Outfitter: Jim Hackiewicz
PH: Pieter Kriel
Dates: May 22 – June 1, 2008
Hunter: Charles
Observer: Ellice
Airline: American Airlines DFW to London, British Airways London to Johannesburg
Side Trip: 3 days in Kruger Park
Rifle: CZ 375 H&H
Animals on my list in order or preference are: Kudu, Gemsbok, Impala, and Blue Wildebeest
KRUGER PARK:
May 22nd: Pieter picked us up at Johannesburg International Airport. On the drive to Olifants Rest Camp, Kruger Park we had an opportunity to get acquainted with Pieter, get acclimated to the time difference, discuss my hunting priorities, and learn a bit about South Africa. Pieter is very knowledgeable and patiently answers our questions. In fact he is anxious to share his knowledge with us. One of the surprising things was that as we headed for Kruger Park we encountered a number of elevation changes with drastic temperature, terrain, and vegetation changes. The next pleasant surprise was the quality of our accommodations and the view from our bungalow. A great place for a sundowner.
May 23rd: We are up early and our adventure begins with a wonderful sunrise view. We visit the Elephant Hall Museum at the Letaba Rest Camp. Today we saw Waterbuck cows, Impala, Elephants, Kudu, Hippos, Crocodiles, Giraffes, Lions, Zebras, Wildebeest, Steenbok, Cape Buffalo, and more birds than I can remember. We spent the night at Tamboti Tented Rest Camp. Our accommodation at Tamboti is a tent, but don’t let that fool you. It was great. The “tent” is a safari tent mounted on stilts with double bed, single sleeper couch, bathroom, fridge, and a small deck overlooking the Timbavati River. We enjoy a sundowner, braai, and then off to bed. It was perfect for a good nights sleep except for the Lions roaring. Hearing Lions roaring while sleeping in a tent is very memorable, and makes you appreciate the electric fencing around the camp area. If you want the tent camp experience this is the time of year to do it because the tent had a ceiling fan, but no air conditioning.
May 24th: We are up early again and continue our adventure. Today we saw Warthogs, Giraffes, Baboons, Elephants, Waterbuck, Impala, a Python, Kudu, Cape Buffalo, Crocodiles, White (Wyd) Rhino, Blue Wildebeest, Hippos, and Black Rhino. We spent the night in a bungalow at Lower Sabie Rest Camp. The bungalow has a magnificent view of the Sabie River and is very spacious and comfortable, and the dining room had a great dinner buffet. I let Pieter know that I would be willing to swap the Blue Wildebeest for a Waterbuck if we see a good one.
May 25th: We are up before sunrise to get in more animal viewing and sightseeing before starting the long trip to where we are going to hunt. We start at a close by watering hole and see a Fish Eagle, which is a ringer for the Bald Eagle, and numerous other birds. We also see Crocs and Hippos. We head out for Skukuza which is the main camp of Kruger Park. Along the way we see Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Warthog, Baboons, and Impala. We joked that we were going to see how long we could go without seeing Impala. It was the one animal that we saw more frequently than Elephants. At Skukuza we see Vervet Monkeys and Fruit Bats, and visit the Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Library. The library houses a display containing the knife ranger Harry Wolhuter used to kill the Lion that attacked him thought he was dead, and was dragging him home for dinner. After a long drive we arrive at Leshoka Thabang (near Roedtan, Limpopo Province) where we are greeted by a great staff, a beautiful chalet, a sundowner, and a wonderful dinner. For dinner we had our choice steak or fish, soup, side dishes, and dessert. Back at the chalet I lay out my gear for the part of the trip I have been anxiously awaiting and then it’s off to bed.
THE HUNT:
May 26th: We are up early (this is the first vacation where I get up almost as early as I do for work) enjoy coffee and a light breakfast, and we are off to sight in the scope. We sight in the scope and I take several practice shots. I have never shot anything larger than a 30-06 and it takes a bit for me to get comfortable with Pieter’s 375 H&H. Getting comfortable with this round is mostly psychological because in this weight rifle the 375 exhibits more of a push than the kick I feel with my lighter 30-06. I have a very difficult time with my left shoulder trying to shoot offhand in general and we agreed that I would not even try it with this rifle so I will be using the tripod I brought with me.
Okay, let the hunt begin. We spend the rest of the morning driving around spotting game and stalking. We see lots of game including Giraffe, Gemsbok, Impala, Hartebeest, Ostrich, and Rhino. Of our many stalks one of my more memorable ones was in an area with very little cover and at one point we were belly crawling to get to the next very small thorn bush. We got to within about 40 – 50 yards of a small group of Impala. None of them were of trophy quality, but we waited and watched them as they slowly made their way toward us. When the first one cleared the cover within spitting distance of us he was very shocked and took off making a huge fuss. We had a good laugh and headed back to the lodge for brunch. Brunch consisted of eggs, sautéed mushrooms, grilled tomato with cheese, sausages, thick wheat toast, juices, cereals, biscotti, and coffee. Everywhere we went the norm seemed to be instant coffee, but Pieter (who enjoys coffee as much Ellice) would always get them to brew real coffee for us.
In the afternoon we resumed our hunt. Again we see lots of game, but most are either not animals I am looking for or not shooters. Pieter spots a nice Impala so he says “let’s go for a walk”. My wife started referring to that as foreplay because every time I heard it my heart rate and breathing would quicken. As we are stalking up on the Impala Pieter kept pointing out Rhino droppings and footprints. That sure got my attention. We were within about 60 yards from him before we reached a spot where I could get a clear shot. Pieter slowly set up my tripod and I eased over and took the shot on my first African animal. My blood was pounding in my ears and I rushed the shot a little. I hit a little further back than I intended (Pieter says it stepped forward just as I took the shot), but that .375 put him straight down. We took a couple of quick photos and Pieter suggested with all the fresh Rhino sign we saw stalking in we should get him out quickly. Pieter grabbed one end and I grabbed the other and we quickly got him to the road where the land owner’s representative met us with the bakkie. Pieter marked my face with Impala blood, we took many photos, and then it was sundowner time. We dropped the Impala at the skinning shed and headed back to the lodge. We had a great steak dinner with African wine. The only trophy quality Gemsbok we have seen were cows. Pieter asked if I would be interested in taking a cow or only wanted to hunt bulls. I wanted the option to take a cow so Pieter asked the manager to contact the land owner and verify that taking cows would be acceptable.
May 27th: It is overcast and windy (it is pouring not far from where we are hunting), and we have a flat tire from a thorn. We change the tire, have a light breakfast, and head out. Pieter spots a group of Warthogs and one is a definite shooter. Warthog isn’t on my list, but I would not mind a good one. We are off the bakkie and head out. We get close enough for a shot, but the one we are after is either behind brush or other Warthogs until we are busted. They take off and we try to keep up with them on a parallel path. We loose them when they go down an Aardvark hole. We see more game than on a good day of east Texas deer hunting, but not what we are looking for. We break for brunch, Pieter ran to town to have the tire fixed or replaced, and we get lots of photos of the lodge and grounds. Close to the lodge they have an aviary and they breed parrots and other exotic birds. One of the other guests reports encountering a Rhino on the path between the main lodge and their chalet last night. Okay, no more walking between the chalet and lodge for me.
After brunch we head back out. It is still overcast, but less windy. We spot a small group of Gemsbok so it’s time to take a walk. We stalk up on them, but the only shooters are cows. Since we have not received an answer from the land owner regarding taking cows we must pass. We discuss moving to a different camp. Before dinner Pieter makes some phone calls and at dinner we decide to change camps in the morning. Dinner is a braai and consists of steak, pork chops, buffalo wings, pap (this is the national staple food), malva (pudding), Jell-O, and chocolate mousse.
May 28th: We are up early, load our gear into the trailer, eat breakfast, say our goodbyes, check out and head west to Badger Bush Lodge (close to Thabazimbi, Limpopo Province). We get checked in, eat a quick lunch of cold cuts, and head out hunting. This was the only time Pieter looked like he may have a temper or at least a limit to his patience. The local guide we were assigned by the land owner was either falling asleep, answering his cell phone, smoking, or falling off of the bakkie. We went on a few stalks, but did not get anything today. We did have one interesting stalk. We were trying to stalk up to a small group of Gemsbok. At one point we were trying to sneak past a group of Impala and Warthogs at the same time, keep cover between the Gemsbok and us, and watch the wind. We could not keep cover between us and the Gemsbok, Impala, and the Warthogs. One of the Warthogs got suspicious and kept looking up at us. We would freeze and hold the pose until he went back to rooting. We were almost clear when he suddenly took off with his tail straight up. The other Warthogs and the Impala scattered, and the Gemsbok were nowhere to be seen. With all of the early warning alarms here (Baboons, Impala, Warthogs, birds, etc) it is a wonder that we weren’t busted more than we were.
We head back to the lodge for a sundowner and dinner. Dinner at Badger Bush Lodge starts with cocktails and appetizers around the fire pit with Jacques (the owner) cooking up appetizers and the main course on the braai and exchanging the days events with other hunters. For the main course we moved into the dining room.
May 29th: We have a light breakfast and we are off to Sunset Game Ranch. We see lots of game and soon after arriving we are off the bakkie and following fresh Gemsbok sign. Pieter stops and whispers there is a very nice Warthog behind some brush about 50 yards away. He sets up my tripod and I get setup. Pieter whispers that the shooter is the second one. When the first one emerges I stay very still and hope he doesn’t bust us. When the second one clears the brush I take the shot. It is about 9 AM and I have a Warthog on the ground. Things are looking up. Congratulations and smiles all around. We take lots of photos and I spend time admiring what to me is an absolutely fabulous Warthog. I think it is even a bit better than the one that went down the Aardvark hole. As we are taking the photos Alec (the land owner) pulls up and offers to take it back to the house, dress it, and put it in the cooler for us. We are very pleased and continue hunting. We occasionally spot Gemsbok or fresh Gemsbok sign, but never get an opportunity on one. We decide to try setting up in a hide close to a watering hole. It is warmer than normal and apparently the animals aren’t stirring because we never see anything. We pick up the Warthog and head back to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon we try another property. We try stalking several times on Gemsbok, but the wind direction keeps varying. On one stalk we walk way around to approach a small group with two shooter bulls from downwind. We get about 80 yards away and are waiting for them to clear brush when I see the grass swirl and they are gone in a flash. The rest of the afternoon continues in the same fashion. We head back to the lodge for a sundowner and dinner. I have two days left and still don’t have either of my top two preferences. After discussing my top priority being the Kudu we decide to drive to a bit further away and spend the whole next day on one property that is really good for Kudu.
May 30th: We head out even earlier because we have a longer drive. They have packed us up a lunch to take with us. When we arrive we meet Hannes, the owner of Nooitgedachat (Dutch for “Never Thought” as in I never thought this would happen). Admiring the 67” Kudu mount in his office taken from this property raises my hopes for a nice Kudu. We drive around the property and attempt a number of stalks. The property is very rocky and steep making the stalking tougher. It’s like we have gone from west Texas to Colorado. Pieter spots Kudu bulls, but they are always on the other side of a valley. We did spot a very nice, possibly record book, Impala. I would gladly have taken a second Impala, but did not want to chance blowing my Kudu hunt. At lunch we decided to change tactics and set up overlooking a watering hole. We climb up the side of a hill to a semi-flat spot about 175 yards from the watering hole. Pieter and Hannes cut some brush and built a hide. The Baboons don’t take kindly to our presence and start making a racket. Hannes sets off on a mission to run off the Baboons because they will alert everything in the area to our presence. We watch as Impala and Blue Wildebeest come to the watering hole, but none of the Blue Wildebeest are shooters. For hours the only Kudu we see are far on away on the opposite slope. The wind shifts slightly and Hannes thinks are chances of seeing a Kudu are gone, but Pieter is still hopeful. About 15 minutes later a Kudu bull walks into the clearing. Pieter judges him to be 53” and then lowers his estimate to 52”. I tell him that it is good enough as I watch him through the scope. He doesn’t go to the watering hole. Instead he keeps approaching almost straight at us and I am concerned he will cross the clearing and disappear behind brush before I get a shot. Finally he turns slightly, I put the crosshairs high and forward on the shoulder and take the shot. His reaction tells me I have a good hit. Pieter says I gut shot him and then starts grinning. I make some comment about gut shooting the PH. Pieter and Hannes head down the hill and tell us to grab the gear. When we get to the bottom of the hill Pieter says we are loosing our light and I need to go first and be ready in case he is just wounded and charges. I start following the blood trail and in a few minutes I spotted him down about 50 yards from where he was hit. I realized that Pieter already knew where he was, but wanted to observe my reaction when I saw him up close. Pieter then tells me he may have underestimated him. When we got him back to camp he measured 54”. I still have one day of hunting and I have my Kudu so I can really enjoy my sundowner and a good dinner.
May 31st: We are up early, have our coffee and biscotti, and head out. I am a bit nervous and sad because it is my last day, but still excited over yesterday’s Kudu. I am wishing I had booked a longer trip or had a park day back. In the morning we hunt what looks like it would be very productive property. We see plenty of Blue Wildebeest, but no shooters. A nice Bush Pig busts out of the brush and runs across the road, but we don’t pursue him. Later when I saw the price for Bush Pig I am really glad that I didn’t. I guess it is very uncommon to see Bush Pig out in the day because Pieter and the local guide had a difficult time convincing the land owner that it was a Bush Pig.
Since we did not see any Waterbuck, Wildebeest, or Gemsbok worth pursuing we tried a different property after lunch. We hunt The Farm Rooibokraal which is about 2 miles from the Botswana border and is owned by Renier. We see lots of fresh tracks and attempt a few stalks, but either we are not able to get on them or they aren’t shooters. By sundown I have resigned myself to not getting a Gemsbok, but Pieter and I discuss the possibility of a couple hours of hunting the next morning on a close by property on our way out. Suddenly Pieter spots a large group of Gemsbok and signals for the local guide to stop the bakkie. Pieter quickly surveys the group while I get the rifle ready. The group is about 200 yards away and we don’t have time to stalk closer because we only have a few minutes left of the last rays of light. We have difficulty ensuring that I am on the same bull as Pieter when a calf walks in front of the bull and then turns around and walks away. This let us know that we are on the same bull. I take the shot and it is a definite hit. We have lost our light so Pieter and the local guide carry torches while I walk beside them ready to shot if the Gemsbok jumps up from the tall grass and charges. We search the area where he was, but we can not find him or any blood in that dark with the tall grass. We go to Renier’s home to get a spotlight and see about using one of the tracking dogs. Renier won’t use the tracking dog because without sufficient light the dog could impale himself on the Gemsbok’s horns. We pick up the spotlight, Renier joins us and we head back out. Pieter tries to reassure me that we will find him. We know which direction the Gemsbok ran and so we start by driving slowly along the wooded area and shining the spotlight into the woods. I spot something white and we investigate. It is the Gemsbok’s white stomach. We get photos and drag him out to the bakkie. We carry him to back to the skinning shed, clean up, and head for the braai.
I have hunted to the last minute of my last day in Africa and have my top priorities. Now I can just relax and enjoy the few hours of Africa that I have left. As I enjoy a few sundowners, backstrap from my Kudu, several others tasty dishes that Jacques has cooked up, and the company of other hunters and PH’s I start thinking about my next trip to Africa. So much for this being the trip of a lifetime.
CONCLUSION:
On the long trip home I think about what worked and what I would do differently.
1. My small digital camera was handy and Pieter had a much better, but bulkier camera for the trophy shots.
2. I didn’t take a rifle because of connecting through London. I would recommend finding out exactly what model the PH’s loaner rifle is and try to get your hands on one to practice with.
3. If you have a scope that you like, talk to your PH about the possibility of bringing your scope and mounts.
4. I really liked my vest. It carried the gear that I wanted to keep handy, but could be dropped easily if we needed to crawl to get closer.
5. A small backpack is great for all of the gear that I wanted handy, but not carry on me. It contained aspirin, Advil, anti-diarrhea meds, small 1W LED flashlight, spare batteries for the flashlight, Wet Ones antibacterial wipes, spare reading glasses, anti-bacterial ointment, adhesive bandages, antihistamines, spare SD card for camera, and toilet paper (otherwise known as white gold).
