Outfitter: Tollie’s South African Safari’s

Tollie's South African Safari's

PH: Niel Schoeman

Country: South Africa

Area: western East Cape near Somerset East, north of Port Elizabeth

Date: July 2002

Animals: Kudu, Black Wildebeest, Impala, Blesbok, Springbok, Steenbok and Mountain Reed Buck

My Booking agent: Dale Bigger Biggeroutdoors@aol.com

Comments: This was my first African hunt. I was accompanied on this hunt by my wife, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law and my son.

Every aspect of the hunt, from the early planning stages two years ago, to the arrival back home were arranged by Tollie. We had originally planned on making our own travel arrangements, but Tollie was able to do better for us.

Every question we had, and there were lots, were answered promptly and accurately.

Tollie’s operation is family oriented. Tollie’s lovely wife Karen is as deeply involved in this operation. This is a hunt you can take the wife and kids on and feel confident they will be accommodated without jeopardizing your hunt time. Tollie and Karen arranged for tours and sight seeing for the women.

My PH Niel Schoeman is a very knowledgeable hunter. His hunting skills were superb. He was always aware of the wind, sun, and terrain. His knowledge of animals in the area made it easier for us to start a stalk knowing we would find a good animal at the end. His stalking skills are incredible. Judging by the trophies I took and comparing them with what other have posted here Niel’s trophy judging skills are also excellent. He was patient and very quick to identify my physical limitations and utilize those limitations in the hunt. (Knee surgery 4 months earlier) Perhaps most important he has a passion for hunting. His emotions were the same as mine. He never acted as if he were leading me out to kill game; instead we were going out to hunt. He always displayed an enthusiasm that makes you want to hunt. He was always a gentleman and it will be my pleasure to hunt with him again.

Accommodations were outstanding. A modern hunting lodge is set aside for guests. Because it was winter when we were at Tollie’s and central heating is not needed very often in South Africa, Tollie has equipped each room with a space heater and each bed with a heating pad. The rooms and lodge were always spotlessly clean.

Food was sumptuous. We tried different type game every night. There was always food and drink available, whether in our lodge or in the field hunting. Lunch was a box lunch, and not once was I ever able to eat everything in the box.

I could get use to having my hunting clothes washed and ironed every day. (My wife has informed me she will show me where the iron is stored here at home)

My game was always promptly and properly cared for. The Skinners did an excellent job caping, making sure all flesh was removed, no unnecessary cuts were made in the hide, ears were turned and lips split. Although we weren’t present to see our trophies being packed for shipping, we did see others being prepared. Great care was taken to see that each trophy was carefully tagged, dipped, dried and packed to prevent damage during shipping.

Perhaps the greatest highlight of the trip was Tollie helping my 72-year-old non-hunting, non-shooting mother-in-law, take a Zebra. Tollie took the time to teach her to shoot and then had the patience to take her out to take her zebra. It is something see will never forget. Now a month and a half after the hunt she still talks about with a great deal of excitement in here voice.

If you are interested in a good first Africa hunt or just don’t want a primitive hunt, or you are looking for a good family vacation trip you should consider Tollie. I will hunt with Tollie again.

Douglas Dickens
ddgofer@hotmail

[ 09-02-2002, 20:07: Message edited by: Double D ]