This hunt was arranged by Ganyana and took place the first week of November in the vicinity of Perseverance, Zimbabwe. Although billed as double rugged I found Paul Kongkow to be very well equipped and prepared for hunting and camping on the fly. We did not stay in a hunting camp but lived out of Paul's Land Cruiser wagon which he had packed with tents, sleeping bags, camp stove, a cooler full of fresh food, water, extra diesel, and puncture repair tools and supplies. We were completely mobile and self sufficient and wanted for absolutely nothing. I would call this luxury camping as we certainly did no roughing it and I'm very greatful to Paul for providing such complete and nice equipment and meals.

The hunting was absolutely fantastic. I have never enjoyed any hunt more than this one and almost none can compare. It's my opinion that the elephants in this area are much more skittish at a distance and aggresive when close than those that I've observed in other parts of Africa. Couple this with the steep mountain terrain and thick jess of the valleys and you can imagine just how sporting this hunting is. Given the above facts it would seem to me nearly impossible to be successful but after watching Paul work for a week I have an entirely new respect for the expertise and professionalism of Zimbabwean PHes. Paul is truly an expert hunter and I quickly found that he is very competent at locating, tracking, and stalking these very wild animals.

We were fortunate to find eles on the first evening we arrived by spotting a group on the next mountain over from a vantage point that we had driven to. After tracking the next morning Paul was able to get us in position downwind of this group of about 25. The wind held in our favor for an hour or so while the eles settled in the shade to wait out the heat of the day giving us the opportunity to scrutinize the herd. We finally determined there was no bull in this group but one tuskless cow and several large tusked cows without calves that could be taken. Thinking this may be my only opportunity Paul was disappointed when I told him that I'd be more than happy with a tusked cow but we were never able to get a clean shot at one. The eles had packed themselves too tightly in little groups, had quit moving, and there was no safe shot without danger of wounding another by shoot through. While we were pondering this dilemma the elephants became aware of our presence but weren't sure of exactly where we were. They started moving off to our left so we repositioned accordingly waiting for a big cow to pass. As the cow crossed right in front of us we expected her to stop in the clear for an instant but she did not and by the time I realized I could have taken the shot due to how close we were the moment had passed. We changed our position again flanking the group but by now they had decided to take leave of us. As the wind started to shift a little Paul suggested we take a few steps over and seconds later the tuskless came out of the group at full charge right to the spot where we had just been standing. Fortunately elephants don't have very good eyesight. The group moved off into the jess with us still flanking them but the bush was so thick that it wouldn't have been prudent to follow so we stayed put and listened to the group moving by and away, frequently blaring protests at us.

The next several days we spent locating eles by driving to vantage points, climbing mountains to glass, looking for tracks on the roads, and stopping at villages for any news. We spotted quite a few animals and tried to stalk most but something always foiled our attempts, be it a change in the wind or simply that the eles were moving to fast for us to catch. On the next to the last day we finally struck gold. A group of 8-10 was spotted and after stalking we found two bulls of approximately 25 lbs. in the herd. While determining the best strategy for a brain shot another bull was spotted on the far side of the group that Paul estimated to be about 50 lbs. We were of course very excited with this turn of events and proceeded to climb to the top of the mountain where the elephants were headed. Once above the group we started to carefully ease our way across their path in order to get in front of the big bull, the smaller bulls were now between us and him. A calf very close to us noticed our movement and ran to the center of the herd bleating and alerting everybody. Now all the eles were nervous, some standing still and the bulls milling about not sure of the danger or which way to run. The big bull walked downhill a bit while we heard another ele behind the ridge just above us and decided I should take one of the smaller bulls or risk going home empty handed. The bulls were stepping in this direction and that but one finally presented a broadside shot which I took. I can now say from experience that the .458 Lott loaded with 500 grain Barnes Banded Solids is very effective on elephant, it certainly hits with authority.

This late season special proved to be not only the bargain of a lifetime but I honestly could not have had a better hunt at any price. The area was stunningly beautiful and rugged, the eles were wild and wily, and the PH was uncannily adept at hunting them. I owe a great deal of gratitude to those who made this such a spectacular trip for me including Paul's wonderful mother and beautiful sister who warmly welcomed me into their home and all the good people I met over the course of the hunt. Thanks Paul and Ganyana.

Congratulations and thanks for your story! Any pictures?

Regards,
Martin

That sounds like a very exciting hunt. How many elephants in total do you think you saw?

Sounds like a fantastic hunt. Have you got some pictures to share.

quote:

This hunt was arranged by Ganyana and took place the first week of November in the vicinity of Perseverance, Zimbabwe. Although billed as double rugged I found PH Paul to be very well equipped and prepared for hunting and camping on the fly. We did not stay in a hunting camp but lived out of Paul's Land Cruiser wagon which he had packed with tents, sleeping bags, camp stove, a cooler full of fresh food, water, extra diesel, and puncture repair tools and supplies. We were completely mobile and self sufficient and wanted for absolutely nothing. I would call this luxury camping as we certainly did no roughing it and I'm very greatful to Paul for providing such complete and nice equipment and meals.

My God Man, how did you ever survive without all the toadies waiting on your every wish? No 4 Star Motels in the Bush? My hat's off to you.

It sounds like a great hunt and a great time. Congratulations.

Good going and ditto to what Mick said.

Congrats on your hunt. Sounds like you had a true adventure. Elephant hunting is the greatest! Look forward to your pics, was your bull exportable?

Glad everything worked out and you had such a great wxperience!

JPK

Glad to hear you had a great elephant hunt! Those hikes in the hill country are definitely invigorating.

Great that someone was able to take up the opportunity.

Also shows that a hunter-client does NOT have to pay for 21 day hunts to come home empty handed but can do it for far less with the right operators and areas.

Well done and congratulations. Wish it was me. Maybe next year. Photos are expected, please.



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Thank you Lady and Gentlemen for the kind comments.

I think we saw 50-60 elephant, this hunt was for a non-trophy, non-exportable ele. Paul really worked hard to make sure I got a bull.

This is my kind of hunt. Sounds Great. I am glad
it went so well.

John - Again, sounds like a great hunt and bush experience. They must be getting to know you pretty well in Zim...so when's the next one?

I'm looking fwd to the next Double-Rugged Safaris opportunity!!!

Thanks again for your help with my previous hunt Mr. Bill. I'm hoping to find a late season special for April!

John,

Congratulation on your hunt and a nice elephant.


Hamdeni

What was this for...PAC, non trophy, trophy, etc.?

Great hunt. Congrats.

Congratulations for the great hunt and the excellent election in rifle, caliber and bullets .juan

Thanks gentlemen for the compliments.

This hunt was for a non-trophy, non-exportable elephant. I think it was quasi-PAC. It was due to the skill and extreme effort of Paul Kongkow that I got a bull. It's a fortunate person who gets to hunt with Paul.

Excuse me but how much for this kind of hunt ,for me the experience is the most important thing of the hunt so ill like to make a hunt like this ,i killed hundreds of water buffalos but elephant is real big game .As a ph im trying to gain all experience i can not matter if i lost money .Juan

Although i hunt in south america ,i read ganyana articles and he and Don Heath articles are very useful for worldwide phs .juan

Senor Pozzi, this is the opportunity that I was able to take advantage of

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tp.../482107553#482107553

BTW I very much hope to be able to hunt water buffalo with you some day. I know some folks who go to Argentina annually to shoot doves. They love your country and the people.

Thanks John ,now im shooting doves and ducks with italians they are shooting 2000 shells a day minimiun can you believe that .Sometimes i use my dogo dogs to take the buffalos out of the swamps ,its very difficult to put them down when they are full of adrenaline ,i read a lot about cape and red forest buffalo and ill try to hunt them just to compare next year begins my african safaris and ill go ther every year .Juan