The next leg of our journey led us down the Eastern Cape to hunt with Ray Kemp at Lalapa Safaris. I had no idea the amount of free range hunting opportunities that existed in the Eastern Cape nor how rugged some of the terrain was. We started off at their main camp near Cathcart and hunted free-range Barbary sheep, Vaal Rhebuck and mountain reedbuck and black springbok and warthog in one of the high fence ranches.

The sheep hunting was incredible and we both took great rams. The Vallies were really tough to hunt but they were very abundant. I will be going back one day for a free range kudu/eland hunt in the region with Ray. He's got some unreal animals of both species.

We then headed south near Grahamstown to hunt bush pig, caracal, blue duiker and bushbuck. We had a couple blue duiker come in but just not a mature enough male to take.. Some extremely hot weather had every screwed up. They'd been coming in like clockwork before we arrived. Vanessa took a great caracal with hounds and a huge bushpig and we just ran out of time on the bushbuck. We'll definitely go back for bushbuck and we saw some of the biggest nyala we'd ever seen and all free range. We also saw a 30"+ waterbuck that I'm still kicking myself for not taking.

The Kemps run an absolutely first-class operation and really pride themselves in all the free-range hunting they offer. At the main lodge we stayed in cozy little cottages and then in the south we stayed at Tree Top camp on Lalibela Game Reserve. It was an amazing setting.

Some great and varied trophies that you both took. The bushpig looks to be a fine old boar and that is a great warthog to take with a bow and a for me the best photograph of the lot.

Thanks for the pictures and info. It looks like you had a great time. I didn't know about the free range hunting down there. I will check it out. Brian

Great Trophies!!!

Very fine trophies, seems like you guys had a blast, congratulations!

Very cool!

Here's a better picture of the warthog.

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
Here's a better picture of the warthog.

Email it to me and I will make it even better and can always crop out the pig for you.

Congratulations! Love the free range aspect of your hunting.

My wife and I have hunted with Ray and the Kemps twice. They are a fine family and run an outstanding operation. We are exploring another hunt with them now...you may well have pushed us over the edge!

There's definitely enough variety there for three or four return trips!

Congratulations on a wonderful safari with great trophies. I've only been to the East Cape once, but I will go back! Such a neat destination with widely varied terrain and species. Bushpig outsmarted us so I really envy that big beautiful boar. I like the black springbok and of course the caracal...

I might take you up on your offer one day fairgame but right now I get to look at her everyday but the warthog is still in SA so I can only see it in pictures! You only see a warthog that nice every so often

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
I might take you up on your offer one day fairgame but right now I get to look at her everyday but the warthog is still in SA so I can only see it in pictures! You only see a warthog that nice every so often

Careful TJ...... this could bite you in the ass if misconstrued........ and the fairer sex is good at that.

I like living on the edge

LOL Brave man.

Great Trip guys! Look forward to catching up at the banquet next weekend!

Nice Vaalie!

Well done to you and your wife!!! Definitely a successful safari for both of you!!!

Best regards, D. Nelson

I am a bit confused, was it free range or high fence? Beautiful trophies and pics for sure!

quote:

Originally posted by jaegerfrank:
I am a bit confused, was it free range or high fence? Beautiful trophies and pics for sure!

Everything was free range except for black springbok and warthog.

We really liked the quaint setting at Lalapa's main camp. It made you feel as though you were part of the family.

Good stuff TJ. That caracal is fantastic...

Well done on a fantastic hunt. An interesting mix of trophies also.

Just got word today that our trophies are ready to ship. So far dealing with Splitting Image Taxidermy and Safari Cargo Systems has been very efficient and professional and the costs have been reasonable. Just over four months isn't too shabby at all!