July 2025 – Newsletter
Apologies for the delay in getting this first newsletter out – 2025 took off at a gallop, and I’ve been playing catch-up! The year started with a bang at the SCI Convention in January, which was, as always, a fantastic time. I had the chance to reconnect with old friends and make a few new ones!! And thank you so much to everyone who opened their homes to me along the way and made me feel so incredibly welcome. You all know who you are!!!
One of the early season highlights was finally welcoming Jan in person, after years of back-and-forth communication having met many many moons ago in Dortmund. He decided 2025 was the year to make his “once in a lifetime” safari a reality – and I’m truly honoured he chose to do it with us. Joined by his lovely bride, Friederike, they travelled from Germany to Nyakasanga in pursuit of three key trophies: a buffalo bull, a tuskless elephant, and a hippo – all ideally taken at close quarters. Jan’s enthusiasm was infectious from day one, and his trusty open-sighted .500 Jeffrey was more than up to the task. We hit the ground running in thick bush and waterlogged terrain – exactly why we opted for an early season hunt. Luck was on our side early, with Jan making a textbook frontal brain shot on a big hippo bull. The action didn’t slow down – soon after, he followed it up with an adrenaline-charged tuskless elephant hunt. The final piece of the puzzle was the buffalo. We tracked deep into the thickest jesse, navigating tangled bush and tense moments, but the reward was worth it – Jan brought down a fantastic bull at close range, just as he’d hoped. Throughout it all, Friederike proved to be an absolute trooper, joining us on every step of the hunt and showing real grit.
It was a pleasure to share the bush and the campfire with you both. I’m incredibly grateful for your trust – and although this was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime hunt, I’m thrilled to say it’s now a “see you next year!” Can’t wait.
After a brief recharge at home, I headed back to Nyakasanga with Mr B, who had made the journey for a buffalo bull. In hindsight, I probably should have taken a few more days off, as this one turned out to be a proper challenge – a doozy some might say. Everything that could go wrong – did. We faced thick bush, unpredictable winds, too many elephants, and a few too-curious lions, not to mention buffalo that seemed to walk us in circles for days.
We put in countless hours and even more kilometres on the tracks, but mostly saw tail ends disappearing into the thickets. I’ll admit – I was starting to feel the pressure. But just when things were looking bleak, at the 11th hour, the angels smiled down, and Mr B got his opportunity. He didn’t hesitate – dropped a phenomenal old Dugga boy with a perfect shot. A tough hunt, but one with a truly moving ending that will stay with me for many years to come. Huge kudos to Mr B for staying positive and pushing through – a true testament to patience, resilience, persistence and faith. Let’s hope next time is just a little easier!
Next up was Stefan, who accompanied a fantastic trio of hunters from Florida – a father and his two sons. They arrived in Chirundu full of energy and ready for anything. Day one set the tone, with a massive crocodile and a beautiful buffalo bull taken before sunset. The youngsters then headed off to Gache Gache with Mark and Corris, while I stayed behind in Chirundu with Dad. Not to be outdone, Dad quickly added another cracking buffalo, a big “valley” elephant, and a great selection of plains game to the salt. With the pressure off, we managed to find time to slow down, enjoy the sunsets, and photograph the incredible valley trees – a real passion of his.
Meanwhile, the boys kept the action rolling in Gache, adding another two dugga boys, a second monster croc, hippo, and more top-notch plains game.
Family hunts are always something special, and this one was no exception. Thank you for allowing us to be part of such a meaningful father-and-sons experience – these are the moments that truly stay with us.
Looking ahead, our booth is confirmed (#2500) for Nashville 2026, and the calendar is already filling up. If you’re thinking of booking a hunt or want to chat about possibilities, don’t hesitate get in touch with Hayley or I. Here’s to another exciting season of adventure, challenges, and unforgettable memories.
As I write this, I’m packing up for another adventure – this time back to Gache Gache for what’s shaping up to be a wild “boys’ trip” with Wolf, Ingomar, and Buffalo Trails newcomer Rudiger. Should be a lot of fun!
“It’s almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream.” – Bern Williams
UNTIL THE NEXT EDITION………………As always – stay safe and have fun!!
E-Mail: buffalotrailssafaris@gmail.com Jannie Tel: +263 772 265 571 Hayley Tel: +263 733 419 724
Website: http://www.buffalotrailssafaris.com