Pblaine
AH member
Preface:
I initially contact Marius at @KMG Hunting Safaris in June of 2021. Due to ongoing COVID issues I decided to schedule for May of 2023 with anticipation that the virus would be under control. My wife had decided to not accompany me so my neighbor and hunting partner decided he would go along. Our hunt would be for ten days starting on May 20, 2023. My list initially was: Kudu, Bushbuck, Impala, Warthog, Blue Wildebeest and Fallow Deer. The Fallow was changed to a Nyala, as Marius said there may be extra travel time for the Fallow. This would change when I arrived at camp after conversation with Marius and our PH Nick. My partner’s list included Kudu, Impala and Springbuck.
On December 17th, almost exactly 5 months before departure, my life changed. I fell from a roof and suffered multiple fractures of both heels. Surgery followed two days later with screws holding the bone together and everything realigned. The first question I asked my surgeon was if I would be able to walk in time for my trip. He said that if everything went well I would be walking but cautioned, and I have learned, this is a slow healing injury and it will take one or two years to heal completely. I used this as motivation. I was confined to a wheelchair until March 20th.With two months to go I joined a gym to try any machines that were non weight bearing but would help me get some conditioning. My surgeon said my healing was on schedule so I contacted Marius and let him know of my injury and that I anticipated being able to walk no more than two miles per day and would have difficulty on rough terrain. He assured me that this would work and that they would adjust to my capabilities.
Travel:
Travel began on May 18th and I was concerned about how much walking and standing would be needed. I had walked as much as three miles on level ground in a day up to this point but standing for any extended period of time was quite painful. The day began with a United flight from Burlington VT to Dulles, then transfer to Ethiopian Air to Addis Ethiopia then Johannesburg. We would fly Airlink from Johannesburg to East London where we would spend the night and be picked up at 10am on the 20th. My partner had found a deal on the business class tickets on Ethiopian air and this turned out to be a great decision. I was able to put my feet up and rest which would have been impossible in economy.
Day 1:
We were picked up by Marius as scheduled at 10am. We stopped for milkshakes which I had heard much about and were on our way to camp! Travel was about an hour to Outspan Camp which was picturesque. Here we met our PH Nick. After lunch we were able to shoot the 308 rifle we would be using for the hunt. After a few shots we were off for the rest of the day to a nearby property. I was up first. I was anxious to see how I would manage the terrain. The first walk was short but was a test for me. I needed to go much slower than anticipated and I now found how hard it was going to be to stand for any period of time. We watched a female warthog for a while and then a female Bushbuck browsed in the area. Suddenly Nick said get on the sticks. It was a Bushbuck! I was on the sticks but was not able to get on target. My footing was not sureand I was having difficulty standing and sighting. Finally I found the Bushbuck and fired. The Bushbuck dropped but was back up. I was back on it for a second shot that felt much better than the first. Nick was shaking and telling me that it was a very mature animal. Into the Bakkie and across a deep stream to the Bushbuck we went. The Bushbuck was incredible. First afternoon and first game on salt.
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