For those that have hunted Dande with CMS

[Russ16]

We are headed out in a week for our first safari. Headed to Dande with CMS for Buffalo and staying in the Mururu camp.

I’m basically already packed but have two questions that I’m still not sure about.

1. What can I expect the low temperatures to be? I’ve been watching the weather or in the closest places I can find in Zim and Zambia. It looks like lows in the 50s. But I’ve watched some of the TAA videos and people are quite bundled up. Anyone that has been there in early August I’d like to hear your experience.

2. I’m pretty comfortable with the tipping amounts for the PH and trackers etc. what I’m not sure about is how many others there might be in camp, cooks, waiters, helpers or whatever. If you hunted Dande with CMS how many people were there in camp to tip? I’d like to avoid taking a bunch of cash I don’t need but also don’t want to be short and look like a cheap skate.

Any other tips from those who’ve been to Dande greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[375Fox]

If you type in Mushumbi Pools on Google. It’ll give you the weather. Looks like 50/60 in morning and 90 in day. It gets hot by mid-morning when sun comes up. The valley is low elevation and hotter than other parts of Zimbabwe. You’ll have 2 trackers, a driver, a cook, a waiter, a skinner, a skinner assistant, a community game scout, and a government game scout. Mururu is their smaller camp and most central. I like it best.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I’m on little actual help…haven’t hunted with CMS or in Dande…yet. Mostly just dropping in to say I’m jealous…and for a very first safari, fear you may even miss how amazing of a trip it was in comparison. But also smart to do it right, even from the start.

For general rule, best answer here is ask your outfitter/ph. If you’ll trust them with your overall life, safety, daily hunt and everything else, should be able to trust them on tip suggestions for camp staff and the like.

Some places put all camp staff together and have a generalized split between them. Some do kitchen/linen folks, those in the skinning shed, those on the truck. I’d check in and ask them. Guarantee you they will not be offended and have been asked a number of times before…and can tell you how they typically structure it.

And totally fine to want to hand each person your tip directly if preferred. I’d bring some envelopes if you would like to hand directly. A couple/few is never a bad idea in case you ended up wanting to hand one or two individual folks something additional over their typical split if they do that.

Have a blast and please give us all an update on how you enjoy it.

 

[Hannay]

I've hunted twice with CMS in Dande in 2022 and 2024; both times in the first half of July. From the last time in 2024, when I hunted out of Matombo Camp on the Zambezi, besides the PH, I tipped: two trackers, the driver, the parks ranger, the communal game scout, the cook, two waiters, the skinner, the staff member handling the boilers and wood, and the "boat guy". You might want to tip the staff member taking you to/from the airport.

I didn't stay in Mururu, but IIRC it has a reputation for being cold at night. I was only there mid-day on both trips and it was certainly warm by then.

Feel free to send me a DM if you have more questions.

 

[meigsbucks]

Contact the PH and find out how many staff members there will be and their positions.

 

[Cls.44]

@Russ16 I'll be headed to Dande in September for my first trip, and I'm curious how far ahead of time your camp was determined? And if you know yet who your ph will be? I'm getting more excited each week and getting antsy to find out the details, but hate to badger Lynn lol

 

[Russ16]

@Russ16 I'll be headed to Dande in September for my first trip, and I'm curious how far ahead of time your camp was determined? And if you know yet who your ph will be? I'm getting more excited each week and getting antsy to find out the details, but hate to badger Lynn lol

We discussed camps when I booked it last year. It is my brother and I and they said we would have the camp to ourselves.

I was supposed to have Dean Kendall. But he injured his shoulder on a hunt a couple of weeks ago and isn’t ready to go yet so they switched me to Gareth Lecluse. He’s younger but was an apprentice in camo when a friend of mine hunted with them years ago. My friend said he was a great guy. Gareth also guides in some other countries like Uganda and Congo so he’ll be interesting to talk to.

 

[Cls.44]

We discussed camps when I booked it last year. It is my brother and I and they said we would have the camp to ourselves.

I was supposed to have Dean Kendall. But he injured his shoulder on a hunt a couple of weeks ago and isn’t ready to go yet so they switched me to Gareth Lecluse. He’s younger but was an apprentice in camo when a friend of mine hunted with them years ago. My friend said he was a great guy. Gareth also guides in some other countries like Uganda and Congo so he’ll be interesting to talk to.

Thank you! Good luck and enjoy!

 

[WAB]

I have hunted out of Maruru. You will need a jacket at night. If you ride up top the cruiser will be cold in the morning. Tipping is your call. I tend to be generous, a little to us is a lot to them. Maruru is probably the best of all my safaris. Enjoy and please share lots of pics with your report.

 

[Adam Stevens]

Enjoy and can't wait, hopefully you post a report after.

My hunt with Buzz, I just told him how much I had for him and how much for everyone. And Buzz very nicely figured that out and told me how much to give to everyone. I was supposed to be Mururu but a cancellation moved me to Nyakasanga. Love the valley.

I didn't pack a jacket but morning rides in back of truck were chilly. I laughed at the trackers all bundled up, vs me in shorts coming from Canada lol

 

[SWS1]

I’m doing my first African rifle hunt with them too but in October in Dande
Was meant to have David Mann but been transferred to Gareth and out of the Pedza Camp.
Can not wait. Gareth comes very highly recommended but from what I have heard you can’t go wrong with any of the CMS guides

 

[Altitude sickness]

Russ, after the initial fury of introductions of staff. When time permits, put notes in your phone or on a pad of paper. Each person‘s name and how to phonetically say it correctly in your native tongue. Next to their job title so you learn to say their names instead of referring to the driver as the driver.

The PH appreciates the effort and respect to his hand picked team.

 

[Charlie64]

.

Russ16, Enjoy your hunt! I hunted Dande a while back with Buzz out of Matombo camp for buff with my wife. The team was two trackers, driver, cook, waiter / steward, skinner, gardener & a game scout plus Buzz. On the last evening after dinner Buzz called everyone over for a thank you, a hand shake & tips. His comment was that they like it that way & it was good to shake everyones hand & thank them for their effort & help. It was good.

Hope to read your hunt report !

Cheers

.

 

[Doug3006]

I hunted Dande in 2021. The other posts offered great advice. All I have to add is, you will have the time of your life!

 

[Philip Glass]

We are headed out in a week for our first safari. Headed to Dande with CMS for Buffalo and staying in the Mururu camp.

I’m basically already packed but have two questions that I’m still not sure about.

1. What can I expect the low temperatures to be? I’ve been watching the weather or in the closest places I can find in Zim and Zambia. It looks like lows in the 50s. But I’ve watched some of the TAA videos and people are quite bundled up. Anyone that has been there in early August I’d like to hear your experience.

2. I’m pretty comfortable with the tipping amounts for the PH and trackers etc. what I’m not sure about is how many others there might be in camp, cooks, waiters, helpers or whatever. If you hunted Dande with CMS how many people were there in camp to tip? I’d like to avoid taking a bunch of cash I don’t need but also don’t want to be short and look like a cheap skate.

Any other tips from those who’ve been to Dande greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I can't answer the tip situation with CMS but typical weather there in August will be jackets when the sun is down but pleasant days. Are you planning to sit in blinds late into the night? I've been I the Zambezi Valley in August many times and it has not been particularly cold. I'll take some layers just in case. The lightweight wool base layers go most everywhere with me whether I use them or not. Bottom line is I'll be in shorts but have my Sitka Mountain jacket with me close by. Be prepared but it's not likely to be bitter cold.

 

[Philip Glass]

If you type in Mushumbi Pools on Google. It’ll give you the weather. Looks like 50/60 in morning and 90 in day. It gets hot by mid-morning when sun comes up. The valley is low elevation and hotter than other parts of Zimbabwe. You’ll have 2 trackers, a driver, a cook, a waiter, a skinner, a skinner assistant, a community game scout, and a government game scout. Mururu is their smaller camp and most central. I like it best.

What he said. You always have a better answer than I do. I'm just like "take a jacket for night time and all will be well"!

 

[Rare Breed]

If you type in Mushumbi Pools on Google. It’ll give you the weather. Looks like 50/60 in morning and 90 in day. It gets hot by mid-morning when sun comes up. The valley is low elevation and hotter than other parts of Zimbabwe. You’ll have 2 trackers, a driver, a cook, a waiter, a skinner, a skinner assistant, a community game scout, and a government game scout. Mururu is their smaller camp and most central. I like it best.

Also just ask Buzz how many of his team doing what for you since you don’t want to leave anyone out…he will appreciate that so you have the cash before you leave

 

[Russ16]

No bli

I can't answer the tip situation with CMS but typical weather there in August will be jackets when the sun is down but pleasant days. Are you planning to sit in blinds late into the night? I've been I the Zambezi Valley in August many times and it has not been particularly cold. I'll take some layers just in case. The lightweight wool base layers go most everywhere with me whether I use them or not. Bottom line is I'll be in shorts but have my Sitka Mountain jacket with me close by. Be prepared but it's not likely to be bitter cold.

No blinds. Just buffalo and sable and my primary species.

Thanks to all for the feedback.