ZIMBABWE: SOUTH AFRICA: ZAMBIA: The Traveler (Zimbabwe), Sunsets (South Africa) & Ant Hill Dwellers (Zambia)

[AZDAVE]

Congratulation on a fine old elephant. Good shooting.

 

[cpr0312]

Congrats and thanks for sharing! Look forward to more!

 

[meigsbucks]

Congratulations on the ele..

 

[Mort Hill]

Fabulous Nathan! Let me know if I need to pick you up at the Nashville airport. We can just throw those old tusks in my truck. I’ll make sure you get them…..

 

[BnC 04]

Today we drove back to Victoria Falls where we would be staying two nights at the Pamarah Lodge. Rouan’s wife and daughter were able to fly up and spend time with us, which was great. The day of arrival we wasted no time and decided to head down and take the self-guided tour of the Falls. The mist rising from the water created a surreal atmosphere, and the sound of the cascading water was exhilarating. The water flow was much more than I expected during September.

The following day we had booked an all-day fishing trip with Joe, the owner of Joe’s Fishing Trips. So after a wonderful diner at The Three Monkeys restaurant, we heading back to the hotel for much needed sleep. In the morning it was time to hopefully hook into a Tigerfish or two.

Today was an exhilarating day on the Upper Zambezi River, we were greeted riverside by Joe. The weather and water conditions looked favorable to be out chasing fish. The best spots were around the rocky outcrops and near submerged boulders, where tigerfish tend to ambush bait fish. Casting near the rapids yielded hookups, as the turbulent waters stirred up bait. We all hooked up on Tigerfish but once hooked they start leaping out of the water and our landing rates plummeted, but we did get a few into the net. Rouan hooked into and landed a giant Nembwe and Joe kept talking about the size and fact he himself hasn’t caught one that size. After a very enjoyable day on the water, we dined at the Mama Africa restaurant, and we all were very pleased with the service and food.

The following morning, we had our flight out scheduled around lunch, so we all decided to enjoy breakfast at the Lookout Café, perched above the Zambezi Gorge. Once we were seated, we noticed there was a zip-line across the gorge which crossed right in front of the restaurant. It didn’t take long for my wife, Rouan’s wife and his daughter to notice the opportunity and decide to give it a go. Only this group of girls show up for a nice breakfast and decide to go ripping down a line across a gorge. Rouan and I were assigned the task of videoing and that fitted me just fine.

Next stop: Tsala's hunting lodge in RSA for a few days...TBC

 

[DPHunter4570]

Heck of an adventure! Awesome stuff.

 

[Pablo]

Great pics!

 

[BnC 04]

Part 2: Sunsets (South Africa)


We had a couple days to spend in S. Africa before our departure to Zambia and wanted to go checkout one of @TSALA HUNTING SAFARIS new hunting areas and camp. The drive led us towards Thabazimbi in the Limpopo province. About 3ish hours later we pulled up to the lodge. Beautiful layout that included a swimming pool and private cottages and large main lodge. After a great dinner it was off to bed as we would be out early looking for game.

The morning came fast and after breakfast it was time to load the truck and get to it. After a bit of cat and mouse a blesbok was spotted and Rouan and my wife attempted to close the distance. The approach was perfect as they closed the yardage which gave her a perfect shot opportunity.

After lunch and a quick siesta, we decided to go try and find a large impala. After looking over a few groups with smaller rams we came across one ram following an ewe that obviously looked heavy and wide. Once again, the stalk and shot was on point and down the ram went.

We were very happy to have had the opportunity to spend some time (even if it was short) at the new location. Food was great, hunting terrain nice and thick and the sunsets to die for.

Next up….Zambia! TBC

 

[LWood]

Great hunt! Love the last day success on the elephant. Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait for Zambia.

 

[Scott CWO]

We all had our guess concerning the weight of ivory as they were thick and stubby, and everyone thought they would go over 45lbs for sure. Raphel felt due to the age of the bull he should have a short nerve but we all would have to wait until the tusks were pulled and taken into the parks to be officially weighed and stamped.

It wasn’t till we were in Zambia that I received a message with the picture of the tusks at the parks location along with the paperwork showing weight. 49lbs x 53lbs. Grand old bull indeed and an honor to have taken him quickly and cleanly.

Wow and congrats!! Great shot as well.

 

[spike.t]

Great hunt! Love the last day success on the elephant. Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait for Zambia.

Yeah me too....hoping it was good ....

 

[Ridgewalker]

Absolutely grand adventure! Looking forward to “the rest of the story.”

 

[Rare Breed]

Part 2: Sunsets (South Africa)


We had a couple days to spend in S. Africa before our departure to Zambia and wanted to go checkout one of @TSALA HUNTING SAFARIS new hunting areas and camp. The drive led us towards Thabazimbi in the Limpopo province. About 3ish hours later we pulled up to the lodge. Beautiful layout that included a swimming pool and private cottages and large main lodge. After a great dinner it was off to bed as we would be out early looking for game.
View attachment 636154View attachment 636155View attachment 636152

The morning came fast and after breakfast it was time to load the truck and get to it. After a bit of cat and mouse a blesbok was spotted and Rouan and my wife attempted to close the distance. The approach was perfect as they closed the yardage which gave her a perfect shot opportunity.

View attachment 636156

After lunch and a quick siesta, we decided to go try and find a large impala. After looking over a few groups with smaller rams we came across one ram following an ewe that obviously looked heavy and wide. Once again, the stalk and shot was on point and down the ram went.
View attachment 636157

We were very happy to have had the opportunity to spend some time (even if it was short) at the new location. Food was great, hunting terrain nice and thick and the sunsets to die for.View attachment 636158

Next up….Zambia! TBC

Nice animals! Great impala !!!

 

[BnC 04]

Fabulous Nathan! Let me know if I need to pick you up at the Nashville airport. We can just throw those old tusks in my truck. I’ll make sure you get them…..

Much appreciated Mort, but somehow they would come up "missing"....

 

[BnC 04]

Few more pictures from Zim during ele hunt.

 

[BnC 04]

A quick update on Zim trophy, I have been in contact with Collett's in Bulawayo and have been VERY impressed with their communication thus far.
Ivory was dropped off last week to them, the ear and feet will be in there possession this week.
I'm excited for the process to begin.
Conservation Force has already started the paperwork process and fingers crossed all goes smooth.

 

[WAB]

A quick update on Zim trophy, I have been in contact with Collett's in Bulawayo and have been VERY impressed with their communication thus far.
Ivory was dropped off last week to them, the ear and feet will be in there possession this week.
I'm excited for the process to begin.
Conservation Force has already started the paperwork process and fingers crossed all goes smooth.

I’ve used Collett’s extensively. They are excellent. Consider having them throw in a couple of campaign chairs with your shipment. I don’t think you could find higher quality anywhere.

 

[Killo]

Bravo!!!

 

[BnC 04]

I’ve used Collett’s extensively. They are excellent. Consider having them throw in a couple of campaign chairs with your shipment. I don’t think you could find higher quality anywhere.

I will send an inquiry to them today about the chairs you mentioned, good idea.
I did ask about retaining the molds used for the replica set and they will be shipped as well so that is good.

 

[towserthemouser]

On the fifth day, the moment of truth arrived. After checking one of the boreholes a large track was located, and the hunt was on. We spotted two bulls in the distance, and they were making their way towards the forestry area which we could not cross into. We made hast and the line of seven people filed in after the two bulls. We finally got a good look at both bulls and when your PH gets excited it’s time for you to start going through the possible scenarios dealing with shot placement.

Earlier on day one it was discussed that if I was presented with a shoulder shot that I would take it and both Rafael and Rouan would back me up if warranted. Well after some careful stalking, we started to close the distance. The first time the bull turned to check us out he was at about 70 yards. We kept following and the second time he was at roughly 50 yards. I figured he would stop but he just kept coming with his head up, ears out and tail straight. As I had this bull in front of me all the videos I watched and information I read about shot placement went out the window. All I could envision was the ele skull we studied the day prior and the words of Raphel and Rouan being “if he is facing you, just break the stick and you will hit the brain”.

The bull finally stopped at 36 yards, my Heym .470 NE was shouldered, loaded with 500gr CEB solids, as the bull dropped his head a bit, I picked a single spot on his trunk and touched off the right barrel. At the shot, the bull’s back legs collapsed, head swung up and piled up on the ground stone dead. We moved in and I put one behind his shoulder just for safety’s sake. Can’t explain in words the emotions when I laid hands on the bull but elation, sorrow, respect and honor all at the same time come to mind. As the event settled in for me, Raphel explained just how grand of a bull we had taken. He was on his last set of molars, sunken head, hardly any tail hair and the inside of his foot pads smooth as paper from the life of traveling.View attachment 635965View attachment 635966

Happy for you to enjoy such a great hunt, thank you for sharing. I dream of the same one day.....