SOUTH AFRICA: Spear Safaris - Greater Kruger / North Limpopo

[etsonaut]

This will be a timeline chronicle of our recently completed safari with Ernest Dyason of Spear Safaris. We spent 10 amazing days hunting in Greater Kruger (Klaserie and Umbabat) and North Limpopo.

Hunters: Eddie Triplett (me)
Colton Triplett
Samuel Triplett

Outfitter: @Spear Safaris - Ernest Dyason / Marita Dyason
PH's: Ernest Dyason / Dean Balantyne
Videographer: Frank Dyason - Safari On Film
Trackers: John, Phineous, Reflex, Samson
Camp Cook: Cecelia

Weapons: Me - Mauser M98 in 375 H&H / Kahles 1-8x24 / Remington Safari Swift A-Frame 300 Grain / Barnes Banded Solid 300 Grain
Colton & Sam - Blaser R8's in 375 H&H / Blaser 1-6x24 / Barnes TSX 300 Grain / Barnes Banded Solid 300 Grain
Shared PG Gun - Steyr SM12 Full stock 30-06 / Leupold VX6 2-12x42 / Swift A-Frame 180 Grain
(I also took my Dakota Model 10 30-06 which traveled in the same case as my Mauser but upon testing at camp one, was off significantly. I began working on it at camp two and eventually got it right but I didn't have the confidence to use it on game. All PG was take with either one of the 375's other the Steyr which all performed flawlessly with one exception on an Impala which was actually operator error by me but that is a story for another post.)


And we are off…
6/10/2026

Our driver hauled Colton, Sam and me uneventfully from Chattanooga to Atlanta with a brief Buccee’s stopover and deposited us at the Delta terminal for International travel at 7:00 PM. After check in and clearing security, we settled in to the Delta Sky Club for a couple hours before our 10:20 flight (DL200) to Johannesburg. We were seated in the last row of Premium Select. Two aisle seats and one window. The flight was long and started with two upset and vocal little boys in the first row behind the Premium Select divider. It was a rough start but they settled in quickly and were shockingly quite good for the full flight. I watched movies, read and slept to pass the time. The wheels touched down in darkness in JoBerg some 16 hours after takeoff. Leave in darkness, arrive in darkness the next day. The longest flight of my life was complete.

We were met by a nice representative from Africa Sky who shepherded us through baggage claim, customs and firearm retrieval. I would highly recommend their VIP arrival service. Great for African travel rookies like us. Africa Sky representatives then provided transport to their beautiful lodge for one overnight stay.

Dinner was amazing and new friends were made around the dinner table. Including one from Memphis that I almost knew already through common acquaintances. He was in Africa for the first time as well and was headed to Botswana for an elephant hunt. We exchanged numbers and committed to staying in touch with hunt updates.

Once dinner was done, we settled in to get some sleep. The transport driver scheduled to take us to camp in Klaserie was to arrive at 8:00. Time to rest.

 

[etsonaut]

JoBerg to Camp One
6/12/2026

The Africa Sky breakfast was exactly like dinner. Excellent.

Following breakfast, I gathered my bags, moved them to the lobby and took a few pictures of the lodge as we waited for the arrival of our driver. As a side note, Africa Sky keeps your firearms and any other baggage you request locked in a safe during your stay. I can highly recommend the services provided by Africa Sky. We utilized their overnight lodging, airport VIP arrival and their firearm permitting service. Well worth the money, especially for African rookies such as us.

We departed Africa Sky at 8:00 AM sharp driven by a very kind and knowledgeable gentleman named Mark. This transport was arranged through our outfitter Spear Safaris.

Let me have a sidebar here for a brief moment. As a first timer on safari, Ernest and Marita of Spear Safaris and Dawn of Africa Sky have been amazing all the way from the beginning stages of planning right up until now. The communication has been informative and timely and has made what seemed a daunting planning process quite simple. So far, I would highly recommend both.

We had the option of a short connecting flight Hoedspruit where we would met by Ernest and taken to camp or a 5.5 hour ride with a private driver. I opted for the drive thinking that my sons and I would have the opportunity to see more of the country this way.

Along the way, the conversation with our driver Mark was polite, informative, engaging and just enough.

Here are my observations from the drive and the perspective of someone who has no experience or real knowledge of South Africa as a country:

I was shocked by how many people are walking/hitchhiking along the roads in a difficult effort to move through the country. They generally have no fear of or respect for traffic flow. We almost hit a man crossing what I would call an interstate in the darkness last night between the airport and Africa Sky.

As an American car dealer, seeing the many different brands and models of vehicles sold and driven in South Africa was entertaining. My feeling is that many of these would be tremendously successful in the US if they were available. The most notable examples being the Toyota Hilux, all of the Land Cruiser variations and the VW Amarock pickup. It also is apparent that Ford does very well with the South African version of the Ranger.

Coal is king in South Africa. The power plants on the landscape are many and enormous. The double-trailer coal hauler trucks that keep the plants running own the roads.

The further you get from Johannesburg, the more beautiful the countryside becomes. It reminded me of many different parts of the US in its diversity. Out my window I saw landscapes reminiscent of the Midwest, the Great Plains, Northern Arizona and the Southeast with rolling hills adorned with corn fields and woodlots, planted pine forests, beautiful mountains, flowing rivers, mountain trout streams, massive citrus groves and an incredible, rugged mountain range as we neared Greater Kruger.

I was most surprised by the mountain landscape. We made a stop in a quaint mountain village called Dullstroom. It is a beautiful little place with a deep rooted trout fishing culture and a wealth of fishing lodges. I could have spent significant time there had we not had buffalo to chase.

The landscape around Johannesberg is devoid of large game outside of fenced private properties. As a US resident I am very accustomed to viewing wildlife along the roadside and seeing the roadkill related to free roaming wildlife. We saw none. Zero. This didn’t change until the last 10 minutes of the trip with the exception of a couple zebras in a small enclosure and an ostrich behind a high fence and hour or so before arrival at our destination.

The roads are generally horrible. Our driver, Mark, was quite serious about dodging every pothole along the route, regardless of speed or traffic. I was not surprised by the aggression shown on the roads as this seems to be commonplace in most other countries except the US. US drivers are amateurs at aggressive driving by comparison. I like to complain about the road conditions in my home state of Tennessee. As I was taught at a young age, complaining is not a positive change strategy. Following this half day journey, I have decided that I will try to be better. At least in this respect.

When we made our final turn onto the road where this (driving) adventure would end and a new adventure would begin, Sam saw our first wild African wildlife. Two giraffes, towering above the landscape behind the roadside fences of Timbavati. I missed them somehow but did see a Warthog sow and two piglets shortly thereafter along the road and outside the fence. Africa was real now.

Mark delivered us to Ernest and his other PH, Dean, just outside the Klaserie gate weary of travel but on time and unscathed. We moved our gear, said goodbye to Mark and began the short drive to camp. Along the way we saw hippos, elephants and numerous plains game species. Ernest filled me in on the details of the reserve and pointed out the woodland carnage caused by elephants. The boys rode with Dean and got the same.

Upon arrival at camp, we were greeted by Marita, Frank and the camp staff with the traditional and refreshing citrus welcome drink. We also met Robin, a Klaserie Ranger who would be with us this evening in camp.

After settling in the unexpected and shockingly beautiful and luxurious private Camp Elgin, we went out to shoot the rifles and take a sundowner drive.

I am happy to report that the Buffalo rifles survived the travel with only one small adjustment needed on Sam’s gun. So far, so good.

The sundowner drive was nothing short of amazing for a group of lifelong Tennessee boys. We saw Impala, Giraffes, Elephants, Kudu, Monkeys, a Jackal, Bushbuck and most importantly Buffalo. Specifically two lone bulls in the Klaserie river bottom. After glassing them individually and extensively it was decided that the first one was exactly what we are looking for and the other, although quite big, was not of the age class we are hunting. Further sightings of the second bull revealed the reason for his solitary existence while still in the prime age class of his life. He was nursing a broken left front leg.

The decision was made to return to that area in the coming morning and try to find the first bull.

The drive back to camp in the fading light was magical. The property was alive. Game was everywhere. Africa is real and this is real Africa as I imagined.

Upon arrival back at camp, we freshened up and went to the main lodge building where we did the one thing which had prompted the most anticipation for me. We sat around an African campfire and took in the evening sounds prior to dinner. The hustle of travel washed away.

Cecelia is the cook for Spear Safaris. If tonight is any indication, dinners will be amazing. Now, back to that campfire for a bit and off to bed.
Tomorrow the hunt begins.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

Well done, and sounds like a great start! Ready for more….

 

[WMU05]

Great start! There is nothing like the first time...

 

[migrabill]

You sound very close to where I will be in 2028. I fly into Hoedspruit from JoBurg and am hunting 20 minutes from Kruger. In a town called Phalaborwa with Timbila Game Lodge.

 

[etsonaut]

Klaserie Buffalo Hunting
6/13/1026

7:00 AM Camp Departure.

Sam is on the gun first, we are in search of the old Buffalo bull we saw last night at dusk along the Klaserie River.

By 8 AM we’ve seen Zebra, herds of Impala, a dozen or more Giraffes, an Elephant bull, a Rhino bull, a Hyena and now we have just seen an elusive Bushbuck.

What a start to day one!

So far the “photo safari” is mind blowing. Once the rifles come out, things will ramp up a notch.

A Klipspringer was spotted across the river but I didn’t see it. Also another Bushbuck at 8:30.

And just like that, around 9:30 AM, we spotted the old solitary bull from last night in the tall grass of the river bottom. A short stalk and the bull was down for good with one shot from Sam’s Blaser 375 and the Barnes TSX. Wow. That happened fast!

There was no tracking. But, things got interesting for other reasons. Wading across the Klaserie River immediately following a discussion with the Klaserie Ranger regarding the presence of crocodiles was not in our plans but the bull went down where he was shot and that happened to be below a steep bluff across the river. You go where you have to go in such circumstances. After the crossing, one insurance shot made sure the deal was truly closed.

What an amazing ancient warrior. Beautiful. Old. Scarred. Battle worn. At some point, the lions had even surgically removed his entire tail.

(We got these photos back a few days later after the bull had been processed.)..

The celebration was immediately followed by a combination of PH determination, ingenuity and problem solving as Ernest, Dean and the crew worked to make the recovery.

This effort included showcasing the capabilities of two Toyota Land Cruisers, which was special since I am in the Toyota business. (I most certainly need one of these amazing machines.) One was used to ford the river and winch the bull to an island in the center where he was loaded for the sketchy trip back to the other side and higher ground.

This afternoon we saw many more assorted animals but the overall activity was slower than the morning.

We did find a herd of buffalo with multiple cows, calves and young bulls. There was one bull with the herd that had the attitude, stature and bosses of an old bull but we passed on him because he was quite narrow.

Later in the day we located the other bull we had seen last evening along the river. He was basically in the same place. This bull is very wide but a bit young and below standards. As we watched him, we determined that he has a broken front leg. This is likely the reason he was still in that same area. He will almost certainly be taken by lions in the near future. It’s a rough life out there.

The balance of the afternoon was uneventful and we arrived back in camp just at sunset. Now, a quick clean up and off to the fire pit before dinner. We had Sable stew for dinner. Outstanding!

Tomorrow brings another opportunity. Colton is the shooter.

 

[etsonaut]

You sound very close to where I will be in 2028. I fly into Hoedspruit from JoBurg and am hunting 20 minutes from Kruger. In a town called Phalaborwa with Timbila Game Lodge.

I feel like we may have seen that from the road.

 

[Hunt anything]

Looks great so far!! I’ll sit down and read it more thoroughly when I get time.

 

[etsonaut]

Looks great so far!! I’ll sit down and read it more thoroughly when I get time.

Thank you!

 

[bwanamrm]

Nice report so far. I took my first buffalo many years ago in that same area. Ernest is one of the good ones! You made a great choice in booking with Spear... and it's always great experiencing a first timer's safari through their eyes. Just remember to save a bit of time for Dullstrom next go-around. A fun little town! And that fly shop has some great leather goods as well!

 

[etsonaut]

Nice report so far. I took my first buffalo many years ago in that same area. Ernest is one of the good ones! You made a great choice in booking with Spear... and it's always great experiencing a first timer's safari through their eyes. Just remember to save a bit of time for Dullstrom next go-around. A fun little town! And that fly shop has some great leather goods as well!

Thank you! I agree 100% with you on Ernest and on spending a little time in Dullstroom. I would like to catch a South African trout. Just because.

 

[Tucketed]

Eddie, Following for more.

 

[Hunt anything]

Great report, congratulations to your son a fabulous old buffalo!!

 

[rafter3]

Was in the same spot with Ernest and crew last year. My wife and I had an amazing hunt!! We will return one day after we check some more bucket list hunts off with Ernest (Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tanzania masailand, and probably Mozambique). Congrats on great hunt and excellent write up.

 

[PARA45]

What a great report, and beautiful old Buffalo. Keep it coming, anxiously waiting for more.

 

[etsonaut]

New Territory - New Shooter
6/14/2026

Sam connected yesterday with an amazing bull. Colton is up today.

It is exceptionally calm this AM. Even last night around the fire was eerily quiet. The forecast today calls for calmer, cooler weather. My forecast calls for Buffalo.

We are headed for new country in the Northeastern block of Klaserie.

After the customary Baobab Tree photo in route to the new area, we began to see everything but buffalo. Elephant, Impala, Kudu, Steenbok, Hyena x2. , Snake Eagle, Zebra, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Warthog, Crocodile and Hippos. Everything but Buffalo.

Around 10:00 our luck changed. A lone bull in a Donga. Stalk-able. Or so we thought. Killable. Colton grabbed his rifle and away we went.

As we moved in on the bull, we realized that he was one of a herd of 80+. Eyes and noses everywhere. Swirling winds. We were close. They moved. We moved in close again they moved. This cat and mouse took place for two hours when the decision was made by Ernest to pull away, have lunch and let them settle.

Lunch took about 45 minutes and we were off again. We picked up the trail again, got the wind right and sent our tracker in front. We caught up to them after 45 minutes of brisk walking. Unfortunately, we bumped them, again. But gently. This went on over and over again for the next two hours with literal miles being covered as we tracked and followed the cloud of dust.

During this time Colton was on the sticks 3-4 times. The call not to shoot either made by him, the bulls, the PH or the Klaserie Ranger.

Finally just before 3:00, a shooter, the shooter, turned to face his pursuers. Colton took a frontal shot just as the bull turned away. The pursuit was short and the finishing shot was taken. Another Klaserie trophy bull down. Two days. Two bulls.

After the long ride back to camp, we had an amazing dinner featuring chicken fried Zebra cutlets.

Now it’s off to bed for much needed rest before my Buffalo hunt begins tomorrow.

Two beautiful Klaserie bulls in the salt in two days. Tomorrow morning we are off to Umbabat to begin my hunt.

 

[Hombre]

Thank you for the pics of Africa Sky! It has been a few years since there but one of my favorite stops. Brings back fond memories.
Also, your observation of the Toyota Land cruiser was similar to mine from Botswana in 1988. So much so that almost 25 years later I imported one from Australia and rebuilt it. Been a toyota fan since 1980 when I bought a HiLux here in Texas.
Thanks for the story!!!!!

 

[etsonaut]

Thank you for the pics of Africa Sky! It has been a few years since there but one of my favorite stops. Brings back fond memories.
Also, your observation of the Toyota Land cruiser was similar to mine from Botswana in 1988. So much so that almost 25 years later I imported one from Australia and rebuilt it. Been a toyota fan since 1980 when I bought a HiLux here in Texas.
Thanks for the story!!!!!

Glad you enjoyed it.

 

[V.Veritas]

Excellent report. Keep it coming.

 

[AZDAVE]

Congratulations to both hunters, on their buff's.

The amazing part of your first safari is everything in new. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a new place in a different part of the world.

Have talked with Ernest at SCI a few times and he i on our short list for a safari in the future.

With you being in the car/truck industry you might have better luck talking Toyota into bringing the Hilux with a diesel to the US, there are a fair number of us that would buy one. I looked at what it would take to convert a older Toyota pickup to a BT 4 cummings. Would be much easier to the ability to just buy a toyota with their diesel!!!