KMG Hunting Safaris 2024 Season Photos

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Hi Marius, which caliber and bullet was used?

For this specific hunt, we used my .308Win loaded with 130gr monolithic solids. Very happy with the results with minimum damage to the hide.

 

[RockSlinger404]

For this specific hunt, we used my .308Win loaded with 130gr monolithic solids. Very happy with the results with minimum damage to the hide.

Thank you, much appreciated! I was thinking of using a 30-06 with 180gr solids, the result should be similar. Its just a longer bullet.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

This big bodied Bushbuck ram was hunted in one of our free range areas. This ram has a peculiar shape to his horns with incredible mass. Bushbuck are one of the spiral horned antelope, but there was almost zero spiral to this individual animal. Straight horns, but with incredible mass, this was simply a behemoth in his own right. Added a close up of the ram's horns to show the great mass he held all the way to the top, as well as the extraordinary shape.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

As we proceeded to make our way to what felt like Mount Everest, I picked up a Kudu bull on a drop off, at the end of of a valley at almost a 1000 yards away. The bull was sunning/feeding but definitely motivated at moving to his bedding area. As the saying goes, never leave fish to find fish. We turned around, and headed in the direction of the bull. Getting some height would be paramount to any chance at success. We climbed the opposite hill, losing sight of the bull for roughly 45 minutes. Once at the top, we slowly moved all along the edge, peering down into the valley, unbeknown whether the bull had descended or whether he was still hanging around the edge. We ran into a troop of Baboons at first, but the got out of the way. We sat down for 10 minutes and used the time to scan to try and pick up any type of movement. Quite a few Waterbuck cows, Kudu cows, and even another good Kudu bull. The second bull spotted was certainly a nice bull, but I had seen something on the first bull that made me want to sit an extra few minutes. All of the animals were unaware of our presence. After roughly 30 minutes of glassing, we decided to move a little bit closer to where we had seen the first bull. As we got up, there was a disturbance below, with the unmistaken sounds of stones rolling from something running on the opposite hill. I quickly got the hunter prone while scanning for the movement. The bull that we had seen, must have picked up the movement, and got nervous. Our height advantage meant that we could keep eyes on him. Range across the valley was a comfortable 220 yards. Once our hunter picked him up and followed him through the scope, I got the bull to stop. A single shot was all that was needed. Notice the beautiful warn down Ivory tip on the bull's left horn. Not the deepest bull, but he ticked all of the boxes. Old age, great shape and one that will make most hunters proud.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Last day of our 10 day safari had us looking for a Common Duiker. Common Duiker are known to have a relatively small home range, and I had seen two large rams in one of our free range areas the previous year. Since the free range areas are only open during June and July, I knew that chances were good that they would still be around, unless a predator got involved. The order of the day again was to try and get close with the little Hornet. From roughly 500 yards away, I saw this ram feeding and confirmed that he was a very good ram through the Spotting Scope. Leaving my tracker to keep and eye on him, I had him guide us in with the radio. Once we were only 70 or so yards away, we realized that it was going to be quite tough to see him in the long grass. He would need to to step into a patch with openings among the shrub. Even after being explained exactly where he was via certain beacons, we still could not identify him.
A small movement caught my eye just as we had decided to break for lunch and come back in the afternoon, only to see the ram eating on one of the more open clearings roughly 80 yards away.
We proceeded to crawl with shooting sticks in order to try and close the distance, keeping a single bush between us and the ram. Once we got to the only shrub that was in the clearing, I managed to get a range on the ram at 62 yards. I opened the shooting sticks from a lying down position, without being noticed and duly explained to our hunter until he could see the outline of the ram. After getting him onto his haunches, we waited for the ram to turn his head while he was feeding, giving us just enough time to move into a shooting position. Once the hunter stood up, he had already settled the rifle onto the shooting sticks when the ram noticed the movement. Duiker will often freeze, giving you enough time to get a shot off. The little Hornet barked and we watched the ram go down.
With some great secondary growth to this ram, and quite a few teeth missing, we could not be happier in taking this superb specimen.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Another beaut of a ram coming out of one of our free range areas. We are always so excited for June and July to arrive that open up these areas for us when it comes to Bushbuck.
Something big coming up for this trip. Stay tuned for an absolutely incredible animal.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Always enjoyable when the ladies join in on the fun!

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I'm a firm believer that there is no such thing as luck or coincidence. Only blessings from above. If it is meant for you, it will happen.
When I sat down at the Dallas Safari Club Convention with our hunter to start planning his trip two years in advance, he mentioned that he wanted a big Kudu. "Something in the 55" range", he said with a smirk. This made me extremely uneasy. I had to explain that we have the Cape Kudu in our areas. When we met at the convention the following year, he reminded me of his desire of a 55" Kudu, but I guess he could see the sweat beads appear, and jokingly relieved me of my stroke.
We decided to send him to one of our free range areas where we know he would have a chance at a big bull. This was late June, so the rut was done. It wouldn't be easy, but we never give up. Ever.
The previous evening, he had missed a big bull at last light. Excitement got the better of him. As they say, a good Professional Hunter will be your mechanic, your priest, your psychologist and everything else that goes along with making for a successful safari. We had our work cut out keeping spirits up that evening. We still had time.
The next day, he was presented with a shot on this behemoth of a bull. This time, there was no mistake. Ice in the veins. When things don't go your way on safari, always keep in mind that there was a reason for it. There might just be something better around the next corner. Could not happen to a nicer guy.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Just because we move closer to the off season, doesn't mean that we can simply sit back as far as predator control is concerned. It is a year round effort. Keeping predators in check is paramount to the survival of the local small game species, as well as small stock, especially since we are surrounded by cattle and small stock farmers. Without Caracal being high on many hunters' lists, hounds-men simply would not be able to run this incredible program. The trophy fees on these animals goes a long way to cover food, medical bills as well as job creation to the individuals who put countless hours and miles down every single day.
Finding a fresh kill goes a long way in the success of the hounds bumping a cat. Here was a lamb that had been caught, as well as a Bushbuck ewe. Below each photo, the perpetrators. Also see the short clip of the hounds working a track. Notice how everyone's attention changes direction once the lead dogs show the way around the 38 second mark.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

An absolute tank of a bull for our hunter here in the mountains of the Eastern Cape. Shot was taken at roughly 40 yards, frontal. Shot went through the neck, taking out the top of the lungs. Notice the swollen face on the bull, no doubt from the pressure of the shot.
I have another photo of the swollen face, which is too graphic to post. If anyone is interested, please feel free to PM me.

 

[425SCHADE]

An absolute tank of a bull for our hunter here in the mountains of the Eastern Cape. Shot was taken at roughly 40 yards, frontal. Shot went through the neck, taking out the top of the lungs. Notice the swollen face on the bull, no doubt from the pressure of the shot.
I have another photo of the swollen face, which is too graphic to post. If anyone is interested, please feel free to PM me.



View attachment 641175
View attachment 641176

That is an ugly swollen face! The Buff is good but

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Cat and mouse was the order of the day after setting out to hunt Eland. We connected on this stellar bull after a few failed stalks. Not many animals as impressive and a proper Eland bull.

 

[375Ruger416]

Cat and mouse was the order of the day after setting out to hunt Eland. We connected on this stellar bull after a few failed stalks. Not many animals as impressive and a proper Eland bull.

View attachment 641765

Great looking eland!

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Great looking eland!

Thank you sir.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

After 4 hard days of looking over countless bulls, our last day was met with gale force winds. Strong winds can often concentrate animals and this was no different, counting 14 bulls in this hidden away valley. We managed to connect with this bull with roughly 2 hours left of the safari. Shot was taken at 160 yards.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Beautiful old, Waterbuck bull hunted high up in the mountains of the Eastern Cape. Great shot made at a steep angle at roughly 190 yards. This one needed team work with one PH sitting on the rock ledge in the back, right of the photo and guiding the acting PH in on the bull by radio. We knew that sight would be lost for a considerable amount of time so thought best to keep the height advantage and have eyes on him.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Big ivory on this old Nyala bull. Although not on his last legs, this bull had substantial wear on his teeth. Colour on a Nyala bull is often a great sign on what to look for when chasing age. Just like father time taking toll on all of us, these bulls also turn lighter/grey in colour as they get older.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

What would a week be without a Bushbuck? Another beautiful free range ram from one of our areas. Here our hunter is sitting with tracker, Civet Cat.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

That is truly the Eland of a lifetime!
And all the others are quality old trophies too

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

That is truly the Eland of a lifetime!
And all the others are quality old trophies too

Thank you Tim. Appreciate the comment, mate!