SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Plains Game - 1st Timer

[Bob Newland]

I stole this format from another post. I hope it helps:

What should a simple review include?
Country - South Africa
Dates - 5/23/14 - 5/31/14
Type of Hunt (Plains Game, Big Game, Cull, Bird...) - Plains Game
Method of Hunting (Rifle, Bow, Handgun…) - Rifle .300 Win Mag
Outfitter Zulani Safaris
PH - Gordon Brace
Agent - None
Locations Hunted - Limpopo region
Species Hunted - Kudu, Gemsbok, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Impala (buck & ewe), Blesbok ewe, Jackal
Trophy Quality - Excellent 3 of my animals qualified for SCI recognition
Species Seen, Population and Quality of Game Observed - All plus hartebeest, giraffe, duikier, sable and Eland
Lodging - Excellent lodge
Food - Very good - first rate.
Activities- We spent a day visiting 3 orphanages where we donated, school supplies, clothing, toys, sporting goods, medicine, and candy to the kids which we brought from home plus meat from our harvest. This was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. We followed up our 7 day hunt with 3 days/nights of sightseeing up in Kruger National Park and waterfalls int he area.
Travel Methods Flew from JFK direct to Johannesburg overnighted at Africa Sky Guest House then flew to Polokwane the next morning.

High Points - Too many to mention. The game was plentiful, the PH did EVERYTHING he could to make us happy. The accommodations and food were excellent. Would go back in a heartbeat.
Low Points- Nothing really comes to mind. GREAT TRIP!
Things to Improve
Overall Rating A+
Would Recommend to a Friend? I have, several times.

For a first African Safari, this couldn't have been better. Gordon and I have since become good friends. My wife, Traci, has never really hunted so taking her on a 7 day safari...I was more than a little concerned. SHE LOVED IT, I'm happy to say, and we are headed back in 2016. While there, she harvested her very first animal, and impala ewe which we donated at the orphanages/schools. It was the experience of a lifetime and one we will never forget.

Feel free to ask any questions you like and I will do my best to answer.

Bob

 

[AB2506]

Very nice!

 

[dory]

very nice indeed !

 

[woods1126]

Great job, congratulations!! Kevin

 

[James.Grage]

Nice trip..

Thank you for sharing...

 

[Upton O. Good]

Congrats on a great hunt! Ruined you, it did!

 

[IdaRam]

Very nice! Congrats on what appears to have been a wonderful trip!
And a couple comments of a specific nature. First off, there is something special about a couple of your pics that I feel compelled to point out. And also to offer complements to both you and your lovely bride as well as the PH/photographer.
The two pics with both you and your wife in frame have a very "we did this together" feel to them. The way they are posed, hands together with wedding rings visible in the shots and both of you with hands wrapped around the Gemsbok horns are truly exceptional photos. These could be examples to all PH's and hunters alike of how to take a picture When another hunter's wife or girlfriend sees pics like this, if she's on the fence at all about wanting to go or not, trust me this will push her over the edge.
I like it!

 

[ROCKET]

Wow.....what a great hunt......great memories from your first time in Africa, you achieve great trophies and enjoying to be accompanied for your bride living this unforgetable experiencie together......you cannot ask for more my friend........for a first time at list........

Congrats to both.....!!!!!

 

[Nyati]

Congrats Bob, a great hunt !

 

[Bob Newland]

Very nice! Congrats on what appears to have been a wonderful trip!
And a couple comments of a specific nature. First off, there is something special about a couple of your pics that I feel compelled to point out. And also to offer complements to both you and your lovely bride as well as the PH/photographer.
The two pics with both you and your wife in frame have a very "we did this together" feel to them. The way they are posed, hands together with wedding rings visible in the shots and both of you with hands wrapped around the Gemsbok horns are truly exceptional photos. These could be examples to all PH's and hunters alike of how to take a picture When another hunter's wife or girlfriend sees pics like this, if she's on the fence at all about wanting to go or not, trust me this will push her over the edge.
I like it!

Thank you very much for the VERY kind words!!! It may sound a little corny but my wife, Traci, and I share a very special bond. She had never really hunted with me much prior to this trip (a handful of pheasant hunting outings) and had never harvested an animal. To say I was a little nervous about taking her on a 7 day safari is quite an understatement. I was worried it would get to be too much for her. She ended up enjoying the trip as much as me and took her first animal, an impala ewe. Now next time she wants some thing with some headgear! Thank you again...it's probably the nicest reply I've ever received.

 

[Bob Newland]

Wow.....what a great hunt......great memories from your first time in Africa, you achieve great trophies and enjoying to be accompanied for your bride living this unforgetable experience together......you cannot ask for more my friend........for a first time at list........

Congrats to both.....!!!!!

Thank you very much!!! It was a tremendous experience for both of us and we can't wait to return in 2016!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Well done Bob!

 

[Wheels]

Congratulations on your hunt.

Glad you had a great time.

Thanks for sharing the report and photos.

 

[vancewalker007]

Very nice! Congrats on what appears to have been a wonderful trip!
And a couple comments of a specific nature. First off, there is something special about a couple of your pics that I feel compelled to point out. And also to offer complements to both you and your lovely bride as well as the PH/photographer.
The two pics with both you and your wife in frame have a very "we did this together" feel to them. The way they are posed, hands together with wedding rings visible in the shots and both of you with hands wrapped around the Gemsbok horns are truly exceptional photos. These could be examples to all PH's and hunters alike of how to take a picture When another hunter's wife or girlfriend sees pics like this, if she's on the fence at all about wanting to go or not, trust me this will push her over the edge.
I like it!

Nice report, looks like a wonderful trip. I also like all the photos and how a dog always manages to photo bomb you in some pictures in Africa. Those silly dogs are a camera hogs.

 

[Warbird782]

Welcome to AH and congrats on such a successful hunt. The success is from the nice trophies taken, the quality time spent with a loved one in the outdoors, and friends you gained from going.

 

[huntermn15]

Welcome to AH and congratulations on a great hunt and time well spent with a loved one.

 

[gillettehunter]

Thanks for sharing. Nice pics that help to capture the essence of your hunt. Good photos are truly a blessing. Looks like some nice animals. Congrats on yourwife taking part in the hunting. Africa is a magical place. Bruce

 

[BWH]

Looks like an awesome trip for you 2

 

[bluey]

great trip , really good photos ,thanks for showing us all

 

[Bob Newland]

Thank you all for the kind words. It was a fantastic trip that Traci and I will never forget. And, you are very correct...our PH, Gordon Brace, took the photos very seriously. I can't say enough how much I appreciate that now!!!