2010-07-24

Starting on 24 th July 2010. Stephan and Claudia are from Austria and joined us on a 8 day safari here in South Africa. 

First afternoon at camp we headed out to sight the rifles in. Didn't take us long and we thought we would take a quick drive in last light. On the way back we spotted this big steenbuck ram and Stephan made an excellent shot.

Day 1 -  Our first official hunting day. On our way back to camp for lunch this huge ram stepped out from underneath a tree for a midday snack. Stephan took him just before he went back into the thicket. A good shot behind the shoulder. Measured 15 1/2 inches.

Relaxing on the lodge deck checking the animals out at the waterole

Day 1 in the afternoon. We got this old hog with a little help from Jackson the Jack Russel.

Jackson worn out after a long chase.

Day 2 - As usual spent the early morning after kudu. After a long unsuccesful morning we headed to the plains to look for a springbuck. We found 4 lone rams together and picked out this old ram with heart shaped horns. Another good shot by Stephan.

Day 3 - Heading out for the early morning kudu shift we bumped into 2 impala rams. A quick sneak and we had this beauty before the sun was even up.

Over the next hill and we took another impala ram for the kitchen. "2 for the price of one !" 

After getting the 2 impala to the skinning shed we headed back to the valleys to look for a bull we had spotted the day before. After walking for an hour or two we decided to find a good spot and sit and wait. Not long after sitting down a young bull stuck his out out below us. One by one 6 bulls exited the thicket. We picked out this beautiful bull and Stephan made a 260 yard shot.

A well deserved gin & tonic after a long day out in the field. 3 animals for the day - Cheers !

Day 4 - We decided to take the day off and do a photographic safari. We headed to the beautiful Kwandwe game reserve which is close by. Here Claudia enjoys the scenery.

We drove into the gate and were lucky to spot 3 young male lions lying 500 m from the main gate in this 22 000 hectare reserve.

A rare sighting - this female cheetah looking for food.

This elephant bull wondered over the road in front of us.

Here we are enjoying a mid morning drinks & snacks break.

We headed down to the river lodge where we enjoyed a gin & tonic with excellent food. A breathtaking view while we ate our food with kudu, impala and baboon enjoying the river below.

Day 5 - Back to business. We spent a long day going after gemsbuck. They proved to be too tricky for us. We went home with nothing for the day. An awesome day spent out in the bush none the less. With some great sightings of other animals while we hunted.

Day 6 - We had been looking for gemsbuck all day and at last we got a glimpse of this loner. We managed a sneak into the wind in some heavy thicket and got to within 100 yards. Stephan made another good clean shot.

A view of our Vaalkrans lodge on the way back for lunch.

Day 7 - This magnificent ram was lying sheltered against the hill. We made a great stalk with the wind in our favour and Stephan made a good shot off the sticks in a fairly strong breeze. Good shooting !

From left to right. Claudia, Stephan, Gail (our chef who provides us with great food), Ashley

Day 8 - We spent the day winding down looking for eland and warthogs. Here a great sunset after an excellent safari.