SOUTH AFRICA: My First Safari

Well I completed my first safari in SA and wanted to say thanks for the info I recieved on here prior to going. Was an awesome trip and look forward to returning someday as there are now more animals on my list I would like to harvest. I was able to take a Cape Buffalo, Blue Wildebeest and a Blesbuck. My 378 Weatherby did an absolute wonderful job taking all 3 with the furthest only moving about 20-25 yards and that was the buffalo. He was dead after the first shot, got both lungs and heart. But if he is still on his feet the guide instructed me to keep shooting, so 2 more while he was stumbling around and the final shot though the top of the neck and spine when he fell down, he measured between 41-42 inches. Wildebeest was a quartering away shot and same as the buffalo both heart and lungs were hit. Only one decent hop and he was on the ground. The Blesbuck was 210 yards and looking almost straight at me. Shot him just too the left side of his brisket and the bullet came out his right rear hind quarter. All but flipped over backwards and didn't go anywhere. Thank you all again got your encouraging words and helpful insites! Cannot wait to go back! Also attached photos of my wifes trophies aswell!

metott8666 said:

Well I completed my first safari in SA and wanted to say thanks for the info I recieved on here prior to going. Was an awesome trip and look forward to returning someday as there are now more animals on my list I would like to harvest. I was able to take a Cape Buffalo, Blue Wildebeest and a Blesbuck. My 378 Weatherby did an absolute wonderful job taking all 3 with the furthest only moving about 20-25 yards and that was the buffalo. He was dead after the first shot, got both lungs and heart. But if he is still on his feet the guide instructed me to keep shooting, so 2 more while he was stumbling around and the final shot though the top of the neck and spine when he fell down, he measured between 41-42 inches. Wildebeest was a quartering away shot and same as the buffalo both heart and lungs were hit. Only one decent hop and he was on the ground. The Blesbuck was 210 yards and looking almost straight at me. Shot him just too the left side of his brisket and the bullet came out his right rear hind quarter. All but flipped over backwards and didn't go anywhere. Thank you all again got your encouraging words and helpful insites! Cannot wait to go back! Also attached photos of my wifes trophies aswell!

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congratulations on what looks like a great hunt. Any thoughts on how you will mount trophies?

Bill Thom said:

congratulations on what looks like a great hunt. Any thoughts on how you will mount trophies?

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The Buffalo and Wildebeest are going to be skull mounts. The blesbok will be shoulder mount. Also having the flatskins tanned aswell.

Congratulations, that's a very nice bull. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. You will never forget your first.

Congratulations! Seems like it was a great first safari and memories made for you and the wife. I too have gathered a lot of info from this site and hope to have a successful first safari in May 2027.

wise choices on the mounts. Buff skull mounts are impressive. The Kudu will also look great as a european mount. good luck

Bill Thom said:

wise choices on the mounts. Buff skull mounts are impressive. The Kudu will also look great as a european mount. good luck

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I believe my wife is getting both her kudu and impala shoulder mounted. The zebra will be just the flatskin.

Well done!! Now you are hooked and there is no way to recover!

Welcome and congrats!

Congratulations to both of you on a great hunt! Your 378 Weatherby did the job!

Congratulations on what was a fantastic hunt.
And it's great to see a .378Wby in the field.
I have always wanted one, and with today's modern bullets, what an absolute hammer it is.
BTW, what load were you using?
Congratulations again!

Russ

Welcome to AH and congratulations on a very successful first safari. Nice boss on the buff.
Your wife took some nice trophies as well.
Where are you going for your second hunt?

Congratulations to both you and your wife!! Wonderful trophies! May I ask who you hunted with?

Badboymelvin said:

Congratulations on what was a fantastic hunt.
And it's great to see a .378Wby in the field.
I have always wanted one, and with today's modern bullets, what an absolute hammer it is.
BTW, what load were you using?
Congratulations again!

Russ

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300gr Barnes TSX @ 3000fps

Andrew62 said:

Congratulations to both you and your wife!! Wonderful trophies! May I ask who you hunted with?

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Kuche Safari's, my wife bid on the package and won it at a local Ducks Unlimited event.

meigsbucks said:

Welcome to AH and congratulations on a very successful first safari. Nice boss on the buff.
Your wife took some nice trophies as well.
Where are you going for your second hunt?

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Likely we will go back to the same outfitter. Had so much fun and they were great people.

Great hunt, congrats to both of you !

Well done, some very nice Trophies…Congrats.
AH is the place to be for information on hunting Safaris, sharing stories and advice for both first timers and veterans. Glad y’all had an awesome trip.

Was your PH Ruan?

Glad you had. Good time. Nice animals