck doe, nyala, kudu, eland, impala
Game Harvested: Buffalo, Impala (for the pot)
Rifle/Ammo: Winchester M70, .375 H&H, Federal TSX and Barnes Banded Solids

This hunt was taken at the last moment when Aubrey Kent of Pelandaba Safaris posted a “remaining quota on buffalo” hunt on AR at a price I couldn’t refuse. I certainly hadn’t planned on hunting buff this year or next, but when a mutual friend suggested taking a look at the offer, I had to snap it up. I’m glad I did.

I took care of all travel arrangements as usual and had no issues what so ever. No issues checking my rifle at LAX and no issues at ATL. All flights went off on time and I arrive in JNB nearly an hour early. Upon entering the general meeting area at O.R Tambo I scanned the crowd for a sign with my name on it and, not seeing one, continued around the corner to the new SAPS room. Just as I was entering it, Aubrey burst thru the door (he being a 6’5” former rugby player, that’s the way they come through doors) and yelled “DAVE!”. There were 2 other rifles on the bench which were processed through by the time mine came. I showed them it was unloaded, they checked the S/N, I signed my name, and off we went with permit in-hand. Total elapsed time in SAPS less than 15 minutes.

We drove to Aubrey’s father-in-law’s farm a couple of hours north of Joburg where we downed a couple of Wimpy’s double cheeseburgers, and hit the sack. The next morning, after a slight side trip, we were off to Zim. Yes, we drove and I didn’t mind a bit. It’s not only a good way to get to know who you’re going to be spending the next 10 days with, but I love seeing the countryside and the towns. We stopped in Messina to pick up produce and eggs, some propane, and to get a flat spare repaired. Then we were off to the RSA border with Zimbabwe at Beitbridge. RSA immigration wasn’t too bad, maybe 20-30 minutes

The Zim border at Beitbridge has to be experienced. It may not be Africa at its most “African”, but compared to South Africa, Beitbridge is like going back in time to the 1950’s (or ‘60’s at best) - the smells, the heat, the beaurocracy, the carbon paper, the run-down everything . After going to 3 different windows for immigration we crossed the street to get “3rd party auto insurance”, and we were off. Total elapsed time- about 60-75 minutes. The remaining 3-1/2 hr drive to camp was fairly uneventful, with the exception of the weather taking a significant turn to the cooler and cloudier during the last hour before getting to camp.

The camp was great and Aubrey is still improving it. For details, go to: http://www.pelandabasafaris.co...ex_files/Page494.htm

Those of you who have hunted buffalo know how challenging it can be – this was one of those kinds of hunts. We would leave camp some mornings at 3:30AM trying to ambush the buff on their way back across the Limpopo River into Krueger National Park without success (It was getting light enough to hunt by 4:30AM). We tracked them through acacias and cat-claw thorns leaving a trail of flesh behind only to have them break 15 feet away from us before we knew they were there. We would just watch forlornly as the brush parted and small trees fell as they ran away. We’d track them through the bush for hours only to confront elephant after elephant after elephant without getting a glimpse. We hunted them in the sun and heat (although only one day above 90°F). We hunted them in the wind and rain (we’re having fun now, huh?). Then, on the 5th day we picked up the spoor of 3 bulls who had been at a water hole that morning. So, off we went (again). The track was very fresh and we hoped to be able to jump them in an hour or so. After tracking them for about 30 minutes we saw a fever tree where one of the bulls had vented a little frustration. And, just past that, we started to come to the edge of a clearing – a chest-high plain of grass about a mile and a half across. Ishumael started to climb an ant hill to canvas the clearing before we entered it, and just as he was about to put his last step on top of the ant hill, he fell flat and scuttled back down the back side of it and I knew we were on them.

As I scanned the top of the grass ahead of us I could see two large black backs about 25-30 yards ahead of us. As I got into position on the sticks, one of the bulls took two quick steps to the left out of the grass exposing all but his hind quarters. Ishumael whispered “That one” and I pulled the trigger. He fell like a one-ton sack of potatoes and started to bellow– which, I have to admit, dismayed me. I certainly hadn’t expected that! As the bull fell Aubrey fired his .458 WinMag providing an (unneeded) anchoring shot, but we had agreed beforehand that that would be our plan. We each put one more insurance shot into him.



He measured just at 42”, my personal best. We didn’t score him but you can see by the deep curls and massive boss, he’s a beauty, I don’t mind saying.



The next 2 days we continued our hunt for the elusive waterbuck and bushbuck and hyena without success despite having put out 2 donkeys trying to lure the hyena in. But, as far as I’m concerned, the hunt was successful. I could not have been more pleased the way things turned out. One thing I especially liked about hunting in Zim versus hunting in the Selous – in the Selous I swear EVERYTHING is up hill. In Zim, the walking wasn’t so bad

Let me be the first to say that is a stellar bull. Congrats, well done, and welcome home.

Impressive Boss on that bull!
Congratulations

quote:

One thing I especially liked about hunting in Zim versus hunting in the Selous – in the Selous I swear EVERYTHING is up hill. In Zim, the walking wasn’t so bad

Hi Dave aka "pole axe Dave" well im glad i have this in writing on a public forum after the death march in the river but that is a cracker of a buff and im glad we gave up on old "dolphin" after the second day

Well done!

Congratulation to a really Great Buffalo.

I know that is a campfire area. Did you run across villagers while hunting? Outstanding Bull by the way.

Outstanding buff!

Terrific bull, amazing drop. Congratulations.

What a great hunt! The drive to Zim sounds like a great adventure by itself. Top that off with an excellent buffalo taken one-shot with a Model 70 .375 and my envy factor just went up several clicks. I hope I can do as well with my Model 70 .375 next year.
Congratulations.

Bwana,

Great buffalo!

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by BigBoreCore:
I know that is a campfire area. Did you run across villagers while hunting? Outstanding Bull by the way.

Oh, yeah! Villagers, border jumpers, cows, donkeys. Fortunately, everything had bells except the border jumpers!

Wow !!! Great Buff, he'll make an exceptional mount. Well written report....Congrats !!!!

Beautiful buffalo!!!

Brett

That's a great buffalo, congratulations. That area of Zim is certainly producing some good bulls, both buffalo and elephant.

Some more photos from the safari:

Tropic of Capricorn


Border


Bridge



Birthday cake - bush style


At the "range"


Checking the Zero on the .375


Taking a break before the long walk


Finding relief from the heat


Smelling but not seeing



Another angle of Dave's Buff with the full team


Group of bulls in the fever trees - one was a real nice shooter which caused a real laugh

Helluva bull! He has it all!

Congrats

As all the others have said,

AWESOME BULL!!!!

Bet you're glad you took the plunge and went buff hunting this year after all!

Dave.

What a great report and pictures. By the smiles I would have to say you got your moneys worth.

Pleased for you good sucess.
Elton

Dave,
you think Aubrey is big you should meet Luan. When the two of them walk side bye side it looks like the sun is being blocked out!!!!! if you get to talk to him ask Luan how his little fishing trip went

quote:

Originally posted by .458Aubs:
Some more photos from the safari:

At the "range"

aubrey

it warms my heart to see you still have the defenders
looks like you delivered again, amasing buff

best

peter

Well Done! Excellent last minute planning!!

Congrats on a great buff in a great area! Well done.

Don-
Maybe I should book a hunt with both of them, then I would always be walking in the shade!
I'm going to find me a 5'6" Dutchman that weighs about 240lbs to go hunting with instead of all these 6'4" Dylan Cloete's and 6'5" Aubrey Kent's and only God knows how tall Deon Van der Westhuizen is (6'8"?). I take 3 steps for every 2 they do.

But the places Aubrey took me while following buffalo, so little sun gets through, it wouldn't make much difference. Talk about "thick"!

Thank you all for the very kind words.

Excellent Buffalo and well earned.

A dream buffalo for sure.

What airline did you fly?

Congratulations, D. Nelson

quote:

Originally posted by D. Nelson:
A dream buffalo for sure.

What airline did you fly?

Congratulations, D. Nelson

Delta
LAX-ATL-JNB

Dave - I often daydream about hunting buffalo over there, and hope I will be able to do it some day. And when I dream, I dream about a hunt like you had and a buff that looks EXACTLY like yours. What a spectacular specimen - that bull really has it all!

I like the way you did the trip, too - driving from JNB over the border with your PH, visiting with him and seeing everything along the way. I'm hoping my buffalo trip will be very similar to that. Also, I have exactly the same rifle you have. A very well written report and great photos. Congratulations on a great hunt and a great buffalo!

Congratulations on a very nice bull.


Hamdeni

Hi almostacowboy

Congratulations on a great buffalo that area produce great trophies an I know aubrey is a great outfitter I hope to book a buff hunt with him next year me a cousin and two rugby players the shortest guy will be 6`5 and the biggest over 7`2 so i hope we will get some buffalo wrestling in.

ddrhook man im going to take you on a croc hunt and use you as bait lol Wont share my mishaps with a certain bwana again.But for the record i got the same outfit again and when to mozamb fishing last weekend and I DIDNT LOST IT.

Luan

Luan,
glad to hear you learned not to lose your gear let me know when the wrestling match set up I want to take pictures and I'll give odds against the buffalo if you and the other little fellas have been indulging in adult beverages

quote:

Originally posted by luan:
Wont share my mishaps with a certain bwana again.But for the record i got the same outfit again and when to mozamb fishing last weekend and I DIDNT LOST IT.

Luan

Too late for that mate..... I'm NEVER gonna let you live it down!!!

Let me know the next time you give it a go though.

AAC,

Congratulations on a terrific buffalo BTW!

quote:

Originally posted by luan:
Hi almostacowboy

Congratulations on a great buffalo that area produce great trophies an I know aubrey is a great outfitter I hope to book a buff hunt with him next year me a cousin and two rugby players the shortest guy will be 6`5 and the biggest over 7`2 so i hope we will get some buffalo wrestling in.

ddrhook man im going to take you on a croc hunt and use you as bait lol Wont share my mishaps with a certain bwana again.But for the record i got the same outfit again and when to mozamb fishing last weekend and I DIDNT LOST IT.

Luan

Heck, if I was you guys, I'd just cut me a switch to hunt buffalo with. No need for guns when you're bigger than everything else in the jungle!
(OBTW- for you Afrikaaners - a "switch" is a long, thin, limber branch off a tree usually used on unruly children)

So, Luan................how'd yer fishin' trip go?

As soon as I figure out how to do it, I'll post a video of a "spill" that will make the BP-Gulf of Mexico spill look like drool on a baby's chin.
Right, Aub?

Nice Bull
also Aubrey is a very good GUY
Aubrey see you in Dallas
Larry

quote:

Originally posted by elk88101:
Nice Bull
also Aubrey is a very good GUY
Aubrey see you in Dallas
Larry

Hey Larry,

Looking forward to it! DSC 2011 is going to be awesome

quote:

Originally posted by almostacowboy:
As soon as I figure out how to do it, I'll post a video of a "spill" that will make the BP-Gulf of Mexico spill look like drool on a baby's chin.
Right, Aub?

Ha ha ha, go for it. but remember the old saying "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" and man i got "dirt" on you to.....

Go ahead post it and make my day.....

Classic buffalo. One of the best I have seen.