Country: Mozambique
Dates: October 2-16 2023
Outfitter: @KWALATA SAFARIS
PH: Danie
Trackers: Godfried, Nhlapa
Locations Hunted: Niassa Reserve
Rifle: 416 Rigby
Load: Bullet: North Fork 400 gr SS
Powder: IMR 4350, 92.5 gr
Primer: CCI 250
Case: Norma (sourced from @RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION)
This trip started in February in Nashville when I was having a conversation with Jaco Strauss regarding returning to Niassa primarily for plains game but would also like to hunt another Buffalo. He informed me that he could accommodate early October, and that would be a great time for plains game due to the limited water and the game congregating toward the river as well as some other limited water sources. The trip was planned for a full 13 days of hunting and as it turned out would be Kwalata’s last Mozambique hunt of the season.
Travel was via Delta to Johannesburg and then Airlink on to Pemba followed by a private charter to camp. It was on the Airlink flight, I met @Chukardogs and his lovely wife Katherien. If anyone has not had the opportunity to read his hunt report, be sure to check it out, a great and exceptionally well written account by a true gentleman. Arriving in Niassa we were greeted by PH Danie, who I would be hunting with; and PH AJ, hunting with @Chuckerdogs, as well as their trackers. After checking zero on our rifles, we made our way to camp where Jaco and @Scanos were also arriving at the end of a full day of hunting. For anyone who doesn’t know the story of @Scanos previous buffalo hunt it is well worth the read. @Scanos certainly lived up to every notion I had had of him; another fine gentleman whom I’m glad I was privileged to get to know.
Hunting started early the next morning. Temperatures were getting very warm in Mozambique this time of year with several days exceeding 40C. Along with this, the wind would begin to swirl, usually by 0800 and would remain unpredictable until later in the afternoon, thus creating difficulties with any stalking. Animal activity was primarily early morning and late afternoon, with most everything laying up during the mid-day.
Day one was spent mostly driving and taking in the scenery. That morning though we did stalk a very nice Kudu bull along with some cows. I was up on sticks, but not quick enough to get shot off before he disappeared into the forest. It was a great opportunity as well as a reminder that it’s about the hunt and not the kill; I was just happy to have seen such a magnificent animal.
Day two was similar to day one with the exception of picking up a pair of Dagga Boy tracks early that morning, but after a short stalk they had moved into some thick jess and we called off the pursuit. On the morning of day three, we pressed further from the camp as we had on the first two days. Picking up tracks for a set of three buffalo early, we began what would become a long stalk. For several hours we moved following the tracks, the winds somewhat cooperating. After several miles, our hopes of these buffalo were dashed as a large herd of buffalo crossed our path left to right at no more than 125 yards in front of us. While incredible to watch (they were oblivious to our presence) they completely wiped out the tracks of the buffalo we were trailing, ending our hope to see any of those. Excited to have seen the herd, but a little down from having lost the tracks of the dagga boys we began heading back to the truck. About halfway back, Godfried and Nhlapa picked up another set of buffalo tracks along with some feces that was still warm. Immediately we began following. After a mile or so, Danie and Godfried spotted four buffalo in a grove of trees about a hundred yards away. Leaving the trackers behind a termite mound, Danie and myself began maneuvering for the winds to get in a better position to view the buffalo. Crawling along, we made it from tree shrub to tree shrub; but in the end the wind got the best of us and the buffalo spooked. Again, frustrated, but having the time of my life, we headed back to the truck.
Day four dawned early and we headed out to the area we had been in the day before. A little after 0500, both Danie and Godfried saw fresh tracks where three buffalo had crossed the road. We parked and were on the trail. Walking through the miombo forest in the early morning light I could tell something was special. After only a half mile or so, Danie and the two trackers froze and slowly went down on a knee. I followed suit. At this point, Danie motioned me to follow him and we crept/crawled to a small split trunk tree that was about ten yards away. Looking into the brush ahead, at about 60 yards were three buffalo. One was standing facing and slightly quartering us, only the right side of his head and right horn were discernable with the left side obscured by brush. Another buffalo was standing perpendicular to him facing to the right, I could only see his body and not his head and one buffalo was laying down behind them. Danie confirmed what I already knew, the one facing us was really nice. Bringing the rifle up, Danie asked if I could see the outline of the bulls chest in the scope. Preparing to shoot propped up against the split trunk tree, I adjusted my scope in the dim morning light. Peering through the scope, I could tell he had a lot of mass and good width. Knowing his head was up, I could make out the outline of his chest. Danie whispered, “If you like him and you can make the shot, you’re cleared to shoot”. Putting the illuminated crosshairs just to the right of where I perceived his right shoulder to be, I stabilized the rifle and squeezed the trigger. In an instant all hell broke loose, the crack of the rifle and then the thundering hooves of the buffalo as they crashed out of the brush, all three moving off to and flanking our right side. I was unable to make a follow-up shot as they moved in and out of the brush in the early morning light in such a quick manner making it impossible to tell which one I had shot. Watching them move abeam us and then away, Godfried and Nhlapa were quick to get on the trail. Early on in the tracking, we found two distinct areas where he had stopped and bled a significant amount; and also noted he was now traveling alone. Following a good blood trail as well as noticing that he was occasionally dragging his front right hoof, we were in pursuit. On two separate occasions the buffalo made his way into some thick brush, the kind of stuff you can’t see more than 2-3 yards in. Tracking through this, I could feel my blood pressure constantly rising as I was extremely alert to the possibility of a charge. Fortunately, that charge never came and on both occasions, the buffalo was flushed but no shot could be made. While the animal kept moving, fortunately for us, he kept making very large “S” turns back and forth in search of cover and while the leg lengths were long, he never really got that far from the truck. Around noon, we were still on the trail but only about 200 yards from the truck. Due to the overhead sun, the tracks were becoming increasingly harder to follow so we decided it would be best take a break, eat lunch and give the buffalo a chance to bed. About 1500 we left the truck and with the sun starting to move lower creating some shadow, Godfried and Nhlapa were back on the trail. After about 45 minutes of tracking, we crested a hill with a small grove of trees down and to our right. In the center of that grove, directly where the tracks were leading, was the distinctive black body of a buffalo. Going up on sticks and thinking I was aiming at his front shoulder I fired and as it turned out sent a bullet right through his rear hip. The buffalo slowly came to his feet, it was obvious he was hurt. Once standing, I had a clear shot and put bullet into his right shoulder. At this point, he began moving forward, clearing the grove of trees, I was then able put two more bullets into his vitals. On the second impact, he fell back onto his haunches, swung his head back and forth and then rolled over. Handshakes and congratulations were in order followed by the work of recovering the animal.
Around the camp watering hole that evening, toast were made and talk was of hunts gone by. I had learned a day or two prior that through an unfortunate set of circumstances, Jaco stilled retained quota for one leopard. Being the last group of hunters in the camp, I inquired as to the feasibility of going after a cat. Jaco informed me that there was an old very nice leopard in the area that he had been watching on camera for three years, but currently did not have on bait; however, if I wanted to hang one to see what would happen, go ahead. The only problem was that this cat was, call it what you want; elusive, erratic, smart, etc.; had proven very hard to hunt. It seemed when no one was in the blind, the cat would come in very predictably and eat within an hour or two of sunset, however when actively hunted, he had no discernable pattern to his feeding. In fact, this is a leopard that we looked at last year when I was there on a leopard hunt, but had decided to go after another more predictably patterned cat. Well not this year, challenge accepted.
Dates: October 2-16 2023
Outfitter: @KWALATA SAFARIS
PH: Danie
Trackers: Godfried, Nhlapa
Locations Hunted: Niassa Reserve
Rifle: 416 Rigby
Load: Bullet: North Fork 400 gr SS
Powder: IMR 4350, 92.5 gr
Primer: CCI 250
Case: Norma (sourced from @RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION)
This trip started in February in Nashville when I was having a conversation with Jaco Strauss regarding returning to Niassa primarily for plains game but would also like to hunt another Buffalo. He informed me that he could accommodate early October, and that would be a great time for plains game due to the limited water and the game congregating toward the river as well as some other limited water sources. The trip was planned for a full 13 days of hunting and as it turned out would be Kwalata’s last Mozambique hunt of the season.
Travel was via Delta to Johannesburg and then Airlink on to Pemba followed by a private charter to camp. It was on the Airlink flight, I met @Chukardogs and his lovely wife Katherien. If anyone has not had the opportunity to read his hunt report, be sure to check it out, a great and exceptionally well written account by a true gentleman. Arriving in Niassa we were greeted by PH Danie, who I would be hunting with; and PH AJ, hunting with @Chuckerdogs, as well as their trackers. After checking zero on our rifles, we made our way to camp where Jaco and @Scanos were also arriving at the end of a full day of hunting. For anyone who doesn’t know the story of @Scanos previous buffalo hunt it is well worth the read. @Scanos certainly lived up to every notion I had had of him; another fine gentleman whom I’m glad I was privileged to get to know.
Hunting started early the next morning. Temperatures were getting very warm in Mozambique this time of year with several days exceeding 40C. Along with this, the wind would begin to swirl, usually by 0800 and would remain unpredictable until later in the afternoon, thus creating difficulties with any stalking. Animal activity was primarily early morning and late afternoon, with most everything laying up during the mid-day.
Day one was spent mostly driving and taking in the scenery. That morning though we did stalk a very nice Kudu bull along with some cows. I was up on sticks, but not quick enough to get shot off before he disappeared into the forest. It was a great opportunity as well as a reminder that it’s about the hunt and not the kill; I was just happy to have seen such a magnificent animal.
Day two was similar to day one with the exception of picking up a pair of Dagga Boy tracks early that morning, but after a short stalk they had moved into some thick jess and we called off the pursuit. On the morning of day three, we pressed further from the camp as we had on the first two days. Picking up tracks for a set of three buffalo early, we began what would become a long stalk. For several hours we moved following the tracks, the winds somewhat cooperating. After several miles, our hopes of these buffalo were dashed as a large herd of buffalo crossed our path left to right at no more than 125 yards in front of us. While incredible to watch (they were oblivious to our presence) they completely wiped out the tracks of the buffalo we were trailing, ending our hope to see any of those. Excited to have seen the herd, but a little down from having lost the tracks of the dagga boys we began heading back to the truck. About halfway back, Godfried and Nhlapa picked up another set of buffalo tracks along with some feces that was still warm. Immediately we began following. After a mile or so, Danie and Godfried spotted four buffalo in a grove of trees about a hundred yards away. Leaving the trackers behind a termite mound, Danie and myself began maneuvering for the winds to get in a better position to view the buffalo. Crawling along, we made it from tree shrub to tree shrub; but in the end the wind got the best of us and the buffalo spooked. Again, frustrated, but having the time of my life, we headed back to the truck.
Day four dawned early and we headed out to the area we had been in the day before. A little after 0500, both Danie and Godfried saw fresh tracks where three buffalo had crossed the road. We parked and were on the trail. Walking through the miombo forest in the early morning light I could tell something was special. After only a half mile or so, Danie and the two trackers froze and slowly went down on a knee. I followed suit. At this point, Danie motioned me to follow him and we crept/crawled to a small split trunk tree that was about ten yards away. Looking into the brush ahead, at about 60 yards were three buffalo. One was standing facing and slightly quartering us, only the right side of his head and right horn were discernable with the left side obscured by brush. Another buffalo was standing perpendicular to him facing to the right, I could only see his body and not his head and one buffalo was laying down behind them. Danie confirmed what I already knew, the one facing us was really nice. Bringing the rifle up, Danie asked if I could see the outline of the bulls chest in the scope. Preparing to shoot propped up against the split trunk tree, I adjusted my scope in the dim morning light. Peering through the scope, I could tell he had a lot of mass and good width. Knowing his head was up, I could make out the outline of his chest. Danie whispered, “If you like him and you can make the shot, you’re cleared to shoot”. Putting the illuminated crosshairs just to the right of where I perceived his right shoulder to be, I stabilized the rifle and squeezed the trigger. In an instant all hell broke loose, the crack of the rifle and then the thundering hooves of the buffalo as they crashed out of the brush, all three moving off to and flanking our right side. I was unable to make a follow-up shot as they moved in and out of the brush in the early morning light in such a quick manner making it impossible to tell which one I had shot. Watching them move abeam us and then away, Godfried and Nhlapa were quick to get on the trail. Early on in the tracking, we found two distinct areas where he had stopped and bled a significant amount; and also noted he was now traveling alone. Following a good blood trail as well as noticing that he was occasionally dragging his front right hoof, we were in pursuit. On two separate occasions the buffalo made his way into some thick brush, the kind of stuff you can’t see more than 2-3 yards in. Tracking through this, I could feel my blood pressure constantly rising as I was extremely alert to the possibility of a charge. Fortunately, that charge never came and on both occasions, the buffalo was flushed but no shot could be made. While the animal kept moving, fortunately for us, he kept making very large “S” turns back and forth in search of cover and while the leg lengths were long, he never really got that far from the truck. Around noon, we were still on the trail but only about 200 yards from the truck. Due to the overhead sun, the tracks were becoming increasingly harder to follow so we decided it would be best take a break, eat lunch and give the buffalo a chance to bed. About 1500 we left the truck and with the sun starting to move lower creating some shadow, Godfried and Nhlapa were back on the trail. After about 45 minutes of tracking, we crested a hill with a small grove of trees down and to our right. In the center of that grove, directly where the tracks were leading, was the distinctive black body of a buffalo. Going up on sticks and thinking I was aiming at his front shoulder I fired and as it turned out sent a bullet right through his rear hip. The buffalo slowly came to his feet, it was obvious he was hurt. Once standing, I had a clear shot and put bullet into his right shoulder. At this point, he began moving forward, clearing the grove of trees, I was then able put two more bullets into his vitals. On the second impact, he fell back onto his haunches, swung his head back and forth and then rolled over. Handshakes and congratulations were in order followed by the work of recovering the animal.
Around the camp watering hole that evening, toast were made and talk was of hunts gone by. I had learned a day or two prior that through an unfortunate set of circumstances, Jaco stilled retained quota for one leopard. Being the last group of hunters in the camp, I inquired as to the feasibility of going after a cat. Jaco informed me that there was an old very nice leopard in the area that he had been watching on camera for three years, but currently did not have on bait; however, if I wanted to hang one to see what would happen, go ahead. The only problem was that this cat was, call it what you want; elusive, erratic, smart, etc.; had proven very hard to hunt. It seemed when no one was in the blind, the cat would come in very predictably and eat within an hour or two of sunset, however when actively hunted, he had no discernable pattern to his feeding. In fact, this is a leopard that we looked at last year when I was there on a leopard hunt, but had decided to go after another more predictably patterned cat. Well not this year, challenge accepted.
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More please!
