The Long Road To Africa

[Rick HOlbert]

A couple photos from today. Saw buff right at dark but it was too late to differentiate them. Trying to go after them first thing in the morning. Most of you already know, but if you haven’t been, Africa is AMAZING!!!

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Very good impala and warthog sir! Do enjoy your hunt.

 

[Ravensview]

Man, when you do it you sure do it right!

 

[meigsbucks]

The research, detail and thought you put into preparing for this first of what will be several safaris was enthralling to read. Your choice of classic rifles adds to the experience.
Nice impala and warthog to start off with. Looking forward to additional installments. Take plenty of photos not only of your animals, but everything. Also, keep a daily journal.
Good hunting.

 

[gcbailey]

I just returned today. I cannot thank everyone here enough for their support and help along the way in what was a monumental endeavor for me to undertake. It was hard, but I did keep a detailed journal everyday of the trip. I have completely fallen in love with Africa, not only for the hunting, but also for its mystery and magic. The trip was an emotional roller coaster that at times made me think I had wasted so many years and money on. I bagged a beautiful Cape buffalo on my last day I had to hunt one. I cried. Not light tears, I was bawling. I wanted to hunt cape buffalo from my feet and the constant following of tracks, hearing them run off in impossible terrain, to try once again came together when I was really fighting the feeling of defeat. I couldn’t have asked for a better PH than Gunter. I am still processing the whole trip and am now compiling my notes and photos. It will take time, but I will provide a thorough report in the next few weeks. In the meantime, I am proud to share with you some of my hunting photos!

 

[Rick HOlbert]

I just returned today. I cannot thank everyone here enough for their support and help along the way in what was a monumental endeavor for me to undertake. It was hard, but I did keep a detailed journal everyday of the trip. I have completely fallen in love with Africa, not only for the hunting, but also for its mystery and magic. The trip was an emotional roller coaster that at times made me think I had wasted so many years and money on. I bagged a beautiful Cape buffalo on my last day I had to hunt one. I cried. Not light tears, I was bawling. I wanted to hunt cape buffalo from my feet and the constant following of tracks, hearing them run off in impossible terrain, to try once again came together when I was really fighting the feeling of defeat. I couldn’t have asked for a better PH than Gunter. I am still processing the whole trip and am now compiling my notes and photos. It will take time, but I will provide a thorough report in the next few weeks. In the meantime, I am proud to share with you some of my hunting photos!

gc, so glad to hear and see your pictures of an outstanding trip. That is one extremely fine buffalo you harvested! Well done sir. LOL, yes indeed Africa has a way of getting into your blood. I'll be going back in May. Taking 2 close friends who have never been yet. As excited as they are they don't have a clue for what's in store for them.
Looking over the pictures you did mighty fine on your hunt. Congratulations sir.

 

[gcbailey]

gc, so glad to hear and see your pictures of an outstanding trip. That is one extremely fine buffalo you harvested! Well done sir. LOL, yes indeed Africa has a way of getting into your blood. I'll be going back in May. Taking 2 close friends who have never been yet. As excited as they are they don't have a clue for what's in store for them.
Looking over the pictures you did mighty fine on your hunt. Congratulations sir.

Thank you sir! Your friends certainly don’t know what’s in store for them! I hope you all have an absolutely amazing trip and build great memories together!

 

[cpr0312]

Congrats and thanks for sharing!

 

[cls]

You done well my friend, a jam packed safari and yes Africa does get under your skin. So what are you going to do for a follow up?

 

[gcbailey]

You done well my friend, a jam packed safari and yes Africa does get under your skin. So what are you going to do for a follow up?

First, recoup my bank account, then Elephant and Hippo and plains game I wasn’t able to take this go around.

 

[gcbailey]

The research, detail and thought you put into preparing for this first of what will be several safaris was enthralling to read. Your choice of classic rifles adds to the experience.
Nice impala and warthog to start off with. Looking forward to additional installments. Take plenty of photos not only of your animals, but everything. Also, keep a daily journal.
Good hunting.

Thank you for your kind words. And you are absolutely correct: I am already thinking of how to go back!

 

[mark-hunter]

I cried

In 2017, on my last day of hunt, when I was waiting for 4wd, tracker and Ph to collect me, I was left alone, and cried myself. I couldnt explain.
Africa is emotional.
After three safaris done, I still feel the same.

 

[Rare Breed]

I just returned today. I cannot thank everyone here enough for their support and help along the way in what was a monumental endeavor for me to undertake. It was hard, but I did keep a detailed journal everyday of the trip. I have completely fallen in love with Africa, not only for the hunting, but also for its mystery and magic. The trip was an emotional roller coaster that at times made me think I had wasted so many years and money on. I bagged a beautiful Cape buffalo on my last day I had to hunt one. I cried. Not light tears, I was bawling. I wanted to hunt cape buffalo from my feet and the constant following of tracks, hearing them run off in impossible terrain, to try once again came together when I was really fighting the feeling of defeat. I couldn’t have asked for a better PH than Gunter. I am still processing the whole trip and am now compiling my notes and photos. It will take time, but I will provide a thorough report in the next few weeks. In the meantime, I am proud to share with you some of my hunting photos!

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Absolutely fantastic animals!!! Congratulations!!! Memories for a lifetime!!!

 

[gcbailey]

Absolutely fantastic animals!!! Congratulations!!! Memories for a lifetime!!!

Thank you! It was one of the greatest experiences of my life!

 

[matt vejar]

Glad you had the hunt you so desired! Just wondering how much ammo you brought back and what 2 or 3 things you would not pack on the next hunt.

 

[gcbailey]

Glad you had the hunt you so desired! Just wondering how much ammo you brought back and what 2 or 3 things you would not pack on the next hunt.

I had 50 rounds of .275 and 12 rounds of 450/400, but I let a couple guys shoot it a couple of times after the lion hunt when I wouldn’t use it again. I was pretty happy with what I packed except for bringing two pairs of boots. I wasn’t sure if I would be hunting in swampy areas so I packed two sets. I didn’t even wear one set. I was told the weather was chillier than usual and didn’t wear any of my shorts the entire time, though I would still bring them again since it seems to usually be warmer than it was.

 

[slam8031]

I’m 10 years out from my first safari, and I can promise you I’m still processing the memories and friendships along the way! Congratulations GC on all these things!! Where you going next

 

[Pavel U]

Congratulations on fantastic safari. Even from your expressions on the photos one can see You really had an adventure of a lifetime
Also many thanks for very detailed preparation phase information

Wouldn’t You mind sharing What made You feel down and doubting?

The trip was an emotional roller coaster that at times made me think I had wasted so many years and money on.

I am preparing for my first small safari in September and still have some doubts whether it will be worth it.
Maybe when warned I would not let my mind stick to drawbacks and ruin the whole experience.

Looking forward to detailed report
PU

 

[ssubwave]

I'm looking forward to this some day. Congratulations!

 

[mark-hunter]

I am preparing for my first small safari in September and still have some doubts whether it will be worth it.

Wouldn’t You mind sharing What made You feel down and doubting?

99% of hunters known to me, never had any wish to go to Africa
From my interaction with other hunters from my circle, following false premises are causing doubts, in general:

- ignorance, and not knowing what is safari industry today

- lack of geographical and political orientation: what is difference between jungle hunts in CAR, open range of Tanzania, or hunting in South Africa - all countries are equally unknown to the most westerners, who have never visited there.

- no experience in travelling to other countries, or no experience of hunting in other countries. Many never had passport before going to African safari.

- premise: "Ï will not hunt in Africa before I hunt all species in my own countries" (well, good luck with that Idea, while in the same time they hunt only boars)

- prejudice - Africa is dangerous, corrupt, not for westerners, you can get killed, there is military coup all the time there, kidnappings, killings, etc i will get malaria, ebola, aids, whatnot, Dark continent in worst literary meaning of the word.

- lack of information of any kind, including travelling with guns, or using rental hunting rifles. Is it legal?

- total lack of knowledge that trophies can be imported - frequently seen as illegal, and impossible to import.

- prejudice - Africa is too expensive to hunt, not for my pocket.

- etc etc generally, all wrong

When I was a kid, I always watched safari movies, Tarzan movies, and Anglia Survival documentaries.
And later I have grown up, with (wrong) idea that safari today is impossible, banned, not done any more, animals are now only in national parks, hunting is not doable.
this was supported by modern documentaries on national geographic and animal planet where there is no hunting at all, just national park scenery - in that false African TV perspective there is no difference between Namibia or Kenya, blue wildeebeest and cheetah are same everywhere, and they live in national parks. False mass media influence.

Then, i found one web site, about safari hunting with hunters from my home country, who actually leaglly imported trophies. Hmmm.. that got me thinking. First was how much does it cost?

Then after some time, I found this web site. And internet revealed the truth.

I started buying books and magazines about safari. Getting more information.
Then I joined this forum in 2016.
One more year to prep, and I went on my first safari in 2017.
I had 3 safaris till now - 2022, and planning safari no 4. I bought safari rifle in 375. I never felt sorry, and never looked back, I feel privileged now about this knowledge and experience

Basically the fear and doubt in individuals comes from lack of information, or from prejudice and false premises, or total ignorance.

 

[gcbailey]

I’m 10 years out from my first safari, and I can promise you I’m still processing the memories and friendships along the way! Congratulations GC on all these things!! Where you going next

To the Caprivi strip for Elephant and Hippo. It's a long ways away but so was this trip at one point. It gives me another goal to look forward to.