PARA45
AH ambassador
While I was waiting for my safari on the Eastern Cape, @DE KLERK SAFARIS posted a special on a lioness hunt. The price was too good to pass, and I asked my biggest fan and financial advisor (wife), if she was ok with me adding this hunt to the already booked hunt I had. I explained to her that there were no additional airfares to worry about, or additional expenses beside the hunt. The first words out of her mouth were, where the f*ck are we going to put a lioness in the house? I busted laughing, because she was the one who said I had too much empty wall space but was worried about where I was going to put this lioness. I explained to her that I couldn't bring it home, and that opened up another can of worms. After some explaining and back and forth, she said it was cool for me to hunt a lioness. I was thrilled to say the least.
I booked my hunt with Hand, and I sent him a deposit. OMG, I'm booked for a lioness hunt. I really need to practice, and be good with my 375 H&H, there is no room for error or poor marksmanship when you are on the ground hunting one of these big predators.
On 4 Jun my safari was over on the Eastern Cape, and it was time to fly out on Air Link. I got to the Joburg, and the driver from Africa Sky was waiting for me just outside of the secure area. A quick 10 min drive and I was at Africa Sky. Gilbert was there to greet me, and to offer his assistance if I needed anything. I checked in and ask if Mr. De Klerks was here already, and I was told that he was in his room. I was hungry and got a ham sandwich with fries and a coke.
I had been in touch with one of our South African members, and we agreed to mee at Africa Sky. So, I finally met @Paul Raley, we had been chatting for quite some time, and it was time. We met, Paul drank some tea, while I smoked a cigar and we talked about everything, life, hunt, guns, conservation, etc, etc. Had a lovely visit with Paul, and we said our goodbyes.
I'm sitting on one of the tables finishing my cigar, when I see this tall individual looking around and asking questions in Afrikaans. I'v3e never seen Hans, so I don't have the slightest clue of what he looks like. He passes by me three time, and he stops by the signs with our names on them and ask someone if I was Oscar. I hear my name, and I say "Hans?" and he turns around and walks my way. We introduced ourselves, and he sat next to me, and we chatted for a bit.
Around dinner time my stomach was a mess, and I barely ate my dinner. While we were sitting outside, I mentioned to Hans that I was not feeling well, and that I thought I had either a stomach bug, or food poisoning. He asked me what I had to eat, and mentioned the ham sandwich, and he said that for sure that's what was causing my discomfort. By this time, I had gone to the restroom half a dozen time, and I didn't think I was going to be able to make the 8-hour drive to the Kalahari. So, Hans gets up and go asking around to see if there was any medication to give me. I usually bring stuff, and I had forgotten the Alka Zeltser. Thank God there was a doc in the house, a gentleman from TX, and he gave me some over the counter meds. I excused myself and went to bed. My night was sh*tty, seating, and with a bad stomachache. So, I barely slept that night.
I woke up the next day feeling better, but tired as hell from the lack of sleep. I only had toast and coffee for breakfast, and we got ready for our long drive to the Kalahari. We got on the road, and 8 hours later, we arrived at the lodge. One of the staff grabs my gear and takes it to my Chalet, and I meet Heidi who is the camp chef. We meet shortly after to make sure my rifle still holding zero after all this traveling. We do some minor adjustments, and we are good to go. Hans had warned me that Frikkie my new PH was a bit of a joker and loved to joke around. Well, he didn't know that he had met his match.
The entrance.
Inside my chalet:
I booked my hunt with Hand, and I sent him a deposit. OMG, I'm booked for a lioness hunt. I really need to practice, and be good with my 375 H&H, there is no room for error or poor marksmanship when you are on the ground hunting one of these big predators.
On 4 Jun my safari was over on the Eastern Cape, and it was time to fly out on Air Link. I got to the Joburg, and the driver from Africa Sky was waiting for me just outside of the secure area. A quick 10 min drive and I was at Africa Sky. Gilbert was there to greet me, and to offer his assistance if I needed anything. I checked in and ask if Mr. De Klerks was here already, and I was told that he was in his room. I was hungry and got a ham sandwich with fries and a coke.
I had been in touch with one of our South African members, and we agreed to mee at Africa Sky. So, I finally met @Paul Raley, we had been chatting for quite some time, and it was time. We met, Paul drank some tea, while I smoked a cigar and we talked about everything, life, hunt, guns, conservation, etc, etc. Had a lovely visit with Paul, and we said our goodbyes.
I'm sitting on one of the tables finishing my cigar, when I see this tall individual looking around and asking questions in Afrikaans. I'v3e never seen Hans, so I don't have the slightest clue of what he looks like. He passes by me three time, and he stops by the signs with our names on them and ask someone if I was Oscar. I hear my name, and I say "Hans?" and he turns around and walks my way. We introduced ourselves, and he sat next to me, and we chatted for a bit.
Around dinner time my stomach was a mess, and I barely ate my dinner. While we were sitting outside, I mentioned to Hans that I was not feeling well, and that I thought I had either a stomach bug, or food poisoning. He asked me what I had to eat, and mentioned the ham sandwich, and he said that for sure that's what was causing my discomfort. By this time, I had gone to the restroom half a dozen time, and I didn't think I was going to be able to make the 8-hour drive to the Kalahari. So, Hans gets up and go asking around to see if there was any medication to give me. I usually bring stuff, and I had forgotten the Alka Zeltser. Thank God there was a doc in the house, a gentleman from TX, and he gave me some over the counter meds. I excused myself and went to bed. My night was sh*tty, seating, and with a bad stomachache. So, I barely slept that night.
I woke up the next day feeling better, but tired as hell from the lack of sleep. I only had toast and coffee for breakfast, and we got ready for our long drive to the Kalahari. We got on the road, and 8 hours later, we arrived at the lodge. One of the staff grabs my gear and takes it to my Chalet, and I meet Heidi who is the camp chef. We meet shortly after to make sure my rifle still holding zero after all this traveling. We do some minor adjustments, and we are good to go. Hans had warned me that Frikkie my new PH was a bit of a joker and loved to joke around. Well, he didn't know that he had met his match.
The entrance.
Inside my chalet:
… I know how pumped you were for this hunt!
