MOZAMBIQUE: Nhoro Safaris

Johnny reb

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Anyone have any experience with this outfit Nhoro Safaris good or bad all information is appreciated.
 
Can't say anything about the outfit but would like to Welcome you to AH Johnny reb!
 
Welcome to the forum, Johnny reb !
 
Welcome, Do look through the reports when you have a minute.
Hope someone can help out.
 
Welcome to AH..

I have no information about them...

May we ask why you are asking? Have you booked a safari with them? Or are you looking to book a safari with them?:)

If you are dead set on using them, keep us informed on your success.

AS far as Mozambique goes, there are very few operators that are on the up and up. I am not sure where Nhoro Safaris stands. I do not remember reading anything about them.

Too many negative reports :( coming out of Mozambique at the present time, and unless you have first hand knowledge of a few successful safaris for the last 3 to 5 year and parties to contact an see how there safaris went...be careful
 
Welcome to the forum, Johnny reb!

I think James has pretty much hit the nail on the head. Enjoy your stay here, great folks.

Best Regards,
Marius Goosen
 
Thanks for the information everyone I have not booked anything just trying too find out as much so that when I do book one it hopefully won't be a disaster
 
Thanks for the information everyone I have not booked anything just trying too find out as much so that when I do book one it hopefully won't be a disaster

Johnny, first welcome to AH! Second not knowing you please don't take this the wrong way. Why Mozambique? Is this your first trip to Africa? As James was hinting at, there may be other options for first time trips. Tell us a little more about what you are looking for. The more we know the more we can all help. If all you are looking for is info on this outfitter, hopefully someone can assist you. Good luck!
 
Hey, my first blog! Only because it's important. I Googled and this site came up.

My husband has hunted with Nhoro Safaris twice: the first time for buffalo (fantastic) and the second for elephant. I was along as an observer for the elephant hunt. EXCITING!!! Gordon truely cares about your experience and is very knowlegeable about the area and the animals. He's also a gentleman who cares about the traditions of the sport, the natives, and the animals. A respectful man who deserves respect.

My husband was not looking for a giant trophy, only for a representive animal. Gordon exceeded his expectations. The pictures don't due it justice. And, it was an amazing experiece for both of us. My husband has hunted Europe at least 10 times, South America once, Africa seven. Gordon's the best.

I also had an absolutely wonderful time. I'd do it again!

We wil always consider him a friend - next year we hope he will again be our Outfitter/PH. We couldn't wish for better.

Paula Haydon

https://picasaweb.google.com/PaulaHaydon/Zimbabwe#
 
Paula,

Tell us more about your hunt. Who was the Zim PH and what area was the hunt conducted. BTW Great pictures on Picasa. My wife and I visited Vic Falls last year on our way to the Omay.
 
Hey, my first blog! Only because it's important. I Googled and this site came up.

My husband has hunted with Nhoro Safaris twice: the first time for buffalo (fantastic) and the second for elephant. I was along as an observer for the elephant hunt. EXCITING!!! Gordon truely cares about your experience and is very knowlegeable about the area and the animals. He's also a gentleman who cares about the traditions of the sport, the natives, and the animals. A respectful man who deserves respect.

My husband was not looking for a giant trophy, only for a representive animal. Gordon exceeded his expectations. The pictures don't due it justice. And, it was an amazing experiece for both of us. My husband has hunted Europe at least 10 times, South America once, Africa seven. Gordon's the best.

I also had an absolutely wonderful time. I'd do it again!

We wil always consider him a friend - next year we hope he will again be our Outfitter/PH. We couldn't wish for better.

Paula Haydon

https://picasaweb.google.com/PaulaHaydon/Zimbabwe#

Welcome to AH Paula and thanks for adding the info. I took a look at your photos you guys did have a great time. please go to the hunting reports and post some details and photos we'd really like that, new members and info always welcome.
 
The Last Chance Elephant

Paula,

Tell us more about your hunt. Who was the Zim PH and what area was the hunt conducted. BTW Great pictures on Picasa. My wife and I visited Vic Falls last year on our way to the Omay.

The Last Chance Elephant
by Paula Haydon

As we climbed down from the truck, the moon was in the shape of an elephant tusk, and Orion, the constellation of the hunter, was bright in the sky. Dave Haydon took that to be an auspicious sign and the excitement continued to build.

My husband and I had decided to go to Zimbabwe just 3 weeks earlier, after hearing that Gordon Stark, our outfitter and PH, had a cancellation. Because Dave had a very successful buffalo hunt with Gordon in 2005 it was impossible to pass up this trip. Gordon works very hard to make every trip interesting and fun as well as successful. I was along as photographer because Dave couldn't get a hunting buddy on such short notice. It was only my 3rd African trip with Dave and turned out to be a physically demanding, yet wonderful adventure. I was very glad I was there.

During the previous 5 days we spent time interviewing villagers, studying elephant tracks, roaming dirt roads and fields looking for sign, and waiting in ambush while the elephants went in another direction. On a lonely dirt track, Dave had missed a chance at a big one by seconds and passed on a shot at a small one. One day was spent hiking quickly across veldt, up and down steep, rocky terrain, and crossing streams while hot on the trail of a big bull. We pulled closer and closer and the sign got fresher and fresher. At last we arrived at a stream that bordered a preserve, where we not permitted to hunt. That old bull had out-raced and out-smarted us! And now we would have to start over.

Tomorrow we must leave for home. We spent the morning in the villages and scouting the back ways for a hint of tracks. Elephants had killed 6 people in the last 4 months we knew they were in the area. But where? Gordon sent people out in all directions in hopes of finding fresh signs and news. From all the information gathered, it sounded like there were two likely locations and it was decided we would set up in a cornfield that afternoon. The trackers spread out and we waited and waited. In the early evening we were told that two elephants tried to cross a road and head our way but were frightened off by a car. So, we waited again while watching the sun set and the moon rise.

Suddenly, we received word that a large bull had been spotted in a cornfield about two miles away. We rushed to the trucks and were off on a fast and bumpy ride. When we arrived, there were a dozen villagers waiting to show us the general area. However, we wondered if we could find anything, even something as big as an elephant, in the dark.

We walked down a little dirt road and then left the villagers in a safe spot while we forged on. Dave and I were counting on the great experience that Gordon and his team brought to the hunt. We also appreciated their hearing and sight, both excellent compared to ours. As we walked through the fields, we seemed as noisy as a whole army because we were stepping on dried corn stalks. With its big ears the bull surely knew we were headed its way.

At last a large light shadow showed in the dark and was stationary as we approached. In the dark it was hard to tell how far away we were, but Gordon and Jeb thought we were pretty close. Dave stepped to the front and prepared to shoot his 375 H & H. Gordon told him that Jed was going to shine a light on the elephant and Dave should shoot immediately. He needed to hit him just behind the shoulder, into the lung and heart. Jed turned the light on and there he was, a big bull about fifty-five yards away and facing us. As soon as the light went on, he started turning to our left and Dave shot. Was it a good hit? It was too dark to be sure. Gordon took a backup shot but the elephant was spinning away and then Dave took another shot for the spine. He must have missed the spine because the animal kept going. The elephant ran and disappeared in the dark. Even with a perfect shot, many animals will run for long distances before dying. Was this one fatally wounded?

His trail was found and carefully followed. No blood. Wait! There are some red spots on those leaves! And so we followed. After a few minutes it was realized that some of the leaves had a red pigment that naturally showed up at night. We backtracked to where we had turned off and found the true trail again.

Hiking through 250 yards of downed corn stalks, crossing trampled barbwire fencing, and tracking across a field, we occasional spotted a bit of blood. Shouldn't there be more? We finally arrived at a thick wall of heavy shrubbery and trees. There was blood on the ground and a bit on the branches. Dave, Jed, and Gordon all had their guns ready.

Gordon and Dave slowly stepped forward. Gordon used the barrel of his gun to move a few branches away and see what was beyond. There was the elephant, facing us from just feet away on the other side of the leaves and branches, lying on the ground and exhaling his last breath. He had gone into the brush and turned so that he could charge us when we arrived. Thank heaven we壇 lost the trail for a few minutes! The great bull died quickly because Dave had made a perfect shot to the lungs and heart area.

The blood bubbled out of his nose and mouth as he exhaled, and we couldn't help but feel sorrow at the loss of such a magnificent animal. As a sign of respect, Dave performed the tradition of Letzter Bissen and placed some greenery in his mouth, representing his last meal.


Go to Picasa Web Albums - Paula - Zimbabwe
and hit Slideshow on the top left, just above the pictures, for a view of our trip.


We send a sincere Thank You to Gordon Stark of Nhoro Safaris, Jed, Pierson, and all the team for an exciting adventure.
 
Thanks Paula for a great read, sounds like Johnny has picked a great place.
 
Frank Fowler

Anyone have any experience with this outfit Nhoro Safaris good or bad all information is appreciated.

I've hunted with Gordon of Nhoro Safaris twice and look forward to many more trips. We've done two Kalahari lion hunts with him taking a lioness and 2 big lions. We've also done some plains game hunting at one of his concessions in Limpopo. Gordon Starks has access to some excellent hunting areas on the border of South Africa and Botwana in the Kalahari, Limpopo, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. You won't find many PH's out there with any more experience hunting dangerous game, especially elephant, lion and buffalo.

His place in Limpopo is excellent if you are looking for a 60+ Kudu, or trophy waterbuck, nyala, impala, hartebeest, gemsbok, giraffe or eland. You'll also probably have some close encounters with a few rhino. If you want to really hunt and shoot some excellent animals, it's a great place to go; however, if you want to shoot a specific list of 8-10 plains game animals in 7 days and a cheap package rate, it's probably not what you are looking for.

I've talked with someone that hunted with Gordon in Mozambique for buffalo; from what I've heard there's probably no better place on earth right now to hunt buffalo, if you are interested in killing some trophy bulls... that's where we are headed next year.

Gordon also has some excellent opportunities for PAC elephant hunts in Zimbabwe (I plan on doing that as well).

I can't say enough good things about Gordon. He's a great guy, very experienced and someone you can trust. If you are going to do any dangerous game hunts, you need to find a PH that you can trust; because at the end of the day you are putting you life in his hands so to speak. I trust Gordon and will probably continue to hunt with him till he retires.
 
Welcome to AH, fflow.

This last post gives me a lot of pause on Nhoro Safaris. PAC elephants is a HUGE RED FLAG FOR ME! And unless you are hunting with a registered Zimbabwe PH....FORGET ABOUT IT. No good stories will come from this hunt. Most of the other hunts people mention don't bother me, because they are all possible.

There is no such thing as PAC elephant hunts, unless you are a local.

HUNTING IN ZIMBABWE WITHOUT A REGISTERED ZIMBABWE PH IS ILLEGAL!
 
PAC elephant

Welcome to AH, fflow.

This last post gives me a lot of pause on Nhoro Safaris. PAC elephants is a HUGE RED FLAG FOR ME! And unless you are hunting with a registered Zimbabwe PH....FORGET ABOUT IT. No good stories will come from this hunt. Most of the other hunts people mention don't bother me, because they are all possible.

There is no such thing as PAC elephant hunts, unless you are a local.

HUNTING IN ZIMBABWE WITHOUT A REGISTERED ZIMBABWE PH IS ILLEGAL!


In my previous note, I didn't go in to any details; I was just giving some reassurance that Gordon Stark is a person of integrity who had a lot of experience an could line you up on a good hunt...and keep you from getting killed.

But if you want details, I'll elaborate. Gordon will tell you the same with respect to the PAC elephant hunts, if you call to inquire about one of them. The PAC elephant hunts in Zim are done through a licensed local PH in Zimbabwe. They are PAC hunts, so NOTHING is exportable, other than a picture; the meat, skin and tusks belong to the locals. NOTE: I've heard from several sources that a regular hunt in Zimbabwe, where you might shoot a 40lb elephant that is exportable, will probably take you 3 years to get the ivory out. You better be able to trust the person(s) doing the paperwork or you'll never see it, because it may never leave the country or get seized at the port of entry for a paperwork screw up.

With Nhoro, all the dangerous game hunts will be with at least 2 PH's; in the case of the PAC hunts it will be a local PH with Zimbabwe license who lined up the permitted hunt, as well as one or two from Nhoro. If you go on a lion hunt in South Africa in the Kalahari, same thing, there will be a licensed PH from whatever game farm you may be hunting on as well as one or two from Nhoro. Any PH from South Africa hunting in Zim is going to be going through a licensed PH in Zimbabwe; if they tell you otherwise, they are lying or doing something illegal (as the previous expert stated). Zimbabwe is pretty screwed up right now; you better know who you are hunting with before you book a hunt up there. Be very skeptical of outfitters in the US booking hunts with so called licensed PH's in Zimbabwe. Licensed, or not, they may be a worthless F*#$ that will get you in a bind or screw you out of some money. Again, you need to trust who you ar hunting with. Any of these so called good deals in Zimbabwe, especially for buffalo, may not be a good deal.... there people who are actually scratching on buffalo hunts in Zim these days.

One other tidbit on PAC hunts... I'm no expert, but I believe the only persons that are allowed to do PAC hunt in South Africa are SA citizens, so if you see an advertisement for some type of PAC hunt in SA for an outsider, it's probably illegal. I've seen some of those floating around the internet as well.

If you have your heart set on going directly with someone living in Zimbabwe AND want someone who has their own concession AND is licensed in Zimbabwe, I've heard good things about Jimba Safaris. They are relatively close to Victoria Falls and you don't have to mess with going through Harare. There were some guys that flew back with us on the last trip who had a great trip.
 
Wanted to add, Gordon was born in the US and married a Truly South African (afrikaans) :) girl in the early 90's he immigrated to South Africa and started Nhoro safari's, I have personally known Gordon Stark for roughly 12 years and have spoken to many of his clients, from my side I can vouch for the following, Gordon and his whole crew will do whatever it takes to provide each and every client with a great safari experience, and will follow through and up on any issues that might arise due to unforseen circumstances.

Talk to him share your concerns and you will get honest and straight replies from a man with allot of integrity. IMO!

My very best always.
 
I'm glad to hear everything is good. We hear enough bad hunting adventures because people don't know all the rules and regulations. I'm glad to hear he runs a good operation.
 
My good friend and hunting partner Frank Fowler and I have hunted with Gordon Start co-owner of Nhoro Safaris and I'll emphasize what Frank has already stated about Gordon and his outfitting operations. Gordon is old school in that his word is his bond and its not often you can trust someone to back you in a life threatening situation when hunting dangerous game. He runs top camps with excellent foor and housing, very reliable transportation and has established a best-practice netwrok of trophy care and shipping so you know when your trophies are picked up that they are in the best hands possible. As Frank stated earlier, his Limpopo concession has some of the highest quality plains game I've seen. My favority young PH, Juan Steenkamp, has worked with Gordon for several years and I trusted him to back me on my lion hunt this past November and I'll trust him again on our Cape Buffalo hunt coming up in Mozambique this September. Gordon and his partner Chris run a top-flight outfitting business and have numerous repeat clients and doesn't advertise. All his business is word of mouth from his repeat customers. The Cape Buffalo herds he hunts on his Mozambique concession are some of the largest in Africa. I would recommend Gordon to the hunter who is willing to hunt for hunt for his trophies rather than sit in ablind all day at a water hole and shooting what shows up. His rates are not lowest and certainly not the highest, but dollar for dollar, the hunter who hunts with Nhoro gets every pennies worth of value and commitment to make sure your hunt is something you'll fondly remember and anxiously wait until the next season to book with him!
 

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