Hunting Zimbabwe Matetsi area in February?

Yeah as has been said not a great idea.....after one day of bouncing around in a cruiser in hot humid weather I don't think she would be feeling comfortable at all.....pretty pissed off I think would more accurately describe how she would be feeling ....and no way in hell could you let her accompany you on the tracks of an ele......been in matetsi over Easter in 2000 with 2 people doing ele....they were there ..( one got his...other lost his chance at a big bull as his rifle had a technical and ele vanished)...but the bush is thick and the grass it tall...not a place for someone 6 months pregnant when you might have to move fast ......
 
HBartley said:
Hello everyone, I’m looking for some guidance and feedback on anyone that has experience in Zim in February.

I have an elephant/leopard hunt booked for the end of June 2027 but I’m needing to reschedule because my wife is due with our first born in early May.

February 27 would be the only time we could make the trip now but I’m getting some mixed feelings about it. I understand it’s the rainy season and humid but was wondering if anybody has personally experienced hunting in Zim in or around February.

My options are, go in February or postpone for a couple of years?

Just looking for some opinions and real world experience

Thank you guys
Click to expand...

My I ask which operator/PH will you potentially hunt with in February and in which safari area?
Buried in my question is who would sell you a February elephant hunt in Zimbabwe?
I would really like to know that for future reference...

Hopefully any operator who you discuss February hunts with will strongly advise against it!
Plus if you mention being along your 6-month pregnent wife on a February hunt I think any experianced outfitter would say NO in no uncertain terms!
 
Mark A Ouellette said:
My I ask which operator/PH will you potentially hunt with in February and in which safari area?
Buried in my question is who would sell you a February elephant hunt in Zimbabwe?
I would really like to know that for future reference...

Hopefully any operator who you discuss February hunts with will strongly advise against it!
Plus if you mention being along your 6-month pregnent wife on a February hunt I think any experianced outfitter would say NO in no uncertain terms!
Click to expand...
To be fair they sold him a hunt in June. I’ve had multiple PHs tell me they are willing to conduct a difficult hunt as long as client knows what he’s getting into. OP hasn’t written if outfitter even knows the change in circumstances yet that he’s considering February.

I agree though I hope any outfitter and PH would say a 6 month pregnant wife doesn’t belong on a February hunt in Zimbabwe.
 
375Fox said:
To be fair they sold him a hunt in June. I’ve had multiple PHs tell me they are willing to conduct a difficult hunt as long as client knows what he’s getting into. OP hasn’t written if outfitter even knows the change in circumstances yet that he’s considering February.
Click to expand...

Okay, thanks for realinging my brain housing group... :)
Fair enough.

@HBartley for gosh sakes, discuss postoning your elephant hunt a year or two with the operator. Suggesting to them beinging along your 6-month pregnant wife should prompt them to beat you to suggesting postoning for a year or two! :)
 
Hopefully the PH/Outfitter convinces you not to bring your wife.

Surely the flight alone would be too much, added that Vic Falls doesn't have the facilities to deal with any issue with your wife's pregnancy and that you'd need to be Medevaced to Johannesburg (if you take your wife ensure your medical cover covers this, otherwise your bill will be twice to three times your safari cost - i live in Africa i know the costs of medical evacuation - family members of mine have had to be medevaced for proper care in JHB) the time is takes to get to JHB might not be enough to ensure you get to have a child, if anything goes wrong.

Then there the tsetse/malaria issue to contend with.....

Aa others have stated February is fantastically hot and humid. Check the camp has A/C all night otherwise neither of you are sleeping

Lastly I pray sense prevails, please let your wife read this thread so you both make the decision and not just one of you.
 
All for the best. good decision

I went inbetween 1st and 2nd kid solo.

reminds me wife was 6months pregnant and had won a sheep tag here. when we put her name in we might not of even known. I wouldnt do that again haha
 
Mark A Ouellette said:
My I ask which operator/PH will you potentially hunt with in February and in which safari area?
Buried in my question is who would sell you a February elephant hunt in Zimbabwe?
I would really like to know that for future reference...

Hopefully any operator who you discuss February hunts with will strongly advise against it!
Plus if you mention being along your 6-month pregnent wife on a February hunt I think any experianced outfitter would say NO in no uncertain terms!
Click to expand...
Asked the same...can only think unit 1.....
 
I hunted leopard and elephant in Zim this year but in April not February and my wife joined me on that hunt. I also spent some time in a Zim hospital on that trip (a story for another day). As has been stated, there is no way I would bring my 6 month pregnant wife on a February elephant/leopard hunt in Zim. So either go on the hunt by yourself or postpone. I understand wanting your wife to join you, I love it when my wife joins me on these adventurous hunts (even though she herself does not hunt), so if that is important to you to have her there I would definitely postpone for a year or 2.
 
I live in Zimbabwe. Postpone your hunt. It is hot and humid in Feb in Matatesi. Expect 40+ deg celsius or +105 F and 80 % humidity. Add to that, bush os thick and grass is tall. Added to that, game is less concentrated. In the dry season, game collects at the water holes, during the rains, it is spread all over. To be honest, I would not do it and I am acclimatised.
 
HBartley said:
This is great info, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you guys, keep it coming please.
My wife is pushing me to go but I have my reservations. I appreciate the first hand experience and advice from those more seasoned than myself. I’ve only been to different parts of SA a few times and only in June
Click to expand...
definitely not a great idea for 6 month pregnant wife. going to be hot muggy and if there baby decides to come early . All I can say is essssh she not going to be a happy camper. just my two cents. don't want to be stuck on bad roads with a pregnant lady. Good Luck.
 
HBartley said:
I have decided to postpone the trip for a year or 2. I would potentially go solo but my wife loves Africa and I’d rather her be a part of it if possible. Thank you guys for the input and the information/opinions. Just what I needed
Click to expand...
I’ve been watching this thread and withholding comment until now.

I’m proud of you for making the decision to postpone. Good on you for making an intimate post like yours and asking for advice.

My wife and I lost our first daughter at birth. Without going into details, even with first class prenatal care, things can and do go wrong, routinely, unfortunately. Had you gone through with this, probably everything would’ve gone fine. But, if there were any problems.. you and your wife would never forgive yourselves and each other. Nothing tests a marriage like the overwhelming loss of a baby.
 
Reschedule. Wife and family first! Good grief! Where or who came up with February? Sounds like outfitter had an opening and felt compelled to fill his calendar with a high dollar hunt. Starry eyes and sugar plums fairies dancing in the head with thoughts of Selous or Bell got in the way of common sense even considering it. Hunt in Southern Africa in February would be like deer hunting in southern Louisiana in July.
 
Last edited:
Betterinthebush said:
I’ve been watching this thread and withholding comment until now.

I’m proud of you for making the decision to postpone. Good on you for making an intimate post like yours and asking for advice.

My wife and I lost our first daughter at birth. Without going into details, even with first class prenatal care, things can and do go wrong, routinely, unfortunately. Had you gone through with this, probably everything would’ve gone fine. But, if there were any problems.. you and your wife would never forgive yourselves and each other. Nothing tests a marriage like the overwhelming loss of a baby.
Click to expand...

Very sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a child is one of the toughest things we can go through.
 
I was in Matetsi 2 late May and early June. Admittedly it was a very wet summer (wetter than usual) but we still had some access issues on roads. Also, seeing what elephants do to wet roads makes me really wonder if they have an intentional mean streak. I dont have a pregnant wife to worry about, but that area can get wet and stay wet so also keep that in mind. It is an incredible area though and were I able I would be back again and again.
 
Smart call on postponing. It would have been a miserable experience if everything went great let alone if you had problems. Too much room for Mr Murphy to show up.

@Betterinthebush My heart goes out to you and your wife. So sorry for your loss.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

... and 1130 more.
Total: 251,832 (members: 1,180, guests: 250,652)

Forum statistics

Threads
70,613
Messages
1,580,978
Members
171,931
Latest member
RetaBeaman
 

 

 

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Bushcat Safaris
Bushcat Safaris
Tuna are Running good time to Come fish or Spear. combine it with a plains game hunt.
•••
JD Noblin
JD Noblin wrote on caanaya5711's profile.
Hello @caanaya5711, this is JD Noblin and I saw your thread about a new Double. I am a Chapuis dealer and have a new Elan Classic 470 Nitro in stock for $18,199....it is listed on GunsInternational. Feel free to call to discuss, 405/822.1564.
•••
AKSloper71
AKSloper71
Soon to be chasing dove and quail in AZ.
•••
H
Hornedfrogbbq wrote on Rhoyland4's profile.
Do you mind me asking what auction you are referencing? I'm not in the market for any of those rifles...just curious.

Frosty in Fort Worth
•••
HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
Getting some culling done!

•••

Share this page

 
Top