Ardent
AH enthusiast
Big thanks to San Souci Safaris and SkinAfrika to helping us get this hunt together. About a year ago, I and many others saw a Namibia problem Lion hunt that Theo (SkinAfrika Consulting) posted that captured more imaginations than just mine I'm sure. Trouble was, it looked like a heck of a great hunt at two weeks, and short notice to boot. Were I not a father of two who values his extremely patient wife, I would have booked that second. Theo suggested another option, San Souci Safaris in the North Cape Kalahari, and Jason the boss and owner, Whitey, and JS the PHs made sure we had a wonderful time accommodating all of us right down to the littlest hunters. It's an overused statement, but it really felt as if we were staying with friends, and the kids loved it. Jason extended an offer to let our eldest take his first African game animal down the road at his place on a future trip with an Impala or Springbok free, very kind.
The Lion was highly enjoyable, and while the video doesn't show the hours of tracking, we spent a good many kilometres walking through the sand (very green at the time thanks to some of the best seasonal rains in a decade apparently for the Kalahari) on spoor, and I love a good walk. Gemsbok was even more of a walk, they had enormous energy and spring due to all the water and fresh food, plus sight lines were highly limited by the foliage. I had an extremely good time chasing Gemsbok / Oryx as it proved a good challenge with the iron sighted double rifle, the only tool brought as it was a Lion hunt first and foremost. Whitey the PH worked hard and gave me a shot on a nice bullet, quite a stretch with the iron sighted double, but luck was with us and it worked out great.
The hunt fit my life today, and we squeezed the Lion and Gemsbok into four great days, as this trip was actually not to be principally a hunting trip but rather a trip for my wife and kids, and to visit my family in South Africa. I won't go into detail on the rest / non-hunting portions of the trip (by far the bulk of the trip really) but will say we followed Theo's suggestion on parks with Pilanesburg National Park, and had an extraordinary time for the family in Bakubung Bush Lodge in the park at Pilanesburg. I would give the park and lodge my highest recommendation for anyone travelling as a family, no malaria, excellent game viewing, beautiful scenery, and very kid and family friendly. Rent your own vehicle in Rustenburg or Sun City and drive yourself in the park, it proved much more enjoyable than being crammed on a tourist truck and you can stop and see what you want at your pace, in privacy and comfort.
I've already booked another hunt through SkinAfrika I hadn't planned on, so I suppose that's a good endorsement. We'll also be back to see Jason Whitehead et al in the future, thanks to everyone for making it possible. To anyone considering booking with SkinAfrika and San Souci, you need not have any concerns, they'll show you a great time and experience. I understand Craig Boddington had hunted Lion at San Souci not long previous to us, and had as good a time as we did. My luck with outfits and people continues in Africa, and a list of high recommendation now includes these folks. I feel guilty every time I book a hunt in a new area as these people have shown me such great times, it's almost a burden as I want to send my support to them:
Touch Africa Safaris Zimbabwe, absolutely top shelf Buffalo experience.
Spiral Horn Safaris Limpopo, an absolutely great family and they did us a huge favour in 2011, my brother's only African hunt and provided by Spiral Horn and this website AfricaHunting.com from a photo contest.
San Souci Safaris North Cape, must now be added to the list of my top recommendations, extremely accommodating and friendly and just an all around wonderful operation.
A quick video is one of the best way to share the highlights,
The Lion was highly enjoyable, and while the video doesn't show the hours of tracking, we spent a good many kilometres walking through the sand (very green at the time thanks to some of the best seasonal rains in a decade apparently for the Kalahari) on spoor, and I love a good walk. Gemsbok was even more of a walk, they had enormous energy and spring due to all the water and fresh food, plus sight lines were highly limited by the foliage. I had an extremely good time chasing Gemsbok / Oryx as it proved a good challenge with the iron sighted double rifle, the only tool brought as it was a Lion hunt first and foremost. Whitey the PH worked hard and gave me a shot on a nice bullet, quite a stretch with the iron sighted double, but luck was with us and it worked out great.
The hunt fit my life today, and we squeezed the Lion and Gemsbok into four great days, as this trip was actually not to be principally a hunting trip but rather a trip for my wife and kids, and to visit my family in South Africa. I won't go into detail on the rest / non-hunting portions of the trip (by far the bulk of the trip really) but will say we followed Theo's suggestion on parks with Pilanesburg National Park, and had an extraordinary time for the family in Bakubung Bush Lodge in the park at Pilanesburg. I would give the park and lodge my highest recommendation for anyone travelling as a family, no malaria, excellent game viewing, beautiful scenery, and very kid and family friendly. Rent your own vehicle in Rustenburg or Sun City and drive yourself in the park, it proved much more enjoyable than being crammed on a tourist truck and you can stop and see what you want at your pace, in privacy and comfort.
I've already booked another hunt through SkinAfrika I hadn't planned on, so I suppose that's a good endorsement. We'll also be back to see Jason Whitehead et al in the future, thanks to everyone for making it possible. To anyone considering booking with SkinAfrika and San Souci, you need not have any concerns, they'll show you a great time and experience. I understand Craig Boddington had hunted Lion at San Souci not long previous to us, and had as good a time as we did. My luck with outfits and people continues in Africa, and a list of high recommendation now includes these folks. I feel guilty every time I book a hunt in a new area as these people have shown me such great times, it's almost a burden as I want to send my support to them:
Touch Africa Safaris Zimbabwe, absolutely top shelf Buffalo experience.
Spiral Horn Safaris Limpopo, an absolutely great family and they did us a huge favour in 2011, my brother's only African hunt and provided by Spiral Horn and this website AfricaHunting.com from a photo contest.
San Souci Safaris North Cape, must now be added to the list of my top recommendations, extremely accommodating and friendly and just an all around wonderful operation.
A quick video is one of the best way to share the highlights,
Last edited by a moderator:
