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WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:17 AM
Well returned late yesterday from My father and my safari in the Limpopo Province of South AFrica - a truely amazing trip.

Ill do a day by day run down with associated photos.

The trip started two Sunday's ago with me realizing that we had missed out flights connecting to London. I had somehow managed to think we were supposed to leave on Monday...

We caught up to our London to Joberg flight and were in South Africa by Noon, May 20th.

Day 1 Found us hunting the the equivalent of our Alpine, the highvelt:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos073.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos083.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos093.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:21 AM
Day started off with a nice Wildebeest for my father:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos024.jpg

Following that hunt I made a difficult stalk over the prairie for my BLesbok, who ended up scoring quite well - would make silver award in SCI if I entered it. 190 yard shot:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos030.jpg

After that we took a few hours, had a lunch and watched some Springbok (africa's official animal, like our beaver I believe) and decided one was an older male to go after. Following an intense and quite stalk through a nice patch of trees concealing us, I made a 45 yard shot through this fellow's shoulder:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos051.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:23 AM
We took a few hours to decide what my father wanted to hunt next, either a red Hartebeest or an Eland. He decided on the latter; here are some photos of the herd earlier in the day, his eland, and the herd following his kill:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos038.jpg

His Eland - weighing almost 2000 lbs:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos066.jpg

Herd later that evening:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos070.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:25 AM
Here are some other nice shots of the highvelt area I took prior to our departure back down to the Savannah region or 'bushvelt':

Wild Ostrich family:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos043.jpg

Nice couple of herds; springbok in upper and blesbok in lower:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos045.jpg

Fleeing black wildebeest:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos071.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:27 AM
Next day we headed back down to the bushvelt, through the Drakkenburg Mountains:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos102.jpg

No other animals that day, nor the day following until the evening. I was sitting on a waterhole when this fellow came in solo:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos126.jpg

The next morning my father took a nice bushbuck at 300 yards - unfortunatley I wasnt present and that photo is on his camera. We met for lunch at this 2002 year old baobab tree:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos116.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:28 AM
Later that evening we same more game, but didnt take any:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos122.jpg

Day 4 was a cold day, but with mass animal activity. It started with my 54", deep curl Kudu:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos134.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos138.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:30 AM
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos131.jpg

Following that, we returned back to camp and saw other hunters were having equally as much luck:

An old male giraffe:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos139.jpg

Butchering area with impalas and waterbuck:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos141.jpg

MIL720
06-01-2008, 09:30 AM
A dream vacation.Very nice and well done...

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:32 AM
After a nice snack and break, I ran into this old female warthog. Typically you dont take females, but because she was 12+ years old, too old to have piglets, and her tusk size, I took her at about 100 yards:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos148.jpg

We continued hunting and found that impala were everywhere. After a few spoiled stalks I got this decent ram, running quartering away at 100 yards:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos151.jpg

Following this nice ram, on our way back to camp we heard zebra calling and decided to try a stalk. It ended successfully with this beautiful mature stallion:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos154.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:34 AM
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos161.jpg

My Father took a nice waterbuc that evening - six animals in one day, highly successful even for Africa!

Day five found us in Kruger taking a break and allowing the skinners to catch up; some photos of kruger:

Drakkenberg mtns:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos166.jpg

Yellowbilled hornbill:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos189.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:35 AM
Family of cape vulture:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos191.jpg

Bedded waterbuck:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos194.jpg

Family of zebra with young:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos200.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:36 AM
Some napping hippos:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos204.jpg

Large sleeping nile croc:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos206.jpg

Mature cape bullalo bull:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos216.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:36 AM
Two birds competing for dominance:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos227.jpg

Heaviest flying bird, the dukky bustard:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos232.jpg

A nice mature kudu:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos241.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:37 AM
Blue wildebeest bull:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos247.jpg

Mother and young elephant:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos255.jpg

Busy watering hole!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos280.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:38 AM
A hippo kill hippo with several crocs feeding:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos289.jpg

Two hippos fighting for diminance:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos296.jpg

An older male giraffe with a nice dark coat:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos324.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:38 AM
Some baboons and babies:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos332.jpg

Family of stripped mongoose:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos339.jpg

Nice puff adder:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos342.jpg

blaker_99
06-01-2008, 09:39 AM
Truly an amazing trip by the sounds of it Andrew. Must have been one hell of a rush with all the animals out there. Congrats to you and your pops, nice to see there's still lots of father son combos out there.

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:40 AM
When we arrived home we had time for an evening hunt where my father took this beautiful mature nyala bull:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos357.jpg

Nice sunset!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos367.jpg

The next day found me hunting gemsbok, by far the flightyest (sp?) animal; I took this 35" female near lunch:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos388.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:41 AM
My fathers last two animals the day following; a stallion zebra and nice mature male warthog:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos401.jpg

Heavy tusks!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos417.jpg

Here are some photos of my accommodation; quite a spoiled way to hunt!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos427-1.jpg

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 09:41 AM
Cabin:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/agaucher/Africa%202008/Pre-May08MiscPhotos430-1.jpg

Overall an amazing trip. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Kody94
06-01-2008, 09:48 AM
Awesome photos! Congrats on a great trip. Its been a few years since I was last in RSA and I think about it all the time. It seems to get in your blood.

Cheers
4ster

boatdoc
06-01-2008, 09:55 AM
Very nice pictures, looks like a trip of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing.

asurebet
06-01-2008, 10:10 AM
very nice photo's! sounds and looks like a trip of a lifetime, Thanks for sharing photo's with the stories! Congrats
Q: Approx how much $ in Total if you don't mind

BCBear
06-01-2008, 10:15 AM
WOW now that's a trip. Fabulous pictures and looks like you had a great sampling of the species. How big is the new addition for the trophy room gonna be? :lol:

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 10:50 AM
haha probably going to build myself a cabin in the next year or two, for hunting and for trophies. I cant fit all of these in my condo...

Trip was amazing and thanks for the comments. I am going back in two years for bullafo, elephant and croc.

I would highly highly recommend our outfitting, not only was hsi establishment great but he was organized, honest, and above all his priorities were proper game management and conservation. Never we were allowed to hunt the breeding animal or a male in group with females. We always attempted to hunt older animals as well.

His website is www.hannesswanepoelsafaris.co.za (http://www.hannesswanepoelsafaris.co.za/) and contact info is as follows:

Hannes
HANNES SWANEPOEL SAFARIS
www.hannesswanepoelsafaris.co.za (http://www.hannesswanepoelsafaris.co.za/)
Email : big5game@worldonline.co.za (big5game@worldonline.co.za)
TEL : +27 15 793 2988
Cell : +27 82 570 7517

I have a bunch of brochures with pictures and 2008 pricelists he provided me should any of you be interested. If youd like one pm me your mail address and ill send it off.

Asurebet: for myself (9 animals), 10 days of hunting, and flights it comes to a total of about 16k. The only thing youve got to do after that point is pay for taxidermy, which is less expensive to get done there and shipped over.

palmer
06-01-2008, 10:56 AM
Looks like a great trip..I am booked for May 2009 in the same region. I am going for 12 days ...should be the trip of a lifetime.

Keith

springpin
06-01-2008, 11:21 AM
Incredible, don't need to say more!!

David Heitsman
06-01-2008, 02:28 PM
I like the nyala. Great bull, hope to do as well next year

I would caution on having the taxidermy work done over there.
I had 8 animals done over in RSA at the biggest taxidermist over there
and was disapointed with some of the results. Not all but a couple were not to the standard I have come to expect.

If you get the work done here at least you can keep an eye on it while the work is in progress. Also if a piece is not to your satisfaction it can be readily corrected whereas if you get it done overseas you have to basically start over.

To give you an idea, my impala ram had a great cape when I dropped it off but somehow in the tanning process most of the fur on his chin disapeared. Rather than them call or email me they went and used a modelers clay to build out the chin and brushed and painted it so as not to be too noticeable. A cape couldn't have been more than $100 and I would have gladly taken a replacement.

At the time the taxidermy work was marginally more cost wise than getting it done here. I elected to go with a RSA taxidermist partly due to PH pressure and partly because I had concerns over the tannability of my gemsbok. I felt that if it failed the tanning that they could more readily secure me another cape.

I would also think that with the significantly increasing airfreight costs that the costs would be more on comparable with North American taxidermists. At the time I went the US $ was 1.45. Now with parity a US taxidermist could be an option as well.

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 05:34 PM
Where did you get it done and when?
The taxidermist I am having it done with is very large as well, possibly the same one. However the taxis I asked about it here recommended to get it done there - apparently the skin and lack of hair on those animals versus the ones here make things much more difficult?

I have a friend who was the one who recommended this outfitter who also uses this taxi and has had over 30 animals done with them, all with stellar results. I am wondering if its the same guy? Thanks for the warning though...

Blainer
06-01-2008, 06:13 PM
That is great!I noted how professionaly the animals were set up for the pictures,very tastfully done.I will definately investigate the website.
I imagine the flight was a bugger?
Good on ya!

WoodOx
06-01-2008, 07:30 PM
10 hours to london, 10 to joberg, 2 to phalabowra

thanks on the pics, the ph/guides take a lot of pride and time to set em up

Kody94
06-01-2008, 08:06 PM
Where did you get it done and when?
The taxidermist I am having it done with is very large as well, possibly the same one. However the taxis I asked about it here recommended to get it done there - apparently the skin and lack of hair on those animals versus the ones here make things much more difficult?

I have a friend who was the one who recommended this outfitter who also uses this taxi and has had over 30 animals done with them, all with stellar results. I am wondering if its the same guy? Thanks for the warning though...

I had a bunch of trophies done by Ace Taxidermy in Warmbaths (Bela Bela) RSA. I DO NOT recommend them. In addition to sloppy taxidermy and mixing up of a friends trophies, mine arrived with an infestation of beetles. Was a royal pain in the arse that was...I was very worried my sheep mounts might get infested.

Cheers,
4ster

jrhunter
06-01-2008, 08:10 PM
Thanks for the pictures. Looks like it was a lot of fun. I liked the Kudu with it's spiraling horns.

grumpy
06-02-2008, 08:02 AM
great pics
good story

Stone Sheep Steve
06-02-2008, 09:09 AM
AG
I don't ever plan on going over there so thanks for taking me along on the ride!!
That's an awesome collection of memories and pictures!!!:cool:

As mentioned, they do a fantastic job at cleaning up and posing the animals.:smile:

Looking forward to your next trip and report!!

SSS

Wild one
06-02-2008, 09:10 AM
I wish I was there but I will have to wait till I can book my own trip.If you can get a pic of your dads bushbuck I would like to see it as that is one I have dreamed of taking.

Thanks for the pics

WoodOx
06-02-2008, 10:13 AM
Thanks SSS and all...

Wildone they lost all our luggage which has a CD with the GH/PH's 1200 photos of the trip - there are a bunch more I will upload when I get the chance.

The bushbuck is cool - def worth taking. Careful though, theyll often drop only to spear the hunter upon him checking to see its dead, theyre known to be relatively aggressive!

Kody94
06-02-2008, 02:54 PM
I was in RSA in 2002 and then again in 2005. Both times at the same place in the Limpopo province (Landelani). Neither time did I get a chance at a bushbuck though, and they still haunt me as a result. I would like to see the pic when you get it too.....since my next trip is a long ways off, it helps to live vicariously though others!

Re: your Dad's Nyala .... that is a nice one for sure. Congrats to your Pa. :)

I also quite liked the zebra stallion you got. My only zebra was a mare....nice skin but would have prefered a battle scarred old male. Hoped to get one on return trips (both the 2005 RSA trip and a 2006 trip to Tanzania) but got skunked on zebra both times. I did manage three cape buff on that last trip though, so I can't complain. ;)

Cheers,
4ster

WoodOx
06-02-2008, 03:18 PM
THREE cape buff?

Nice!

Ill post most pics late this week now that they found our bags...

Kody94
06-02-2008, 03:31 PM
THREE cape buff?

I have always wanted to hunt them, more than anything else outside of NA.

Got one on 7 day licence in the northern part of the Selous, and the other 2 on a 10 day licence in the west central part of the Selous.

It was awesome.

Ele and lion (and others) are WAY out of my price range, but got to see lots of them while hunting buffalo. That was pretty cool too.

I see you will be on a DG safari next....prepare to be addicted. :) No offence to hunting in RSA...it is a good teaser, whistle-wetter, etc, and a cool experience in its own right....but the DG hunting in a wild part of Africa is the ultimate. You will LOVE it.

Lookin forward to more of your pics,
4ster

oddsix
06-02-2008, 03:47 PM
Damn so many animals. looks like a sweet trip.

WoodOx
06-02-2008, 07:19 PM
DG Hunting?

Im getting a female elephant on a cull hunt, only 2- 3k ;D

otherwise would be wayyy outta price range.

Kody94
06-02-2008, 07:56 PM
DG - dangerous game. Any of the "big 5" really.

There are some good deals on tuskless or PAC (problem animal control - non exportable) elephants right now. I am still paying for the last trip though, so...

Cow ele can be the most dangerous and exciting hunting going. Bet you are getting excited. What will you be using for firepower?

Cheers,
4ster

WoodOx
06-02-2008, 08:12 PM
I took a .300 win mag with 165gr this time - stupid.

My dad put two 150 gr .300 wsm through an Eland - perfect placement, and it stood up and quite literally started wagging its tail... very tough animals.

Ill probably go for a tusk or tuskless female, only thing you can export is its ears and photos!

ill be taking either a 375H&H or 415 rig with 400/500 gr next trip. Just take some solids for the plains game if I decide to take any - for buffalo/ nile croc/ elephant you want the larger stuff

WoodOx
06-02-2008, 08:15 PM
and ill be going to bots or zimbabwe

Sunny
06-02-2008, 08:27 PM
so good I wish I can go too thank you for sharing

browningboy
06-02-2008, 09:22 PM
Pretty wild photos, must have been cool, you must have a few thousand pounds of meat though! Any good eating??

WoodOx
06-04-2008, 10:26 AM
The meat, and specifically the stomache/intestines is all left for the african trackers to eat or sell.

While I was there I got to eat sable antelope, eland, warthog - all were excellent and all less 'gamey' than our game.

Mr. Dean
06-04-2008, 11:41 AM
You (insert multiple explatives, here; ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______)!!!!


I gotta go change my pants now.
Thanks for that... Gotta smoke?

browningboy
06-04-2008, 02:31 PM
The meat, and specifically the stomache/intestines is all left for the african trackers to eat or sell.

While I was there I got to eat sable antelope, eland, warthog - all were excellent and all less 'gamey' than our game.


Really? So you come home with the cape only? Curious as I've never even entertained the thought of Africa but just wondering as one that goes after an elephant etc.. I was thinking thats a shitload of meat!:cool:

BCrams
06-04-2008, 02:52 PM
Now I know what you have been up to! Sounds like you had a great trip! Talk about being envious!

308BAR
06-04-2008, 02:58 PM
Fabulous picture and story!!! AND you're planning another trip already. I'm soooooo green. Love to see more picutures if you got them.

ribber
06-04-2008, 09:18 PM
I am speechless ,all I can think of is "WOW" and a big thank you!!!!

WoodOx
06-05-2008, 03:47 PM
Thanks guys, it really was a trip of a lifetime. I know its expensive, but if you were ever going to do a guided trip, in comparison to something guided in BC, its very inexpensive. I would recommend it as its out of this world different.

BrowningBoy: meat: huge issues with exportation of something edible such as meat. As it is the capes/skulls have to sit in quanintine for 45 days prior to being processed, so unless you want really aged meat I think it would be a non-starter!

ill post some more photos now that I have got my bags back

ohno
06-05-2008, 03:54 PM
Looks like you had a great trip. The memories will last a lifetime.

308Lover
06-06-2008, 02:19 PM
By far one of the finest posts I've seen. First hunting safari pics for me. Truly a trip of a lifetime. Nothing could top having your dad there. My dad passed on years ago---so enjoy your times together! (Roughing it in the bush LOL) Please tell us what capes/horns/hides etc you could bring home.

WoodOx
06-09-2008, 09:11 AM
308 - all capes/hides and horns will come home.

Some we got tanned, one or two turned just into leather. The only shoulder mounts I had done were the Kudu and Springbok, my Dad had his Impala and Nyala done with sholders. The reminder will be done with Euro-style skull mounts.

mark
06-09-2008, 05:16 PM
Wow, what an incredible experience! An incredible mixed bad of game there! Was it in a ranch type of place, or wide open crown land????

todbartell
06-09-2008, 09:21 PM
wow great trip! thanks for sharing the pics

Elkhound
06-09-2008, 10:25 PM
Holy crap how did I mis this one.:shock:

Truly amazing. Thanks for all the pics. My wife and I drooled all over the screen. Absolutely stunning. Maybe one day.