bobdahunter84
AH veteran
I returned a couple weeks ago from Zimbabwe for a 10-day hunt, planned for hippo and crocodile, with the hopes for additional animals if luck would have it. Booked my trip formally after meeting the US-Owner Sean Scott at my local SCI banquet this past February. He was very helpful and quick to respond to all of my questions during the pre-trip process.
This was my second trip to Africa. My first trip was to South Africa in 2023, which I very much enjoyed. But while I enjoyed it, I decided after that trip that high-fence hunting didn't really interest me. We hunted on some very large tracts of land, so it wasn't "fish in a barrel", but unless I'm targeting a protected species where that is the only legal way to hunt them, I probably wouldn't do it again. I wanted true free range animals and to experience "real" Africa on my next trip.
Since my father passed away 6 years ago, I've done all of my hunting solo. So it's always a little nerve-wracking to go to a new place by yourself on the other side of the world, not knowing anyone, spending a decent chunk of $, and just hoping it will be great.
I will say that my time with Victoria Falls Safari Services either met or exceeded every expectation I had going in. The roads in Zimbabwe are pretty awful I will say that, so driving anywhere takes longer than you'd think. I assumed we'd be "roughing it" honestly, but I found the accommodations to be very nice. We stayed at a home in the Milibizi area on the shores of Lake Kariba. Good company, good food, nice accommodations, in-suite bathroom--what else do you need?
The hunting was amazing. It wasn't South Africa with animals around every corner, but there were plenty of animals if you were patient. Every day we saw hippo, crocodile, and elephants. Getting close enough to them is not always easy, but they're there. And there were some very impressive crocodiles specifically in the area.
I'm not a guy looking to secure my place in the SCI trophy book for size. My goal is to target a representative animal and have a memorable hunt. Every animal we harvested was awesome. From the spotting, to the stalking, to the shot, to the very short walk to find them!
I've been on a few hunts with outfitters that were fine, but I knew when I left I'd never talk to them again or keep in touch. I can tell you that was not the case with this hunt. I can't say enough good things about the Owner and PH and all around good-guy Mike Blignaut. It was like going out and hunting with a buddy you've known your whole life. Good conversations, fun guy, and Mike and his guys will get you on the animals. Mike has a genuine excitement for his clients, and you can tell he loves what he does. And he's fun to shoot the shit with, and have a couple drinks at the end of a successful day!
After this trip, I have successfully gotten 4 of the dangerous 7. I can tell you with 100% certainty that as long as they'll have me back, I'll be getting a lion and leopard at some point in the not so distant future with Mike leading the way.
I can't say enough positive things about VFSS. I know their internet presence is a little limited based on doing my own research upfront. Hence the reason I wanted to write this review, for folks to have some firsthand feedback. Book with confidence (unless it's the same weeks I want to go back. If that's the case, you should definitely go somewhere else!
)
Attached are a few pics of the harvested animals--hippo, crocodile, elephant, hyena, and baboon.
This was my second trip to Africa. My first trip was to South Africa in 2023, which I very much enjoyed. But while I enjoyed it, I decided after that trip that high-fence hunting didn't really interest me. We hunted on some very large tracts of land, so it wasn't "fish in a barrel", but unless I'm targeting a protected species where that is the only legal way to hunt them, I probably wouldn't do it again. I wanted true free range animals and to experience "real" Africa on my next trip.
Since my father passed away 6 years ago, I've done all of my hunting solo. So it's always a little nerve-wracking to go to a new place by yourself on the other side of the world, not knowing anyone, spending a decent chunk of $, and just hoping it will be great.
I will say that my time with Victoria Falls Safari Services either met or exceeded every expectation I had going in. The roads in Zimbabwe are pretty awful I will say that, so driving anywhere takes longer than you'd think. I assumed we'd be "roughing it" honestly, but I found the accommodations to be very nice. We stayed at a home in the Milibizi area on the shores of Lake Kariba. Good company, good food, nice accommodations, in-suite bathroom--what else do you need?
The hunting was amazing. It wasn't South Africa with animals around every corner, but there were plenty of animals if you were patient. Every day we saw hippo, crocodile, and elephants. Getting close enough to them is not always easy, but they're there. And there were some very impressive crocodiles specifically in the area.
I'm not a guy looking to secure my place in the SCI trophy book for size. My goal is to target a representative animal and have a memorable hunt. Every animal we harvested was awesome. From the spotting, to the stalking, to the shot, to the very short walk to find them!
I've been on a few hunts with outfitters that were fine, but I knew when I left I'd never talk to them again or keep in touch. I can tell you that was not the case with this hunt. I can't say enough good things about the Owner and PH and all around good-guy Mike Blignaut. It was like going out and hunting with a buddy you've known your whole life. Good conversations, fun guy, and Mike and his guys will get you on the animals. Mike has a genuine excitement for his clients, and you can tell he loves what he does. And he's fun to shoot the shit with, and have a couple drinks at the end of a successful day!
After this trip, I have successfully gotten 4 of the dangerous 7. I can tell you with 100% certainty that as long as they'll have me back, I'll be getting a lion and leopard at some point in the not so distant future with Mike leading the way.
I can't say enough positive things about VFSS. I know their internet presence is a little limited based on doing my own research upfront. Hence the reason I wanted to write this review, for folks to have some firsthand feedback. Book with confidence (unless it's the same weeks I want to go back. If that's the case, you should definitely go somewhere else!
)Attached are a few pics of the harvested animals--hippo, crocodile, elephant, hyena, and baboon.
