Outfitter: Askari Adventures
PH: Trompie Hoffmeyr
Country: RSA
Area: Limpopo Province - City: Alldays
Dates: 24 March - 3 April

I just returned from my first African hunting trip. It was fantastic. So many annimals. I wanted to shoot them all, buy my PH kept telling me to wait for a big one; they all looked big to me. It was pretty hard hunting, as the Province had a lot of summer rain and the bush was extremely thick.
I am going to try and post some photos with a brief description. I hope it works.

This was my first animal. A 25 1/4" Impala. About a 200 yard shot with my 7mm-08 and handloaded 160 grain Nosler Partitions.

[IMG:left] [/IMG]

Same animal with tracker and driver.

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My next animal was a Blue Wildebeest. It was a younger bull, but had a 29 1/2" spread. The shot was at about 100 yards off sticks. I used my .338 Win Mag using 225 Swift A-Frame handloads.

[IMG:left] [/IMG]

Next is a second Impala we saw while hunting an Oryz. This one is 26 1/2". The shot was about 240 yards off sticks. I shot it with the .338 and handloads.

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Next was my Oryx. This is a really old bull. He only measured 37 3/4", but the bosses are real large.

[IMG:left] [/IMG]

The last animal I shot was a very nice Kudu. It measured 53 1/2" but the horns are perfectly symetrical. I used my .338 Win Mag and 250 grain Nosler Partition handloads.



I would recommend Askari Adventures. They have a first rate operation and a lot of concessions to hunt. I will post a picture of my room. It was a two bedroom villa with common living room and dining area.







I am already starting to plan my next trip back and think it will be late 2010.

I hope these pictures turn out. If not, would someone give me some pointers on how to do it right?

Thanks and good hunting.

Paul

Great animals-Looks like you had a very good trip.

Congratulations on a great hunt, nice trophies. Are you planning your next hunt yet?

Thanks. We had a great time.

I'm thinking about trying to go back in the July - August 2010 timeframe. Of course this will depend on my wife. She controls the money.

Congrats. Very nice inagural trip. Now you've done it. You'll not be able to get it out of the blood, and the trips get longer and more expensive!

Looks like you had a great hunt. When planning on going back in 2010 be sure to plan around the time of the World Cup which I believe is June/July.

Congratulations Paul, looks like you had a very nice Safari.

You are now officially hooked...

Welcome to the local chapter of Africa-aholics Anonymous.

quote:

Originally posted by David Culpepper:
Looks like you had a great hunt. When planning on going back in 2010 be sure to plan around the time of the World Cup which I believe is June/July.

Hi David,
Yes, we had a great hunt. Although 10 days is almost too short of time. I will try to miss the World Cup. The flights are booked heavily enough without all the footballers around. I see you are in Duluth. I live in SC, but I am currently in my office in Lawrenceville.

Very nice animals, congrats.

An excellent beginning. Congratulations!

Nice trophies & congrats on what looks like a heck of a hunt.

Can I ask why you used 2 different handloads?

Those are very good animals that you took.well done

Very nice trophies, particularly that second impala. I'd give a lot for one like that.

Now, think...Buffalo!

quote:

Originally posted by cmfic1:
Nice trophies & congrats on what looks like a heck of a hunt.

Can I ask why you used 2 different handloads?

Thanks. I can't wait until the mounts arrive.

I planned to use the 7mm-08 on small antelope and warthogs. I had loaded 160 and 175 grain Nosler Partitions for this rifle. This is the same loads I use for whitetails which has performed well for years.

Since I had not hunted with the .338, I wanted to see different bullet performance on larger game. I loaded the .338 with 225 grain Swift A-Frames and 250 grain Nosler Partitions. Both loads performed very well, but I am sure shot placement played a big part.

quote:

Originally posted by PBens:
Next was my Oryx. This is a really old bull. He only measured 37 3/4", but the bosses are real large.

[IMG:left] [/IMG]

ONLY 37 3/4"? I'm no gemsbok expert, but that is a trophy in my book. My Namibia oryx was 36", my shooting partner's was 30".

Isn't it an extra special feeling to use your handloaded ammo on safari?

That Gemsbok is an absolute beast!

PBens,

Nice trophies. The impala are absolute monsters. I always like to see the accommodations and these are very nice.

Congrats,

Mark

Well done. You're hooked now for sure. The only cure will be death!

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
PBens,

Nice trophies. The impala are absolute monsters. I always like to see the accommodations and these are very nice.

Congrats,

Mark

Thanks Mark. The room was very nice. Separate A/C in both rooms plus two A/C units in the main room. All the hot water you could use. Plus a fridge restocked with water and beer every day. The dining lapa was also very nice. Comfortable sofas and chairs with an open bar. Our cook was fantastic. Every night we are something we shot. My favorite has to be the Oryx.

WOW,

1st trip and you shoot a 25 and 26+ inch impala as well as 37 + Gemsbuck....

Congratulations, you have take quality animals that a lot of South African hunters do not see in a life time.

Looks like the 338 did the job.

quote:

Originally posted by PBens:
Thanks. We had a great time.

Of course this will depend on my wife. She controls the money.

very dangerous mate

PBens, congratulations on what looks like an excellent hunt and some nice animals and pictures.

I went last June on my first trip and already have trip # 2 and #3 booked. This September and next July. As others have said, it gets in your blood!

The only thing that may stop me from continuing to go back will be death or bankruptcy!

CONGRATULATIONS on a very successful hunt!!!

Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

Congratulations on your successful hunt!

Wow, excellent hunt and great trophies. Thanks for posting. :tu

Those are great trophies, especially that second impala and the oryx. And he's a good looking kudu.

I've never seen a bull with bases that heavy!!!!

Did you see any bushbuck on any of the concessions..........they are great to hunt.

Congratulations mate.

Congratz on your first safari! Well done.

Good for you.
Jeff

Those are some very fine trophies indeed!
Especially the impalas! Wow..

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Blair338/378:
Those are great trophies, especially that second impala and the oryx. And he's a good looking kudu.

I've never seen a bull with bases that heavy!!!!

Did you see any bushbuck on any of the concessions..........they are great to hunt.

The Oryx was big. My PH said it had the largest bases he has seen in 15 years as a PH.

There were bushbuck on the properties. I think they will be on my list for my next hunt.

Those are the thickest bases I've ever seen on a Gemsbok!!

quote:

Originally posted by Eland Slayer:
Those are the thickest bases I've ever seen on a Gemsbok!!

++1

PBens,
Do you plan to back with the same outfitter? I might have to check them out myself. Fantastic animals.

Very nice impala!!!

quote:

Originally posted by PBens:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Blair338/378:
Those are great trophies, especially that second impala and the oryx. And he's a good looking kudu.

I've never seen a bull with bases that heavy!!!!

Did you see any bushbuck on any of the concessions..........they are great to hunt.

The Oryx was big. My PH said it had the largest bases he has seen in 15 years as a PH.

There were bushbuck on the properties. I think they will be on my list for my next hunt.

You will really enjoy hunting them PBens.........and congratualations again on some great trophies