Hi everyone, I’ve finally found the time to write about my experience on my first hunt on the "Dark Continent"—specifically in South Africa with "Executive Hunt Africa" (Live the Dream). First off, a huge thank you to @samson7x for the recommendation. Ever since I first contacted the recommended outfitter
https://www.executivehuntafrica.com/ in January, I was Googling, reading, and watching videos to see what hunting in Africa was really like. Coming from Europe, I had seen plenty of nature documentaries about African wildlife—and the dangers associated with some of those animals—which naturally made me apprehensive about being out in the African wild. The thought of the hunter becoming the prey was always in the back of my mind. Yet, the actual experience far exceeded anything I had seen in videos or read about. Johan responded incredibly quickly, and we finalized everything within just a few hours—or perhaps a couple of days. I was amazed at how simple the process was. From our perspective, a hunt in Africa often seems like an unattainable, lifelong dream for many hunters I know. It just takes the right recommendation and the right person—a fellow hunter—to turn that dream into reality. Before flying out of Frankfurt, Johan and I exchanged photos, so we’d recognize each other at the Johannesburg airport, and about ten hours later, I set foot on the African continent for the first time. We were welcomed by Johan’s son, Johannes. Right from the first greeting and handshake, I knew it would go well. All my fears of the unknown vanished. Johannes is a well-mannered, respectful young man worthy of admiration. The journey to their family estate marked the beginning of an unforgettable experience for us—I say "us" because my wife accompanied me to the conference and wanted to be part of my dream of hunting in Africa; after all, it wouldn't have been possible without her blessing! ;-) After meeting Johan’s family and enjoying a fantastic brunch and stretching of legs (I can never sleep on planes), we headed to the Limpopo hunting grounds, located just over an hour’s drive away along the highway. Before that, we stopped to check the rifle’s zero—and, presumably, to test my marksmanship as well. :-) Shortly after, we spotted some impalas and began to stalk them with Johan. Edmond was right behind us, watching our backs, I assume. It was a new experience for me. I realized that my hunter’s eyes were accustomed to a different environment and a different landscape of nature and wildlife. I know what a red deer or wild boar looks like in the forest, a roe deer in a field, a fallow deer at the forest edge, or a hare and a fox in the stubble; but I was only just learning what an impala, eland, nyala, and African buffalo look like in their native habitat. That "Aha!" moment—finally spotting a warthog in the African bush—was something new and exciting for me. My eyes were not accustomed to the contrasts of color, background, terrain, and the arrangement of trees, shrubs, and African wildlife. An interesting experience. As I crept toward the herd of impala, I was acutely aware of the risks: stepping on a venomous snake, a leopard striking from the very tree we were passing under, or impaling myself on a bush with incredibly sharp, hard thorns... I know—I’ve watched too many videos about Africa! :-) All these thoughts were racing through my mind. Safety came first—for Johan, Edmond, and myself. But above all, I was thinking of my grandfather, who introduced me to the world of hunting and a love for nature and animals, and of my father, with whom I had been on so many hunts. They were there with me. It was an emotional experience—one that transcended the immediate time and place while simultaneously being deeply rooted in them. That very setting—Africa—was pivotal in shaping the feelings and the sense of experiencing something truly extraordinary. It was my first time in Africa, but I trust it won't be my last. Thank you, Johan, for welcoming us—you and your family—as your own; we felt like part of your family, and even though we are far away, we still feel that way. Thank you, too, for making it possible for me to experience a dream come true and for being a part of that moment. May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and your family abundantly and protect you from all evil.
