Had an excellent Safari in Zimababwe with Buffalo Range Safaris on Matetsi 6 Concession. This has been my third Safari with Buffalo Range and PH Barry Style. Had a great time and took Leopard, Buff, Hyena, Kudu and Waterbuck. Trying to post a picture now and will post a more thorough report if successful. Thanks Cig 2

C...great photo like your smile and super Cat...

Mike

Hum, unless you are 4' 11', that is one big kitty. Have any idea what it weighed?

Cigani 2,

Beautiful cat! There is nothing quite like a monster leopard. Congratulations!

Regards,

Mark

cigani2,
Congratulations on a helluva' tom! Great cat. Hope to see pictures of your other game as well.

Awesome looking pussy cat. Congratulations!! I've been hearing grumblings about Zimbabwe not being safe to go to because of political situation. When did you go and what was your experience? I'm planning on going in 2005 or 2006.

Been hearing a lot about the new firearms regs in RSA for those flying through to Zim and other places. What route did you take, and were there any problems??

Sorry guys for taking so long to reply-I've been traveling and just recently had a power failure which destroyed my hunting pictures and yahoo accounts. I can't seem to recover my passwords for either so I'll have to reactivate lots of stuff. Inany case I will try to just add some verbage here and then (later) post some more pictures.

I went to Zim in early June and had a great hunt on thje Matestsi 6 concession. I overnighted in Joburg and stayed at The Afton. It was pleasant but the gun checkin took a long time. I think that I'll just go straight through the next itime. I recommend that (if at all possible) hunters gshould avoid the Harrare airport. I have had an easy time flying to Vic Falls and hunting the magnificent concessions in that area (Matetsi, Kazuma etc.) I think that the safety issue can should be addressed by staying close to this forum as departure time arrives. Also, the booking agent/outfitter should be able to give some info. I was able to call some people who had just returned and be reassured. I also recommend a sat phone for the feeling of security it brings. Well, thats' all for now-i will try to get re registered on Hunting 101 and post some pics tonight. All The Best John Weyandt

Some pictures(maybe)

Sorry-I'm slowly getting the hang of the picture thing.Difficult for the computer illiterate

Cigani,
What's up with the Harare Airport? I am flying there July 21 for an ele hunt with Buzz Charlton and will take a charter from there to the valley. Problems?????? My travel agent Susan Hill recommends the layover at the Afton in Jo'burg because of tight connections to Harare. Any light you can shed is appreciated.
Thanks!

I entered/exited Zim via the Harare Airport in February. Everything was business as usual. No problem with Customs - the agent didn't even want to see my rifles - just fill out the form with plenty of well-used carbon paper, the usual officious loud bangs of the stamp and I was off. Same official on the way out wanted to know about my hunt. Usual routine with paperwork and rifles. The airport was practically deserted both times I was there.

Perhaps with the arrest of the "mercanaries" at the airport a few weeks ago, things are a little tighter.

Thanks, David. Sounds like the Zim I remember but it's been awhile since I've been back('94)! It was the "off" season for hunters in February(must have been hot and wet) but from all the reports I'm hearing Zim is still very "hunter friendly". Have any pix of your elephant to share?

cigani2 - I have hunted with Barry several times. He and his brother Rob are great folks who are carrying on where their father left off. Unfortunately, the political problems in Zim have impacted their family farm, however, the boys are moving forward in spite of the situation.

Great trophies! That's pretty much the norm for Rob & Barry...

bwanamrm,

Rather than hijack this thread I started another on African Hunting about my elephant hunt.

David

Hi Bwanamrm-Sorry to have perhaps been more negative than necessary about the Harare airport. I had a rather tense time there some years ago, luggage searched etc. I have since learned that the airport was on very strict security(at that time) because the previous week a number of Americans were arrested there for illegal firearms and trying to fly with concealed weapons. Do you remember this incident? Anyway-local friends have assured me that the airport is very hunter friendly again. Have a great hunt and please post some pictures.

Zero Drift-Great to meet you. I am certainly looking forward to hunting with Buffalo Range soon again. I believe that Barry is thinking about expnding his horizons and may soon be working in Cameroon. What a shame about Clive too-he was agreat guy and all Zim hunters owe him a debt of gratitude for his work toward opening the country for hunting. I think they are trying to make the best of loosing the farm but it must be very difficult. All the Best John Weyandt

An enlarge view of the Buff from this trip. This area was loaded with good (great) old Dugga Boys.

John - Great buff. The Style story begins with Clive�s father George. George was a prominent figure in Rhodesian war. Here is a good read on the war years. Rhodesia Read Chapter 7 "The One Man Guard Force". It gives you a little background on George.

Zim is a tragic situation made worse by a tribe of parasites. If you read about the history of Rhodesia it will turn your stomach. I have only respect for the few who remain in the country and refuse to cave in to a hopeless situation. Let�s pray for a timely death of Bobby Mugabe and that AIDS finishes off the rest. Only then will peace and prosperity return to Rhodesia. (As you can tell, I tend to get a little militant over the subjects of Rhodesia and RSA.)

Anyhow, sounds like a great hunt with a great outfitter. Congratulations.

cigani2,
What is Buffalo Range Safaris' website address?

Henry29

Henry 29-Sorry, I've been distracted by turkey hunting and Spring chores on the farm. Buffalo Range doesn't have a website but, if you want to learn more about them, I can highly recommend a video by Big Bore Productions called "Death By Double Rifle" I've just now seen it. Barry Style and San Diego hunting star Mark Buchanan made this film on Matetsi 6 last summer. They were there directly after my safari. With apologies to Eric in LV and Saeed this is the most exciting video I've ever seen. It also shows how dangeerous African hunting can be.

Zero Drift-Thanks for the link-This is an awesome read. Even sadder to think that Clive was always very honest and transparent with the government. They were a tough and stubborn crowd those early African farmers. Afriend of mine is sending a book about the farm invasions which I hope to recieve soon. I will write about it. Good luck on your water Buff hunt. All The Best John Weyandt

http://www.bigboreproductions.com/

I am a sleepy hunter in this picture. We encountered this hyena just outside of our camp on the Zambesi river. She had been badly mauled by aLion and was barely alive.If you could ever summon any pity for a Hyena this was the one. She was very big and old.