Outfitter: Cruiser Safaris, www.cruisersafaris.com
Where: Limpopo, RSA
Animals taken: kudu, gemsbok, impala, wildebeest, warthogs, nyala, grey duiker, steenbok, waterbuck, blesbok
Rifle used: Knight Disk Elite, 285 gr Barnes Spitfire bullets, 110 grs. Wano FFg black powder and Winchester 209 primers

I recently returned from my first safari in the Limpopo Basin and Waterburg Mountains, where I hunted with a muzzleloader. I had a fantastic trip from start to finish and with more than 20 days off work, I'm now suffering from post vacation depression. Everybody at Cruiser Safaris did a great job accommodating my needs. They delivered everything as promised, the food was excellent and worked very hard both in and out of the bush. Here's a few shots of camp.

Dining area


Lounge and Bar


Courtyard


Using a muzzleloader presented some challenges for both myself and my PH however we quickly learned to work as a team. I felt confident shooting out to about 150 yards with my rifle. However, I could only get about 1500 fps. at the muzzle with the black powder I was using so I wanted to keep my shots closer to 100 yards or less. Due to the bone dry drought conditions, and the wariness of the game, stalking was a challenge. Most of the animals we hunted would only tolerate being seen for a couple of seconds before taking flight. None the less, only the wildebeest was shot passed a 100 yards, and not by much, at about 110.

One thing is for sure...most everybody, even Issak my tracker wanted to try the gun that belched smoke.




The bullets I used are pretty much Barnes X-Bullets for muzzleloaders and even though I couldn't get the muzzle velocity I had hoped for, they worked with devastating effects. I only had three bullets that didn't pass through... my waterbuck, nyala and wildebeest. All of my animals were killed with one shot, except the first warthog. I hit him too far back so after a long bloodless track he charged out of his hole at us so Pieter my PH shot him in the head with a 30-06 as he lunged at us! The excitement was worth the extra shot and anyway I took a second bigger hog later on the last day. Here are my trophies, in the order that shot them.














As for the duiker...I shot him at sunset and we lost him until the next morning. The jackles really messed him up, and in the rush to save the cape we skipped the feild photo.








285 grain Barnes Spitfire MZ bullets from L. to R. wildebeest, nyala, waterbuck


South Africa is a very interesting country. The amount of wildlife is amazing! Even though I am planning to get back to Africa as soon as possible, my first hunting trip outside the US, will forever live in my memory.

For all of you who offered me advice in my earlier posts...thank you and happy hunting.

fairchase,

Congrats on an excellent hunt.
Nice animals and taking them with a chalenge as well with the muzzle loader.

Great post and congrats on the smoke pole trophies!

PM sent

sweet

Great looking critters!!

Great trophies!!

That pig is, well uh um.... A HOG!!!

Rgds,
FB

How many grains of powder did you use? Would you use pellets?

I hunted with Cruiser Safaris this past May, It looks like you had a good time and took some very nice animals. I am planning a return trip as soon as I have some more vacation time. This is a great bunch of guys to hunt with.

Thanks for all the replies.

Buckshotaz,
You're right, great company and a fun bunch of guys.

Die Ou Jagter,
I shot 110 grains of Wano Black powder. Wano is the main brand of BP available in RSA, and the only powder my outfitter could get in Jo'berg.
I dont like pellets in general because you are limited when you are working up a load for accuracy, Also, I didn't want to sneak any illegal items like Pyrodex or 777 past the TSA. I didn't like the risk or the thought of a fine and I knew I wouldn't relax if I did try. After all this is vacation and what do you have if you can't relax?

Absolutely COOL!! Now ya got me all fired up again. My son and I, and another father/son team are hunting with cruiser safaris next July, and I can't wait.

Mad Dog

fairchase, what part of idaho are you from?

Nice hunt and pics.

Mad Dog,
Good for you guys. Your trip will be here before you know it, and rest assured you'll have a great time! Crusier Bob is very detailed in his paperwork and he'll set you guys up for a smooth journey. Tell Boss Pieter that Mr. Lucky says "Hi" and that you saw my hunt report here on AR. Thanks.

Sidney,
I'm down in Boise. I'll send you a PM later.

Thanks for the post and pics.

Great report.

Congratulations

Gerhard

Very nice - congrats! I hunted with a m-loader with Pieter 2 years ago and had a great time...

Ya Tim,
I e-mailed you last year and you gave me some good advice, thanks.

Forgot about that - hope it helped some, but looks like everything went just fine...

Fairchase,

Great report on your hunt with Cruiser Safaris.I handgun hunted with Jacques in July took 5 animals including a 53" Kudu.Had a lot of good laughs with Grassy and the crew.Great to see a report on Cruiser they sure do a great job and need more reports like yours.What pranks did they play on you?

Hey bud, Thanks. Those guys told me about the hand gun hunter(s)? Really...they thought that was a fun bunch of hunts. Jacques said you were making some great shots.
I hunted with Grassy on most of my days but got a my Impala with Hans. They all hunt hard competing against each other, trying to put their client on the better animals. Glad you had a good trip. Check your PM box.

WTG fairchase. Congrats on your hunt and using a smokepole. Good pics of the Barnes you were able to retrieve. LDK

Congrats on an awesome hunt!
I too hunted with those guys last year and had an excellent time. Is Beatrix still the cook? I miss her food. What about Craig is he still a PH for them?

quote:

I too hunted with those guys last year and had an excellent time. Is Beatrix still the cook? I miss her food. What about Craig is he still a PH for them?

Ya, everybody is still there...and the food is still tasty.

I love the Limpopo region. Great quality of animals there. I shot a huge Impala there a couple of years ago.

Bwana91

Congratulations a great safari ,with a handiccaped weapon ,you are a good sportsman.Juan

Congrats on what appears to have been awesome trip.

You wouldn’t happen to be the guy I talked to a couple times out at Blacks Creek earlier this year would you? (I was breaking in my new CZ .375 H&H)

Glad to hear you had a great safari. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Unfortunately, I can't see the pics, but the story is great.