Well if we must...
Karen and I had the dream of Africa several years ago. We have planned and hoped, and waited. I am a member of leverguns.com, and have followed their levergun safaris for several years, and after discussing things with Joe Riekers in Texas (Chris's bud in the USA) I contacted him to see about costs, plans, guns etc. Well it wasn't as difficult or as expensive as I thought. I am a Professional Firefighter with the City of Portland, Maine, and my wife Karen is a receptionist. We never thought we could afford such an adventure. Well, to make a long story short, after the death of Karen's Mom, we inherited a small amount of money, and decided in Her honor, we would travel and experience African hunting, at least once.
Having contacted Joe Riekers about the past Leverguns safaris, I called and got dates, prices, and the whole nine yards. Joe and I hit it off, and although I have yet to meet him in person, I consider him a friend. He guided us through the process of booking, selecting animals on quota, flights, tipping, and all the things one needs to have a great time.
Well, the day came when it was time. We departed Portland enroute to NYC,(I unfortunately have been there many times, mostly for 9-11 funerals of firefighters) and we met the other 3 hunters who would be hunting with us.
A nice dinner and the next day we were off on the 15hour flight to Johannesburg. We didn't sleep at all!!! Upon arrival, the Air 2000 reps took care of all the necessary customs stuff and gun permit particulars. Within a short time we were off to Limpopo!! If you fly into Johannesburg, you absolutely must use Air 2000/ Hunters support. You will not regret the $175 it costs, and it will make your trip soooooo much easier!!! They take care of everything, and do all the particulars for you. You simply follow them and they take care of everything. You don't even carry you luggage!
Around 4 hrs later, we were at the,"camp" which was actually a 5 star lodging that Chris had secured in Limpopo. It was beautiful. We had the usual introductions, a nice settle in, and then off to shoot rifles and tour the property. The rifles travelled well, and the dinner...the first of many 5+ star meals we would enjoy. Sabina Troskie is a fantastic chef to the nth degree and we could not have had any better food anywhere!!!!
The first day, we travelled on our resident concession, and I shot an SCI Gold Medal Impala!! One shot from 90 yards with my 7x57 Ruger 77. Complete pass through, and DRT.(Dead Right There!)
Day 2 was Karen's gemsbock day. We travelled to another property that Chris had arranged, and after a wonderful stalk (that I could not attend, because I would be the 4th in line and didn't want to be a hindrance) Karen shot a wonderful gemsbock.
Day 3 was a warthog/wildebeast day. We didn't have any success that day with shooting, but we saw plenty of game and had quite a few stalks that ended unsuccessfully. Winds change!!! But back at camp, libations and another fine dinner ended a fantastic day.
DAy 4 saw us on another property and A successful stalk for a warthog, taken at 100+ with my .444 levergun. I will say that the 444 with a scout scope was a MISTAKE in hindsight. It is a wonderful Maine woods gun/scope combo and has plenty enough power for Africa, but the combo was not the best for the terrain/shots encountered, and I/we reverted to the 7x57 with 4x scope for the remainder. While I am no African hunting expert, I am well schooled in rifles and ballistics and can state emphatically that a scoped rifle (bolt/single/ any) with heavy for caliber high BC bullets and deep penetration are the attributes to look for. Our 7x57 was topped with a fixed 4x Zeiss using 175 grn round nose Hornady handloads at 2450 fps. We dropped every animal shot, and had minimal if any tracking. Sorry Ms. Walker (Chris' Jack Russel tracking dog)
Day 5 saw us again in persuit of wildebeast, and the added attraction of a KUDU at a blind that Chris built on his property near a waterhole he built as well. While we were unsuccessful at both, the Kudu did come in, and we were very close a few times to both the wildebeast and the Kudu, but no dice. KAren did score a nice Impala though, so the day was a celebration again.
Day 6 was alot like day 5. We hunted hard! Just like in Maine! Which I found most excellent. I really didn't come to Africa to be waited on. However, we were at every opportunity. The PH's and Chris and Sabina were most excellent hosts. We were "pampered" in camp, and our enjoyment and comfort were first in the mind of all the staff. We sat up for the Kudu again, but were busted by cattle banging on a metal fence. Before we knew it, the Kudu, which were within feet of us, cleared off to 40-50 yards and didn't come in again until well after dark. A check of Chris' trail-cams again showed pics of a wonderful trophy bull and several smaller bulls. I await word from Chris as to which lucky hunter gets,"MY" bull at his blind.
DAy 7 was departure day, but we were lacking a Wildebeast. Karen had decided that we wanted a zebra as well, so despite our lack of luck with Wildebeast, we spotted and stalked a fine zebra in the last hour of the last day. One shot from the 7x57 on the quartering to shoulder added the final trophy of a fantastic adventure that ended too soon.
If you are a first time hunter (like we were) going to Africa , I implore you to use Chris Troskie as your Hunter/outfitter. He is well experienced, understands your experience level, provides top knotch service, answers all questions (don't be afraid to ask anything, Chris and his Staff are there to help) and provides you with everything you need to thoroughly enjoy your first, second or whatever African Safari. We cannot thank him enough and look forward to hunting with him again.
AT departure, we were again met by Air 2000, and they did an outstanding job getting our gear and rifles out of Africa. They were very helpful and courteous.
Things we learned:
1. LISTEN TO YOUR PH! He knows the country, animals, area. I have been hunting for 30+ years. My wife for 20. This is not Kansas/Maine/Texas/anywhere you have been. Ask questions (quietly, on a stalk) and request input/info, but listen to him when he speaks.
2. Your favorite hunting rifle from home will get the job done most of the time, but if this is your first and maybe only chance at Africa, make it a scoped bolt action/single shot/lever/ anything. A 30-06/35 whelen/7x57/7mm mag with the proper loads will make success easier on you and your PH. If you MUST use your pet open sight/scout/light screamer etc. thats fine. But do not blame your PH when things don't go your way.
3. Listen to your PH.
In closing, what a wonderful experience. We cannot say enough about Chris Troskie safaris.
Look up Joe riekers at tarsporting.com, or contact Chris direct at ct-safaris.com.
Good Hunting!!!!! Bill
