SOUTH AFRICA: Just Returned From 2014 SA Safari With Lake Safaris

[James.Grage]

As many on here knew that i had booked a Safari for 2014 with Trevor Lake and Lake Safaris. and the results will have many drooling when i post the rests of the story (s). Almost all the trophy animals were taken on "Open Range" hunting grounds. Some pictures and clips may be posted on Trevor's Lake web link www.lakesafaris.co.za . As Trevor indicated that he was going to up load some of the pictures today while i was traveling back to New Mexico.

I will take the time to give details with pictures later. However i, Just walked in the door from the long flight from Durban, South Africa. And need some time to down load the pictures to make sure i do the Trophy's and report justice.

This was a different safari from the get go, My wife was traveling along for the first time and i wanted to provide the best representation of safari life for her to enjoy.

To begin with we stayed at 5 different camps that Trevor operates out of and we scheduled some animals from each lodge locations. My wife was not disappointed and she had a terrific time.

Animals that we had on the wish list:
1. Nyala
2. Bush buck
3. Southern Reedbuck
4. Mountain Reedbuck
5. Blesbuck
6. Duiker
7. Bushpig
8. Porcupine
9. Black Wildebeest

Trophy animals that we successfully were able to obtain.
1. Nyala
2. Nyala
3. Blesbuck
4. Southern Reedbuck
5. Red (cape) Hartbeest
6. Waterbuck
7. Kudu
8. Black Wildebeest
9. Bushbuck

 

[Biddleman]

Can't wait to see those Nyala that Trevor put you on.

 

[cptkirk]

Grats on your successful trip. I am wheels up in 72 hours for my first SA trip. Can't wait to see some pictures. These posts are keeping from banging my head on the wall.

 

[sestoppelman]

Look forward to hearing about it and seeing the pix James, Congrats!!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Looking forward to the full version of the report!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Congrats. Another tour of KZN happily completed.

Hard to get your wish list when those damn Nyala keep jumping out at you.

I'll be waiting for the full tale. Take your time, we'll be here.

 

[IdaRam]

Welcome home and congrats to both you and the misses. Looking forward to report and pics

 

[TravisB]

Grats on your successful trip. I am wheels up in 72 hours for my first SA trip. Can't wait to see some pictures. These posts are keeping from banging my head on the wall.

Me too. Leaving Atlanta Sunday evening. Can't hardly wait. Or make myself go to sleep, as far as that goes.

 

[PeteG]

Sounds good, looking forward to the report and the pics.
Were all 5 camps close to each other?

 

[James.Grage]

Sounds good, looking forward to the report and the pics.
Were all 5 camps close to each other?

Pete
Trevor's different camps were with in 1 1/2 to 3 hours of each other. I know that this resulted in some additional pack and move that is out of the ordinary on a typical safari. This was a special package put together for my wife to enjoy. I let Trevor pick the Trophy's we would be going after at each location. I was looking at 1 to 2 animals at each camp. I was fairly open on trophy's to go after. I had been to 2 of the camp in 2011 and the variety of camps is outstanding that Trevor's is currently marketing. I cannot say anything bad about any of them.

My wife was very reluctant in going along (she waited until the night before we left to pack her bag) and i wanted her to have positive experience, so that maybe she will go again. The only down side that she has was the airplane ride length.

We had shopping lined up for her at different location. Gave her a fist of rands and turned her loose. Almost all the spots she went too to shop did not take credit cards. Therefore my posting on the rands i obtained earlier was in line for what we had scheduled.

A guide was in place to take us around Durban to see the different craft vendor set up and in the country she wanted local craftsman products. We went to the "Spur" for lunch. We had 3 days in Durban to enjoy the area. Shopping , walking on the beach, shell hunting, eating at different restaurants, plus sight seeing.

My wife was a savvy shopper and If the merchandise was produced in India, China it was not purchased.

The Nyala Report is sent to Trevor to verify the locations, names and facts. I did not put everything in my journal daily this year as the days were long and i did my catch up later. Plus accuracy is helpful in making the reports.

 

[James.Grage]

Congrats. Another tour of KZN happily completed.

Hard to get your wish list when those damn Nyala keep jumping out at you.

I'll be waiting for the full tale. Take your time, we'll be here.

The Nyala camp is great. I did not get the Big ones, however we did get a 28" and a 29" one. And something i found out is that Trevor like to error/ measure on the short side. So if he tells me it was a 29" bull it could be 29 1/4 or 29 1/2.

I do not carry a tape measure, however i will have a few trophy's measured for the record books this time.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Those are nice Nyala

 

[BRICKBURN]

……. The only down side that she has was the airplane ride length.
…………….

This is the downside for anyone. Luckily most hunters are so excited on the trip over it does not register.

 

[PeteG]

Pete
Trevor's different camps were with in 1 1/2 to 3 hours of each other. I know that this resulted in some additional pack and move that is out of the ordinary on a typical safari. This was a special package put together for my wife to enjoy. I let Trevor pick the Trophy's we would be going after at each location. I was looking at 1 to 2 animals at each camp. I was fairly open on trophy's to go after. I had been to 2 of the camp in 2011 and the variety of camps is outstanding that Trevor's is currently marketing. I cannot say anything bad about any of them.

My wife was very reluctant in going along (she waited until the night before we left to pack her bag) and i wanted her to have positive experience, so that maybe she will go again. The only down side that she has was the airplane ride length.

We had shopping lined up for her at different location. Gave her a fist of rands and turned her loose. Almost all the spots she went too to shop did not take credit cards. Therefore my posting on the rands i obtained earlier was in line for what we had scheduled.

A guide was in place to take us around Durban to see the different craft vendor set up and in the country she wanted local craftsman products. We went to the "Spur" for lunch. We had 3 days in Durban to enjoy the area. Shopping , walking on the beach, shell hunting, eating at different restaurants, plus sight seeing.

My wife was a savvy shopper and If the merchandise was produced in India, China it was not purchased.

The Nyala Report is sent to Trevor to verify the locations, names and facts. I did not put everything in my journal daily this year as the days were long and i did my catch up later. Plus accuracy is helpful in making the reports.

James, that sounds like a super trip and definitely a nice way to include the missus.
can you pm me the names of the places you stayed at?
might try convince my missus that i need a holiday...
Looking forward to the report.

 

[spike.t]

James, that sounds like a super trip and definitely a nice way to include the missus.
can you pm me the names of the places you stayed at?
might try convince my missus that i need a holiday...
Looking forward to the report.

yeah right pete i can really see your madam going on any type of hunt with you however hard you cover it up
and james looks like you and your wife had a great time . amazing how they can enjoy shopping anywhere its available..........

 

[PeteG]

yeah right pete i can really see your madam going on any type of hunt with you however hard you cover it up
and james looks like you and your wife had a great time . amazing how they can enjoy shopping anywhere its available..........

ha ha, did you not notice the part about shopping?? that's usually a very powerful tool when negotiating with my madam!!!!
it usually doesn't end well for me, but hey - you win some and you lose some...
it is worth it though for a sneaky hunt here and there?

maybe i should just send her shopping to SA and sneak out to Takeri... i heard theres a nice bushbuck and eland there......

 

[sestoppelman]

You are getting jaded James! To say that a 28 and 29 inch nyala are not the big ones?!!? Really? The 28 incher I just got is sure as heck a "big one" in my eyes! and will make like the top 100 SCI.

 

[Bhfs300]

You are getting jaded James! To say that a 28 and 29 inch nyala are not the big ones?!!? Really? The 28 incher I just got is sure as heck a "big one" in my eyes! and will make like the top 100 SCI.

I am heading to SA end of next month and would be thrilled to get a 28 or 29 inch nyala. That is my top animal and I think that is a gold level.
How about a picture of these!
Have you seen the wall pedistal mounts that are out there?
Tom

 

[James.Grage]

You are getting jaded James! To say that a 28 and 29 inch nyala are not the big ones?!!? Really? The 28 incher I just got is sure as heck a "big one" in my eyes! and will make like the top 100 SCI.

The "BIG" "ONES" i was referring to were the one that walked away from us and the one missed by a prior client.

Heck, i am plum tickled pink with the two i was able to get. One will be mounted and the other will be a Euro mount.

 

[James.Grage]

I am heading to SA end of next month and would be thrilled to get a 28 or 29 inch nyala. That is my top animal and I think that is a gold level.
How about a picture of these!
Have you seen the wall pedistal mounts that are out there?
Tom

Tom my Nyala report is up with pictures...have a look see.