ZIMBABWE: My 21 Day Safari With Charlton McCallum Safaris & A Pair Of Double Rifles

[meigsbucks]

You got your tuskless. Your recapping of miles walked and what you did right and what you would change were very informative.

 

[TwoTracks]

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful adventure. I think my favorite part was the visit from Kevin P. Great hunt.

 

[Riksa]

Thank you for sharing the story with us. I truly enjoyed reading it. What will you go after (and where( next?

 

[edward]

enjoyed every moment of your hunt,especially the wine.

 

[Randy Bo]

Thank you for sharing.

 

[Huntndog]

Thanks for sharing your hunt! I enjoyed reading the day to day progress.
Your travel tips are helpful as well!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

A grand safari for sure and an equally grand report documenting the adventure. Thanks @Tanks !

 

[gillettehunter]

A most excellent hunt and report. I'm sorry to see it end. I'd say you had a great hunt with some wonderful memories. Congrats
Bruce

 

[buck wild]

Pics of said girlfriend required

 

[Tanks]

Pics of said girlfriend required

If you insist.

 

[PARA45]

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful adventure. I think my favorite part was the visit from Kevin P. Great hunt.

Why thank you Two Tracks! Hit Harare some time and we will share a single malt, or two...

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

It was great to meet you in person Tanks, and I am really pleased you had such an enjoyable experience. The Valley is not for the faint of heart, you did it proud with that huge step and stair count. It is specialised DG terrain though, PG is very hard there. I would say for someone wanting five star of both do twelve days in the Valley and seven days in Save.

 

[Tanks]

... It is specialised DG terrain though, PG is very hard there. I would say for someone wanting five star of both do twelve days in the Valley and seven days in Save.

That is correct. CMS does have a concession in the Save area. (Hammond SP?). Depending on how things go I most likely will do 5 days at Takeri Reserve for PG and do a 14 day buffalo/tuskless in Dande though.

I have been trying to get my girlfriend to come to Africa. I finally convinced her, so most likely will come with her to Harare (she doesn't want to overnight at Dubai alone) drop off the guns and luggage at CMS, go to Victoria Falls and Hwange National park for a week come back put her on the plane. Go to Nyakasanga for Buffalo/Tuskless. Then head out and get off at Lusaka to do the PG hunt then head home.

I was thinking of a lion hunt in Zambia as well but will have to push it to 2023 unless I can get away one more time next year.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Sounds wonderful. Vic Falls is alive again, so much to do, she will love it. Try the Victoria Falls Hotel for the old world feel of elegance, dressing for dinner. Or the Safari Lodge for a great safari type feel. Take the steam train for the evening stop on the bridge for cocktails and snacks.

 

[375Fox]

The Valley is not for the faint of heart, you did it proud with that huge step and stair count. It is specialised DG terrain though, PG is very hard there. I would say for someone wanting five star of both do twelve days in the Valley and seven days in Save.

This was actually my plan when I decided to expand my hunt in February. The only downside I saw was you and outfitter have to commit to another outfitters quota in Save. I decided to expand my hunt to include sable and Roan in Dande because I felt better about it being internal inside CMS with quota they already own. Especially with covid so many rules can change quickly, I’m glad I’ll be staying all in one area of country. They did however give me very good options of hunting in Save or Nuanetsi.

 

[Ridgewalker]

WOW! So envious! Sadly I don’t think I’m up to that kind of daily mileage any more. But, I got to do it vicariously via you.
Thanks Tanks!

 

[Edge]

Thoroughly enjoyed the write-up and thank you for taking the time putting it together! Congratulations on a great Safari!

 

[VertigoBE]

Excellent hunting report and animals taken @Tanks ! Thank you very much for sharing! The phrase, “you hunt elephants with your feet” has never been more apt!
Well done!

 

[Troubleshooter]

Day 17:

Elephant recovery day,

The trunk goes to the village head and the leg that the elephant first fell on goes to the "Spirit Medium". Trackers get the neck meat and rest goes to the villages. I request we get the backstrap for the cook as I like elephant meat.

Recovery is complete. This is what is left.

View attachment 421935

Thank you so much for documenting (in both words and photos) the recovery of the elephant and its consumption by the trackers and the local villagers. There seems to be a persistent myth amongst non-hunters (and some "meat hunters" as well) that so-called "trophy hunters" only take the head & horns and leave the rest in the field to rot. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth and the activities documented in your report prove that.