ZIMBABWE: Hunting the Omay For Elephant & Leopard With Dalton & York Safaris

[VertigoBE]

Thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful adventure with us @rinehart0050 I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Cheers and Waidmannsheil!

 

[revturbo9967]

Talk about an amazing hunting report. Hunt if a lifetime for sure.

I just noticed on social media Dalton had a client take a male lion, and an impressive one at that. They seem to have a very special place.

 

[rinehart0050]

Talk about an amazing hunting report. Hunt if a lifetime for sure.

I just noticed on social media Dalton had a client take a male lion, and an impressive one at that. They seem to have a very special place.

Yes. They are definitely having lots of success this year, lots of happy clients!

 

[rinehart0050]

Just got our highlight reel!!

 

[jasyblood]

Cool video and congrats on an awesome hunt!!!

 

[Medicine]

Just got our highlight reel!!

Something to cherish - along with the upcoming feature. Thanks for sharing.

 

[revturbo9967]

exited to watch the entire episode.

 

[buck wild]

good stuff. I might have to snag a few clips of the scenery for my personal video.

 

[Backyardsniper]

Thanks to your review I just got off the phone with Michelle and we are booking with Dalton&York for June/July of 2023. We were just a hair away from booking with a different outfit but after reading this and talking with Dalton I think this is the direction we want to go.

 

[rinehart0050]

Thanks to your review I just got off the phone with Michelle and we are booking with Dalton&York for June/July of 2023. We were just a hair away from booking with a different outfit but after reading this and talking with Dalton I think this is the direction we want to go.

Congrats! You've made a great choice! Dalton and York will ensure you have a great hunt and Michelle will make sure everything goes smoothly!

I'll look forward to your report!

 

[Backyardsniper]

I am looking very much forward to this adventure

 

[Thumper Mcgee]

Hunting Elephant and Leopard with Dalton and York Safaris in the Omay, Zimbabwe...

We just got back from a little over 3 weeks of travel, with time spent in Zimbabwe and Dubai. I'll do this report in installments by animal/event rather than chronologically, as many parts overlap.

I cannot over emphasize enough how great this safari went. Hands down our best hunting and travel experience to date, made possible by the exceptional efforts and support of our Professional Hunter, Dalton Tink; our outfitter, Dalton and York Safaris; our agent, Michelle Buchanan of Buchanan Hunts; and our videographer, Andy Buchanan of This Is Africa/Africa Five! If you're looking for a hard hunt in truly wild Africa with a professional team and great friends, look no further. These are the people you need to contact and they will make the safari of your dreams a reality.

Also, don't wait to travel because of Covid! I'll cover this more in depth later, but covid presented only minor inconveniences during our trip. The reward though, was that we basically had Vic Falls all to ourselves, as well as other places we visited. Travel now, avoid the lines and crowds!

We hunted in Omay North, part of the Omay CAMPFIRE area. The Omay consists of 2 million acres of wild country, directly adjacent to the Matusadona National Park, along the banks of Lake Kariba. It is bordered by the Ume River to the east and Sengwa River to the west. This is wild country, ranging from mountains to flood plains, and from thick jesse to the fields of local villages. The area is rich with big game- Lake Kariba and the Ume River are home to giant crocodile and hippo; while even a stalk on plains game must be approached with caution as elephant, buffalo, and lion are plentiful in the bush. And leopard. There are leopard everywhere! Prior to our arrival, three leopards had been hitting lion baits and during our hunt we have five separate leopards on baits!

The Omay is rough country that demands hard hunting, but rewards the effort with great trophies. I would not recommend the Omay if you suffer from reduced mobility, as you won't be shooting any trophies from the truck. Our PH, Dalton Tink, is a passionate hunter that never stops pushing to get you opportunities on the animals you're after. On some days, we exceed 20kms (12+ miles) of stalking with the darkness of a setting sun the only thing halting the pursuit. As the report will later show, Dalton is not one to compromise. He is only satisfied with the best and oldest trophy animals and wont have you shooting at some young bull just to cash in on a trophy fee.

Dalton and York Safaris just recently took over the entirety of the Omay and are investing heavily into conservation and community engagement in the area. However, they are not new to the Omay, both having extensively hunted the region with other outfitters over the past decade. They have extensive anti-poaching teams working non-stop, with clear positive results. The region was once plagued by elephant poaching, but that is no longer the case and the elephant population is extensive and healthy. Equally, the results of their work with the locals, ranging from digging bore holes to problem animal control to meat distribution, was apparent as we drove through villages and talked with the locals.

So, without further ado, on to the report...

Executive Summary:

Outfitter: Dalton and York Safaris (facebook/instagram)
Agent: Michelle Buchanan, Buchanan Hunts

Professional Hunter: Dalton Tink
Appie: Heath
Tracker: Tongai (Dewa)
Driver: Trymore
National Parks Ranger: Million
Council Game Scout: Time

Videographer/Truck Comedian: Andy Buchanan of This Is Africa (Pursuit Channel/Youtube) and Africa Five

Hunting Area: Omay North
Hunting Camp: Ume Camp
Other Areas visited: Harare, Victoria Falls, Dubai

Dip/Pack: Collettes Wildlife Artistry, Zimbabwe
Trophy Imports: Safari Specialty Importers
CITES/USFWS Permits: Conservation Force

Flights: Emirates, Fastjet
Other lodging: Amanzi Lodge (Harare), Old Drift Lodge (Vic Falls), Le Meridien (Dubai)

Rifles: Chapuis Brousse 470NE double rifle, Blaser R8 chambered in 375H&H and 300 Win Mag
Ammunition: Swift (A-Frames and Break-Away Solids)
Optics: Nightforce and Vortex

Animals hunted/fished: Elephant, Leopard, Hippo, Chobe Bushbuck, Spotted Hyena, Impala, Vundu Catfish
Other Animals seen: Cape Buffalo, Crocodile, Waterbuck, Kudu, Zebra, Klipspringer, Civet Cat, Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Serval Cat, Duiker

i cant wait to see this unfold on TIA

 

[Philip Glass]

Can you give us a report of the Amanzi Lodge in Harare? What was it like? Food? Price? We will overnight in Harare in August.
Philip

 

[375Fox]

Can you give us a report of the Amanzi Lodge in Harare? What was it like? Food? Price? We will overnight in Harare in August.
Philip

You will like it. I stayed there at end of my trip in October. It’s expensive like $200/night, but the room and grounds are very nice. I really enjoyed my stay. Lunch was good, breakfast was great, but dinner was too upscale for my tastes. I’d have been happier with a steak and a beer in a more casual environment for dinner.

 

[Philip Glass]

You will like it. I stayed there at end of my trip in October. It’s expensive like $200/night, but the room and grounds are very nice. I really enjoyed my stay. Lunch was good, breakfast was great, but dinner was too upscale for my tastes. I’d have been happier with a steak and a beer in a more casual environment for dinner.
View attachment 449680

When in Harare or any African big city I am more concerned with security than actual accommodations. This is one reason I don’t want to stay anywhere cheap. Was it a seemingly safe area? What was it about dinner that was too upscale?
thanks much,
Philip

 

[375Fox]

When in Harare or any African big city I am more concerned with security than actual accommodations. This is one reason I don’t want to stay anywhere cheap. Was it a seemingly safe area? What was it about dinner that was too upscale?
thanks much,
Philip

It feels very safe. Inside it’s comparable to the feel of African Sky in Johannesburg, but more space.

 

[Tanks]

When in Harare or any African big city I am more concerned with security than actual accommodations. This is one reason I don’t want to stay anywhere cheap. Was it a seemingly safe area? What was it about dinner that was too upscale?
thanks much,
Philip

Security is fine. Guarded sliding iron gate to come to the property. Dinner was great. Very nice risotto for appetizer and filet mignon that was cooked perfectly.

I'll be staying there again twice in July.

 

[rinehart0050]

Can you give us a report of the Amanzi Lodge in Harare? What was it like? Food? Price? We will overnight in Harare in August.
Philip

You will like it. I stayed there at end of my trip in October. It’s expensive like $200/night, but the room and grounds are very nice. I really enjoyed my stay. Lunch was good, breakfast was great, but dinner was too upscale for my tastes. I’d have been happier with a steak and a beer in a more casual environment for dinner.
View attachment 449680

Amanzi is a great lodge to stay at- particularly for you @Philip Glass as you're traveling with a bigger group. Multiple chalets, each with a theme matching a particular african country.

We stayed in the Zanzibar Suite, which was very nice with a fancy bathroom, balcony, etc.

The grounds are wonderful, lots of lush jungle vegetation, birds, etc.

I think the price was about $200, breakfast included. Dinner was very fancy as @375Fox noted. More like a Michelin starred restaurant than something you'd expect in Zimbabwe. That said, it was very good and expertly served by a highly trained staff- so it's worth what you're paying (with drinks, about $100 total for 2 people).

Security is very good at the Lodge. The complete complex has high walls, gate guard, etc- similar to AfricaSky in Joburg, but bigger and a bit nicer.

It's the only place I've stayed in Harare, so I don't have a point of comparison. That said, it's very nice, perfect to relax after a 24 hr + flight before driving out to the Omay!

Also, Amanzi is very accommodating to hunters. When we were delayed and missed our flight to vic falls, Amanzi opened just for us (no other guests were booked that night), to include opening the restaurant during covid lockdown to serve us. They did this all with about 2 hours notice. Now that's customer service!

Also, hotel accepts credit card without issue. The restaurant had troubles with their credit card machine while we were there, so we had to pay cash.

Here are some pictures:

Room and grounds:

Dinner:

 

[Philip Glass]

Amanzi is a great lodge to stay at- particularly for you @Philip Glass as you're traveling with a bigger group. Multiple chalets, each with a theme matching a particular african country.

We stayed in the Zanzibar Suite, which was very nice with a fancy bathroom, balcony, etc.

The grounds are wonderful, lots of lush jungle vegetation, birds, etc.

I think the price was about $200, breakfast included. Dinner was very fancy as @375Fox noted. More like a Michelin starred restaurant than something you'd expect in Zimbabwe. That said, it was very good and expertly served by a highly trained staff- so it's worth what you're paying (with drinks, about $100 total for 2 people).

Security is very good at the Lodge. The complete complex has high walls, gate guard, etc- similar to AfricaSky in Joburg, but bigger and a bit nicer.

It's the only place I've stayed in Harare, so I don't have a point of comparison. That said, it's very nice, perfect to relax after a 24 hr + flight before driving out to the Omay!

Also, Amanzi is very accommodating to hunters. When we were delayed and missed our flight to vic falls, Amanzi opened just for us (no other guests were booked that night), to include opening the restaurant during covid lockdown to serve us. They did this all with about 2 hours notice. Now that's customer service!

Also, hotel accepts credit card without issue. The restaurant had troubles with their credit card machine while we were there, so we had to pay cash.

Here are some pictures:

Room and grounds:

View attachment 449681
View attachment 449682
View attachment 449684

Dinner:
View attachment 449685
View attachment 449686
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View attachment 449689

Thanks so much. It looks very nice.

 

[Mort Hill]

Phillip, might also suggest you check into Guinea Fowls Rest B&B in Harare. Good area, great security, very nice grounds, excellent meals, self serve honor bar, very relaxed, family owned. I would recommend for any size group.
guineafowl.co.zw
Annette and Dave are awesome! Also met other great folks there from all over Africa.