RLP
AH senior member
This was my first African safari, but I assure you it will not be my last. Not unlike others on this blog I have long entertained going on an African safari after reading different stories in my youth from the likes of Chapstik, Theadore Roosevelt and others.
My wife and I recently built a new home in Maryland that has a “Great Room” with 19 foot ceilings. Although I have hunted on and off since I was 19/20 years old, I never considered myself a trophy hunter. But my safari will be part-hunting adventure, part home decorating trip. Until recently I had only taken one or two eight-point whitetails, and they would not even be considered trophies, all the rest were small bucks or does. I do however enjoy hunting wild game to eat as my wife is a wonderful and adventurous cook. The opportunity to take some mid-range shots on plains game drew me to the Eastern Cape. Prior to my safari, 194 yards was the longest shot I had taken on a whitetail doe.
I chose to bring two of my own rifles, even though Nick Bowker has loaners and ammo at no additional charge. As my primary rifle I brought my Benelli Lupo in 300 Winchester Magnum, topped with a Leopold CDS firedot VX-5HD 3-15X44, using Federal Fusion Tip 180 grain bullets. My secondary rifle was my Ruger #1, 375 H & H, topped with a Leopold CDS firedot VX-3HD 3.5-10x40, using 250 gr TTX from Hendershot. As the 300 Win Mag was my primary rifle I spent 85-95% of my training (dry firing and range time) with it. As a result I was much more confident in my abilities with the 300 Win Mag over the 375 H&H. Besides enforcing proper shooting techniques, I also prepared by dieting and light exercise. In February 2024 when I booked the hunt, I weighed 420 lbs. By time I landed in Africa I had lost 125 lbs and now was 295 lbs. I was not in great shape but I was in much better shape.
On the suggestion of Nick Bowker I planned my trip with Gracy Travel where I worked with Gio, who made traveling with my own weapons stress free. 15.5 hour flight from EWR Newark, NJ to Johannesburg, SA, overnight at the airport and a short flight to Port Elizabeth in the AM, always being escorted by Gracy Travel personnel. Once in Port Elizabeth I was met by my PH Benjamin Pringle, plus two other hunters and we headed to Nick Bowker’s. Stop for some supplies, a few hours later we were assigned our rooms and sighted in our rifles and shot off the quad sticks. After a late dinner, which I skipped due to jet lag, time to rest as the first of my eight day safari started the following morning.
Over the next 8 days, I hunted Kudu and Nyla almost everyday without harvesting one. I had three different mature Kudu bulls in my crosshairs but not in the best position or with little time for an ethical shot- all very exciting. I did however take the advice that so many of you preach- “Take what Africa gives you!” Although the Kudu and Nyla eluded me, I did manage to take 16 trophies. 14 with the 300 Win Mag and 2 with the 375 H & H. Benjamin was an outstanding PH whose opinion I learned to trust. He never pressured me to shoot and spent more time telling me why the animal I was looking at was not a “worthy” trophy and that patience would deliver something better. Every morning Benjamin, our tracker Matta and their hound “Black Jack” and I would head out on an adventure. Often when hunting a different ranch, we would add an additional tracker or two.
Instead of posting 16 photos I thought I would break down my report to five short additional segments to be posted within a short time.
My wife and I recently built a new home in Maryland that has a “Great Room” with 19 foot ceilings. Although I have hunted on and off since I was 19/20 years old, I never considered myself a trophy hunter. But my safari will be part-hunting adventure, part home decorating trip. Until recently I had only taken one or two eight-point whitetails, and they would not even be considered trophies, all the rest were small bucks or does. I do however enjoy hunting wild game to eat as my wife is a wonderful and adventurous cook. The opportunity to take some mid-range shots on plains game drew me to the Eastern Cape. Prior to my safari, 194 yards was the longest shot I had taken on a whitetail doe.
I chose to bring two of my own rifles, even though Nick Bowker has loaners and ammo at no additional charge. As my primary rifle I brought my Benelli Lupo in 300 Winchester Magnum, topped with a Leopold CDS firedot VX-5HD 3-15X44, using Federal Fusion Tip 180 grain bullets. My secondary rifle was my Ruger #1, 375 H & H, topped with a Leopold CDS firedot VX-3HD 3.5-10x40, using 250 gr TTX from Hendershot. As the 300 Win Mag was my primary rifle I spent 85-95% of my training (dry firing and range time) with it. As a result I was much more confident in my abilities with the 300 Win Mag over the 375 H&H. Besides enforcing proper shooting techniques, I also prepared by dieting and light exercise. In February 2024 when I booked the hunt, I weighed 420 lbs. By time I landed in Africa I had lost 125 lbs and now was 295 lbs. I was not in great shape but I was in much better shape.
On the suggestion of Nick Bowker I planned my trip with Gracy Travel where I worked with Gio, who made traveling with my own weapons stress free. 15.5 hour flight from EWR Newark, NJ to Johannesburg, SA, overnight at the airport and a short flight to Port Elizabeth in the AM, always being escorted by Gracy Travel personnel. Once in Port Elizabeth I was met by my PH Benjamin Pringle, plus two other hunters and we headed to Nick Bowker’s. Stop for some supplies, a few hours later we were assigned our rooms and sighted in our rifles and shot off the quad sticks. After a late dinner, which I skipped due to jet lag, time to rest as the first of my eight day safari started the following morning.
Over the next 8 days, I hunted Kudu and Nyla almost everyday without harvesting one. I had three different mature Kudu bulls in my crosshairs but not in the best position or with little time for an ethical shot- all very exciting. I did however take the advice that so many of you preach- “Take what Africa gives you!” Although the Kudu and Nyla eluded me, I did manage to take 16 trophies. 14 with the 300 Win Mag and 2 with the 375 H & H. Benjamin was an outstanding PH whose opinion I learned to trust. He never pressured me to shoot and spent more time telling me why the animal I was looking at was not a “worthy” trophy and that patience would deliver something better. Every morning Benjamin, our tracker Matta and their hound “Black Jack” and I would head out on an adventure. Often when hunting a different ranch, we would add an additional tracker or two.
Instead of posting 16 photos I thought I would break down my report to five short additional segments to be posted within a short time.
