Experiencing Mozambique & South Africa with McDonald Safaris

A few random moments, pics and updates over the past few months.


Through sustainable utilization we pay for conservation. The very reason why we are able to declare growth in all wildlife population across the board, including the likes of pangolin, wild dog, cheetah, and the only black and white rhino population which we do not hunt in Mozambique.




Sunset after a good rain




Tracking Buffalo along the Klaserie in South Africa




Bushmen paintings in the Limpopo valley




One way of getting to the hunting camp in Niassa, Mozambique




Reminder of the "good ol' days". Our rifles on the gun rack as we take a rest on some shade while tracking Elephant in Niassa.




A curious young waterbuck that had most likely never seen a human till now




The old trooper




Hunting in the Karoo




For those of you who have had the chance to hunt with this man, will also know what a formidable tracker he is. When the chips are down he often seems to be able to pull the rabbit out of the hat. His tracking skills are second to none and is a master at outsmarting even the most educated leopards. I've not seen him without a smile on his face and has come up with the most ridiculous jokes leaving clients in tears of laughter. He has been a great mentor to me from a young age and I continue to learn his wisdom in the field. I salute you my friend. You are one of the unsung masters to the hunting and conservation arenas.




A 5 year old male lion which had been killing cattle in communal lands. Despite the immense pressure from the villagers to kill the lion we managed to convince them to allow us to dart, collar and relocate the lion to the concession to monitor the cat and be able to further our studies on animal movements in the area.




Complete contrast to the drought of 2016.




"Safari"






National Children's day in Mozambique where we visited the schools built buy hunters dollars and delivered protein from our buffalo hunt. The kids were all about the video camera and seeing themselves on the playback. They were so grateful of our visit and our contributions. It often humbles us to thing of how fortunate we are and it only takes the simple things in life to bring us joy.




Anti Poaching scouts trying to get an advantaged view of what's ahead. Folks that dedicate all their effort into looking after a natural heritage. These are unsung heroes.




Bullet performance
#hunting #470nitroexpress #500nitroexpress#doublerifle




INGWE




Some lazy Lions taking cat naps after killing a Wildebeest




Beautiful Kudu bull amongst Protea bushes in the Waterberg

Dagga Boy



Safari Season



Buffalo fever



All the respect in the world for these incredible animals!



Golden hour



Campfire stories



A very sad day at MozParks...we discovered our first poached rhino on property. This is devastating to us. Fifteen months we've been able to successful deter - even catch- poachers on Sabie Game Reserve, but this collared, male rhino was poached for his horn on Saturday. We just discovered him today. The poachers destroyed his collar and shot him.

A facebook post cannot express this loss. Emotionally, to us, this is a shock. We've been infiltrated, our animals we've promised to protect are constantly in danger. We know the dangers lurking around every corner...but when you are faced with it - it shakes you. The extremely sad part of this? This male rhino, not named because its emotional - his collar was MR 02 - established his territory on our reserve.

We will continue the fight. We live this day-to-day...we will re-group - but we will continue doing everything we can to save these rhinos.




Update on our Wildlife Veterinary Unit:
@moz_parks

The first wildlife veterinary unit in Mozambique continues to gain momentum. We had the privilege of working with three rhinos, three lions, one elephant and a few other species in the past few months. Unfortunately, the MozParks vet unit was not able to respond to all situations despite the numerous requests, due to logistics and financial constraints. With your help we hope to make a significant difference and be able to treat as many cases as possible in the near future.
Please consider giving what you feel comfortable on our website and help us save these animals.




On the tracks of dark objects



Our conservation eye in the sky



Bush lunch with a view

Mozambique, you beauty you...!

Mozambique Beauty by McDonald Safaris posted Aug 17, 2018 at 2:57 PM

Really enjoyed this post.
Thanks!
Philip

Early morning tracking in the tall grass



Lunch in the bush after tracking Buffalo all morning



Handbrake up... its time for sundowners!



Gentle giant... catching the morning sun rays and destroying trees



• Kalahari Safari •











Young male lion found at an elephant carcass. Lebombo, Southern Mozambique









• Kalahari Moments •



Dagga bulls and double rifles



Priceless
Cape Buffalo by McDonald Safaris posted Jul 23, 2018 at 4:43 PM


Impressive young herd bull in Lebombo, Mozambique. He will be a brute of a bull in a few years time.



If to think the hunt is about the trophy, I suggest you hang your boots up! What a privilege it is to be out and taking in all that Africa has to offer.



Pilot buzzing the team goodbye
Pilot buzzing the team goodbye by McDonald Safaris posted Oct 2, 2018 at 3:09 PM

Great photos. Thanks for sharing.Brings back some african memories.....
Bruce

It’s that time of year again... tigers are biting!

Nice and relaxed

Cape Buffalo Nice and relaxed by McDonald Safaris posted Oct 24, 2018 at 3:21 PM

Having some fun between safaris...

Having some fun between safaris by McDonald Safaris posted Oct 24, 2018 at 3:21 PM

• African Vikings •

Cessna Caravans and Toyota Land Cruisers. Explored more of the dark continent than any other




Way to end the day




The very first “Custodians” AGM. Representing sustainable utilization and conservation. Proud to be a part of this great initiative.




Rio Sabié Tigers - catch & release




The bull at the end of the tracks




Just another terrible sunset down in Africa




A week has passed since the very first “CPHC” Annual General Meeting - successful gathering on all fronts. One cannot help but be humbled by the fact that we are associated with likeminded professionals in the industry.
Since the founding of this association, membership of the organization has grown in both quantity and quality of respectable Custodians of our industry.

Base camp at Sandveld Conservancy in Namibia. Great way to retire each night after an eventful day out hunting



G & T ?




Everybody visiting the local pub




Only in Mozambique




An old bull which I had seen regularly, killed by a pride of lions.




Big old Shumba spotted by one of the anti poaching teams in Mozambique.




Single shot .450-400 classic used on a buffalo hunt in Mozambique




Not your average house cat!




It’s a look you will never forget




It takes many miles under the boot, tracking dark objects through beautiful scenery only to find that the bull is not of age, so we turn around. Retuning to camp we sip on our G&T as we watch the sun set and tell tales of our day. Then, another early morning start to search for new tracks in hope that it’s the bull we are looking for. The stalks, the sweat and the excitement all seems to be a blur when your iron sights finally align with the ton of beast just 30yards ahead. The 5 seconds of adrenaline from when you squeeze the first trigger till the dust settles, almost seems to feel like an eternity. It is then that we take 5 minutes to reflect and pay our respect to the the old bull. It gives us a whole new perspective as we remind ourselves that the life of this animal allows us to look after these pristine areas; from the anti poaching, to the research and to the social responsibilities in our neighboring rural communities. Hunting Pays For Conservation

Hello Alex,

Really enjoy your photos. You have some great looking animals and concessions.

I reached out to you by pm, about a hunt a few months ago, but you have yet to respond. If you are going to spend time in marketing, by creating threads and posting photos, it might help business if you would respond to those that are interested in a hunt. Otherwise, is there a need to pay AH to be a sponsor and to waste time posting photos and making comments.

All the best and have a great season.

These are among the best fotos on this website...............thanks for the post.......................FWB

Fantastic photography and spirit of conservation!

WayBackWednesday!
My very first safari as a solo guide in 2010




Old bulls and double rifles




Pre season scouting




Grey Ghosts




Young Mozambique lions.