SOUTH AFRICA: Abbreviated Hunt/Couples Package At KAROO WILD Safaris

[HuntingGold]

We were scrambling frantically around trying to find a place to set up. Where to put the decoys? There! Where to sit? There and there. The toms were gobbling hard on this opening morning and I found myself strangely unprepared. Finally, we both were situated under a tree when my partner frantically asked me for a shotgun shell. I reached into my pocket and realized in the chaos of the morning I had not loaded my own shotgun either. No shells! White panic set in as the tom was gobbling hard and clearly was getting closer.

Our bedroom door clicked open, “Daddy, can we go home now?” my learning disabled 23 year old daughter asked. She clearly had not slept all night. Fortunately, she woke me from a turkey hunting nightmare, but also awoke me to the fact that we were back in Oregon and our wonderful trip to the Eastern Cape of South Africa was officially over.

Our latest trip to RSA started by dropping Natalie off with her older sister in North Carolina. There, Shannon and I were able to briefly make a long overdue visit with my oldest daughter and two of our grand-babies. After a night’s stay, we again boarded an airplane for Newark and then onto the grueling fourteen hour flight to Johannesburg. Once in Joburg, we made it through customs and then met a representative for Africa Sky Hotel, who assisted me with the rifle process. While waiting, we met two other hunters who were also heading to Africa Sky for the night. Unfortunately, the wait drug on. My rifles had not been located. In the SAPs office, there were at least three other hunters who had been on the same flight also looking for their guns. With bleary eyes, we all wanted this to be over but it was clear it was going to take awhile. I asked my rep if he could take my wife and the other two hunters to our hotel while I waited. He agreed and off they went.

While waiting, a representative from Rifle Permits politely asked if I was waiting for a rifle as well. I told her I was but was a client of Africa Sky. She asked my name and told me she would keep an eye out for me. I was very thankful and was impressed at her ability to keep her hunters reassured that all would be resolved soon. Indeed it was. Rifles were brought in, sorted, and the folks at Rifle Permits helped me out. I was signing the registrar for my rifles when my Africa Sky rep arrived. Away we went.

Africa Sky was very nice. My wife was all smiles as we went to dinner. There we saw the two hunters previously mentioned. They had just finished their meal as we sat down for ours. I had a steak while Shannon had prawns, both at the suggestion of the two hunters. It was a fantastic meal but my head and body were ready for bed.

The breakfast was also very good but, with eyes set for the Eastern Cape, I waited patiently while my wife snapped photos of the Africa Sky gardens. We cleaned up a bit, climbed into the shuttle van and headed back to the Johannesburg airport. I had my ammo in my checked bag and my rep told me that Airlink wanted it checked separately. He stayed with us through the check in process and was surprised when the Airlink agent requested that I put the locked ammo box back in the luggage. I did as requested while my rep asked if there had been a change in policy. No sooner had I secured my ammo box in the checked bag when a supervisor set the ticket agents straight; the ammo box was to be checked separately. Out of the bag again. A bit frustrating, but I didn't let it bother me. We then made our flight to Port Elizabeth.

I had to wait for my rifle to be escorted to security before leaving the airport. In moving from point A to B, we saw Warren looking for us and quickly let him know we would be out. Rifle case in hand and now out of the airport and into Warren’s Toyota. The first portion of our trip would be with Warren and Belinda Rudman of Rhinoster Hoek Safaris. I have already posted a separate report for my kudu hunt with Warren. I took the kudu that I have wanted for a long time as well as a cull springbok. I saw the veld greener than I have ever seen it and also saw the beginning of the locust plague as it hit Warren’s place.

Because of respite care issues for our daughter, we had to keep our trip to RSA shorter than we had hoped. A short trip with Warren and now an abbreviated couples package with Karoo Wild Safaris. The Watson's place really is not far from Warren’s. As it turned out, they knew each other and were on the same WhatsApp group for farmers in the area. The locust plague had hit Victor’s place a few days before hitting Warren’s and the group chat was full of chatter about helicopters, insecticide, and of course the location of the locust swarms. We all sat down to chat over a cup of coffee or tea before leaving for Karoo Wild. A lot of tears and goodbyes gave way to the excitement of seeing new landscapes and adventures.

The drive was short and talk of locusts changed to hunting. We entered the property and the road wound its way into the mountain retreat where Karoo Wild Safaris makes its home operation. There we met Lindsay who showed us to our chalet. We had the “Honeymoon Suite” which of course made Shannon very happy. Lovely Bed, Lovely Room, Lovely Bathtub and Lovely Views; yes she’s happy.

 

[HuntingGold]

A wonderful lunch of kudu burgers was followed by a brief rest. At the pre-arranged time, I loaded into the bakkie with Victor and Mitchell. Mitchell said weather was coming and he was right. Almost on cue, a dramatic thunderstorm started and it rained fairly hard. We turned back for the lodge and later tried again. After the rain, we loaded up again and took a look at a sable bull which had been recently brought in to breed some already existing cows. We then moved on just to see what was moving about. As we returned past the lodge area, a big nyala bull walked across the road ahead of us. Nyala was not really on my wish list as I had taken one on my last trip to RSA but agreed to take a look at it. I must admit I was a bit tentative about chasing this bull as we were so close to the lodges. Was this a “pet” bull that had become accustomed to humans? As it turns out, that was not the case. The bull was likely attracted to the area by some sexy smelling ewes. We were able to get a few glimpses of the bull as he moved through the brush. I saw one side of his horns were a bit straight and did not have the shape I was looking for. It didn't matter as he never gave us an opportunity; yes indeed he was a wild bull.


After our little evening hunt, Lindsay had lamb shanks ready for us. They looked absolutely magnificent but must admit I was disappointed as I have never been a fan of lamb or mutton. Shannon on the other hand was over the moon excited. To make this brief, I was more than pleasantly surprised, it was fantastic! My plate may have been the one that had been picked the cleanest. Lindsay converted me and I am now a believer in Karoo lamb!

 

[HuntingGold]

After a night's sleep, we met at 6 a.m for our hunt for a klipspringer. We had a light breakfast then set out for a farm immediately adjacent to Victor’s. On our way out, a big nyala bull was waiting for us at the gate. He was a dandy and very distracted, trying to get through the fence. He paid no attention to us and most likely wanted a girlfriend out of our view on the other side. We left the bull alone and made the drive around to Klippy-Land.

Our hunt for a klipspringer took place along a long rocky ridgeline. Victor drove his Toyota up the long grade of a rocky little service type road that led to the top of the ridge. The road was rocky, somewhat steep, and broken up by small terraces. The road was still a bit wet from the previous rain causing the rocks to be a bit slick in spots. Finally we hit a spot where the slickness and the steepness was just a bit too much for the bakkie and it was there we started our walk and stalk. We walked the remainder of the way to the top. It was on this walk that I that my lack of conditioning reared its ugly head. My wife and I were one of the “lucky” first to be plagued with Covid. We came down with Covid prior to the availability of vaccines in 2020. Shannon spent five days in the hospital while I just suffered through it at home. Since then, I've quit exercising and gained weight. This is on me and now, on this little hike, it was being thrown in my face in spades.

Victor was kind and took many small breaks to allow me to catch my breath. Finally we were on top and immediately blew out some mountain reedbuck. We followed the ridgeline along, stopping to glass for klipspringer every so often. I spotted some rock rabbits and was pleased with myself. We continued along and I was having troubles with my footing. Again I was embarrassed and disappointed in myself for letting my condition deteriorate. We found a few sheep and a few more rock rabbits. It was during one of our stops that Victor spotted our first klipspringer and likely was the one I took. The, as yet unidentified klipspringer was about 400 yards out, perched on a rock and watching us. We slid down out the ridge and attempted to use a little tree as cover to get closer. Soon we were about 225 yards away. Victor set up the sticks and I prepared for a shot if necessary. While on the sticks, I just had too much lateral movement and it was clear to me that I needed to do something different. I then set up to shoot prone by stacking a few rocks and then using my shoulder bag, which my wife loved to teasingly call my man-purse.

While I was getting settled in on the bags, I turned the scope to its maximum twelve power. While finalizing my position, I could see horn tips just inside the ears. About this time, a second klippy joined the first on the rock. The original turned his head slightly which allowed everyone to clearly see the horns. Victor confirmed this was a shooter. I dry fired on the ram twice and liked how I felt and loaded the 35 Whelen with a live round. I found my spot and fired. No reaction. A MISS! I reloaded and fired again. Immediately the ram was gone. I had not heard a hit but Victor thought he was down. The ewe was staring intently at a spot downhill which also led me to believe the ram was down. I snapped a photo or two and gathered my gear. Mitchell was out ahead of us as Victor walked with me as we picked our way through the rocks to where we believed we would find our ram. Mitchell hopped up on a rock and was pointed ahead, saying something in Africaans that I could not understand but understood the ram was on his feet nearby. We moved and Victor pointed out the ram as he set up the sticks. I centered and fired and now the ram was down. We located our ram and looked him over. We snapped some photos and headed back to the lodge.

Mitchell skinned out my ram and was unable to tell if he had been hit once or twice. He believed only once. I had used my 35 Whelen with 200 grain Core-lokts because I had some unexpected issues with the 260 Remington I had brought along for my two tinies, the klippy and the later the grysbok. I had hoped the 200 grain would pass through without opening up but that was not the case. For the grysbok, I would now be borrowing a rifle.

 

[HuntingGold]

All of the sudden I'm having troubles loading photos again. Please bear with me... more to come.

 

[Firebird]

Enjoyed the report on your kudu hunting-Excited to read more of this one!

 

[HuntingGold]

Enjoyed the report on your kudu hunting-Excited to read more of this one!

I have this written in its entirety but I cannot seem to load any more photos. I believe it to be an internet issue on my end but I am only guessing. I'd like to get a photo or two more posted before adding the rest.

 

[HuntingGold]

After a nice lunch, Shannon joined us and we drove to Addo Park for an afternoon game drive in hopes of seeing elephants. Signs of elephants were clearly present in every road, along with dung beetles rolling up their prized balls of this spoor. We found some buffalo, warthog, zebra, hartebeest and other critters but the star of the show failed to make the scene. It was a pleasant drive and Shannon and I both enjoyed it very much. We had dinner at a restaurant in the park, it seems as though I had a kudu potjie while Shannon had chateaubriand.

We drove back to the little town of Addo where we had left Mitchell while we were at the park looking for elephants. We met up with him at another PH’s house. Arnold would assist us in our quest to find a grysbok. It was now well after dark and we made our way around the roads of Addo until we finally went through a gate and onto a new piece of property. It looked like this property had been cleared for more citrus trees, though it was still brushy and weedy in spots. I climbed into the back of the bakkie while Shannon stayed in front with Victor who would continue to drive. Arnold worked the light as we worked our way around the property. We saw a duiker or two, then a few grysbok including a small ram. Finally a grysbok was seen and we looked him over. He turned his head and Arnold said he was a shooter. He was standing in some weeds. I fired a single shot and the ram disappeared. We found the ram right where he had stood.

 

[HuntingGold]

On our last hunting day, we started a bit later as we were scheduled to go look for some cull springbok or warthog. A day earlier, while taking a break in the honeymoon suite, Shannon was excitedly telling me about three nyala ewes that she was able to watch feeding on the opposite hillside. Later, when asked, she told me that probably her favorite animal she had seen so far on this trip was the nyala. I then hatched a secret plan for her to take one. When loading up the bakkie for this last trip to the field, I told Victor that if we found a good nyala that I’d like to see Shannon take it. He agreed and off we went.

Shannon and I rode in the back of the bakkie as we bounced around looking in different locations and taking the time to show her the sable bull and his cows. We continued to look in the brushy areas known to hold nyala but did not find what I had in mind. We stopped on a high point and used the vantage point to look into the heavy brush below. At this point Shannon still had no idea what we were up to. At a nice overlook, I asked Victor to snap a photo of us. In the back of my mind, I thought that might be a nice framed photo hanging next to her nyala bull if we could find one. We continued on looking in various locations, seeing several kudu, before finally stopping on a bit of a ridge. Victor and Mitchell stepped out to look down into the brush below. I thought it might be a bit late in the morning to find a nyala and stayed in the back with Shannon. Admittedly we were playing grab-ass when I saw Mitchell jogging towards Victor. Mitchell looked back at me and waved for us to join. I jumped down, grabbed the 35 Whelen then started towards Victor and Mitchell. Shannon was in the lead and just picking her way along, then stopped to take pictures of flowers! She still didn't know she was to be on the sticks and I told her to keep moving. She again stopped for another flower photo and my patience was thinning. I bounced around her and joined Victor. He pointed to a nyala bull not a hundred yards away and underneath us. I looked at him and saw the shape and size and said yep. I motioned for Shannon to come to us. She moved a bit closer but not close enough. Finally I told her to take the gun and pointed to the nyala and told her it was her turn. I stepped off to one side and watched as the nyala began moving through the brush. The bull stopped momentarily and the 35 Whelen went off. The bull was hit hard but stayed on his feet. I heard Victor tell Shannon to reload and I heard the bolt cycle. Meanwhile the bull continued to walk and walked behind a screen of brush. It was too thick to shoot through although we could still see the bull. As Victor told Shannon to shoot again, the bull lost power and went down for good. I took the rifle and said “Happy Birthday.” Why, I don’t know, because her birthday isnt for another five months.

We moved down to the bull and took quite a few photos. Shannon was on Cloud 9! We still haven't decided how to have it mounted, though surely it will take a place of honor in our home.

 

[HuntingGold]

Grab-ass moments before the nyala

 

[HuntingGold]

Framed photo... taken about a half hour after the nyala was taken.

 

[HuntingGold]

 

[HuntingGold]

Some photos load while others wont. Im trying for the klippy and grysbok.

 

[HuntingGold]

 

[HuntingGold]

Strange, some photos load while others wont. It's 2am in South Africa, perhaps Victor can add some pics when he wakes up. For now... I'm moving on with the story.
***********************

That afternoon we set out to cull some springbok. It didn't take long and we found a single black springbok, and as it turned out, he was walking right at us, unaware we were anywhere near. I shot and sent one out into the desert. I reloaded and took another shot. This time the ram was hit, spun a few times and fell over. The .260 Remington claimed its first victim. We took pictures then loaded the ram and looked for more that needed culling. As it turned out, the springbok had nothing further to fear. I had an opportunity at a common springbok and missed it. That was it for our hunt.

Somewhere in our ride back to the lodge Victor asked if I was happy and I told him I was just happy riding along going Bang-Bang every once in a while. That then spurned the joke that Randy goes BANG - BANG- BANG… while Shannon just goes BANG. Oh that joke is still playing out in the states. Humbled.

 

[HuntingGold]

The next day we drove to Plett via a high mountain pass. The road wound its way up through the mountains and down to Plettenberg Bay. Victor had booked us at Milkwood Manor and would serve as our personal guide for the next three days. This portion of our trip was very relaxed and done at our own pace. The weather really wasn't all that great and we decided to not go out on the ocean. Instead we went to Monkeyland and a bird sanctuary. These two attractions are next to each other and combining the tickets to see both saves a bit of money. The monkey tour was brief but worth the time. The bird tour was at our own pace and it was fun to see the various birds but the highlight for me was to see about a dozen blue duiker. I don't have a blue duiker in my collection and likely never will. While fun to see, they just don't appeal to me. We then took in some local shops, one being a shop that specializes in Mohair. The blankets, scarves and other items were beautiful. Victor and I bought some socks to try out while Shannon loaded a few bags with scarves and lap blankets. After a day to think about it, we went back for more to serve as gifts.

To torture me even further, Victor found other locations for Shannon to shop. She did not disappoint! She shopped here, she shopped there, she shopped everywhere. Each time we stopped at a place to shop, Victor thought it funny but I had to warn him that if he continued, I would be forced to review him poorly on AH. He’d let up for a bit and then accidentally would find a diamond store. What a pal.

We took a trip to Knysna and had lunch at a nice little restaurant with a view of crashing waves. Shannon absolutely loved it. This portion of my trip is not all that detailed, but suffice it to say we enjoyed the coastal views, tours and nice meals. I believe we hit two places for wine tastings. The ogre in me just ordered beer.

On our last morning, we left early, and headed for Port Elizabeth. Victor had located a clinic so that we could get our covid tests for returning to the US. I mentioned in another thread that this was for nothing as for some reason neither Shannon or I could receive messages or emails at the Johannesburg airport, thus we didn't get our test results in time. We were forced to get tested again at the Johannesburg airport. This is not a bad reflection on Karoo Wild, in fact they attempted to send the results through multiple electronic modes. I’m mentioning this only so that others can be forewarned that sometimes “stuff happens” and to know that currently you can get a rapid test at OR Tambo. It bailed us out.

In all, we had a very nice time with Karoo Wild Safaris. Victor, Lindsay, Mitchell and all associates did a great job. We recommend them highly.

 

[HuntingGold]

The photo I had taken long before Shannon knew about my diabolical plan. I hope we can hang it next to her bull.

 

[HuntingGold]

Finally able to load a pic of my Klippy

 

[HuntingGold]

My cull springbok.
I'd like to show you a picture of a big common springbok but Bob missed when it was his turn.
Thanks for bearing with me on the photo problems.

 

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

Terrific report Randy. We loved our hunt and vacation with you and Sharon, it was a lot of fun.

Randy getting set for his shot on the Klippie. Steep uphill angle and not an easy shot even from this position.

Coffee stop on the way to Plett. This is in the upper regions of the Knysna forest where the road splits between Uniondale to Knysna or Plett. I asked Randy and Shannon whether they wanted to take the easy tar road or the beautiful dirt road. They chose the dirt road - which delighted me.

We had a good laugh at this sign

In Birds of Eden

Blue Duiker in Birds of Eden. I offered Randy a very good deal on these pair of duiker. Can't understand why he declined

View from the breakfast room of our guesthouse, looking onto Keurbooms Lagoon and the Indian Ocean.

Wine tasting at Newstead. Randy was thirsty and insisted on tasting his in a beer glass.

Lunch view at the Knysna Heads

Last morning pic in the parking lot

I went for an early sunrise morning walk on the last morning. (our guesthouse in on the left of the pic). The object on the far right of the pic is of a girl upside down doing yoga