SOUTH AFRICA: White Lion Safaris

[JimR]

I should have posted this some time ago but a hectic work schedule prevented me writing it before now.

I'm not a writer but I'll do my best to honestly descibe my experience with White Lion Safaris. I wasn't asked to do it, I do it because they deserve credit for their hard work and honesty.

Every couple of years I take a group of hunters for a plainsgame hunt in Namibia or South Africa. Last June /July I booked a hunt for our group with Ricus DeVillers at White Lion Safaris. My group consisted of myself and my dad, as well as 3 other hunters. As I've already stated, I've hunted in Africa a number of times but I can honestly say I've never felt more welcome or more comfortable anywhere than I did with Ricus and his staff. Ricus and his professional hunters (Jaco Wessels, Ben Botha and his son John) poured their hearts and souls into this hunt, and worked tirelessly to make sure all the hunters got the trophies they had come so far to get. Every PH I've ever hunted with has worked hard, and I've never personally experienced a lazy one, but these guys went above and beyond, and they were genuinely happy to do it. Of course they're paid to do it, but it meant more than just a paycheck to these guys, and it showed. I think in all our group of 5 hunters took a total of 36 animals, and there were plenty around when we left.

I'm a hunter, and I go to Africa for the hunting, so personally I could care less about the accomodations, I'm just as happy to sleep in a tent, but the lodge was very clean and comfortable and the food was amazing. All the camp staff were cheerfull and friendly, and always eager to help if they could.

The two things that are the most important to ME when choosing an outfitter, are his honesty and how he cares for my trophies. As a taxidermist I've seen my fair share of poorly prepared trophies, so it was refreshing to see that Ricus really does know what he's doing to properly care for the trophies once they're collected and he has a staff that can do it. They all SAY they can, but not all of them can.

Lastly, Ricus is an honest man. There were no surprises and he did exactly what he said he would do, and that's exactly how it should be. Thank you Ricus, I hope to see you again one day.

Jim Rice
Cutting Edge Taxidermy Studio

 

[cpr0312]

Congrats on the hunt, you took some nice specimens!

 

[CAustin]

Man I like that eland!

 

[machinistbutler]

Beautiful animals and it sounds like a great experience.

 

[JimR]

Thank you guys. We saw many Eland, that was one we chose to take because he was in poor shape and would have struggled later in the winter.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Thank you guys. We saw many Eland, that was one we chose to take because he was in poor shape and would have struggled later in the winter.

Some very nice trophies! I was going to mention the Eland and that he looked in poor shape. Ribs showing and looks like the hips too.

 

[JimR]

That's exactly right. Ricus had seen him earlier in tge year he had been a massive big bull but had lost much weight and was very poor when we took him. It was one of my favorite hunts on that particulat trip. We made a fairly long stalk over some fairly steep and rocky mountains to get him. I took the Eland and the Jackal both that day with the double rifle. It was a lot of fun.

 

[1dirthawker]

Lastly, Ricus is an honest man. There were no surprises and he did exactly what he said he would do, and that's exactly how it should be.

well said. i hope thats what we all look for in a guide/ph

 

[cls]

Thanks for the report, some very nice trophies.

 

[Nyati]

Congrats, seems like you guys had a great time.

Very nice Eland !

 

[ScottG]

Looked like a great experience. Is it the same as being a carpenter, your projects are never finished so your mounts will be on the back burner?

 

[JimR]

LOL, yes it's exactly the same as being a carpenter, I have one whole freezer dedicated to my own stuff that will probably never get mounted.

 

[ROCKET]

I can see you had a great hunt.....congrats on those very good trophies......I hope you get the time to get them mounted......!!!!

 

[JimR]

Thank you. I do too. I usually get to mount one or two of my own every couple of years but they're starting to stack up on me lol. Between me and my son I think I have somewhere close to 30 different species that need to be mounted. Maybe one day.

 

[Neale]

Thanks for your report JimR. Nice trophies. I hunted in May this year with Ricus. (Jaco as my PH). They certainly make you feel welcome. I really enjoyed my hunt there.

 

[JimR]

Hi Neale, I'm glad you had a good time, and they certainly do make you feel welcome. I hunted mainly with Ricus and really enjoyed it, but I would have been just as happy to hunt with any of them, they were all good.

 

[salesman]

Looks like you had a fantastic hunt. Congrats. I have hunted with Ricus a couple of times and agree with you that he and his staff are first class.

 

[enysse]

Thanks for the hunt report, what a fantastic hunting trip!

 

[cagkt3]

Congrats on the trip and the fine animals! Also, looked up your studio on Facebook - nice work!

 

[Ridgewalker]

Sounds like the saying “never buy a car from a mechanic, because they never have time to work on their own”.
Some fine trophies you got! Congratulations!