SOUTH AFRICA: First Hunt In Africa With KMG Hunting Safaris

Congrats on your hunt! I hunted with KMG last year and killed a Kudu almost identical to the one you got!
Thank you!! They are gorgeous animals, aren't they?
 
congrats on a very successful safari, thanks for the report.
 
Great report. Looks like you and the wife had a great hunt. Congrats on some nice trophies.
Bruce
 
Congrats, and thanks for sharing your hunt!
 
Is anyone interested in a short re-hash of the vacation portion of our trip? It might be useful to someone....

LR
 
Yep! Always looking for more adventures!
Okay, then, here we go!!
On the morning of the 6th, Andrew takes us to the airport in East London so we can pick up our vehicle, a Toyota Fortuner. Very nice SUV, able to hold all of our stuff easily. We ordered a GPS with it, which ended up being useless, so we used my wife's phone and Google Maps...worked perfectly.
We set off for Port Elizabeth....took a bit to get used to driving on the left, but I had prior experience in the UK a number of years ago, so it wasn't too bad. Dena wanted to try driving, so she drove the second half, which took us into PE....I would be lying if I said things went smoothly. Suffice to say that things were a bit tense for the first couple of hours after we got to the hotel, lol. It was kind of like the inexperienced couple backing up a trailer....a lot of cursing, snapping, snarling....and I'm not even going to get into what I said, lol. Anyway, we get settled in, had a couple of drinks, and then went out for a lovely supper with Marius and Kim. We all went back to the hotel afterwards, squared away our final bill, and had a couple of drinks. I'm going to make every effort to attend the Sportsman Show in Toronto next year when Marius is there.
7 July
We leave for Tsitsikamma Lodge after a less than restful night...the locals were fairly noisy there. We get to the lodge, check out our cabin, and immediately ask for an upgrade. To be honest, it really wasn't quite as they portrayed in the website. Maybe it was the poor weather, or the fact it was winter, or...it just seemed rundown. Anyway, we had booked two nights, we only stayed for one.
8 July
We made a call and booked a photo safari at the Plettenberg Game Reserve and B&B. We ended doing a two hour horseback phot ride, which was good. We managed to get really close to all the animals, and got some great photos. The B&B was in a really nice, old farmhouse, with spectacular views. We drove into Plettenberg for supper, and it's a really nice place. Clean, and a bit touristy, but nice.
9 July
We drive on to Outdshorn...the driving is getting better, very nice country. We stayed at the Protea Hotel, run by, or owned by The Marriott(?). Each room is a rondaval, which we thought was unique. It was very clean, the staff were excellent, meals were awesome. Highly recommended.
10 July
On into Capetown....traffic...wow!!!! Thank God for Google Maps. We finally reach the President's Hotel, which is right down on the waterfront, we can see and here the ocean from our room. Staff were very good, and we had no problems getting checked in.
11 July
Down to the V&A Waterfront for shopping, lunch, and more shopping, lol. My wife was in 7th heaven, lol. We return to the hotel, and arrange a day of wine tours for the next day. We also book a five hour fishing trip with HookedOnAfrica.com.
12 July
My birthday!! We set off around 10 o'clock to the first Winery, then to a second...lol. We have reservations made at a third, Delaire Graff Estate, for lunch and wine tasting. This a very nice place, with absolutely fantastic mountain views (I'll download some pictures later). Go to one final estate, Marianne, for wine and biltong, then head for the barn.
13 July
Down to the Hout Bay Marina for 0700, and meet Sean, the owner, and his guide, Chris. We get settled on the boat, and off we go. We end up down by the Cape of Good Hope (I think) on the Atlantic side, fishing for Yellowtail tuna and Atlantic Bonita. We both catch a few, and basically had a great time. if we can get back there in April/May sometime, we plan on doing a full day trip for the bigger tuna. These guys are the real deal, and they make every effort to get their clients into fish.
14 July
Back to the V&A waterfront, pick up a few last minute souvenirs and things, then go wash and fuel the vehicle. Back to the hotel for the evening, just relax in the bar, have some appetizers and watch the Cricket Championship game.
15 July
Into the airport, turn in the vehicle...check
Make it to the Lufthansa agent...check
Check in with bags and firearms...@%#!!&
We end up going to the Service Desk, where they ding each of us (each gun case) for about a $100.00 service fee. They were going to also charge us with another firearm fee, but I made a real stink with the Lufthansa Supervisor, and they only charged us the Service fee. Then they take us downstairs to a Security Office, where they check the serial numbers (ok, I think), and then have us take our ammunition out of our bags (??) so it can go separately. They also call a SAPS Officer, whose eyes bug out when he hears "Live Ammunition", lol. So, he counts everything (twice, including empty casings)and declares us safe. He was shocked when he found out that my wife was hunting, and he laughed at her...I had to check my temper at that point, as any outburst would have not resulted in anything good. Anyway, they take our stuff away for loading onto the aircraft and we go through Security, wondering if we're going to see our guns and ammunition again. I have to say this...the only time permits were checked was in Calgary, when we checked our bags and guns in for departure, and in J'burg/East London. Nobody in Germany wanted to see anything, and the ammunition stayed in our bags all the way to the lodge. It was only on the way back that people got their panties in a bunch...go figure.
Anyway, on the plane, 12 hours to F'furt (ugh), now it's 16 July...7 hour layover, I grabbed a shower in the airport, and snoozed in a comfy chair. Then, onto the plane and an 8 hr 40 minute flight to Calgary. Clear Customs, all of our stuff is there, only questions we got were "What did you get hunting"?, lol. Then we go to the WestJet counter to check in for the hop to Edmonton, and that takes forever. Thank God for my Veteran status, no baggage fees, then a 55 minute flight to Edmonton. A good friend picks us up, and it's a 2 1/2 drive home...otherwise, it would have been a hotel, because we're both whipped. That's it in a nutshell. Hope you enjoyed the read.
 
Thanks for the report on the touring! Sounds like y’all had a great time! My wife hunts too and she gets lots of funny looks and comments till they see her shoot!. We’ve been to Namibia 4 times and we always do just as much touring as hunting! To us that’s half the adventure!
 
Excellent story and trophies. The coloration on that Zebra is amazing. The width on that Kudu....just wow!
 
Thanks for the report on the touring! Sounds like y’all had a great time! My wife hunts too and she gets lots of funny looks and comments till they see her shoot!. We’ve been to Namibia 4 times and we always do just as much touring as hunting! To us that’s half the adventure!

Yep, exactly!!
 
Excellent story and trophies. The coloration on that Zebra is amazing. The width on that Kudu....just wow!

Thank you!! It was an awesome time. Dena is really pleased with her Zebra, his hide is perfect. I made sure at the start of the hunt that I told Martin, our PH, that I would prefer a Kudu with wide horns (although any nice bull would be great, right?), and he found one for me.
 
Congrats on the great animals! I love the kudu taken on this hunting trip, they are both unique and beautiful! Exceptional quality! All the animals are very nice and dreamy.
 
Enjoyed the reports! Congrats on all the great animals!
 
Congrats on the great animals! I love the kudu taken on this hunting trip, they are both unique and beautiful! Exceptional quality! All the animals are very nice and dreamy.

Thank you. You were one of the most adamant fellows on the site about an African hunt when I first mentioned that I was going to go. Thanks again for your input and encouragement.
 
Great report on a fantastic trip. I loved your Kudu- so wide and heavy.
 
Wonderful adventure! You’re obviously an excellent shot, but Dena was very impressive with her shooting!
Some great trophies!
Thanks for letting us share your adventure with you!
 

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