SOUTH AFRICA: MPETI Safaris, SA

[gearguywb]

I think it is only fitting to offer a report on our trip as I have benefited greatly from other members and their willingness to share here on the forum.

About us: I have not been back to Africa in 25 years, and my wife has never visited. We are avid outdoors people, hunting in the West, climbing, hiking, etc. We currently have a home in KC but I spend a lot of time at our corporate office in Chicago.

One of my ulterior motives is to have my wife fall in love with a trip like this which I will then benefit greatly from

I will not go into the flight SNAFU’s as I covered those in another post.

We flew Delta, MCI to Jo’burg. Once we finally arrived in Jo’burg (3 days late), we were met by our PH, Conrad with @MPETI SAFARIS OUTFITTER. I can not give adequate praise to Conrad’s willingness to help make this trip happen even after all of the issues early on.

Unfortunately there was an issue with our SA rifle permits due to numbers being incorrectly entered. Conrad stepped in and with a little lubrication, we were able to get our gear and head out. Last folks out of the terminal that night!

We drove for an hour and a half, then spent the night at a comfortable hotel which would allow us to get to MPETI early enough the next day to get started.

On the wish list was buffalo, zebra (2x), warthog, and Nyala

Rifles were a Blaser R8 in “06 (suppressed) and a 416 Rigby by Parkwest.

We arrived at the lodge (which is awesome!), the headed straight out to the range to check zeros. Took a couple of clicks on the Blaser, the 416 was spot on.

Pics to follow when I have a better connection,

 

[gearguywb]

 

[gearguywb]

Day 1 on the property:

After checking zeroes, we headed out.

Amazing populations of Nyala on the property! My thought was that while buffalo was our primary target, I would not pass up other opportunities if presented, particularly given that we had lost two hunting days.

After a bit of driving around the area we saw a group of 4 zebra mingling in with a group of about 6 giraffes. Amazing how come of the animals really liked to Ghana out together

After a fair amount of maneuvering, trying to keep the wind right and keep from spooking the giraffes, we were able to get set up approx 150 yards from one of the zebra.

Unfortunately it was facing dead on to me and my shot was about 1 1/2” low. Certainly a lethal shot, but not what I wanted or what the animal deserved.

We were able to get back within range a few minutes later and collected our first trophy of the trip!

 

[gearguywb]

Day 2:

We spent a good deal of time searching for buff. No way something that big should be so hard to find and hide behind a blade of grass

We made a couple of stalks into some really thick stuff with fresh sign to no avail.

We had been seeing good numbers of blue wildebeest so I opted to add one to the bag if afforded the opportunity.

Sure enough, we found a proper bull that we played cat and mouse with a bit. He knew we were there…we knew he was there…..

Eventually he made a bad decision and popped out from a thicket approx 50 yards away.

 

[gearguywb]

Day 3 (AM):

Continue our quest to find fresh buffalo sign and follow it up. A few potentials early in the morning but nothing that worked out until….

We rounded a corner on the track and Conrad says “buffalo!” I look over and can just make out a set of big bosses, deep drops ppl drops, and someone that I obviously wrote a bad check to in a prior life….accompanied by a buddy with the same outlook on life!

We moved a good bit further down the track, dismounted, checked the wind, and moved out. We made a large semi-circle to get the wind right and started moving through the brush. As we closed the distance we got lower, and lower, and moved ever so carefully.

After low crawling up to a tree with a branch that was conveniently placed, I looked up and could just make out a large black VW van…

I was looking at the other buff when Conrad whispers “one on the right, get ready”.

Without reason (wind was right, no noise or movement) the bull lifted his head and stared straight at us with a quartering to position at 32 yards.

I launched a 400 grain Hornady out of a 416 Rigby. He took it, made a slight jump, then he and his buddy took off.we gave him approx 10 minutes then started SLOWLY following up.

Finally the sound of the death bellow floated back to us. One insurance shot later and it was a done deal. Shot was on the money but he went 70 yards before giving up, the last couple of minutes standing in a thicket watching his back trail.

To say I was truly blessed is one heck of an understatement. Great hunt for an old warrior and my wife accompanied us every step of the way!..

This bull deserves a fitting end and a place of honor forever.

 

[ACM]

Congrats to you and @MPETI SAFARIS OUTFITTER for making it happen even after you lost some days! Great animals taken.

 

[Graham Hunter]

Day 2:

We spent a good deal of time searching for buff. No way something that big should be so hard to find and hide behind a blade of grass

We made a couple of stalks into some really thick stuff with fresh sign to no avail.

We had been seeing good numbers of black wildebeest so I opted to add one to the bag if afforded the opportunity.

Sure enough, we found a proper bull that we played cat and mouse with a bit. He knew we were there…we knew he was there…..

Eventually he made a bad decision and popped out from a thicket approx 50 yards away.

View attachment 701540View attachment 701541

Looks a lot like a Blue Widebeest.

 

[gearguywb]

Correct. That’s what I get for fighting with poor internet.

Obviously a blue not black wildebeest!

 

[gearguywb]

Taking a break from your regularly scheduling program to talk about…food!

To say it was awesome is an understatement. A few pics and menu listed below.

16 July

* Lunch - Venison lasagne
* Deep fried Camembert served with green salad, beetroot, crispy bacon and a berry reduction
* Lamb chips
* Baked cheesecake with caramel

17 July
* Lunch - Buffalo fillet and Garlic bread
* Springbok Carpaccio
* Kings lip
* Malva pudding with custard

18 July
* Snack after buffalo - Bushpig sausage
* Lunch- Butter chicken
* Creamy garlic mussels
* Beef fillet
* Chocolate Brownie

19 July
* Lunch - pork chops
* Prawn parmesan
* Oxtail and mash
* Peppermint crisp tart

20 July
* Impala sosaties/kebabs
* Blue Wildebeest tender loin
* Braai broodjies ‎

 

[MPETI SAFARIS OUTFITTER]

Thank you for posting the hunting report! While you had challenges getting here, you quickly made up for lost time with some great trophies. It was great getting to host the two of you and we appreciate you selecting Mpeti Safaris Outfitter for your buffalo hunt. Take care and will talk again soon.
Conrad

 

[gearguywb]

Day 4: Nyala time

The property at MPETI has a LOT of Nyala. We saw males, females, young throughout the area. We had worked a stalk on 3 different bulls that for one reason or another, didn’t work out.

The stalks were a lot of fun and several times we were close to sealing the deal, but never quite there.

Late on day 4 we saw a veery nice bull that was preoccupied feeding across a fairly open area.

We were able to get within approximately 125 yards, then spent an eternity on the sticks waiting for him to turn from facing straight away.

He finally made the turn and we were able to connect.

I am not sure who was more excited, Conrad (PH) or myself! Nonetheless, he is a great bull and very proud to have been able to hunt and then harvest him.

 

[Frederik]

@gearguywb Thanks for sharing your hunt. Hope the trip home went smooth.