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Lion Hunting in Fimbiri
02 August 2013, 10:37
Ali HakimLion Hunting in Fimbiri
Hunter : Ali Hakim
Area : Bubye Valley Conservancy
Camp : Fimbiri
Outfitter: Brent Hein Safaris
Date: June 2013
PH: Brent Hein
Rifles: 375 H&H mag, 300 Win mag
Animals: Giraffe, Zebra, Buffalo , Waterbuck, Lion, Kudu, Nyala , Klipspringer, Impala
My 5th Safari in Africa turned out to be yet another wonderful adventure. I was accompanied by a friend / observer, Naveed, who has been a long time hunting buddy. We arrived in Harare on an Emirates flight, which actually worked out very well. Our overnight stay was at a place called the York Lodge, which I highly recommend to any one travelling to Harare. The following day at around mid day we chartered into the Bubye valley conservancy. On arrival at the Towla airstrip, we were received by Brent and his crew.
Our camp was situated literally on top of a hill. The lovely lawn made all the difference. My friend and myself shared a Chalet, which had an in-suite bathroom facility.
The weather during the course of the hunt was subject to the effects of global warming, which we all experience worldwide. It was not really predictable or consistent with what it should have been this time of the year. On a good day we’d have a clear sky and comfortable temperatures, on another gloomy and cold with traces of drizzle, and yet on another we’d start off with near zero visibility in the mornings. The stunning landscape and vistas always managed to lighten up our spirits, despite the vicissitudes of the climate.
This was my second safari at the Bubye Valley, and I can safely say that both times I actually saw the big 5, besides other fantastic animals. From herds of buffalos, to ambling elephants, to a rare sighting of the elusive leopard, to an insidious cheetah by a water hole, were just a few of the delightful moments we experienced. Prides of lions, besides lionesses on the prowl, were also sighted a few times. As for antelopes, one was spoilt for choice when it came to Blue Wildebeest, Kudus, Water buck, Livingston Eland, Steen buck, Impalas and, Sable. Droves of Zebras and Giraffes were also not uncommon. Since there is a very liberal quota on Zebras and Giraffes, for Cat hunters there is always bait on demand.
Lion being my mainstay, we got busy from the outset putting up baits. Two giraffes and 2 Zebras were taken and a total of 10 baits were put up. The Zebras were being used mainly for replenishing baits, which were being consumed quickly. Trail cameras at our baits were picking up all sort of activity; leopards, hyenas, lionesses and lions, were all feeding at different baits. I got my opportunity late evening on the 4th day, when this nice old Lion was spotted near one of my baits. The big guy was not taken sitting in a blind, but actually when it was meandering through a Mopani thicket about 100 meters from where the blind was. Having a few cats under my belt, I thought I had seen it all. This was about to become yet another spine chilling experience. The light condition was so un-permitting that I could not make out the reticle in my scope. Luckily I had an illuminated dot in my scope which came in handy. The Lion was around 80 meters from where we were and slightly quatering away when I took the shot. The 375H&H Barnes TSX made the big guy buck and jump, and almost knocked it over. However it quickly regained its composure and scampered off into the thick Mopani. I tried to put another one into it but bad light conditions made it impossible to connect. It was a night mare trying to follow up the cat in the dark, and after a couple of hours of searching, we decided to follow it up the next morning. My main concern was that if the cat passed away in the dead of the night, there was no telling what we would find of it in the morning, with hyenas on the prowl. The morning after was quite rewarding. After following the tracks and blood trail for an hour, our tracker literally walked into the bush where the cat was hiding. With a broken shoulder and a punctured lung it probably did not have the required gas to charge; it simply started scampering away. The tracker, who was carrying a 375 shot it in the hip bone which made the cat loose its balance and go down. A few shots were promptly fired at it to ensure it would stay down.
I have to add here, Brent was a great host and PH. Despite being intermittently temperamental, I was time and over surprised by Brent’s uncanny acumen of picking out and immediately identifying top class trophy animals; whether they were stagnant, moving around, or hauling some serious ass! His perseverance in following up the quarry we sought, or even a wounded animal, which was the case with my water buck, made me realize I was being led by a truly consummate hunter. I have been extremely fortunate to have had great PHs in my previous safaris, and this experience was equally splendid.
It was a struggle for me to find a Nyala, but in the end got a truly nice trophy
We did struggle trying to locate a Limpopo bushbuck, but could not find one. My 18 day hunt ended on the 1st of July. I would like to come back some day to this conservancy for a Leopard. For hunters yearning for a great Cat, either Lion or Leopard, this is a great area. Being here twice, I truly believe it is some of the finest free range cat and antelope hunting in Africa today.
Ali Hakim
02 August 2013, 12:07
BenKKSome of the most inspiring photographs I have seen! Thank you, and congratulations!
02 August 2013, 12:59
Torbjørnquote:
Originally posted by BenKK:
Some of the most inspiring photographs I have seen!
+1
Congrats on some fantastic trophies!
Torbjorn
02 August 2013, 14:04
CaracalAli,
wonderful pictures. You took some excellent trophies and that lion is just superb. Thanks for sharing!
02 August 2013, 14:10
Tim HeraldHuge Congrats !
Good Hunting,
Tim Herald
Worldwide Trophy Adventures
tim@trophyadventures.com
02 August 2013, 14:47
BNagelBrent resembles Doctari (Robertson)! You had a whale of a trip!
_______________________
02 August 2013, 16:07
MJinesGreat pics, great lion. Congrats.
Mike
02 August 2013, 16:50
Flipper DudeWow! What a super trip. Great trophies, and wonderful photos! Love the pic of the first buff!
02 August 2013, 16:52
matt uOutstanding Trophies!
Congratulations Ali
02 August 2013, 17:19
Aaron NeilsonSir, that is just tremendous!! Some of the photos are great, and a huge congrats to you on a fine safari!!
Brent is fine PH, and an even better guy - congrats to him too!!!
Aaron Neilson
Global Hunting Resources
303-619-2872: Cell
globalhunts@aol.com
www.huntghr.com 02 August 2013, 17:20
fairgameCracking Lion and the photographs are quite superb. Well done.
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02 August 2013, 18:47
BrettAKSCIBeautiful lion! Congratulations!
Brett
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Rhyme of the Sheep Hunter
May fordings never be too deep, And alders not too thick; May rock slides never be too steep And ridges not too slick.
And may your bullets shoot as swell As Fred Bear's arrow's flew; And may your nose work just as well As Jack O'Connor's too.
May winds be never at your tail When stalking down the steep; May bears be never on your trail When packing out your sheep.
May the hundred pounds upon you Not make you break or trip; And may the plane in which you flew Await you at the strip.
-Seth Peterson
02 August 2013, 19:07
pagosawingnutGreat Pics, great trophies. Well Done
02 August 2013, 19:15
mbogobutchAli,
Great report, and wonderful cat, congratulations to you, and Brent.
Butch
02 August 2013, 19:27
JTEXGreat report. Great trophies, thanks for sharing.
.
02 August 2013, 19:41
MARK H. YOUNGAli,
Fantastic! Beautiful big lion and good trophies all around.
Congrats!
Mark
MARK H. YOUNG
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https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 02 August 2013, 19:57
Carl Frederik NagellAli
Thanks for posting. Great trophies and very good photos. The pic. over the valley with fog is ++++
Good Hunting
CF
02 August 2013, 20:11
jorgeGreat hunt report and great trophies. The Bubye looks like a hell of a place to go!
Global warming? seriously?
USN (ret)
DRSS Verney-Carron 450NE
Cogswell & Harrison 375 Fl NE
Sabatti Big Five 375 FL Magnum NE
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NRA Life Member
02 August 2013, 20:27
talentrecMy first night in Zim was spent in Fimbiri. Your post brings back good memories. Congrats on a successful hunt!
Ali,
Congratulation!!!! Amazing hunt, very nice pics and above all good write-up. Wish you all the best in all coming safaries, I personally herd stories from you at my home, but writing gave me insight of your days in jungle.
Congratulation to Naveed as well for taking best photos for you.
Cheers! Brothers!
IH
02 August 2013, 22:21
Mark A.Great photos; great animals. Congrats!
03 August 2013, 00:15
MikelravyGood report and the photos are outstanding.
03 August 2013, 00:50
FishN4EyesMost importantly, congrats on a great lion!
Secondly, outstanding photography and a very enjoyable report.
The Bubye is definitely on my list of places to hunt.
03 August 2013, 01:04
TrophyShotPrintsOUTSTANDING safari!!!
Wonderful report and your photographs SPECTACULAR!!!
Enjoyed every minute of it!
Thank you!
Roland
03 August 2013, 01:29
Brain1Very nice, thanks.
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03 August 2013, 14:03
Ali HakimHi Roland, thanks for you kind comments. I was using a Nikon D-90 (150 & 300mm lenses). The D-90 has been replaced by newer versions from Nikon. It is always wise to have 2 pairs of lenses, gives you a lot of options. Keep us posted on your hunt as well, cheers, Ali
quote:
Originally posted by Late-Bloomer:
OUTSTANDING safari!!!
Wonderful report and your photographs SPECTACULAR!!!
Enjoyed every minute of it!
Thank you!
Roland
Ali Hakim
03 August 2013, 15:11
Ahmed SultanGreat photos and a fantastic lion, congratulation Hakim Sb.
Ahmed Sultan
03 August 2013, 19:48
OrvarAwesome safari - congratulations!
03 August 2013, 22:39
MANDLAZIMSome outstanding trophies. Well done.
The pic of the 2 giraffe on the road and also the Buffalo bull in the soft light are brilliant!
04 August 2013, 05:12
Dutch44Great lion and trophies. Photography was outstanding as well. A memorable hunt for sure.
Dutch
04 August 2013, 19:40
Eland SlayerOutstanding photos, and a beautiful Lion trophy!!
I also love that photo of the two Giraffes on the road.
04 August 2013, 20:38
465H&HI have been fortunate to have hunted with Brent on several elephant hunts. Brent has a well deserved reputation of always producing game for his clients. Nice trophies by the way!
465H&H
04 August 2013, 21:43
MartyGreat trip, outstanding report and photos. Congratulations to you, and thanks for posting.
05 August 2013, 21:11
Brian ClarkSome breath taking photos there and what a wonderful safari and I'm sure the pucker factor was quite tight going after your lion like that, great job by all.
05 August 2013, 21:27
samirGreat report. Thanks for sharing all those awesome photos.

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Searcy 470 NE
05 August 2013, 21:31
muygrandeSuperb pictures for certain, great trophies and very well written report. Thanks so much for bringing back my 14 days in the Fimbiri camp with John Sharp a short four years ago. Looks like you got my nyala which we hunted hard for but no cigar. He is a beauty as well. Oh, nice lion!!! Thanks for sharing.
06 August 2013, 00:13
GeracLooks like an amazing hunt. Great trophies and really amazing pictures!
06 August 2013, 01:08
PostDriverWhat happened to the pics?????
I can't see the photos either, just a photo bucket box.
"There are worse memorials to a life well-lived than a pair of elephant tusks." Robert Ruark
06 August 2013, 13:07
Ali HakimSorry Robert for the inconvinience,am working on it, should have the photographs up and about shortly, Ali
quote:
Originally posted by SBT:
I can't see the photos either, just a photo bucket box.
Ali Hakim