September 2024 – Newsletter
My apologies – it has been a little while since my last newsletter – after my hunt with Dennis and Travis, peak season kicked in – in full force, and I am only now coming up for a breather – but what a peak season it has been. This could be a long one I’m afraid!!
In June I moved from my hunt in Chirundu to welcome Buffalo Trails regular Jim, this time accompanied by African newbies, his wife Rae and their granddaughter to Nengo Camp in the Bubye Valley Conservancy. It’s always so invigorating to have first-timers on a safari, as you get fresh “eyes” on the wonders of the African bush that you can otherwise, sometimes take for granted. It was a fabulous hunt with some really exciting encounters and true to form Jim managed to bag some fantastic plainsgame in the first few days. It was then time for Mark Vallaro to take over and he did not disappoint in getting Jim and family the elusive nyala they had wanted together with a great specimen of a kudu bull. Congratulations Jim on a great hunt and thank-you for choosing us to be part of such a special family experience – it was such an honour and great fun. Definitely one for the family photo album!!!
From Nengo Camp in the Bubye Valley Conservancy I then moved across to Llamulas Camp to await the arrival of “The Three Musketeers” – Buffalo Trails veteran, Wolf and his two friends Niklaus and Andreas in search of buffalo bulls, nyala and plainsgame. It was an exciting hunt highlighted with some awesome camaraderie and even better hunting. Three great buffalo bulls were tracked and successfully bagged and some excellent plainsgame was also taken, notably a much sought after klipspringer and a gnarly old nyala bull. Andreas and Niklaus also got in on the action with a big hog, impala and a last day, last minute eland bull. Seeing so much wildlife in the form of elephant, rhino and lion added so much value to this hunt. Weidmansheil to all three of the posse and to Wolf – thank-you so much for your invaluable support – it is so appreciated and we can’t wait for next year’s adventure.
The ”Dynamic Duo” Jeff and Chastity then arrived back to Zimbabwe for their safari at Chirundu, this year for a big hunt of elephant bull, leopard, buffalo bull, crocodile, hippo and anything else that took their fancy really. Sadly, the cats were either too young or too wiley and we never had the opportunity on a good leopard – much to my chagrin and especially Chastity’s. However, barring the leopard it was a great hunt and between them and their marksmanship they managed an impressive bag of key species and some great plainsgame. Hats off to Jeff for some great shooting with his double -getting up close and personal with the elephant and buffalo made it even more challenging and super exciting. Time spent with Jeff and Chastity is always such a tonic and I’m really looking forward to seeing you both at the beginning of 2025.
A short stint at home and then the “Walking Wounded Will” arrived and we made our way to the Maninga Conservancy in the southern region of the Zambezi Escarpment. Just before leaving for Zimbabwe Will injured his back – however, he really rallied on this hunt and despite the pain I could see he was in, he persevered and we were rewarded with harvesting a beautiful old sable bull together with an exceptional plainsgame bag of baboon, bushbuck, duiker, jackal, kudu, oribi, waterbuck and a huge zebra stallion. A very impressive feat given the difficult circumstances. Thanks as always Will, for a truly memorable experience – glad you’re on the road to recovery and looking forward to the next one!!!
Another regular, Hubert, arrived shortly afterwards to Nyakasanga, eagerly anticipating his 59th buffalo bull. The first day was a route march on the tracks of two old dugga boys which unfortunately out-marched us. On the second day, after some intuitive tracking by Shingi and some skillful manoevering on our part we caught up to a group of 4 dugga boys. As always, patience paid off and Hubert executed a great shot on a grand old bull. A taxing recovery commenced, but as always it was made easier by the success of the hunt. The following days were spent bagging crocodile, grysbok, impala and kudu. After Hubert had shot a hyaena in the early morning, we managed to fit in a Zambezi River Borthday Cruise for Hubert, where he caught a Cornish Jack and then followed on with a francolin making for a Bush Birthday McNab.
Always great to spend time with you Hubert – see you soon for your 60th buffalo !!!
I am currently at home for a couple of weeks, catching up on some admin and driving the length and breadth of the country consolidating trophies. I have a couple of late season hunts booked but still have a couple of slots available for late season specials if anyone is keen and of course the booking sheets for 2025 are open – please feeel free to get in touch with any queries.
“A good life is a collection of happy memories.” – Dennis Waitley
UNTIL THE NEXT EDITION………………As always – stay safe and put on some sunscreen – it’s getting hot out there!!