Out of East Cape Africa

[Freedivr2]

Hi gang. I took a trip across the pond last week to the East cape of South Africa. Hunted out of Kei River Safaris, whose lodge is located 6 miles North of Komga, or approx. 50 miles NW of East London. (5) of us were slated to take (5) animals each but couldn't resist the pull of the Nyalas, Warthogs, Zebras, Gemsboks and Hartebeests, so we ended up with 37 critters total.

We all took all nice mature animals, I took a Kudu, Impala, Blesbok, Blue Wildebeest, Warthog, Bushbuck and a East Cape Springbok. My shots were anywhere from 100 yards (Warthog) to 270 yards (Kudu) and all taken using Nosler Partition 165 gr. handloads out of my Win Model 70 in 30-06. We had an AWESOME time, ate awesome food (Kudu steaks a couple times for dinner, Eland, bushbush, all tasty!!) good company, and I highly recommend this lodge and their PHs to anyone interested in hunting Africa especially for the first time. None of the hunts were behind high fences, all were fair chase and by the end of the week I was absolutly worn out from climbing mountains and walking thru the tall grasses. Killer good time. I'll let the pics speak for themselves here.

44" East Cape Kudu Bull

Blue Wildebeest Bull

http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/26926
14" long horns on this Bushbuck Ram

22 1/4" Impala Ram

9" Upper tusks (Old hog, broken tips) Warthog boar

East Cape Springbok ram

"Gold Medal" (not measured yet but big) Blesbok ram

 

[Z-man]

Very cool man! Like I said in the campfire, someday....

If you don't mind, what was your ballpark price?

 

[Bulleye]

WOW Looks like you had a blast! Congrats!

 

[catchdog]

good deal , Ill be there in Sep.
nice pics

 

[Freedivr2]

Z-man......if you ever want to go to Africa, NOW is the time. The cost of the hunt (food, booze, lodging and 5 animals.....all the above less the bushbuck and warthog) was $2750. The plane flight was $1462 from LAX to D.C. to Johannasburg and then on to East London and back. Tips for the PH and skinner and maid = $570. So you can do the whole trip for under 5K. I added the Bushbuck and Warthog ($500 & $250), and now the fun stuff starts; $870 for bleaching the skulls, dipping the hides and packaging/crating. Another $700 for shipping, $200 for a customs broker to accept them, (everyone has their hand out now.....). Then comes the taxidermist for tanning and mounting. Kudu mount $1,000, Impala, Blesbok and Bushbuck about $500 each. Oh yeah, then the Blue Wildebeest and Bushbuck rugs, another $350. I haven't added all that up yet, I'm skeeered to.......Anyway, that should about do it. BUT, right now, everyone is saying this is the absolute best time in the world to go AND it's never been less expensive. Usually my hunt alone would be about 5K. L8r

 

[COHunter]

Looks like you had a good time. Did you see any of the dangerous game too? Heard they cost an arm and a leg if you want to hunt them! Did you go with Jeff?

You comming out here this fall to our favorite little place

 

[Common Sense]

Gee whiz; after looking at the pictures, all I can say is that I hope "Thou shalt not covet" is still not a commandment!

 

[Freedivr2]

Oh yea...

Looks like you had a good time. Did you see any of the dangerous game too? Heard they cost an arm and a leg if you want to hunt them! Did you go with Jeff?

You comming out here this fall to our favorite little place

No, no dangerous game where we were, other than the Bushbucks (a wounded bushbuck has the same attitude as a wounded Cape Buffalo......they WILL come right at you and kill you). Yeah, the dangeous game come with a hefty price, but right now is the time to go, the economy has driven the prices for everything down (hey, I heard that Rhinos are only $3,500 an inch now....omg!). No, didn't go with Jeff, he left a day or two after we got back (I think he should be back by now, gotta check).

Am I coming out? Is that an invite to a duck/goose hunt with ya? If so, heck yes!!!

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

Nice job Myke.. Those are some very impressive animals!!! Congrat's!!!

 

[COHunter]

Sure you can Duck & Goose hunt with me, but I you figured for a pheasant guy. Last year was great, always got into birds!
(roosters)

 

[Vermonster]

Some beautiful animals there! Congrats!!! :toast-yellow:

 

[owtdors]

Thanks for your post and pics. Motivated me to give it a try and had a great trip!