CMS safari

[Reza7700]

Cannot go wrong…CMS are a top top outfitter. I’ll be hunting Elephant with them in May. Hunted Dande East back in 2012 I think it was.
They will have several options for you. They hunt several Prime areas for Buff.
Dande North
Nyakasanga
Sengwe
For example…

 

[Reza7700]

Thanks to all for the responses and input!

 

[Jeff505]

Hunted buffalo and plains game in the Dande in 2021, PH was Alan Shearing. Wonderful experience, have a write up on the hunt.

 

[towserthemouser]

Thanks to all who have posted in this thread; I too have heard nothing but great things about CMS.

Although I have not hunted with them yet, I do have an elephant hunt booked with them for 2026 so it's great to hear such good reports!

 

[neckdeep]

Buzz and Myles are some of the most respected and well established in Zim. I have not personally hunted with them, but many have, it would be tough to find a negative comment against them, book with confidence.

 

[Bejane]

You'll have a great time with CMS. They are a very personable PH's , you'll learn alot about the bush, hunting etc. You'll get to fish too

 

[SWS1]

Thanks to all who have posted in this thread; I too have heard nothing but great things about CMS.

Although I have not hunted with them yet, I do have an elephant hunt booked with them for 2026 so it's great to hear such good reports!

Christening that new Westely Richards?
I've just booked for buff with them in 2026

 

[towserthemouser]

Christening that new Westely Richards?
I've just booked for buff with them in 2026

That, sir, is precisely the plan! Rifle scheduled for delivery this year, need some time for practice and preparation with it, then go put some scratches on it in Zim next year!

 

[samson7x]

Anyone mind PMing me a rough cost for buff hunt with CMS or D&Y? Would love to hunt with one of these outfits, however I'm not sure it's in my future financially and I hate to be a bothersome tire kicker. Thanks.

 

[Tanks]

My last 3 hunts in Zimbabwe has been with CMS, leopard, buffaloes and elephants. Wholeheartedly recommend.

 

[Reza7700]

You'll have a great time with CMS. They are a very personable PH's , you'll learn alot about the bush, hunting etc. You'll get to fish too

That's great!

 

[30.06king]

The nice thing about CMS’s PH are several of them (Buzz, Myles, Alan, Len, Dean, Keith) have got a lot of TV time on “Tracks Across Africa” and “Hornady Dark and Dangerous.” I’ve met several of them and hunted with Alan. As far as I can tell the person on the show is the person you hunt with, no acting. The episodes are all available on MyOutdoorTV so you can get a good idea who you’ll hunt with.

And no matter who you are, prince or pauper ( like me ) CMS will work their backsides off to give you the greatest hunt experience ever. CMS don't ever forget that you are the client who, with your hard earned cash, is trusting them to provide an unforgettable experience.
My suggestion is to go there with a determination to hunt hard and honestly. CMS will hunt as hard as you want to, and harder, and I don't think they understand the concept of ever "giving up". It will make you appreciate their outfit even more.

 

[Tanks]

...
My suggestion is to go there with a determination to hunt hard and honestly. CMS will hunt as hard as you want to, and harder, and I don't think they understand the concept of ever "giving up". It will make you appreciate their outfit even more.

That is one thing I wish to emphasize, if going to Dande or Dande East especially. If you are not willing to walk then you will be disappointed. A year or two ago a hunter complained on another forum about going home empty handed and proceed to flame CMS. I talked to his PH (I hunted with him before) asked what happened. His response: "Client did not want to walk". Dande is not RSA, you don't drive into a pen and shoot a buffalo a few minutes later.

If you are not willing to put forth the effort and sweat, then you will not have a successful hunt. The pic below is after 5 miles of going up and down hills in Dande in the morning. Also, make sure you hydrate.

 

[375Fox]

That is one thing I wish to emphasize, if going to Dande or Dande East especially. If you are not willing to walk then you will be disappointed. A year or two ago a hunter complained on another forum about going home empty handed and proceed to flame CMS. I talked to his PH (I hunted with him before) asked what happened. His response: "Client did not want to walk". Dande is not RSA, you don't drive into a pen and shoot a buffalo a few minutes later.

If you are not willing to put forth the effort and sweat, then you will not have a successful hunt. The pic below is after 5 miles of going up and down hills in Dande in the morning. Also, make sure you hydrate.

It should also be noted also that hunter quit and ended his hunt early. A person that wants to walk and hunt hard and see Africa will really enjoy Dande and go home with a buffalo and a few PG. I found that hunter’s accusations ridiculous when I had an incredibly successful hunt from that camp less than a year before.

 

[Tanks]

It should also be noted also that hunter quit and ended his hunt early. A person that wants to walk and hunt hard and see Africa will really enjoy Dande and go home with a buffalo and a few PG. I found that hunter’s accusations ridiculous when I had an incredibly successful hunt from that camp less than a year before.

Yeah, I think you were coming a month or so after I was there. When we saw a large herd of buffalo I asked if I could shoot an extra one and was told the only remaining permit was reserved for someone coming after me.

 

[SWS1]

And no matter who you are, prince or pauper ( like me ) CMS will work their backsides off to give you the greatest hunt experience ever. CMS don't ever forget that you are the client who, with your hard earned cash, is trusting them to provide an unforgettable experience.
My suggestion is to go there with a determination to hunt hard and honestly. CMS will hunt as hard as you want to, and harder, and I don't think they understand the concept of ever "giving up". It will make you appreciate their outfit even more.

Great to hear a fellow kiwi had a good trip there. I booked there for my first Africa trip in 2026

 

[30.06king]

Great to hear a fellow kiwi had a good trip there. I booked there for my first Africa trip in 2026

I think you're in for a great hunt. I hope you're hunting from one of the camps in the Zambezi Valley. I just can't get tired of hunting there. Absolutely love it.
A big factor in my initial booking with CMS was knowing a couple of Kiwis who had hunted there a couple of times before I went. That convinced me that CMS would be the right outfit.

 

[SWS1]

I think you're in for a great hunt. I hope you're hunting from one of the camps in the Zambezi Valley. I just can't get tired of hunting there. Absolutely love it.
A big factor in my initial booking with CMS was knowing a couple of Kiwis who had hunted there a couple of times before I went. That convinced me that CMS would be the right outfit.

Thank you. Dande north I believe with either Dave or Dean guiding.
With work commitments I can’t get there until mid October - so I suspect the heat will be similar to last years banteng hunt

 

[30.06king]

Thank you. Dande north I believe with either Dave or Dean guiding.
With work commitments I can’t get there until mid October - so I suspect the heat will be similar to last years banteng hunt

Dande North is in the Valley. CMS has some nice camps there.
You're right, October is usually hot. Latest I've hunted was early Sept. which was definitely warm but heat there doesn't seem to affect me much. Due to low humidity I think, unlike Auckland region where I live which is very himid and tiring. Gotta remember hydrate often even though you might nof feel thirsty. Just ensure the boys pack water bottles every day.
I don't know Dave but have met and had great discussions with Dean. I would hunt with him no problem. All my hunts have been with Alan Shearing, a gentleman and PH plus.

 

[Dinsdale]

Thank you. Dande north I believe with either Dave or Dean guiding.
With work commitments I can’t get there until mid October - so I suspect the heat will be similar to last years banteng hunt

My hunts with CMS have all been late Sept or into mid October. 28*C at night, and can be over 40*C during the day.

I happen to like the heat; and handle it pretty well. Makes packing stupid light as you need no long sleeve anything or coats.

2017 had some very warm weather, a few nights around 35 and days in mid 40’s.

We have always started early, like 4am and taken a fairly long break mid day unless on really fresh tracks. Afternoons generally get back to camp around 8pm for dinner. Its long days which also happens to suit me well.

I take a powder sports drink electrolytes mix for day and a small battery fan for night . I use rechargeable batteries and a backpacking solar charger that will do the batteries or a phone and stick it on the roof of the truck mid day to top things off.

In Dande North, Mururu camp is closed by late season and I have always hunted out of the main Pedza Pasi camp, although I have fished several days after hunting from Matambo, right on the Zambezi. Pedza has OK internet service, and they run a generator early morning, mid day and evening for lights, refrigeration, WiFi. Down side at Pedza is the block wall buildings hold the heat, they moved one persons bed out on the veranda for some relief. Matambo is tents and up on a ridge/bluff overlooking the river and I think is cooler temp wise.