MOZAMBIQUE: Mozambique Buffalo Hunt With TSALA HUNTING SAFARIS

[Fordy]

Gday 12th May
Up @430 same start
Off to check the pans which the first few drew a blank @7.30 got onto a fresh set that showed promise
So off we went which we bumped into them a ( small heard ) about a hour later & Daniel went to another level of “down down “ being his favourite words with the hand signals to go with it even occurred in the belly crawl position

Hmm guess must have been mine & Rusty’s fat guts lol

Played cat & mouse with them for a while while also getting pinned down by a warthog for a while then a duiker

the herd had a cool old cow that no doubt could tell a story or 2 as she only had 1/2 a tail ( i think she’s in this pic below )

We followed them for around a hour as they grazed & then started to bed down

Closed the gap to a better range of potentially getting into a position for a shot but the one we wanted was still 217 yards away these ones were @136 but only 2 younger bulls in here

Due to the wind we just couldn’t move forward as the herd had separated over about a 250/300 yard distance & to our left some cows had bedded down so the only option was back out & try & get around these cows to the bull that was in the middle of the 2 groups above & 2 of the trackers dropped off to stay behind to lessen the potential visual being a problem ( later we found a water bottle or 2 would’ve been welcomed before it finally arrived lol )

So it was butt crawling time again , I was feeling my back issues fairly bad after a bit so belly crawling it was for me on most , again & again we done this
I didn’t range the cows but assumed we were about 50 yard from a couple of them as we snuck past

They had had enough rest & decided it was time for more pasture so up they got & we followed & followed closing the gap to around 80/100 yards mostly

They met up with a larger group & now it was game on as they were late for a party somewhere as no grazing now just walking along a well worn trail

We had times of a really quick walk /jog to try & get in front of them ( wind was perfect) set up sticks & hope for a window of opportunity but that never came as now we saw another mob ahead ( probably 50 ) as we gained distance ahead of the herd we were pursuing

Some nice bulls in here also but as we went along with their pace the wind shifted & they scented us for which the mini stampede was on & dust everywhere which they started to run in our direction & I’d been in a similar situation some 2 years earlier with my son in zim & I got some real puckering up on that one so this bought back some memories & around 60 yards I went oh F ( it was a quiet OH F but i think Dylan got it on video & hope so as I want that bit for my own part to show my son ) as I thought it was on again ( everyone else was quite ) the mob stopped some 10 /20 yards later which suited us all fine & later it was funny as everyone had a plan from a bush to a tree well rusty did lol
They paused @ that distance & milled around then took off away from us in a dust cloud for which the other mob we were initially following caught up & fled the scene in a dust storm also

So it was regroup & assessed the what just happened & decided that was that yes next contestant was mentioned again & Ute time it was

I mentioned to Rouan about the first mob we started on were potentially still back to far for that commotion to worry them & may not have fully mixed with big middle mob a quick discussion was being done & a grunt was heard

So now it was game on again as next contestant was in our hearing range so off we went & the initial mob had slightly grown in numbers or seemed to have

So back tracked we went a touch & out behind the mob as to try from a different wind angle as these guys & gals were grazing but the dry & dust & pollen or something was starting to play a bit of a role in the odd cough starting to creep into the stalking & cotton mouth was sneaking up on us for which a never leave home with butter & honey vapour drops was handed around along with the chewing gum

We played cat & mouse with these guys with what seemed eternity & also had zebra in our paths sometimes that were also causing raised awareness levels
But what fun it was

I WANT TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO SAY HOW PROFESSIONAL ROUAN WAS AT THIS TIME AS HIS DIRECTION OF THE GROUP WAS ONE TO BEHOLD
The group was us not the buff
It got very fast @ some stages & extremely slow & he controlled it extremely well knowing what to do when & more importantly HOW !!!
Very nice to see a ph of this quality imo

Finally after a couple of sticks up moments the chance was upon us
Now I don’t think anyone got photography of the moment which is a shame but the window was short & space was a absolute luxury /premium
I was meant to back Rusty’s shot up ( that’s always a personal thing but rusty & I have a special bond that it’s hard to explain but we are there for ea other & one that if the other puts a pill in it dosent concern us at all as it’s our experience together & ultimately our critters together that tell the story for many years to come & to this day his zebra is the only critter I’ve put a pill in so please understand this is personal between us & very hard to explain hopefully he can better but I’m usually pretty good @ seeing if it’s warranted or not but didn’t matter in this case as I had no chance even if it was needed )

The bull started to walk & things just worked as Rouan told rusty as soon as he comes to the little clear window & your open take the shot

WELL that’s what Rusty did as soon as he came out it was sent & all hell broke loose with the mob especially the old 1/2 tailed cow that was watching in our direction of about 50 yards

The bull reared a touch & took off

The shot felt good was relayed to us & walked back around the thicker stuff to where he was hit & then the death bellow rang out

The look on everyone’s face was one that is very special to me personally & I can’t thank rusty enough for lighting the flame under me again to get back to Africa

The bull made 52 yard the best I can work out & was laying on his side facing us
Another shot was put in between the legs for a bit of insurance & then the circle around & approach from the back & a spine shot applied to make sure nothing can go pear shape ( I personally like this & it’s called in my world the “ won’t cause any issues now “ insurance shot )

To say that was a special moment & a special hunt was a understatement & one I haven’t got close to putting it correctly on paper so please accept my apologies for some parts that are off or are a little out there on our non serious side that can come across sometimes also occurs in my less than ideal writing skills

Finally our water boys turned up lol

Which we were so glad for as the chewing gum & vapour drops couldn’t cut it anymore lol
Customary photos were taken &
Here’s as he was after the “wont cause any issue now “ spine shot

& waiting till the Ute arrived & my personal favourite pic of trip & one that rank’s extremely high over the years is this one

Loaded him up & back to our skinning tree

I was so honoured to do the autopsy on my mates buff

& saved a bit of backstrap to go with the other ones

Then it was time for another presentation to Rouan & im sure he was thinking another bottle by this stage ha we don’t play all our cards @ once he soon learned

So a pair of TikTok socks were presented seeing he seemed to get time consumed on watching you tube on the “ how to hunt “ videos lol

He took that well again & one that had many a laughs around the place but the real presentation was to come in the way of a full bottle of gin from my home state that was named Nel’s bluff & it went from a joking side to a ( I don’t know ) serious thankyou moment ( I can’t put in words & maybe Rouan will enlighten us ? but I saw it in his eyes of thankyou & really all that’s what matters although the picture doesn’t show it lol

Overall a magnificent day & tomorrow was a bit of a sleep in day as taking the meat to the village was going to be our main objective for the day

A couple of whiskey & in bed @930
Cheers

 

[TSALA HUNTING SAFARIS]

Those two elephant are superb. And so similar I could hardly tell they were different animals.

How many elephants do you get on quota in the area each year?

Good Day Russ

We get two tags each year for elephant.

Regards

Rouan

 

[CBH Australia]

Good Day Russ

We get two tags each year for elephant.

Regards

Rouan

For a minute I thought you were referring to to @Fordy as Russ, Russell Coight that is.

Now he’s a funny fella if you have never seen him. I know in another time Fordy has been compared to likenesses of Russell Coight. Just another Aussie bush Larrikin.

 

[Fordy]

Gday 13 th May
Up @5 had usual breaky then off to the village to drop off the meat

We had soccer ball , frisbees, bubble gum & lollipops for the kids as well

Spent a while there playing with the kids & watching the meat get prepared

My personal soccer skills were soon found wanting a lot & these kids had skills that were a pleasure to watch

The frisbee was a different kettle of fish as they had no clue on what the reason behind this was but a little coaching we got them going well ( the younger kids seemed to navigate more to frisbee’s the older was soccer all the way

Here’s one of the first times they’d seen a frisbee

Then it was hilarious as they just hit the ground

But before long they had it down pat & going well

The lollies went down well

Once the lollies were done & full time called on our game of soccer ( kids still were playing) we headed to the police area to get a couple of police officers to go with us to where the hippo were

Saw these guys but nothing came @ us so let them be

Then it was off to mavue as Dylan’s shout after his big bottle of rum lol
Here’s the well stocked bar

& Rusty having the coldest beer in town that was let’s say if your a Pom ( it’s what we call someone from England ) it would be considered perfect temp lol

Anyway now it was about to get interesting ( go to Cbh post #43 & you’ll see why the reference to Russell coight has some relevance to me ) as rusty wanted some of the cool vibrant coloured fabrics that he’d seen on different people & he got his wishes with this place

I Told him this one he’s holding was his colour

a couple words later I opened my mouth with the “ YOU BUY IT & ILL WEAR IT “
well I was told I wouldn’t fit in that , WELL challenge was accepted lol
& it wasn’t looking good @ this stage

everyone pitched in with a helping hand

& it was now off now for a fashion parade up the Main Street

Even had free homemade tonic offered as I was fitting right in with the crowd

Overall a great time in mavue but Daniel kept shaking his head & laughing which I thought for a minute that I can’t have him getting off Scott free so I told him we are going to get a impala with me wearing this top lol he thought I was joking as no no came out a few times but let’s just say it was impala 8 & rusty none so what did I have to loose as we were in party mood & the theme songs had got us through some troubled waters to getting the critters on the ground so just had to complete it all right & let’s say I’m very proud of the outcome which I don’t have a photo but rusty or Rouan does & the easiest impala probably ever shot as it just couldn’t work out what that guy was wearing lol
But here’s a celebrity drink on the way home from the skinning tree

& Dylan had to help me get that shirt off & was basically like skinning a rabbit lol

Met Brandon who would later gain the nickname Murphy

Had a great cookup as usual

& couple brandy’s & whiskey

In bed @10

Cheers

 

[Fordy]

Gday 14th of may
Up @5 usual breakfast for me

Easy day was ahead of us saw a few critters on a nice little stroll of about 4km & back to the as I called it the big boab water pan
Sat for awhile ( I grabbed a power nap lol ) & then back to camp for some lunch & off the pan where rusty shot his kudu in hope of one of the big old baboon we’d seen previously here
Sat till 5 with no luck as only smaller /younger ones came in saw kudu & our beloved bullfrog’s plus the usual variety of birds

Rouan & George went to look for Brandon as he hadn’t returned from anti poaching patrol so it was a nice little meal ( more for us lol ) between the 3 of us
Tea was a stew /casserole that was absolutely delicious & the bread Dylan had toasted on the fire just topped it off to perfection

Washed down with a couple whiskeys


Rouan , George & Brandon returned around 10 for which Brandon’s battery had given out but had collected a few snares
they grabbed their tea & was still plenty left

Sat till about 11 with them talking crap & stirring ea other up till zzz time called us all

Cheers

 

[Fordy]

Gday 15th May
Didn’t sleep well at all as nothing to do with anything just this wonderful place was coming to a end

got sick of tossing & turning so up @3 I made myself a cuppa tea stocked the fire sat back in the chair & just took it ALL IN

bit by bit the rest surfaced & breakfast followed by a bit of diesel stalking was to be the order of the day as we really just wanted to see as much of this place again with what time we had left

Saw a few critters on our way around this part & that & rusty had shot a absolute heap with his camera lol

We came up to one pan & a young jackal was walking off jumped out to get the rifle ready for rusty
We had a brief standoff for a moment as he kept shooting with his camera & said you shoot it so I took the opportunity to do that although all didn’t go as I wanted as my first shot went through the far leg on a quater to ( think zebra but not as severe angle ) & low in brisket area on impact which he spun around in circles & needed another which I didn’t stop him doing circles with the hydro on the second shot but the 3rd did

Very disappointed in my shooting although Rusty tried to reassure by saying you did hit him with the 3 but for those who know me I try to hold my shooting @ a high level so this was disappointing for me

kept on diesel stalking till we ended up back @ camp where it was time for rusty & I too cook tea
Which was flaunting with danger as we had no idea what was what in the kitchen other than oranges flour beer & coke

chopped up the back straps

Dusted In flour

&browned the meat

Then added everything we thought would be ok from the pantry cupboard

A squeeze of orange

& all ready to go on the fire for a slow cook

Didn’t take any pictures of that cooked meal but don’t mind saying it was pretty good

A couple drinks alround with everybody on the last night in camp is always special relieving what had just occurred & in bed @10 ready for the trip back to Kruger for the night & overall arrived @ this place not knowing anyone but felt like now we’ve known them forever

Yes it’s a special place this with special people

Thankyou to the Tsala family for allowing us to be part of yours

Cheers
Ps more to come & how Brandon eventually got his nickname engrained in time for us

 

[Fordy]

Gday
16 th May
Up @430 & a bit more of the taking in moments over a cuppa tea

Rouan surfaced & low & behold he had his TikTok socks on & this picture is pretty cool

& goes perfectly with what’s wrote on them

States “I’d rather be on TikTok “ but we all knew he was still looking @ YouTube on how to hunt buffalo ( joking)

Had a nice breakfast , Packed up gear & loaded in the Ute & Rouan still was having trouble with that , nothing to do with my rifle case lol

I’ll come back with part 2 of that day as gotta go feed my cows sorry

Cheers

 

[Rusty H]

I would like to take a moment in this story to thank Fordy for his reporting on our trip. He way more articulate than me when it comes to narrating all we experienced. Thank you for a trip of a lifetime and the memories to follow! AND Thanks to all at Tsala Safaries

 

[Fordy]

Gday rusty & others what I’m about to write in response to this below of Rusty’s will not come out like I truly want to relay as I really have trouble true expression into words but please understand it’s from my heart

I would like to take a moment in this story to thank Fordy for his reporting on our trip. He way more articulate than me when it comes to narrating all we experienced. Thank you for a trip of a lifetime and the memories to follow! AND Thanks to all at Tsala Safaries

No thanks needed on my part but totally agree on Tsala & don’t cut yourself short

Was definitely a trip of a lifetime but one that wouldn’t of occurred without you & Tsala
So thankyou for allowing this muppet a little bit more of Africa & how much it means to me is priceless

I hoped to relay as much as possible but i already know I’ve missed some EXTREMELY important parts like the day we found that buff that had been caught in a snare

& without hesitation ( wrong word but hopefully people get what I mean ) Rouan started to organise a group to sweep the area & cleared the snares out

This to me speaks absolute volumes of what the big picture here is & overall you get to see a abundance of little critters on a scale I’ve not seen many places hold

Yes this whole ecosystem is in very good hands

So once again thankyou rusty & Tsala as conservation is a big part of my family’s life & one rusty you’ve been part of for a while now ( family isn’t only blood to me people ) & Tsala is one that’s showing the way & I have come away knowing I can do better myself on my hunting/conservation property & more importantly to me is they are part of my family


Cheers

 

[Fordy]

Gday 16th May continued
Once packed up we went a different route & to the salting shed for a final look @ Rusty’s trophy’s & a picture or 2 of his adventures with them ( i don’t have those pictures sorry) then along the boarder

Which it is a very long straight stretch lol until we got back to

for some snacks & drinks


Then off to the Limpopo where a bit different barge awaited us but as we pulled up Brandon turned his Ute off ( remember battery crapped itself) & Murphy was living upto his name so the change over of batteries between the utes occurred again & he was ready to board

over they went

& Murphys name was now set in stone for us as they got caught up in the trees

they got out & arrived
ready for the reverse off
& wait for us for which ours was a smooth crossing

Got to the pafui boarder all went well & the officer remembered the call from the other officer in chicualacuala & I got my day of entry stamp man the days just flew by lol as they were followed by my day of departure stamp


South Africa was also easy & stayed the night in the doctors house in Kruger
Had a quick look @ crooks courner & saw some critters
Settled in for a nice evening watched the sun go down around the fire over a couple drinks

Had a nice meal Rouan cooked & talked some more of what just occurred & talked a little more on what was to come & especially if we could get Alex over the line to hunt elephant here & forget about the Tuskless we had initially talked of

Dates were penciled as I was fairly confident Alex would take this type of hunt over what where we had initially thought of going as a hunt to him like us is the journey involved & squeezing the trigger is optional & a bonus

In bed about 9

Cheers

 

[Fordy]

Gday
Last day before our flight back to Aussie

Said our goodbye to Dylan @ the Kruger front gate & what a lovely young man who has someways to go on the ph front to go but from the quality he has to show him in Rouan I’m sure his DG ph ticket isn’t far away ( I mean that with the utmost respect & not downgrading his skill level he’s got so far in the journey of being a ph )


Pretty uneventful really & a sad but greatfull of the experience/memories day

We saw some nice critters on our way out of Kruger but still it’s a shame to see this place in the state it is & passed a multitude of vechiles taking people on a tour that no doubt were admiring what they we’re seeing but If they only knew how Kruger is dying from the inside out they most likely would have a different outlook well some as some can’t see black from white imo

don’t know if that’s appropriate to say that here but I’ll stand my ground & push forward with what I’ve seen & what I know for that I’ll not apologise for & only apologise if it’s been put up against the rules of the forum ( which could I have a link please , pm fine )

Sorry for derail

Had a nice drive back to joberg talking a multitude of different things & a great burger & hot sweet potato chips for lunch ( rusty had hot potato chips )

Said our good by to Murphy & off to the airport
hugs with Rouan was our goodbye & final time we would see him until we would meet again
That day won’t come quick enough


Overall I cannot thank the Tsala family enough & im sure there are other good outfits out there as I’ve found before

BUT THIS ONE IS A BLOODY GOOD ONE!!

Thanks for all those who’ve put up with the way I relay things & thanks for my brother Rusty luv you mate

Cheers Fordy