Eastern-Western Cape Hunt / Addo National Elephant Park / Shark Cage Diving with Victor Watson of Karoo Wild Safaris

This hunt was at the tail end of my last trip to Africa in May which started off with a Canoe Safari with Natureways in Mana Pools and then on to a volunteer anti-poaching safari with DAPU (Dande Anti-Poaching Unit sponsored by CM Safaris). I will report on those two elements in a separate post.



This was my 20th trip to Africa, but I had never hunted the Eastern Cape of South Africa. I saw Victor Watson’s all inclusive offer here on the discounted hunts board and signed up. It proved to be one of my most enjoyable stress free hunts.





Victor’s offer was simple, all inclusive and economical. His trophy fees are quite reasonable. I was given one price for eight days of hunting, touring the Addo National Elephant Park, a shark cage dive in Mossel Bay, RT transportation from Port Elizabeth airport, use of a rifle and ammo, dip and pack and the transportation of my trophies to his taxidermist, daily hunting rates with all housekeeping, laundry, meals and beverages for one all inclusive price. The trophy fees for each animal were extra (and a good bargain for high quality), tips and of course the presents I bought for my family back home.














As I mentioned above, this was my 20th trip to Africa. I have hunted in RSA, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana (when it was open) and Mozambique, but never in the well known Eastern Cape of South Africa. I was surprised by the ruggedness of this area and soon realized that this wasn’t going to be one of those “easy” game ranch hunts some areas of South Africa are know for. The quality and numbers of game are impressive, but you will have to sweat for your trophies. The rocky hills and thick bush make stalking difficult and the animals, especially the Kudu are well educated.





Victor had several rifles to choose from, but I chose to use a Ruger 375 hand loaded with GS 200 grain custom bullets. It proved to be an exceptionally flat shooter. Flatter than I thought as I held over one Kudu (at 260 yards) just a couple of inches over his withers and missed him clean and high. Fortunately he only ran about twenty yards till he stopped giving me a nice broadside view. This time I put in right on his shoulder and he went down with the next shot. You should be prepared to take longer shots as the average distance for my Kudu; mountain reedbuck, Vaal reedbuck, and bushbuck were all about 260 yards.





Victor’s own property is in excess of 20,000 acres and his access to another 80,000 in the immediate area. We did travel to the Western Cape to take my Vaal Reedbuck so we did spend some time travelling, but it was well worth it and the scenery was spectacular. The trip to Addo National Elephant Park was interesting and educational. I have read in old hunting books how treacherous and difficult it was to hunt elephants there and how the last few could never be tracked down. It was one of the reasons it was turned into a National Park. Once you go there and view the terrain you will understand why. I have never seen so many huge Kudu. They were everywhere.

On the way to Addo N.P. and the shark cage diving there is also the opportunity to bungee jump off the world’s highest bridge (for bungee jumping). I will leave it to one of you out there to report back on how that went.

The package included a shark cage diving trip out of Mossel Bay. We spent the night prior in his family’s apartment that had a spectacular view of the whole coastline. I was shocked on how easy it was to go shark cage diving. I am a PADI certified diver and I thought I would be taking a bumpy boat ride, have to squeeze into a wetsuit, put the tanks on, and drop down fifteen feet into the water. Mossel bay only has one operator and it is only a ten minute boat ride in a calm bay till you reach the local Seal Island where the Great Whites hang out. We were only a half mile or so offshore when we put the anchor down. The only difficult part was squeezing into that wet suit. The crew had the cage in the water secured to the side of the boat in just a few minutes and we were ready to jump in. The cage fits six people and it designed for the top eighteen inches to be kept above the waterline. There is a bar to sit on and rails to grab to push yourself underwater when the sharks get close for better viewing with the supplied mask. No scuba tanks are necessary as you just sit in the cage as the crew entices the sharks in with chum and by dragging a line with a fish head on it in front of your cage. The Great Whites cooperated and were soon circling about, sticking their snouts up against the cage, baring their teeth while chomping at the bait and thrashing their huge bodies against our secure cage. It was a thrilling experience not to be missed. Again, they made it as easy as possible.



















The chalets on Victor’s property were the most elegant and comfortable I have ever stayed in. The surrounding bush was quiet, isolated and tranquil. It is an excellent location for hunting and also makes for a nice romantic get a way. Victor’s better half, Lindsey is a superb chef as the meals and wines were all delicious and presented with five star quality. The Lapa was simple, comfortable and beautiful.







Who would have thought a 200 grain Ruger 375 would make such a flat shooting plains game rifle? I can tell you it so, so, so much easier travelling without a rifle. I will take my own rifle for dangerous game hunts, but as far as plains game safaris go, save yourself the hassle and use one of your outfitter's rifles. Marksmanship is marksmanship and if you are a competent shooter then any adequate rifle will do.

My hosts Victor and Lindsey Watson



I heartily recommend the whole Wild Karoo Safaris experience.

Beatiful photos and nice report. Great trophies. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

Glad you had fun! That bushbuck looks like an old warrior.


Vic got that 375 Ruger after shooting my 375 H&H back in 2013 when my brother and I hunted with him. We had a blast, Vic and Lindsay are great people!

Great hunt report

I have not hunted south africa and I would love to do this hunt. Seems like a great hunt.

The shark diving was one the best thing I did in SOuth Africa. Next time I am going to spend 2-3 trips and spend a few days on the coast.

Shark diving tip - its a lot better on the boat to see and view sharks.

Thanks for the report.

Mike

Nice report and some nice trophies. Sounds like you had a great time.
Congratulations.

Great report and pictures...thanks for sharing! I'm headed to East Cape in April...can't wait!

The East Cape is one of the most beautiful areas of Africa I have had the privilege of hunting. I always thought I could retire in Port Elizabeth or Port Alfred!

Congrats on a great hunt and thanks for the pictures in Addo. I have actually
hunted next to it on two different occasions but have never traveled through. Won't make that mistake again.

Very nice Report..Thanks

The shark trip looks like it was a lot of fun.

Congratulations

Fine report apart from the deep water bit with sharks.

Fantastic report und love the GS custom bullets!

Good report, enjoyed the photos and some very impressive trophies. The Eastern Cape is a stunning part of the world, so diverse.

Well done with some great results. Congratulations.

I enjoyed reading your comments and seeing your pictures. I was there August of 2014 and really enjoyed it. Addo was a lot of fun, especially seeing all the elephants. Best part was watching the baby elephants play in the water, they where so funny. When I hunted my vaal rhebock, it was freezing cold with 20 to 30 mile per hour wind gusts!!!