SOUTH AFRICA: TRI-Fold Safari

AZDAVE

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South Africa,Namibia, Alaska,lower 48
Well this story starts with the fact I have been planning on retiring this year and it is the fruition of good planning for the last 15 years. My wife asked me what I wanted to do to celebrate my retirement? So my thoughts were a motorcycle ride in New Zealand or our 3rd safari. (Well Ok I thought about the ride for less than a second and it will be in 2020) Many of our friends that have seen the pictures and heard our stories over the years said that if we ever went back to please let them know and they would like to come. So we sent out a note, that my retirement present to myself was a safari and who in the family and friends were in. So to make a long story short 12 folks committed to coming. So now the research started on finding a Safari company that can handle a group of 14 and still provide a down to earth adventure and experience.

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That sounds like a great trip you have in the making.
 
Plans were made to attend the SCI 2017 conference, we prepared a handout of the wish list for everyone hunting and non-hunting. But before the conference I has spoke with a few of the Safari companies here on Africa Hunting. Earlier in the year Bos en Dal safari's contacted me based on some of my posts and we spoke in detail on my requirements. Lianga Safari's contacted me and we exchanged several emails and they were planning on attending a show in New Mexico that got canceled. Since they we only about 5 hours away they came and made a nice presentation at our home to our group of possible safari first timers. Herman THANK YOU! At SCI we spoke with AAA Serapa Safaris. We spoke in great detail with 30-35 safari companies in South Africa and Namibia and took quotes from 10.
 
Well this story starts with the fact I have been planning on retiring this year and it is the fruition of good planning for the last 15 years. My wife asked me what I wanted to do to celebrate my retirement? So my thoughts were a motorcycle ride in New Zealand or our 3rd safari. (Well Ok I thought about the ride for less than a second and it will be in 2020) Many of our friends that have seen the pictures and heard our stories over the years said that if we ever went back to please let them know and they would like to come. So we sent out a note, that my retirement present to myself was a safari and who in the family and friends were in. So to make a long story short 12 folks committed to coming. So now the research started on finding a Safari company that can handle a group of 14 and still provide a down to earth adventure and experience.

Sounds like an Epic group hunt coming together.
 
@CAustin It should be a very epic trip 10 of the folks coming with us will be on their first trip to Africa. I am looking forward to seeing the looks of wonderment on their faces. Have taught those that never shot off sticks to be comfortable with them and had them do actual field prep but using a couple impala cut outs that I placed in the trees and bush to get them use to ever smaller target for bullet placement. So do believe everyone is as ready as possible.
 
I have detailed our detailed selection process in other posts so won't go into detail again, after talking to many references, research here on AH and other INTERNET searches. We narrowed it down to 2 companies in South Africa and one in Namibia. We had the group over and explained our research and laid out the pro and cons for each and had everyone go do their own checking and get back to us. Within 3 days everyone had responded and Intrepid Safari's was selected for our 2018 Safari Adventure. Dates were coordinated and deposits paid so now the preparation could begin:) Rifles selected, loads developed, and range time dedicated. More to follow:Jimlad:
 
So what does the Tri-fold Safari mean? Well one of my greatest joys in life is seeing my wife smile and surprising her. In 2013 at the end of our first safari we also did a photo safari at Kruger National Park, We saw all the Big 5, dangerous 7 and a million other small details that are forever etched in our adventure. On the flighjt home I asked my better half if there was anything she missed seeing that we would try and include in our second safari. She said she really wanted to see the wild dogs. So that got added to the bucket list to try and make happen. 2015's safari we weren't able to work on that. One of the conversations with Bos en Dal, Gerrit Mentioned that a great place for trying to see wild dogs was Madikwe Game Reserve. THANK YOU Gerrit! So I hatched a plan to do a photo safari at the end of our safari with Intrepid. So the second part of the TRI was now in place. Except now I had 4 of my wife's super good friend's now wanting to come along on the surprise.
 
So we are now on the third part of the TRI. When I booked with Intrepid I got the last open slot they had in may/jun 2018 time frame. Everything else was booked. So I went back to my research and contacted Motsomi Safaris to see if they had the slot right after the photo safari open, they did (y)so now I am coordinating a second hunting safari after the Madikwe photo safari. Now comes the fun part I told my wife we were taking a photo safari at the end of the trip where she has a good chance to see wild dogs. I enlisted Motsomi to help with all the coordinated and keeping the TRI part a secret. All our friends have also Kept this a secret for a year. Gracy travel did a great job of helping with Safari #1 and helping Sonya's Safari #3 a surprise . So we are less than a day from flying. I have checked and re-checked everything and both groups are ready to rock and roll.

I usually don't post anything till I return but will try on this trip, provided I can get photo's from my camera to a brand new tablet. If I haven't posted anything by Monday it means I will post hunt reports when we get back.

Can't wait to be back in the bush!
 
Have a great trip and start to your retirement!
 
It seems you have an amazing trip planned for your band of merry men and women! Looking forward to alot of pics and narratives when you return! Good luck and be safe!!!
 
Your a bloody legend !
The planning for you trip would have given me ulcers !
Hope it all goes to plan and you ALL have a great time .!!
Cheers Dory .
 
@AZDAVE you should enjoy the trip. It is a pity things didn't work out;) for you to come visit us for a few days.

Enjoy and looking forward to your hunt report

My best
 
You will have a great time with Motsomi. Pieter and his staff are very Professional. Hunted with them last year and going back next.
 
Wish you the best on this trip !
 
Good morning AH. We got home yesterday around 1230. To say we had an amazing time is an understatement!!!!! Introduced 14 of our friends to Africa. Made some new friends. I just got our internet connection back up and have to do those return from adventure chores (Pay bills etc). I have my notes, need to get pictures down loaded and will get started on a hunt report tomorrow or the next day. But for two teasers made one of the best double rifle shots I have ever made; brain shot on hippo 48 yards, rolled over 4 sets of toes above the water then sank. My wife made a perfect spine shot on a croc. Will provide details soon. have a great day.
 
But for two teasers made one of the best double rifle shots I have ever made; brain shot on hippo 48 yards, rolled over 4 sets of toes above the water then sank. My wife made a perfect spine shot on a croc. Will provide details soon. have a great day.

(y):A Popcorn:
 
Look forward to this hunting report.
 
I agree with Brickburn. This one is should be good.
Bruce
 
Well the day to fly is finally here, gear has been checked and rechecked. Truck packed, directions left for dog and house sitter, extra directions text'd on the correct safari surprise return dates and a few hours of sleep. Head to the Tucson airport and turn around 15 miles from home to get a forgotten prescription. Finally get to airport and get all the bags and guns checked and and head to the gate. Count noses and all 10 of our friends are there. Good flight to Atlanta, our friend Gary meets us there so all the gang is together.

The little short flight to Joberg is the normal watch movies and read books till were there. The BidAir guys meet us at the plane and shuffle the group through customs and baggage claim. Bruce from Gracy travel is there, quick visit to SAP and rifles are picked up. A short walk to City Lodge, some dinner and a good nights sleep and we get picked up by the transport service. We stop at Safari Taxidermy for lunch and to let everyone view their operation, get some ideas for their trophys, and establish contact information and back on the road to Intrepid Safaris.

Pull up at the front of the lodge and Phillip and all his staff are waiting and bags unloaded, rooms assigned, and everyone gets settled in and meet for lunch. This is the most impressive lodge I have seen in my three trips to South Africa! Truly 5 stars . Everyone meets their PH and head to the range to confirm rifles are still shooting straight. Those that are borrowing rifles get to dial their assigned rifle in and everyone heads out for the last hour before dark to start getting acquainted with their hunting team. Phillip is going to be our PH.

My wife and I are also riding with our friends Cindy and Jim. Cindy as a little girl had a dream to hunt Africa with her mother. Time and life happening they were never able to make that dream come true. So when we asked them to come along they jumped at the opportunity. She is a 3 time cancer survivor and has woked hard to get in shape and be prepared for this safari. She went to the range with us 10 times over the last 6 months. I will also include their impressions in another hunt report but wanted to introduce them in mine.
On our ride around we start seeing game almost immediately. My primary target is a nice Roan. We sight a few young bulls, a number of Nyala, and some impressive Sable. No shots fired but I just close my eyes and enjoy the sounds and smells. I am back in Africa.

At the fire with the southern cross in and out behind the clouds I smile and drink a toast to Redleg, all our old buddies we lost in harms way and ask for remembrance of all who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the profession of arms no matter what country they came from.

Drank a toast to my buddies Scott and Edward who couldn't make the trip, and to success for our little band of hunters.

Day 1

Early breakfast and head out with a smile on our faces and hope that the hunting gods smile on everyone. We are looking for my Roan as the primary target and what ever Africa might give us. Spot a few small ones and then see a monster and off the back of the bakkie and the first stalk of the trip is on. Get in but the wind lightly caresses the back of the neck and off they go. Spent the morning in good company and made it back for lunch. The PH's have a group set up on whatsapp and several of the group are having early morning success. Back our for the afternoon and about a hour later the tracker spots several nice Roan. Phillip and I head out to cut them off. We get down to about 75 yards
and the largest steps out giving me a shooting lane to a perfect broadside shot. Up go the sticks and the Verney Carron 450/400 speaks with a 1/3 of the way up the shoulder hit, he gives the double mule kick reaction of the hard hit and swaps direction and thew second barrel sends the second 400gr A-frame angling through the lungs. We hear him crash in the bush about 75 yards away. Phillip has a new 10 month old tracking dog that is in training so Mr Nitro is put on the track and off he goes. Get the roan setup for pictures and a call is set to the lodge for a trailer. About the same time we finish with pictures hear a ATV coming with the trailer behind it and Phillips children driving. We just love it that their operation is a family affair, and is one of the reasons we chose them for this safari. The kids have to go back to school tomorrow but had today to enjoy time with everyone and quick as can be the roan is loaded and headed to the skinning shed.
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