raybiologist
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Last month, July 2-9, 2025, I experienced the hunting adventure of a lifetime with Elephant Trails Safaris. It was my first safari to Africa and of the many countries that offer cape buffalo hunting, I feel extremely fortunate to have chosen Zimbabwe; I was equally fortunate to have booked my hunt with Elephant Trails Safaris where I was guided by Professional Hunter (PH) named Shingi. The hunting camp struck a perfect balance between providing the creature comforts of nice beds, private bathrooms with hot showers, delicious meals prepared by an amazing chef, etc., with the authentic primitive experience of camping at the edge of a wild river, sleeping in native rock built round cabins/huts with authentic grass roofs, outdoor fireplaces, and hearing hyenas, elephants, and even lions "talking" during the nights. The hunting areas were phenomenally wild and expansive; there were no adjacent ranch-lands, boundary fences, artificially constructed water developments, feeding stations, man-made observation platforms, and/or selective breeding, etc., etc., that has become quite common to some other African countries.
Shingi, along with his entire staff made the entire 7-day hunting experience a joy beyond my expectations. My wife accompanied me as an observer and she was treated as "one of the hunters"! On the 5th day of my hunt Shingi and his two main trackers identified the tracks of two dugga boys less than 30-minutes after leaving camp at sunrise. After tracking these old bulls for less than an hour, Shingi suddenly propped up the shooting sticks and waved for me to quickly set my rifle atop the sticks while he pointed out the feeding bull in thick cover about 40-50 yards in front of us. At the instant the bull turned broadside he whispered...:shoot"! After a short chase and several follow-up shots we all stood in awe of a magnificent trophy bull with deep curling horns, huge boss, and taped spread of almost 42-inches. As a career wildlife biologist, life-long hunter, and outdoorsman, I strongly endorse and unequivocally recommend that ANYONE seeking to experience a truly wild/authentic experience of hunting in Africa, it doesn't get any better than Elephant Trails Safari in remote Zimbabwe.
Shingi, along with his entire staff made the entire 7-day hunting experience a joy beyond my expectations. My wife accompanied me as an observer and she was treated as "one of the hunters"! On the 5th day of my hunt Shingi and his two main trackers identified the tracks of two dugga boys less than 30-minutes after leaving camp at sunrise. After tracking these old bulls for less than an hour, Shingi suddenly propped up the shooting sticks and waved for me to quickly set my rifle atop the sticks while he pointed out the feeding bull in thick cover about 40-50 yards in front of us. At the instant the bull turned broadside he whispered...:shoot"! After a short chase and several follow-up shots we all stood in awe of a magnificent trophy bull with deep curling horns, huge boss, and taped spread of almost 42-inches. As a career wildlife biologist, life-long hunter, and outdoorsman, I strongly endorse and unequivocally recommend that ANYONE seeking to experience a truly wild/authentic experience of hunting in Africa, it doesn't get any better than Elephant Trails Safari in remote Zimbabwe.
to AH. Congratulations on a great safari. Would be great to see some pics
