SOUTH AFRICA: Family Hunt With LJ Safaris

For nearly my whole life I have dreamed of going to Africa. My plans were that I would go when I turned 40 but I got in a bad snowmobile wreck that set me back and broke me up pretty good. Not thankful for the wreck although I have made a full recovery but am thankful that I waited 8 years so that I could take my kids.

In hunting new places there is always an expectation of sorts but also hopes of what you think it might be. I tried very hard to just let the trip just be and take advantage of all that comes along and to trust the experience and knowledge of both Juan and Lauren. They complimented each other in their skills and abilities and were the right combination for our experience as well as exactly what my kids needed. They were patient and adjusted well to our different experience levels and worked very hard to build on and take advantage of opportunities as they were presented. The food was amazing and the accommodation were excellent. I was very impressed with Juan's ability to judge animals, he took time to listen to me, answer our countless questions of all kinds and joke and have fun with us. Lauren was so good to my kids and made us feel welcome from the start. Her hunting knowledge and abilities contributed to a lot of our success and I loved how she encouraged us and congratulated us and was truly happy with our success. There were no unpleasant surprises relating to the agreements that were made all was very open, upfront and very fare from the get go.

The experience was far more than I expected. All hunts were a challenge in their own way, some more than others but all in their natural element. It was so fun to see how each stalk unfolded often not in our favor however it made the experience that much more. We saw hundreds of animals on the plains but were very sketchy, wild and difficult to stalk. Always moving and generally on the run. Huge valleys and rocky canyons in the mountain area and gorgeous thick jungle and bush with think side hills and some open meadows and valley on the coastal concession. The contrast of the two different areas made the experience even more amazing. Just when you would think it couldn't get any better it found a way to do so. Worth all that I spent and more to have my kids with me.

LJ Safaris is top notch, a place I highly recommend and hope to return to soon.

Dave Priestley

Idaho USA

Very nice photos............and a great report..............so nice to take the kids along............I must say that you got some really nice trophies....that Black and that monster impala.........love the kudu as well...........thanks for posting, and congrats to hunters and PH alike.............FWB

Very good report and great trophies and pictures.

Great stuff.

Man those are some beautiful animals!!
Congrats on some lifetime memories with the family.

Nice trophies and priceless memories taking the kids with you. Congrats on a great hunt and thanks for sharing.
Bruce

Awesome! Congrats!

Can you tell us about the hunt / shot on that baboon?

Congratulations on a great safari and the memories that were made. Thanks for sharing!

Love to see families hunting together! The memories will be long lived!

Thanks for sharing Your family experience with us. Great hunt.

Congrats to the family! Thanks for sharing!

Hi BenKK

The baboon hunt was nothing more than luck, we spotted them from a cliff about 800 yards below us. They were feeding on an open plain, just in the perfect spot for us to stalk, it took some time approximately 45 minutes to and hour and we were in with a shot at about 300 yards, we had our pick of two big male baboons and Dave made a great shot.