I would like to thank AfricaHunting and Wintershoek Safaris again for this amazing hunt donation. The week Chris and I spent at Kareekloof created great memories and wonderful friendships we will always cherish. I met Johnny Vivier in Dallas this year and he told me they tried to have the properties and wildlife for the men, but the lodges brought the wives back year after year. Kareekloof lodge does not disappoint there. What has been done to turn this 130 year old ranch house into a premier hunting lodge, while still preserving and showcasing the history and authentic ranch feel of the place is amazing. The rooms are over the top nice, with great gathering areas, fire circle, cigar and wine bar, a little museum showing the history of the property and the area, and great outdoor areas. The food, drinks, snacks at the fire- everything was more than I could have even asked for. It has Christina already planning our return.
But more than the lodge is the people there. Gideon is the camp manager with his wife Lezzan (spelling??) and while he looks like this big, dry retired pro rugby player- he is always quick with a joke or smile or trying to pick up a hunter who is feeling a little frustrated about his shooting. Aretha is an amazing cook and makes sure you have more good food than any one person should eat in a day. The staff are always smiling, friendly and make sure you have everything you need or want. Ryno is a young man who works in the skinning shed (or where ever else they need him) who immediately becomes your friend. Chris and I got a few chances to visit with him during the week and he drove us back to Kimberley. When he gets his PH license he will be a great guy to hunt with. Richard was an excellent driver/tracker and although he was kind of quiet, he was always quick with a smile. And of course my wife finally had him talking by the end of the week. She has that gift with everyone.
I especially want to thank Yvan and recommend anyone hunting with Wintershoek ask for him. I met several of the other PHs while we were there and have no doubt they are all great guys to hunt with. But I could not have asked for a better hunting companion than Yvan. He has a ton of knowledge about everything we were doing- hunting or just sight seeing. He was always gracious and mindful of my wife and eager to make sure we were having fun no matter if on the hunt or at the lodge. He and Georgeana were great companions for Chris and I to spend a week in Africa with.
On the drive back we also stopped at the wildlife rehab center Wintershoek operates and got to see some of the animals they have charge of. It was very neat to see how this hunting organization also operates this center for animals captured from smugglers or victims of poachers.
Across the road from there we got a tour of the taxidermy shop from Karen. The work they do in there is top of the line. The custom work as well as the more standard taxidermy was as good as anything I've seen.
There was absolutely nothing I could have asked to change on this trip (except my shooting of course!). I have rarely been somewhere that blew me and my wife away on every detail, but our 8 days at Kareekloof did!
