Dangerous Game for a first Safari?

[Kevin Peacocke]

And Hemingway preferred a 30-06. Your PH will enjoy your buffalo hunt thoroughly! . There is nothing in America to prepare you for it... Are you thinking South Africa?

Whether a PG is preparation for your first buff or not is doubtful, but what is mandatory is to prep in a lot of other ways besides. To my mind it is all that prep that really makes the experience truly special. Getting the 'correct' rifle, practicing with it, debates about bullets, clothing, buff habits, judging age, shot placement, charge prep and yes, getting medical insurance! Then when everything is ready, ready your body, get fit, lose some flab and wear in your boots. Buff are very, very special, even for us Africans, so I can only imagine the excitement that you folks from elsewhere must feel getting ready for this momentous experience.
As an aside, my wife wont hunt, but isn't anti. We have a deal, each hunt has a quid pro quo in jewellery - fair enough. She tells me she has such a high regard for buff that only a diamond will do him justice. Fortunately she didn't specify the size!

 

[gizmo]

I have been wrestling with the idea of hunting for DG on my first safari. Has anyone else hunted for a buff or leopard on their first trip?

Hunting DG on your first Safari is a blast. I did buffalo and lion on my first and it was a fantastic hunt.

 

[DillonG]

I don’t think it is quite that terrible. If nothing else, I never pissed in a bottle once killing a leopard. If you can handle sitting in a stand for whitetail, you can manage a leopard. You can probably use the same rifle.

Hunt whitetails from stands/blinds every year. I figured it was basically the same idea.

 

[DillonG]

And Hemingway preferred a 30-06. Your PH will enjoy your buffalo hunt thoroughly! . There is nothing in America to prepare you for it... Are you thinking South Africa?

Most likely either Zim or RSA. I like the idea of a no fence area for buff/leopard.

 

[Red Leg]

Most likely either Zim or RSA. I like the idea of a no fence area for buff/leopard.

RSA is not an option for leopard. Not that they don’t have plenty, but there is a moratorium on hunting them there at the moment. Namibia or Zim would be good choices. It is a very specialized hunt and you need to arrange it with an outfitter with a proven track record.

Most hunting in the RSA is behind a fence. Even buffalo can still be a very positive experience In such an environment (or not - again choose your outfitter wisely). For a true wilderness hunt, you will need to go to Zim, the Caprivi, Mozambique, Zambia, or Tanzania.

 

[DillonG]

RSA is not an option for leopard. Not that they don’t have plenty, but there is a moratorium on hunting them there at the moment. Namibia or Zim would be good choices. It is a very specialized hunt and you need to arrange it with an outfitter with a proven track record.

Most hunting in the RSA is behind a fence. Even buffalo can still be a very positive experience In such an environment (or not - again choose your outfitter wisely). For a true wilderness hunt, you will need to go to Zim, the Caprivi, Mozambique, Zambia, or Tanzania.

Red Leg you are correct about the leopard. I should have clarified that in my original post. I also am not opposed to hunting in RSA, especially if my first trip will be a pure PG endeavor.

With that being said, hunting for a buffalo seems to be the direction I will probably lean, and therefore I will need to do a lot of investigating on outfits that have the potential for nice population/age structure. Any recommendations are always appreciated.

 

[laststand]

I broke western and did a 21 day in Zambia in -98. I wish I had did a smaller hunt the first time but I was afraid I wouldn't get back. I took Lion, leopard, buff, and plains game. I was like a kid in the candy store. PG and buff sound great for the first time. I am writing this sitting in the Selous, heading home to Va. tomorrow. Have just finished a 10 day 2 buff hunt that was great. It is my 9th trip to Africa.

 

[WAB]

I hunted buffalo on my first safari. I think you should hunt what you want to hunt. I can’t see how a plains game hunt could do much to prepare you for a buffalo hunt unless it was a tracking hunt for eland.

 

[thriller]

I have been wrestling with the idea of hunting for DG on my first safari. Has anyone else hunted for a buff or leopard on their first trip?

I did a Cape buffalo on my first Safari I would recommend it if you want to.

 

[spike.t]

The only cautionary note to first time DG hunters I’d offer is to use the “right“ firearm. We all have read Ruark, Hunter, Hemingway, et al. I have a dear friend and PH who will tell you that the most terrifying thing in his annual hunting year is the first time buffalo hunter showing up with open sights and a double rifle. Bring something that you use with exceptional confidence and familiarity for you first DG hunt.

Must be me... ...first or second day of the hunt a 44 inch buff with a 470 rigby sidelock which I think from memory I hadn't shot...but knew it was fine as was pauls...both shots were about 4 inches apart on the shoulder...it gave up there and then....where I got my love of double rifles from...

 

[Red Leg]

Must be me... ...first or second day of the hunt a 44 inch buff with a 470 rigby sidelock which I think from memory I hadn't shot...but knew it was fine as was pauls...both shots were about 4 inches apart on the shoulder...it gave up there and then....where I got my love of double rifles from...

It is said God watches over ....................

Though if Paul had placed a London best in my hands on my first hunt for a buffalo, I assure you I would have done exactly the same.

 

[Red Leg]

Red Leg you are correct about the leopard. I should have clarified that in my original post. I also am not opposed to hunting in RSA, especially if my first trip will be a pure PG endeavor.

With that being said, hunting for a buffalo seems to be the direction I will probably lean, and therefore I will need to do a lot of investigating on outfits that have the potential for nice population/age structure. Any recommendations are always appreciated.

This is my report on my South African buffalo. The remainder were taken in the Caprivi and Zambezi Delta of Mozambique.

SOUTH AFRICA: Up Close In The Limpopo - Hunting Cape Buffalo With Phillip Bronkhorst

The morning started like many buffalo hunts anywhere with the fresh tracks of a small herd crossing a dirt trace cut through the bush. Phillip Bronkhorst, Pieter Taylor (one of Phillip's PHs), our tracker Josias, Rickey (a young videographer in training), and your faithful correspondent bailed...

www.africahunting.com

A version was also published in "African Hunting Gazette" in the Spring of "19. I can highly recommend Phillip Bronkhorst.

Such a hunt is not the same as a wilderness hunt. But it can be a very positive experience.

 

[Tanks]

...

With that being said, hunting for a buffalo seems to be the direction I will probably lean, and therefore I will need to do a lot of investigating on outfits that have the potential for nice population/age structure. Any recommendations are always appreciated.

You can't go wrong with Charlton McCallum Safaris in Zimbabwe. My buffalo/leopard/elephant hunt with them got postponed to next August.

Here is their info:

Charlton McCallum Safaris - Zimbabwe Safari Tours, Hunting Big Game Trophies in Dande Safari Area, Zimbabwe, Africa.

 

[Adam Stevens]

I agree. Can’t go wrong.

I did my first safari two years ago with Buzz and did Buff and plains game. Focused on Dugga boys and only took 3 other PG. It was every thing I hoped Africa could be.

just trying to figure now how to save and get back!! Buying a double set that back alittle!

You can't go wrong with Charlton McCallum Safaris in Zimbabwe. My buffalo/leopard/elephant hunt with them got postponed to next August.

Here is their info:

Charlton McCallum Safaris - Zimbabwe Safari Tours, Hunting Big Game Trophies in Dande Safari Area, Zimbabwe, Africa.

 

[TOBY458]

DG is and always will be my reason for going to Africa.

 

[meigsbucks]

As this thread has progressed, I want to add a few things to what I stated in an earlier post. One question you have to ask yourself is: Will your financial situation permit multiple safaris? If you’ve had to save for 20 years to take this one safari, hunt the species, including DG, that are important to you. If you have the wealth that permits several safaris, I wouldn’t hesitate to hunt buffalo on a first safari. However, as several have stated, I wouldn’t hunt leopard on safari number one (Note: I’ve never hunted leopard and have no desire to hunt one) as from what I understand, it takes a concerted effort that occupies a lot of time.
Another thing is DO IT! You never know what the future will bring. (However, don’t go in to debt to do it) The year after I went (‘13), I contracted a disease that sidelined me for two years and even today it‘s residual effects, affect my walking. However I‘d progressed enough to do a PG hunt in 2018.

 

[spike.t]

It is said God watches over ....................

Though if Paul had placed a London best in my hands on my first hunt for a buffalo, I assure you I would have done exactly the same.

Nah joe he must have given up on me decades ago....

 

[spike.t]

DG is and always will be my reason for going to Africa.

you have to be able to keep a decent rifle long enough to be able to do that...

 

[spike.t]

Most likely either Zim or RSA. I like the idea of a no fence area for buff/leopard.

Just remember you go north of the limpopo and you getting to Africa...but you need to then cross over the zambezi to arrive there properly.....

 

[DillonG]

I

I broke western and did a 21 day in Zambia in -98. I wish I had did a smaller hunt the first time but I was afraid I wouldn't get back. I took Lion, leopard, buff, and plains game. I was like a kid in the candy store. PG and buff sound great for the first time. I am writing this sitting in the Selous, heading home to Va. tomorrow. Have just finished a 10 day 2 buff hunt that was great. It is my 9th trip to Africa.

I hope you will be writing up a hunt report to share!