If I recall correctly I found the "package deal" offered by Game 4 Africa around 18-20 months ago, after contacting the owner Wik, by email and reading a couple of glowing reviews I paid the deposit in February of 24, then settled in to the wait.
My son and I did however have an NZ South Island Tahr in July of 2024 to focus on, so I suppose you could say Africa was put the back of our minds.
Soon enough however 6 months out, Purchased a scope for the cz550 .416 Rigby, my choice of rifle for Cape Buff using 410gr Woodleigh RN's I would also take along CA Ridgeline in .300 WM with March for plains game loaded with 212 fe Hornady ELDX's, a rifle that I had also scored Tahr with, but was not able to recover the trophy.
We had also purchased some sticks to practice off and had both completed a "little bit of practice" prior to the trip.
My Son would take his trusty Bergara .270 a with PST 2.5-10x32 scope a proven rig that had scored deer and a Tahr for my son. Load is the 150gr Speer Hotcor, a surprisingly good bullet.
Loads, testing, zeroing all done by the final Sunday prior to flying out to Joburg....purchasing new camera's the previous weekend to try and capture the memories.....it'll be auto focus only, we did not leave much time to master them !
The morning arrived, my wife dropped us to the shuttle bus for the 1.5hr trip to the airport. The first flight would be from Melbourne to Sydney, guns checked on relatively easily, the lady behind the counter says to us "its guns' isn't it" as she looks fearfully at the Tuffpak, I respond "yes" she says "I knew it". She obtained a little help from a colleague and before too long there checked in.
We arrive at Sydney around 3pm, and make our way to the airport hotel for an overnighter ready to present to border force fresh faced a 6am the following morning.
Border Force Sydney were wonderful, guns checked we find some seating and relax before the 14 hour flight to Joburg, we met another aussie hunter heading to the Eastern Cape, he had had issues with "overweight" luggage but otherwise unscarred.
14 hours later we land at Joburg, have our passports stamped, make our way through and we are met by Wheelan of African Sky Wik had also phoned Wheelan to check we had arrived, he escorts us to collect our rifles, quick serial number check comparative to our paperwork and we are on our way to the African Sky for the night prior to flying to Port Elizabeth the next day.
The food was amazing...the Kingclip fish was from our last day, this first night it was served with best vegies we had eaten (my son had the lamb chops).
The white asparagus soup was amazing, I ate two bowls.
Next morning Gilbert of Africa Sky transports us back to the airport for our flight to PE.
A nice place, we grabbed some curio's at the board walk for my wife and daughter, cleaned up and went to the "Ocean Basket" for a "Full Deck" along with some entree's
What a feed and great value.
Next morning we are greeted by Don, our PH for the week, we load up, and he tells us we will be having a lot of fun, sounds good !
Upon arriving at the property, we saw wart hogs in the front field, amazing !
We were greeted by Wik and shown to our quarters which were excellent. We were taken to the range after settling in to check our rifles. I would have to say I didn't shoot that well, neither did my son but Don assured us they were right and "not to fiddle around" as history would show, he was spot on.
After an excellent lunch (I forget what we had, might have been Eland Patties which were so nice!) we took a drive around the property and saw plenty of game, we were informed we would try for a pretty cunning old buff the next day. As it turned out he was a little too tricky, we saw him twice over the two hunts during the day but couldn't get a shot at him.
The next morning we tried for Bull Kudu......Zebra's meddled the first time, Baboons on the second occasion. Two days down and nothing in the salt. Don assured me it was fine and we were just happy to be experiencing Africa, we both understood this was also hunting and as real as it gets, so there are no guarantee's.
At tea, a plan was hatched to head to another area for Buffalo and then on to the Northern holding, Kranberg, as I'd expressed an interest in a nice Zebra for a rug and a Hartebeest.
We arrived at the property at dusk, rugged and hilly and settled into what Don described as "rustic accommodation", but we loved it, outback QLD shearing quarters are rustic, this was 5 star in comparison !
We had an awsome tea, game meat and vegies along with a type of donut style fried bread and date balls for desert, excellent !
Next morning up bright and early, anticipation building. Off we head up to the heights for viewing.......I was having nightmares of the South Island NZ again, this wasn't flat, sandy Africa on You Tube !
After several hours of glassing we spot a mob of Buffalo moving on to the hillside for sunning. Don and X the tracker confirm that the herd contained a worthy Bull and the stalk was on. It began with a steep decent to the valley floor, concerning for me as I hate heights, my son coped no problems.
After what seemed like and eternity we made position, Don identified the bull and motioned me to the sticks, it seemed to take forever for the "bull with shiny wet/muddy back" to present a shot that did not compromise other animals. A window of opportunity ensured, Don said take him when your ready.
The CZ550 .416 Rigby is adorned with a Swarovski Z8i 1-8, the scope was set on 5x for the shot with illumination on, I placed the fine red dot at the inside top of the shoulder crease (as Don had directed numerous times), he told me to breath and with that, I touched off the 410gr Woodleigh Round Nose. With rifle in recoil, I did not see what had occurred, I thought I heard a sold thud, but I still asked Don if I had hit him. I think he replied "you hit him, it was a good shot".
I saw him run, I had not seen the significant jump he did when struck, evident on the video. The bull peeled off slighly from the rest of the heard, and headed to the thickets, and did not re-emerge, this all seemed promising !
We walked to the small cliff face above the thicket the bull had entered and within minutes we could hear him breathing with difficulty, and the breaths becioming shorter. Then finally hear the famous death bellow albeit a short version of it.
Don congratulated me but said we would wait 20 minutes. Then X (the tracker) confirmed he was down and close to being out of gas.
We make our way down and I spot this fin specimen of a bull with head facing towards the thick stuff, down for the count, the dream had bean achieved, I had wanted to to hunt the mighty Cape Buffalo since I was around 12 years old, when I had read a Petersen's Hunting Magazine which had the heading as I recall "Black Death & The .470 Nitro". Fast forward 37 years and I'd finally done it.
I must say the trackers are so skilled, the bull was paired down completely in approximately 1 hour !
I clipped both lungs and the top of the heart.
The 410gr Woodleigh weighed 395.4gr for 96% weigh retention.
We packed up after the bull was dressed etc. and headed to Kranberg, the Northern concession. On the way we stopped at the chain hamburger Steers, tasty and better than the Scottish Alternative.
We arrived at Kranberg after dark, but on the way witnessed a spectacular African lightening show and storm.
Next morning up early, sensational breakfast of beef and onions, egg and bacon along with toast and yogurt and off to find a Zebra.
Don was searching for an animal that would make a nice rug. Don & X found a nice mare and they moved me to the sticks. At 220 yards the 212 ELDX struck slightly high, but the animal did not take a step.
My son had felt he'd like a Kudu, but prior to leaving home had wanted to hunt Wildebeest, when Don & X sighted herd, he decided that was what he wished to hunt. Post finding a good bull and a tricky stalk, Don had my son prone on a rocky outcrop, 310 yards, Don asked can you make the shot, Flynn confirmed he could, we dialled the PST 2.5-10x32 in for the shot and he let fly striking the animal pretty well perfectly, that speer 150gr did a great job. The bull ran 50 yards, went nose to the ground, allowing the rest of herd to make off, he was done, but for 100% assurance Don asked my sonto put another round in him. My son went off the sticks at around 200 yards and delivered a neck shot.
Next was a Hartebeest, we find a good bull after missing a chance at one herd, another was found and Don had me on the sticks at 311 yards. The shot was good and the 212 ELDX dropped the animal on the spot.
Just on dusk Don & X locate a fine Impala Ram, believe it or not 311 yards again, only this time I took the shot prone. The 212 ELDX again resulted in an animal dropped on the spot.
The next morning we were to make our back to Woodvale, but only after Don took us to view the "bushman paintings" potentially 15k years old, amazing!
Warthogs next. I was lucky enough to snag a good one with .416 Rigby. My son also snagged two warthogs, a management sow and a trophy for a friend at home.
The following morning we tripped of to "Mountaintop" for Kudu, an amazing property. I missed a good bull at 445 yards, shot high, it was a prone shot and within seconds I was dealing with a swarm of tiny red ants on my and a cactus paddle...no excuses !
Around an hour later, another chance, 438 yards, my confidence is down, but I said to Don I can make the shot, again prone I touch off and it looks high again, I am shattered. Then X mentions to Don, he thinks I have hit it as it had not exited the patch it should have had I missed. We zoom in and sure enough had made a hit. Don assures me its a strong chance we'd get it. My son interestingly had said earlier he thought he had heard the bullet strike. What seemed like and hour and in traditional language, X calls Don on the radio, I wait fearing the worst, Don then proceeds to say they have found it and it was down, I'd clipped the top of both lunds, it had gone maybe 10 yards.
Recovery
Kudu Wound 212 ELDX at 438 yards....a little high, but these pills saved my bacon a couple of times I think.
The final hunt, despite trying unsuccessfully for Baboon on the final night was a two nice Blesbok rams, one for my son and one for me. My son claimed his at 308 yards on last light. I managed to get mine earlier at a little over 200 yards if I recall correctly. A memory we will both always remember, I was so proud of my amazing son, the way he carried himself and his shot execution over the course of the trip.
Last day was a trip to the game reserve with John aka Firebird who we shared camp with, great company.
I wont bore you with the trip home...200km car ride at 3.30am followed by three flights and a bus ride, we were both exhausted by the time we got home.
But we are keen to head back in a couple of years.
My son and I did however have an NZ South Island Tahr in July of 2024 to focus on, so I suppose you could say Africa was put the back of our minds.
Soon enough however 6 months out, Purchased a scope for the cz550 .416 Rigby, my choice of rifle for Cape Buff using 410gr Woodleigh RN's I would also take along CA Ridgeline in .300 WM with March for plains game loaded with 212 fe Hornady ELDX's, a rifle that I had also scored Tahr with, but was not able to recover the trophy.
We had also purchased some sticks to practice off and had both completed a "little bit of practice" prior to the trip.
My Son would take his trusty Bergara .270 a with PST 2.5-10x32 scope a proven rig that had scored deer and a Tahr for my son. Load is the 150gr Speer Hotcor, a surprisingly good bullet.
Loads, testing, zeroing all done by the final Sunday prior to flying out to Joburg....purchasing new camera's the previous weekend to try and capture the memories.....it'll be auto focus only, we did not leave much time to master them !
The morning arrived, my wife dropped us to the shuttle bus for the 1.5hr trip to the airport. The first flight would be from Melbourne to Sydney, guns checked on relatively easily, the lady behind the counter says to us "its guns' isn't it" as she looks fearfully at the Tuffpak, I respond "yes" she says "I knew it". She obtained a little help from a colleague and before too long there checked in.
We arrive at Sydney around 3pm, and make our way to the airport hotel for an overnighter ready to present to border force fresh faced a 6am the following morning.
Border Force Sydney were wonderful, guns checked we find some seating and relax before the 14 hour flight to Joburg, we met another aussie hunter heading to the Eastern Cape, he had had issues with "overweight" luggage but otherwise unscarred.
14 hours later we land at Joburg, have our passports stamped, make our way through and we are met by Wheelan of African Sky Wik had also phoned Wheelan to check we had arrived, he escorts us to collect our rifles, quick serial number check comparative to our paperwork and we are on our way to the African Sky for the night prior to flying to Port Elizabeth the next day.
The food was amazing...the Kingclip fish was from our last day, this first night it was served with best vegies we had eaten (my son had the lamb chops).
The white asparagus soup was amazing, I ate two bowls.
Next morning Gilbert of Africa Sky transports us back to the airport for our flight to PE.
A nice place, we grabbed some curio's at the board walk for my wife and daughter, cleaned up and went to the "Ocean Basket" for a "Full Deck" along with some entree's
What a feed and great value.
Next morning we are greeted by Don, our PH for the week, we load up, and he tells us we will be having a lot of fun, sounds good !
Upon arriving at the property, we saw wart hogs in the front field, amazing !
We were greeted by Wik and shown to our quarters which were excellent. We were taken to the range after settling in to check our rifles. I would have to say I didn't shoot that well, neither did my son but Don assured us they were right and "not to fiddle around" as history would show, he was spot on.
After an excellent lunch (I forget what we had, might have been Eland Patties which were so nice!) we took a drive around the property and saw plenty of game, we were informed we would try for a pretty cunning old buff the next day. As it turned out he was a little too tricky, we saw him twice over the two hunts during the day but couldn't get a shot at him.
The next morning we tried for Bull Kudu......Zebra's meddled the first time, Baboons on the second occasion. Two days down and nothing in the salt. Don assured me it was fine and we were just happy to be experiencing Africa, we both understood this was also hunting and as real as it gets, so there are no guarantee's.
At tea, a plan was hatched to head to another area for Buffalo and then on to the Northern holding, Kranberg, as I'd expressed an interest in a nice Zebra for a rug and a Hartebeest.
We arrived at the property at dusk, rugged and hilly and settled into what Don described as "rustic accommodation", but we loved it, outback QLD shearing quarters are rustic, this was 5 star in comparison !
We had an awsome tea, game meat and vegies along with a type of donut style fried bread and date balls for desert, excellent !
Next morning up bright and early, anticipation building. Off we head up to the heights for viewing.......I was having nightmares of the South Island NZ again, this wasn't flat, sandy Africa on You Tube !
After several hours of glassing we spot a mob of Buffalo moving on to the hillside for sunning. Don and X the tracker confirm that the herd contained a worthy Bull and the stalk was on. It began with a steep decent to the valley floor, concerning for me as I hate heights, my son coped no problems.
After what seemed like and eternity we made position, Don identified the bull and motioned me to the sticks, it seemed to take forever for the "bull with shiny wet/muddy back" to present a shot that did not compromise other animals. A window of opportunity ensured, Don said take him when your ready.
The CZ550 .416 Rigby is adorned with a Swarovski Z8i 1-8, the scope was set on 5x for the shot with illumination on, I placed the fine red dot at the inside top of the shoulder crease (as Don had directed numerous times), he told me to breath and with that, I touched off the 410gr Woodleigh Round Nose. With rifle in recoil, I did not see what had occurred, I thought I heard a sold thud, but I still asked Don if I had hit him. I think he replied "you hit him, it was a good shot".
I saw him run, I had not seen the significant jump he did when struck, evident on the video. The bull peeled off slighly from the rest of the heard, and headed to the thickets, and did not re-emerge, this all seemed promising !
We walked to the small cliff face above the thicket the bull had entered and within minutes we could hear him breathing with difficulty, and the breaths becioming shorter. Then finally hear the famous death bellow albeit a short version of it.
Don congratulated me but said we would wait 20 minutes. Then X (the tracker) confirmed he was down and close to being out of gas.
We make our way down and I spot this fin specimen of a bull with head facing towards the thick stuff, down for the count, the dream had bean achieved, I had wanted to to hunt the mighty Cape Buffalo since I was around 12 years old, when I had read a Petersen's Hunting Magazine which had the heading as I recall "Black Death & The .470 Nitro". Fast forward 37 years and I'd finally done it.
I must say the trackers are so skilled, the bull was paired down completely in approximately 1 hour !
I clipped both lungs and the top of the heart.
The 410gr Woodleigh weighed 395.4gr for 96% weigh retention.
We packed up after the bull was dressed etc. and headed to Kranberg, the Northern concession. On the way we stopped at the chain hamburger Steers, tasty and better than the Scottish Alternative.
We arrived at Kranberg after dark, but on the way witnessed a spectacular African lightening show and storm.
Next morning up early, sensational breakfast of beef and onions, egg and bacon along with toast and yogurt and off to find a Zebra.
Don was searching for an animal that would make a nice rug. Don & X found a nice mare and they moved me to the sticks. At 220 yards the 212 ELDX struck slightly high, but the animal did not take a step.
My son had felt he'd like a Kudu, but prior to leaving home had wanted to hunt Wildebeest, when Don & X sighted herd, he decided that was what he wished to hunt. Post finding a good bull and a tricky stalk, Don had my son prone on a rocky outcrop, 310 yards, Don asked can you make the shot, Flynn confirmed he could, we dialled the PST 2.5-10x32 in for the shot and he let fly striking the animal pretty well perfectly, that speer 150gr did a great job. The bull ran 50 yards, went nose to the ground, allowing the rest of herd to make off, he was done, but for 100% assurance Don asked my sonto put another round in him. My son went off the sticks at around 200 yards and delivered a neck shot.
Next was a Hartebeest, we find a good bull after missing a chance at one herd, another was found and Don had me on the sticks at 311 yards. The shot was good and the 212 ELDX dropped the animal on the spot.
Just on dusk Don & X locate a fine Impala Ram, believe it or not 311 yards again, only this time I took the shot prone. The 212 ELDX again resulted in an animal dropped on the spot.
The next morning we were to make our back to Woodvale, but only after Don took us to view the "bushman paintings" potentially 15k years old, amazing!
Warthogs next. I was lucky enough to snag a good one with .416 Rigby. My son also snagged two warthogs, a management sow and a trophy for a friend at home.
The following morning we tripped of to "Mountaintop" for Kudu, an amazing property. I missed a good bull at 445 yards, shot high, it was a prone shot and within seconds I was dealing with a swarm of tiny red ants on my and a cactus paddle...no excuses !
Around an hour later, another chance, 438 yards, my confidence is down, but I said to Don I can make the shot, again prone I touch off and it looks high again, I am shattered. Then X mentions to Don, he thinks I have hit it as it had not exited the patch it should have had I missed. We zoom in and sure enough had made a hit. Don assures me its a strong chance we'd get it. My son interestingly had said earlier he thought he had heard the bullet strike. What seemed like and hour and in traditional language, X calls Don on the radio, I wait fearing the worst, Don then proceeds to say they have found it and it was down, I'd clipped the top of both lunds, it had gone maybe 10 yards.
Recovery
Kudu Wound 212 ELDX at 438 yards....a little high, but these pills saved my bacon a couple of times I think.
The final hunt, despite trying unsuccessfully for Baboon on the final night was a two nice Blesbok rams, one for my son and one for me. My son claimed his at 308 yards on last light. I managed to get mine earlier at a little over 200 yards if I recall correctly. A memory we will both always remember, I was so proud of my amazing son, the way he carried himself and his shot execution over the course of the trip.
Last day was a trip to the game reserve with John aka Firebird who we shared camp with, great company.
I wont bore you with the trip home...200km car ride at 3.30am followed by three flights and a bus ride, we were both exhausted by the time we got home.
But we are keen to head back in a couple of years.
