December buffalo hunt Zimbabwe

[geoff rath]

Timbo, this old Aussie is rootin", and prayin' for you and a successful hunt. I suspect that journos would be the most unloved(professional?) folk in any country undergoing change. Just look at our own problems down here, and who is doing the stirring . . .

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Every thing is quite and safe, if any thing airport should be very smooth and no roadblocks!!!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Hi lots of rain in the Chete area rivers running full. Roads could be a bit rough. Grader coming in soon. I do not think you will find any tension in the falls, Bulawayo or Binga. Try and buy yourself a Batonka axe (chopper) when you are in the area ($20.00 should do it). We are in the conservancy to the south of you. Had beers last night with the new owner of Chete. Have a great hunt!

 

[Red Leg]

I use the Avon Skin So Soft lotion that has SPF and insect repellent. If you are in an area with lots of insects you just put the lotion on and you’re pretty good all day. No bugs no sunburns!

It is also the only thing on the planet that I have found that actually will repel a tsetse fly.

 

[geoff rath]

Good advice; I'll remember that . . .

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

One other thing that we have found that work. Make a mixture of about 80% Detol (available in africa) 20% baby oil.works great. Also take one of the " camper" plastic bar soap containers put a sponge in it soak the sponge in detol sit it on the dash of the cruiser. Note it may not work in a land rover since nothing on a land rover works!

 

[MBIZI SAFARIS]

With out to go into risk calculation when it's comes to political situations, but to plan a safari in December in Zambia,Zim or Moz or even in Tanzania is risky business.... Depend of the area but you can ending up sitting in camp for weeks when it raining for days and nights and even a Land cruiser can't drive for 10 meter... We do not arrange any safaris after the 20 of Nov because of this. The other thing is the visibility and up in Luangwa it's already thick bush after the first showers that came 4 weeks ago. Most probably the same situation in North Zim. The last thing is that the buffalo's find water everywhere, so forgot to checking tracks around the old waterholes like in October and November, this make it also more difficult.

Wish you good luck...
Michael

 

[Timbo]

Hi all,
I really appreciate everybody's advice and support in this venture. Unfortunately I've since split my foot open, and now due to plastic surgery have had to cancel.

To say I'm BLOODY ANNOYED is an understatement!!! The PH is ok with cancellation as I hope to go with him next year instead.

Again guys, thanks for everything! There's a TON of good advice in this thread given by all of you, which I'll be using in prep for my next hunt.

For the curious this pic shows what a metal tap spindle does to your foot on the way down from overbalancing off a step ladder!! My bloody fault! Ladders and flip-flops DON'T mix - even for "a quick 2min job"!!

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GRAPHIC CONTENT ABOVE

 

[Timbo]

With out to go into risk calculation when it's comes to political situations, but to plan a safari in December in Zambia,Zim or Moz or even in Tanzania is risky business.... Depend of the area but you can ending up sitting in camp for weeks when it raining for days and nights and even a Land cruiser can't drive for 10 meter... We do not arrange any safaris after the 20 of Nov because of this. The other thing is the visibility and up in Luangwa it's already thick bush after the first showers that came 4 weeks ago. Most probably the same situation in North Zim. The last thing is that the buffalo's find water everywhere, so forgot to checking tracks around the old waterholes like in October and November, this make it also more difficult.

Wish you good luck...
Michael
View attachment 209981

Jesus!! Is that a Landy or a dinghy?? Better mount an outboard on the tail gate!!
In the days of steam and wind-jamming ships you could give the order: "Disengage engine and up sail!" - I bet these guys would want to give that one a go!!

 

[geoff rath]

didn't now Toyota made boats . . . a Landrover would probably get through that . . .

 

[Timbo]

didn't now Toyota made boats . . . a Landrover would probably get through that . . .

Time to break out the oars and start rowing! Poor buggers! Hope they and the Landy got out ok.

 

[MBIZI SAFARIS]

Sorry for the foot Timbo.... Regarding the flooding : Yes... it ending up well after 100 yards down steam and upside down it came back on the wheels again... putting a wire to the tractor and after a day in the sun the Land Cruiser was driveable again, I pretty sure that a Land Rover Defender would't survived that exercise

 

[Dr Ray]

Hi,
I'm going with a freelance PH with +20yrs experience into an area that hasn't been hunted for some time. It sounds like an amazing opportunity that he was offered to get into a good area. So finally I might get that chance to take a decent trophy!!

Should be good if the area hasn’t been hunted for a long.

 

[Timbo]

Sorry for the foot Timbo.... Regarding the flooding : Yes... it ending up well after 100 yards down steam and upside down it came back on the wheels again... putting a wire to the tractor and after a day in the sun the Land Cruiser was driveable again, I pretty sure that a Land Rover Defender would't survived that exercise

Glad all was ok. This is one of the things that draws me to Africa time and time again - the unexpected!! Here in our countries everything is pretty much predictable and organised: shedules, deadlines and life in general.

But Africa's a whole different story! There you are definitely out of your comfort zone! Anything can happen! - and to me that's all part of the mystique and intoxication that's Africa!! Long may we all be so afflicted!!

Cheers!
Tim

 

[Timbo]

Should be good if the area hasn’t been hunted for a long.

I think by the sounds of things it'll probably get a hammering over the next few seasons. Good luck to those who go! I'm aiming for a late buff hunt in the area next year (pun intended!).

 

[Dr Ray]

Hi all,
I really appreciate everybody's advice and support in this venture. Unfortunately I've since split my foot open, and now due to plastic surgery have had to cancel.

To say I'm BLOODY ANNOYED is an understatement!!! The PH is ok with cancellation as I hope to go with him next year instead.

Again guys, thanks for everything! There's a TON of good advice in this thread given by all of you, which I'll be using in prep for my next hunt.

For the curious this pic shows what a metal tap spindle does to your foot on the way down from overbalancing off a step ladder!! My bloody fault! Ladders and flip-flops DON'T mix - even for "a quick 2min job"!!

View attachment 209982

Omg that’s terrible.

 

[Timbo]

Omg that’s terrible.

Yep. Spindle went right through and came out just proximal to the gap between my big and second toe. Painful!

 

[geoff rath]

Bloody hell, mate, what a mess! Sorry, I keep thinking of foot jokes, like putting one foot in it, or being footloose, or dipping toes in hot water. I'll buy you a beer or ten if I get a chance. Just make sure you get it fixed up good; there's a hunt to complete. Absolutely best wishes and commiserations.
I don't climb ladders any more; get airsick standing on tip toe...

 

[spike.t]

didn't now Toyota made boats . . . .

here you go.......

 

[geoff rath]

I was wrong!!! absobloodylutely brilliant!!