SOUTH AFRICA: Another Great Hunt With Spiral Horn Safaris

[huntingbigun]

As it was time to saddle up and head back to South Africa for my 4th hunt with Louis Van Bergen and Spiral Horns Safari in Limpopo . Does not seem that long ago I first posted on AH looking for my first Africa hunt and the great members on this site helped me make my selection and go with Louis. But time flies well except when you are crossing the pond coming from Florida to JNB lol.
So for this year adventure it was the Cape Buffalo for the 3rd DG list I been slowly filling in, as Louis and I selected the week of 7-6 thru the 13th as being a good moon to hunt, yes I still old fashioned and like to use the moon as a tool. So after pickup by Louis in JNB we are off for the camp that nite after a little bit of airport parking garage " Can I help you" and Louis having to guide us back to the entrance because of the guys 4 friends did not seem to have our best interest at heart. Security escorted us to our vehicle and off we went. Arriving in Limpopo that night it was a treat to meet Louis new baby boy and see my old friends again. Up and at it the next am Louis asked did I want to ease into the hunt answer heck no lets get after them, So off to Louis's farm to meet up with his tracker Jothome, 3 years I had the pleasure of watching this man work still amazing to see him in action.

Nice weather greeted us with lite wind and clear skies so scouting a watering hole for tracks Jothome quickly picked tracks and off we went. The next 5 hours we tracked making our way thru open areas into the thick bush by the middle of the day we were slowly picking our way thru the brush when Jothome spotted the buffalo bedded down about 35 yards, no chance for even thinking about taking a shot as it was way to thick we started to ease back to return later that day and another bull stood up about 15 yards away and gave us the eye thru the brush. Now that will make your heart pound for sure, was glad to know that Louis had his 470NE double ready but the old boy let us leave. We pulled out and had a quick bite of lunch and decieded to give them couple hours hoping they would go back a feed into more open part of the ranch.

So about 2.30 we headed back in Jothome quickly picked up the tracks as they feed slowly we could see them now and again thru the brush but di not push them as the wind was in our face so slowly trailed the herd. Finally about 5.00 pm they crossed back into the more open area and we pulled back and hot footed it to get ahead of them, hard to do as they move faster than you think feeding but finally as it was getting late I had a chance to take shot 75 yard front shot as the ole boy was looking at us. my 375 H&H loaded with my handloads of 300 grains barnes TSX and RL15 did it job. Using Jothome shoulder for a brace I took the shot and old boy went about 35 yards. heart shot and went thru on lung as well. Man what great stalk Louis and I laughed that we had the first day luck like our Lion Hunt in Kalahari on my first trip in 2012.

42 Inch Cape Buffalo

Now what to do next, Louis always has a plan so quick call to another farm and we were off for a Red Hartebeest. That beauty of hunting with Louis as he owns his farm and is very respected by all his neighbors we have a endless supply of farms to hunt along with Louis family farm. So the next day we spent most the day finding the herd and tracking them thru thick brush ie Buffalo style with Jothome doing his thing had a shot in the bush but just could not make it so we got ahead and right at dusk caught up with feeding in a large field, no worries 280AI with 150 grains barnes TTSX did it job as I got off a good shot about 250 yards, Louis normally does not like these distances but after 4 years of seeing what the 280AI can do it was green lite time.

Bases were 12 inchs

Now for day 3 Time to take a little break and grab up Louis, his lovely wife & baby boy and off to Marakele National Park for day of rest and Nikon hunting with my camera, we did not get to see any elephants but it was a outstanding day and gods county

As we drove up to Lenong View Point Louis said great Klipspringer county and coming down we got great shot of 2

Special place that is thing I tell everyone when you hunt never miss the chance to see some of the country as it is a blessing to share a sunrise with friends such as Van Bergens, Back to work the nest day looking for the warthog I had not shot one in the previous hunts and failed to connect with mr big, but Louis grabbed the phone called another farm and off we went for mid day hunt and success at last was mine 280AI time and in the salt

so for the nest day I wanted the elusive sunset picture and as we always bring 280AI along off we set that afternoon for drive and grab couple pictures, the farm has Rino and Louis knows I love to shoot pictures of them we interrupted their feeding lol

Then We came across herd impala and I could not stand it heck had a great 26 inch already but the width of this boy had to change gears put away the Nikon and out came the Remington 280AI and freehand shot and here you go
better than a sunset picture lol

The last day we spent shooting pictures on Louis great farm and taking more pictures that I have on my Flickr in couple days.

then it was time to say goodbye for this year to the Van Bergen family, amazing trip, so starting to plan 5th trip off to Zambia with Louis and Spiral Horn Safari next year as Louis has endless family and friends to allow you a great hunting experience no matter where in Africa you like to go. Plus his brother Pieter can handle your taxidermy work as well, got to see my Tiny 10 from last year wow they look great, so Thanks agina Louis for another outstanding hunt and see ya in January I have the airboat ready...........

The next Van Bergen ready to follow his daddy footsteps

 

[Nyati]

Congrats for a great hunt, and thanks for sharing !

 

[billc]

very nice report and some great animals taken. That is a dandy warthog.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Well done bigun!

 

[Wheels]

Sounds like a great hunt. Congratulations.

Thanks for sharing the experience with us.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Congratulations.

Thanks for sharing. I agree, you have to take some time and see the countryside.

The hunting continues.... next time.

 

[johnnyblues]

Nice job...Congratulations on you trophies.

 

[KVS]

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing.