SOUTH AFRICA: Night Critters & Small Cats With Kemp African Safaris

Dateline Aug 23, 2019.

It is finally here. This is my first lone safari in 8 trips to Africa, but it is a wonderfully different and exciting journey.

Left two days ago flying from Nashville to Chicago were I boarded Qatar Airlines for my 12-1/2 hour business class flight to Doha, Qatar. This was my first chance to fly the new Q Suite on Qatar and I was not disappointed. Roomy, and true lie-flat sleeping.


Service is off the charts, food is excellent, and Hamid airport in Doha is rated best in the world for 2019.



Gotta love the smoking lounge where I spent a couple hours relaxing with some fine Cuban Partagas Series D #4 cigars, and a great cup or 3 of Americano coffee.

I was on to a relatively short 8 hour flight to Jo’berg where we landed at 4:30AM. Good thing about this was not a sole in line for immigration and customs but our flight. Bad thing was it was 4:30AM. Less than 20 minutes to clear customs and I was meeting Dawie Kemp. Not sure who looked more beat, but after 2 days of travel, I know I smelled worse.

Since I arrived a couple of days before our hunt was to start to take advantage of a very cheap(relative to SAA or Delta) business class fare, we drove to Pretoria where Dawie had me staying at Casa Kaya Guest House. Just fabulous place and the best shower I have had in 2019.


Gonna grab some lunch, chill for a day, see some sights, meet Dawie’s family, and then head to the lodge to start two weeks of focused night hunting, with some day hunting on the side as opportunity presents. Not sure when the next post will come, but will update as time and technology allow.

For my fellow cigar smokers on our cigar thread, the final count on cigars for the trip is 194. 7 boxes Bolivar, 1 box of My Father Le Bijou, and one box of Partagas from duty free.

Good luck, love hunting those night critters! Looking forward to the rest of the story.

Good luck Mort! Looking forward to the full report!

Good luck, enjoy your time with Dawie and his family, great people!

Oh I am excited! Someone else who hunt the night critters! This is going to be special!
But, you already started out way beyond my financial level! You’re spoiled Mort!

Best of luck!

Good luck with those varmints! Night hunting in RSA is a blast. If you haven't already see, if you can hunt springhares. About the time you get the crosshairs on them they launch to another spot.

Will be a great hunt

scott fairchild said:

Good luck, enjoy your time with Dawie and his family, great people!

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Already feel like one of the family. Lunched today in Pretoria with Dawie and his youngest of three daughters. Tomorrow, Saturday, we are firing up the braai with family before we head out Sunday for our hunt. You are spot on about Dawie and clan.

Ridgewalker said:

Oh I am excited! Someone else who hunt the night critters! This is going to be special!
But, you already started out way beyond my financial level! You’re spoiled Mort!

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I say blessed! You and the wife say spoiled. No middle ground.

Please say Hi to Dawie for me.
Thank you

Best of luck Mort! Look forward to further details as they unfold.

Good luck Mort! Hope to see some great pictures!

Have a great time, the night hunts are so very rewarding and alllllotttt of fun. Look forward to the rest of your adventure. Just got a note from the taxidermist that our mounts from last year are in line to be packed and shipped.

Pre-Hunt Day 2
Well, I finally caught up on the sleep that had been avoiding me. That too tired to sleep, restless legs and dehydrated feeling of long travel. I must give a shout out again to Casa Kaya Guest House. The accommodations, staff and meals are outstanding. Had some of the best lamb chops ever last night for dinner.



Today was a relaxed morning followed by a family BBQ/Braai at Dawie’s parents home. What a fabulous afternoon of fellowship, Rugby watching, and a smorgasbord of meats, steaks and sides. I must say that the hospitality of Dawie and his entire family makes the trip that much more special.


But tomorrow, the winds of change sweep down across Limpopo. The mood will turn dark in the animal kingdom. There will be a new sheriff in town, and he rides a pale horse named “Night Critter Down”. So it is one last cup of coffee, one last cigar, and then off to dream of the days to follow.

Thanks for all the well wishes, and for those of you who asked, Dawie sends his fondest regards, and I now have some dirt on all of you. LOL

After a several hour drive up the highway, we have arrived at the lodge. A wonderful lunch where I met resident PH Marco and his lovely wife. Even had a birthday desert for me.

We gathered the rifles and headed to the range. After several minor adjustments to scopes, I was spot on with a quarter size target at between 40-60 yards. This is the typical blind distance from the bait. Terrain will vary for the various blinds to bait, but shots will be pretty straightforward, with only the position of the animals differing shots. But I have plenty of time, so I will try to practice patience and listen for PH instruction.


So we will head out in a couple of hours to see if we can scrum up some bait. Then it is buckle in for a night of waiting, wondering, and hoping the invitations to the party were received.

Happy Birthday and best of luck!

Enjoying the write up. Having spent a few nights in RSA night hunting, you are in for a blast! Have great success!!

Go get'em Mort & Happy B-Day as well.

Have a good one. Would Like to see how it unfold