Back from Africa...Man what a trip! (pics)

Wow... What a trip! Simply amazing.....My friend Sean and I harvested 22 animals!!

We arrived in JoBerg on May 18th after a 15hr flight. The 1st class seats folded out to a bed so we were able to sleep a bit.

We were met at the airport by Dean from the Aftonio Guest House. He was very helpful in helping us obtain our firearm and permit. Do not mention that this is your first time in Africa as the portors will try to request money for their help. I gave him a dirty American look and told him to process the firearm as required.
Here is where we stayed that night...


A nice place to relax. Comfortable with cold beer! We had a steak dinner there that evening. They do not recommend that you leave the facility at night! Notice the razor sharp gate tops and electric fencing!


Our flight to Port Elizabeth was un-eventful. All 13 of us made it with all bags! We were met by our outfitter Russ Field.

We loaded our gear and headed North for a 3 1/2 hour ride to the lodge. We made a quick stop along the way.


Russ arranged that our group stay at the Glen-Garry lodge due to the size. The ride was fun to say the least. Had to get used to driving on the opposite side of the road.. Here is the lodge..



We arrived at about 5pm and quickly settled in. We then went off to the range to check our guns. I shot first at 100yds and was dead on. The 300 win mag was ready.[smoke]
Our main meeting place was the "bar".. It was stocked with a lot of goodies... Castle Lager quickly became my favorite..


Mounts of various African game lined the walls and floors. All of us were excited to get out and hunt the next day. This was a 2X1 hunt. Sean and I meet with out PH, Charles. He was 30yrs old and had lived here all his life. He took the hunt and aspects of it very seriously. I liked him. Dinner was served about 8pm and the story telling and liquor flowed till midnight.[ko]


We awoke at 4:30 am to the sound of a damn rooster outside our hut! Wish I had some bird shot.. Fog filled the air as well as my head..[ko] Damn Castle Lager.. We headed down to the bar for some coffee & breakfast.. We were to hunt the lodge property this am. In our vehicle was Sean, myself, our tracker Simun and the farting Jack Russell dog, patchy. Geez this dog was bad!
Day 1
Sean was up first to shoot. We spotted some Kudu and our PH had a plan to put on a stalk. The Kudu cows make this growling sound that gives you the chills.. It was eerie. After about an hour the bull gave us the slip. We moved on. We then encountered Blesbuck. Sean maneuvered in for a shot and took one at about 250yds. As we moved down to it, the tracker spotted a Black Springbuck. The ph set up his sticks and Sean took that one as well!


As we proceed to the kill sites, I got my turn. A group of about 50 blesbuck are working in from right to left. We quicky set up. Charles tells me which one to take.. Bang.. My first animal down.

We take care of these animals and head back to the skinning shack and grab some lunch. On the drive back, our Ph spots a herd of black springbuck. We put on a stalk and get in to within 100yds.. I fire and he drops.. #2 down..


For the afternoon, we head to another property. We are after black wildebeest and zebra. We head off in the direction of the animals and settle in to a pit blind. Its not long before the first game shows up..

Sean took his black wildebeest at 260yds..

I take my Zebra at 210yds..My shot was bit a high. We had to track him. My second shot was heart shot and did its job.

Sean also took a Zebra. 7 down

Thorns!!! I forgot to mention the thorns!! They are on everything!! Should be called Spikes!



Day 2
I want a Kudu... We head to a ranch a little further away today. We arrive in time and spot a group of Kudu cows.. The stalk is on. We close the distance and spot the herd bull. He is a good one! Game on...We catch up with him in the bottom of the valley in the dry river bed. I wait for clear shot while balancing on the sticks and wham! Hit him hard. Kudu down..200 yds out downhill. I stepped in a cactus after I shot and immediately fell to the ground .An Impala is seen across the valley but my feet are stuck together! Sean gets on the sticks and takes his animal.



My Kudu had to be carried up from the bottom of the valley..

This was our morning... In the afternoon, we chased my Impala and also a Waterbuck for Sean.. We got both..
My Impala

Seans Waterbuck


Day 3
Today we drive North to another camp in the mountains.. Beautiful place..



Gemsbok and Blue wildebeest are on the list. After a steep climb and a bit of luck I harvest my Gemsbok.. Great bull at 80 yds.. Sean takes his at over 300yds..
My Bull

Sean's


In the afternoon we lock on to a herd of blue wildebeest. I got some great video of these animals scaling the cliffs. Strong animals.. My PH and I stalk in on the herd. He picks out a big bull. The distance is 100yds. Wham.. Off he goes. 40yds and drops. We hurry down the cliff to reach him...


Sean also connected on his bull. About 150 yd shot.


We celebrated well this evening.....

Day 4
Kudu day for Sean... Tough morning. Animals are seen but elude us. Afternoon has us set up overlooking a green field next to an orange grove. The kudu slowly file out of the brush but are over 400yds away.. One good bull in the group but shooting light faded.. We spent the night in another camp.


Day 5
We are on the Kudu this morning. We jump a small bull on the way in. After some serious glassing we spot a bull. Sean and the PH put a stalk on. A shot is heard but he did not connect. On the way back to the truck the guys spot a great bull... They get to within 125 yds and flatten him.. Nice Kudu...


Sean took various other animals over the next few days..
Warthog

White Springbuck

Duiker

Mountain Reedbuck


I took my last one (Common Springbuck) on the last day...

Shots from the skinning house..
Giraffe taken by one of the group

Pile of salted hides


I had a blast on this trip! All of us pictured here have hunted Brown Bear, Dall Sheep and Caribou in Alaska. We were not used to such accommodations![hihi]


If anyone can get to Africa,,,GO! Just an amazing experience...