ZIMBABWE: Terrific With Tokoloshe Safaris!!!

Rare Breed

Lifetime bronze benefactor
AH legend
Joined
Dec 23, 2018
Messages
4,663
Reaction score
11,635
Location
Atlanta GA
Media
36
Articles
1
Hunting reports
Africa
5
Okay moving from SA to Zim and the chance to hunt with one of our legends, Lon Denny and @Tokoloshe Safaris. To start right off, it was just outstanding in every single way!!! If you are looking for old Africa complete with tents and center eating tent look no further!!!!!

First some overall comments. I had the great honor to personally meet with Lon Denny and his lovely and very accomplished PH wife Lisle. Both were a treasure to connect and talk about Africa hunting with! Lon is such a wealth of knowledge !!! What a great man and now my friend. A wonderful lady named Sara was just fantastic as the lodge manager for this week. Everything was just perfect! The food was wonderful and plentiful! Sara can discuss any subject in the world during our evening chats.

Now for an incredible surprise…My PH for the week was the famous author of both Chewy and Into The Salt, Lou Hallemore!!! Both these books are excellent as the “how to” books along with Into The Thorns. The tents were on raised platforms. The showers were a great surprise…water pressure and hot water matched my US home.

I arrived in Vic Falls to be met by Sara. Just want to share my experience…their immigration and rifle checks simply put Harare to shame given the latter is one big pain in the butt!!! Vic Falls could not have been easier!!! Personally I would avoid traveling through Harare if possible and go through Vic Falls.

We spent the first night at their halfway lodge that sits on the Karibe Lake and is just beautiful!!! The have built an old Africa wood bar that will take you back to both Hemingway and Ruark days of Africa…fantastic!!! The next day we arrived at our hunting lodge. Now onto the hunt!!!

Lon has over 1 million acres in his concession obviously no fences for those of you who this is important to. We are talking thick jungle everywhere!!! Lon, without question, has told all of AH what type elephant are in his area…smaller in size and tusk average between 15-25 pounds each side. We started at 4 for wake up, breakfast at 4:30 and out by 5 everyday. You had better be in shape for this hunt!!! We would hunt from 7 to 12 with perfect winds then break for lunch wherever we were. In the afternoon temperatures went up to almost 100 degrees F. with swirling winds. We hunted hard every single day!!! Lou’s trackers along with Lisles head tracker, Albert were the very best tracking team of all my safaris…not even close. They tracked elephant when I saw nothing over rocks!!!

The first four days we saw nothing fresh as we eliminated whole areas. On day 5 we came across fresh tracks and dung seein a group of 10 beautiful elephants but the wind in the afternoon gave us away! Day 6 we came to within 20 yards of a very big bull and cow only to have the wind suddenly touch the back of our necks and no more elephant before we could set up for the shot. Lou Hallemore is a true professional!!! What an incredible accomplished humble man!!! He always had a plan from A to Z…if something did not work we developed another plan…awesome!!!

THE BIG DAY!!!
We spent our last day getting so close but not being able to close the deal on a small group. I thought the hunt was over when at 3:08 in the afternoon our tracker picked up two bulls…man it was hot!!!

suddenly it happened !!! we saw one of them in the shadows at 50 yards with thick jess between us…the late afternoon sun cast shadows making it hard to see the bull but the wind was perfect blowing in our faces. I got on the sticks with my DR 470 NE but Lou who was right on my shoulder with his binos telling me no shot with the bull looking right at us but jess blocking a shot…what a pro which is what Lou is!!! Suddenly the bull turns to my left and Lou’s says shoot!!! I put my two shots within one inch in the fold for a lung heart shot…but the bull does not even falter!!!

Now for some excitement…Lou says the bull charged…I felt I just happened to be on the elephant path the bull was taking. You decide…in all my life I have never heard such a high shrill roar that came out of the bull as he thundered towards me!!!! You have to love Lou…as easy as you and I would ask “ how are you” he says please shoot that bull now!!! At 20 yards with him coming my shot took him perfectly between the eyes an inch low dropping him on the spot like he ran into a brick wall!!!! I guess you could say I was a little excited at that point having taken my fourth of the big 5 which is my personal dream!!! He was exactly like Lon described…we estimate him at 20 pounds each side. All I know is I am absolutely thrilled with him and my incredible Tokoloshe experience!!!!

While we all pray for Lon’s health I am excited to say Lisle has decided to extend Tokoloshe another 10 years offering everything except lion!!!! Having spent an evening with her I am so impressed!!! She won the Zim PH shot classic against other Zim PHs 3 straight times with them finally not asking her back!!! talk about skill backing you up when needed!!!

In closing I just want to recognize Lon who took a helicopter just to meet me…talk about being humbled by such a great incredible person!!!! I WILL BE back hunting with tokoloshe Safaris and I give them my highest recommendation!!!!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Great report thanks
 
Okay moving from SA to Zim and the chance to hunt with one of our legends, Lon Denny and Tokoloshe. To start right off, it was just outstanding in every single way!!! If you are looking for old Africa complete with tents and center eating tent look no further!!!!!

First some overall comments. I had the great honor to personally meet with Lon Denny and his lovely and very accomplished PH wife Lisle. Both were a treasure to connect and talk about Africa hunting with! Lon is such a wealth of knowledge !!! What a great man and now my friend. A wonderful lady named Sara was just fantastic as the lodge manager for this week. Everything was just perfect! The food was wonderful and plentiful! Sara can discuss any subject in the world during our evening chats.

Now for an incredible surprise…My PH for the week was the famous author of both Chewy and Into The Salt, Lou Hallemore!!! Both these books are excellent as the “how to” books along with Into The Thorns. The tents were on raised platforms. The showers were a great surprise…water pressure and hot water matched my US home.

I arrived in Vic Falls to be met by Sara. Just want to share my experience…their immigration and rifle checks simply put Harare to shame given the latter is one big pain in the butt!!! Vic Falls could not have been easier!!! Personally I would avoid traveling through Harare if possible and go through Vic Falls.

We spent the first night at their halfway lodge that sits on the Karibe Lake and is just beautiful!!! The have built an old Africa wood bar that will take you back to both Hemingway and Ruark days of Africa…fantastic!!! The next day we arrived at our hunting lodge. Now onto the hunt!!!

Lon has over 1 million acres in his concession obviously no fences for those of you who this is important to. We are talking thick jungle everywhere!!! Lon, without question, has told all of AH what type elephant are in his area…smaller in size and tusk average between 15-25 pounds each side. We started at 4 for wake up, breakfast at 4:30 and out by 5 everyday. You had better be in shape for this hunt!!! We would hunt from 7 to 12 with perfect winds then break for lunch wherever we were. In the afternoon temperatures went up to almost 100 degrees F. with swirling winds. We hunted hard every single day!!! Lou’s trackers along with Lisles head tracker, Albert were the very best tracking team of all my safaris…not even close. They tracked elephant when I saw nothing over rocks!!!

The first four days we saw nothing fresh as we eliminated whole areas. On day 5 we came across fresh tracks and dung seein a group of 10 beautiful elephants but the wind in the afternoon gave us away! Day 6 we came to within 20 yards of a very big bull and cow only to have the wind suddenly touch the back of our necks and no more elephant before we could set up for the shot. Lou Hallemore is a true professional!!! What an incredible accomplished humble man!!! He always had a plan from A to Z…if something did not work we developed another plan…awesome!!!

THE BIG DAY!!!
We spent our last day getting so close but not being able to close the deal on a small group. I thought the hunt was over when at 3:08 in the afternoon our tracker picked up two bulls…man it was hot!!!

suddenly it happened !!! we saw one of them in the shadows at 50 yards with thick jess between us…the late afternoon sun cast shadows making it hard to see the bull but the wind was perfect blowing in our faces. I got on the sticks with my DR 470 NE but Lou who was right on my shoulder with his binos telling me no shot with the bull looking right at us but jess blocking a shot…what a pro which is what Lou is!!! Suddenly the bull turns to my left and Lou’s says shoot!!! I put my two shots within one inch in the fold for a lung heart shot…but the bull does not even falter!!!

Now for some excitement…Lou says the bull charged…I felt I just happened to be on the elephant path the bull was taking. You decide…in all my life I have never heard such a high shrill roar that came out of the bull as he thundered towards me!!!! You have to love Lou…as easy as you and I would ask “ how are you” he says please shoot that bull now!!! At 20 yards with him coming my shot took him perfectly between the eyes an inch low dropping him on the spot like he ran into a brick wall!!!! I guess you could say I was a little excited at that point having taken my fourth of the big 5 which is my personal dream!!! He was exactly like Lon described…we estimate him at 20 pounds each side. All I know is I am absolutely thrilled with him and my incredible Tokoloshe experience!!!!

While we all pray for Lon’s health I am excited to say Lisle has decided to extend Tokoloshe another 10 years offering everything except lion!!!! Having spent an evening with her I am so impressed!!! She won the Zim PH shot classic against other Zim PHs 3 straight times with them finally not asking her back!!! talk about skill backing you up when needed!!!

In closing I just want to recognize Lon who took a helicopter just to meet me…talk about being humbled by such a great incredible person!!!! I WILL BE back hunting with tokoloshe Safaris and I give them my highest recommendation!!!!
 
For our show and boot fanatics…I used my Salomon hunting shoes all week with the following results:

Pros
Light weight and incredibly comfortable. Easy to put on and lace up.
Cons
Noisy and a thorn went through the thread fortunately not penetrating into my foot
 
C’mon. Hop to it. Time for pics. Been 42 minutes and no pics. I’ll have to open my Rolodex and contact the heavy hitter Mrs Rare Breed. ;)
 
Congratulations on a fantastic hunt experience that I’m sure you will relive in your mind on a daily basis!
 
Okay moving from SA to Zim and the chance to hunt with one of our legends, Lon Denny and Tokoloshe. To start right off, it was just outstanding in every single way!!! If you are looking for old Africa complete with tents and center eating tent look no further!!!!!

First some overall comments. I had the great honor to personally meet with Lon Denny and his lovely and very accomplished PH wife Lisle. Both were a treasure to connect and talk about Africa hunting with! Lon is such a wealth of knowledge !!! What a great man and now my friend. A wonderful lady named Sara was just fantastic as the lodge manager for this week. Everything was just perfect! The food was wonderful and plentiful! Sara can discuss any subject in the world during our evening chats.

Now for an incredible surprise…My PH for the week was the famous author of both Chewy and Into The Salt, Lou Hallemore!!! Both these books are excellent as the “how to” books along with Into The Thorns. The tents were on raised platforms. The showers were a great surprise…water pressure and hot water matched my US home.

I arrived in Vic Falls to be met by Sara. Just want to share my experience…their immigration and rifle checks simply put Harare to shame given the latter is one big pain in the butt!!! Vic Falls could not have been easier!!! Personally I would avoid traveling through Harare if possible and go through Vic Falls.

We spent the first night at their halfway lodge that sits on the Karibe Lake and is just beautiful!!! The have built an old Africa wood bar that will take you back to both Hemingway and Ruark days of Africa…fantastic!!! The next day we arrived at our hunting lodge. Now onto the hunt!!!

Lon has over 1 million acres in his concession obviously no fences for those of you who this is important to. We are talking thick jungle everywhere!!! Lon, without question, has told all of AH what type elephant are in his area…smaller in size and tusk average between 15-25 pounds each side. We started at 4 for wake up, breakfast at 4:30 and out by 5 everyday. You had better be in shape for this hunt!!! We would hunt from 7 to 12 with perfect winds then break for lunch wherever we were. In the afternoon temperatures went up to almost 100 degrees F. with swirling winds. We hunted hard every single day!!! Lou’s trackers along with Lisles head tracker, Albert were the very best tracking team of all my safaris…not even close. They tracked elephant when I saw nothing over rocks!!!

The first four days we saw nothing fresh as we eliminated whole areas. On day 5 we came across fresh tracks and dung seein a group of 10 beautiful elephants but the wind in the afternoon gave us away! Day 6 we came to within 20 yards of a very big bull and cow only to have the wind suddenly touch the back of our necks and no more elephant before we could set up for the shot. Lou Hallemore is a true professional!!! What an incredible accomplished humble man!!! He always had a plan from A to Z…if something did not work we developed another plan…awesome!!!

THE BIG DAY!!!
We spent our last day getting so close but not being able to close the deal on a small group. I thought the hunt was over when at 3:08 in the afternoon our tracker picked up two bulls…man it was hot!!!

suddenly it happened !!! we saw one of them in the shadows at 50 yards with thick jess between us…the late afternoon sun cast shadows making it hard to see the bull but the wind was perfect blowing in our faces. I got on the sticks with my DR 470 NE but Lou who was right on my shoulder with his binos telling me no shot with the bull looking right at us but jess blocking a shot…what a pro which is what Lou is!!! Suddenly the bull turns to my left and Lou’s says shoot!!! I put my two shots within one inch in the fold for a lung heart shot…but the bull does not even falter!!!

Now for some excitement…Lou says the bull charged…I felt I just happened to be on the elephant path the bull was taking. You decide…in all my life I have never heard such a high shrill roar that came out of the bull as he thundered towards me!!!! You have to love Lou…as easy as you and I would ask “ how are you” he says please shoot that bull now!!! At 20 yards with him coming my shot took him perfectly between the eyes an inch low dropping him on the spot like he ran into a brick wall!!!! I guess you could say I was a little excited at that point having taken my fourth of the big 5 which is my personal dream!!! He was exactly like Lon described…we estimate him at 20 pounds each side. All I know is I am absolutely thrilled with him and my incredible Tokoloshe experience!!!!

While we all pray for Lon’s health I am excited to say Lisle has decided to extend Tokoloshe another 10 years offering everything except lion!!!! Having spent an evening with her I am so impressed!!! She won the Zim PH shot classic against other Zim PHs 3 straight times with them finally not asking her back!!! talk about skill backing you up when needed!!!

In closing I just want to recognize Lon who took a helicopter just to meet me…talk about being humbled by such a great incredible person!!!! I WILL BE back hunting with tokoloshe Safaris and I give them my highest recommendation!!!!
Great report and how thrilling that must have been!
 
Congratulations brother, what a wonderful experience! May the Hunting Gods continue to bless you and protect you from all those charges. So, what we have here is 4 out 5 Dangerous Game animals taken, with three charges. You are a charge magnet. :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
Great hunt, congrats !
 
Congratulations. Did you see any other game animals in area while you were hunting?
 
Outstanding job Craig, congrats on the hunt!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
58,033
Messages
1,245,938
Members
102,559
Latest member
ChuDonoghu
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Grz63 wrote on roklok's profile.
Hi Roklok
I read your post on Caprivi. Congratulations.
I plan to hunt there for buff in 2026 oct.
How was the land, very dry ? But à lot of buffs ?
Thank you / merci
Philippe
Fire Dog wrote on AfricaHunting.com's profile.
Chopped up the whole thing as I kept hitting the 240 character limit...
Found out the trigger word in the end... It was muzzle or velocity. dropped them and it posted.:)
Fire Dog wrote on AfricaHunting.com's profile.
2,822fps, ES 8.2
This compares favorably to 7 Rem Mag. with less powder & recoil.
Fire Dog wrote on AfricaHunting.com's profile.
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS FOR MY RIFLE, ALWAYS APPROACH A NEW LOAD CAUTIOUSLY!!*
Rifle is a Pierce long action, 32" 1:8.5 twist Swan{Au} barrel
{You will want a 1:8.5 to run the heavies but can get away with a 1:9}
Peterson .280AI brass, CCI 200 primers, 56.5gr of 4831SC, 184gr Berger Hybrid.
 
Top