After many years of wanting to hunt Africa, I finally pulled the trigger. I was taking my family so I was waiting for my twin sons to get old enough to truly enjoy the hunt and experience. My twins are 15 and although pretty good wing shots, their big game experience was VERY limited as was my wifes. I attended the SCI show in Vegas hoping to narrow my choices but after two days I was much much more confused than when I started. Namibia ? South Africa ? Which place could everyone be happy and comfortable at ?
Ultimately an acquaintance in the industry pointed me to three different outfitters, but didnt recommend one over the others. I spent some time at the show talking to all of them, and the one that stood out as what I thought would be a great experience for my ENTIRE family was Wintershoek from Kmberely SA.
Again, I was making a bit of a leap of faith and I sure didn't want to make the wrong choice especially for my family so I just ultimately trusted my instincts but had the benefit of speaking to a few of their past customer as they passed through their booth during the show.
So off we went on July 3 with a 1 1/2 day layover to check out Dubai. That was my wifes idea and it was a great one. Great cultural experience and broke up the flight over just perfectly. We flew Emirates from Chicago direct to Dubai and then returned to the airport a day later to connect to Johannesburg. Emirates was very good and timely. Dubai is a great place to see and take in, and we had to connect somewhere so that worked out perfectly.
We arrived in Johannesburg early in the am and decided to be driven to the first camp (and see some of the country) instead of wait 5-6 hours for a commuter flight. That was our ONE AND ONLY regret. The drive was long and generally on poor roads. After 6 plus long hours on the road we arrived to camp #1 - Gamagara. Well, the guys I met in Vegas were no BS. There they were waiting on us, warm welcome, hugs, smiles all this despite the entire family suffering some jet lag. The accomodations were very nice and everything was in order. Within moments of arriving Johnny Vivier says "lets have lunch and sight in the guns" -- that was music to my boys' ears. We promptly did both and before I knew it the boys were jumping in a well maintained safari truck with their PH and waving goodbye to mom and dad. I was still in a blur and wondering what the hell just happened. Johnny Vivier who I later have learned is a real icon in the industry and still involved in the business was kind enough to meet us on the front end and spend some time with my boys. Despite having hunted all over Africa for many many people far more important than my family he took the time to guide my boys for two days before one of his PH's Yvan took over. The boys had a blast with Johnny and I think Johnny had a blast with them. The stories and laughter were immediate from the time they pulled out of camp. With the boys, the only goal was to have fun, and fun they had from the get go. Also, Yvan who is 29 was great with the boys. They were like three pals for the entire trip. Yvan is a very accomplished PH and was fun to be around.
At the same time my wife and I head out with our PH John Tinley. This man is a true professional. Although I have never hunted Africa, I have bird hunted and fished around much of the world so I did have some experience to compare him to. He made my wife feel so comfortable and confident that she ended up shooting 7 animals by trips end and despite a couple of long tracking sessions on a Zebra and a Gemsbuck, we recovered every animal she shot and her confidence soared. She fell in love with the spot and stalk hunting and John was the ultimate host, coach, and friend to have guide us on this first trip.
Another great thing we chose to do for my wife and kids was to shoot some cull animals on the front end to develop their confidence and comfort with the distances. This proved to be great for all and it was just what they needed for a day or so before they went in pursuit of the bigger trophies. I would strongly recommend this for first timers or beginners as it really takes the nervousness out of the equation.
As the days rolled on the boys had taken Gemsbok, Wildebeest, an SCI Top 50 Impala, Springbuck, Blesbuck and Hartebeest. My wife shot the Zebra she always wanted along with blue and black Wildebeest, and a Blesbuck along with a Springbuck.
We had the Gamagara location all to our selves and the staff was amazing as was the food. When the PH said lets be ready to head out at 2:30 for example, at 2:15 they were ready. We NEVER had to wait on anyone. Everything they promised, they delivered. The place runs like a well oiled machine.
After 6 days at Gamagara we drove 3 hours to the Wintershoek main camp near Kimberley. The camp was different, the terraine was different, but the staff and standards were just the same. Our PH's came with us and the fun continued. Although we did see Kudu and Warthogs at the prior location we held off to try and focus on those at the new location. I also late in the trip decided to try to take a trophy Steenbuck and was able to pull that off on the last afternoon.
My boys each took a beautiful Kudu at the second location and better then taking the Kudu myself I was with my one son when he made a beautiful 280 yd shot across a valley after a morning of hiking up and down some very steep rocky hills. We later connected with two really nice whatrhogs on that property and on the last day my trophy steenbuck.
I could go on and on about the professionalism, the accommodations, the camaraderie and the true sense of respect and admiration extended to my family. The entire group was simply amazing.
In conclusion, I feel fortunate that I "got it right" the first time. Anyone who has fished or hunted enough knows that is not always the case. I feel fortunate I made such great memories and friends and that my family had an absolute wonderful time. I have no skin in the game. I am doing this review because of the experience I just had. If anyone has any questions or needs any advice on this operation feel free to reach out to me.
Ultimately an acquaintance in the industry pointed me to three different outfitters, but didnt recommend one over the others. I spent some time at the show talking to all of them, and the one that stood out as what I thought would be a great experience for my ENTIRE family was Wintershoek from Kmberely SA.
Again, I was making a bit of a leap of faith and I sure didn't want to make the wrong choice especially for my family so I just ultimately trusted my instincts but had the benefit of speaking to a few of their past customer as they passed through their booth during the show.
So off we went on July 3 with a 1 1/2 day layover to check out Dubai. That was my wifes idea and it was a great one. Great cultural experience and broke up the flight over just perfectly. We flew Emirates from Chicago direct to Dubai and then returned to the airport a day later to connect to Johannesburg. Emirates was very good and timely. Dubai is a great place to see and take in, and we had to connect somewhere so that worked out perfectly.
We arrived in Johannesburg early in the am and decided to be driven to the first camp (and see some of the country) instead of wait 5-6 hours for a commuter flight. That was our ONE AND ONLY regret. The drive was long and generally on poor roads. After 6 plus long hours on the road we arrived to camp #1 - Gamagara. Well, the guys I met in Vegas were no BS. There they were waiting on us, warm welcome, hugs, smiles all this despite the entire family suffering some jet lag. The accomodations were very nice and everything was in order. Within moments of arriving Johnny Vivier says "lets have lunch and sight in the guns" -- that was music to my boys' ears. We promptly did both and before I knew it the boys were jumping in a well maintained safari truck with their PH and waving goodbye to mom and dad. I was still in a blur and wondering what the hell just happened. Johnny Vivier who I later have learned is a real icon in the industry and still involved in the business was kind enough to meet us on the front end and spend some time with my boys. Despite having hunted all over Africa for many many people far more important than my family he took the time to guide my boys for two days before one of his PH's Yvan took over. The boys had a blast with Johnny and I think Johnny had a blast with them. The stories and laughter were immediate from the time they pulled out of camp. With the boys, the only goal was to have fun, and fun they had from the get go. Also, Yvan who is 29 was great with the boys. They were like three pals for the entire trip. Yvan is a very accomplished PH and was fun to be around.
At the same time my wife and I head out with our PH John Tinley. This man is a true professional. Although I have never hunted Africa, I have bird hunted and fished around much of the world so I did have some experience to compare him to. He made my wife feel so comfortable and confident that she ended up shooting 7 animals by trips end and despite a couple of long tracking sessions on a Zebra and a Gemsbuck, we recovered every animal she shot and her confidence soared. She fell in love with the spot and stalk hunting and John was the ultimate host, coach, and friend to have guide us on this first trip.
Another great thing we chose to do for my wife and kids was to shoot some cull animals on the front end to develop their confidence and comfort with the distances. This proved to be great for all and it was just what they needed for a day or so before they went in pursuit of the bigger trophies. I would strongly recommend this for first timers or beginners as it really takes the nervousness out of the equation.
As the days rolled on the boys had taken Gemsbok, Wildebeest, an SCI Top 50 Impala, Springbuck, Blesbuck and Hartebeest. My wife shot the Zebra she always wanted along with blue and black Wildebeest, and a Blesbuck along with a Springbuck.
We had the Gamagara location all to our selves and the staff was amazing as was the food. When the PH said lets be ready to head out at 2:30 for example, at 2:15 they were ready. We NEVER had to wait on anyone. Everything they promised, they delivered. The place runs like a well oiled machine.
After 6 days at Gamagara we drove 3 hours to the Wintershoek main camp near Kimberley. The camp was different, the terraine was different, but the staff and standards were just the same. Our PH's came with us and the fun continued. Although we did see Kudu and Warthogs at the prior location we held off to try and focus on those at the new location. I also late in the trip decided to try to take a trophy Steenbuck and was able to pull that off on the last afternoon.
My boys each took a beautiful Kudu at the second location and better then taking the Kudu myself I was with my one son when he made a beautiful 280 yd shot across a valley after a morning of hiking up and down some very steep rocky hills. We later connected with two really nice whatrhogs on that property and on the last day my trophy steenbuck.
I could go on and on about the professionalism, the accommodations, the camaraderie and the true sense of respect and admiration extended to my family. The entire group was simply amazing.
In conclusion, I feel fortunate that I "got it right" the first time. Anyone who has fished or hunted enough knows that is not always the case. I feel fortunate I made such great memories and friends and that my family had an absolute wonderful time. I have no skin in the game. I am doing this review because of the experience I just had. If anyone has any questions or needs any advice on this operation feel free to reach out to me.
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