Just returned from joining a friend as the enthusiastic observer on a Buffalo hunt in the Klaserie Game Reserve in South Africa.

We hunted with PH Roelof Niemann a partner/owner of Duke Safaris. It was my friends first buffalo hunt and he could not have asked for a better PH. Roelof knew the area really well, was calm, patient, knowledgable and most of all understood that he was there not just to shoot a buffalo but to enjoy the hunt and adventure that real buffalo hunting is. We spent hours around herds of buffalo ranging in size from 30-60 animals and on many occasions had to skirt around elephant as we worked our way around the buffalo herd. On one occasion we had a herd of buffalo, an elephant bull and 2 rhino all in the same clearing at the same time and all within 50metres from us.

The South Africa Lowveld has had exceptional rains and the bush was very thick with groundwater seemingly everywhere. The buffalo were not moving much at all and getting a clear sight picture was a great challenge. The thick bush did however allow us/make it necessary to work in extremely close to the herds which resulted in a few dry mouth moments of pumping adrenalin!

For those that like the detail the buffalo was shot at 30m frontal chest with a 375H&H 300gr Barnes TSX, Federal Vortex factory load, buffalo spun and ran about 60m and collapsed, no death bellow, stone dead. Sorry no pics as my friend prefers to keep his hunting private and is not an AR Member

Duke Safaris and especially Roelof Niemann come highly recommended, as does the Klaserie Game Reserve. To repeat and old adage; First pick your area and then your PH, in this instance both were outstanding.

Sounds like another first class safari area.

You could always crop the photo to exclude the hunter?

Thanks for posting. I am hunting nearby in a couple of weeks. Would be great to see any pics of either the bush or the Buff even if they have people removed!

Great and I know Roelof and John. They are two great guys and great ph's. I miss them at the Harrisburg show.

Mike

GBax I unfortunately don't have any pics that I can crop or upload, also a picture of thick bush wouldn't really do it any justice or give good perspective, it is not thick like Jesse but the average visibility is about 5-7m in general, down to 1-2m in the mopane; there obviously are clearings where it is more open and areas along drainage lines where it is almost impenetrable; for humans, not buffalo! Grass types in the area are not the long type found in Zambia/TZ etc, just generally knee height and thick. Lots of pepper ticks around at the moment, it will be wise to get some Bayticol or get your PH to organise some for you.

The buffalo in the APNR reserves are really good quality, lots of Dugga boys and the opportunity exists to shoot a bull in the 45" category as well. Personally I love the old broomed off and worn down bulls

In a few weeks the water should have dried up a bit and conditions should be back to normal with herds moving a bit more to get to water

Thanks we had one bad day for those pepper ticks in Natal last year - nasty little things. Not sure we can buy Bayticol in the UK so I will see what they can come up with.

My Hunt starts on the 8th so not much time for it to dry out (Plus there is more rain due this week).

Best
Guy