SOUTH AFRICA: Pawprint Safaris Sable & Crocodile Hunt

[Britt Beck]

Congratulations. Beautiful trophies. What a hunt.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Back home dreaming of Africa.
While still there, Pieter made me an offer so I could afford another animal

He noticed I have some gold teeth!
So Limpopo Tent Camp I need one more animal!
It’s maybe a two hour drive , but oh what a great place they have put together!

PawPrints Limpopo Tent Camp...only one word describes it...AWESOME!

It’s like taking a step back in time only being comfortable. It is on a wonderful site with scattered trees to provide shade when the sun is intense.

The tents are large rectangular double roofed green canvas containing many zippered windows with great ventilation. There is a sleeping area with two twin beds, two chairs and three small bedside tables to keep your stuff organized. Each tent also has its own separate bathroom.

Good water and hot water provided for showering. There is a wood fired “donkie” that provided plenty of very hot water. Take caution because I do mean VERY HOT! Not a lot of pressure, but as much as my cabover camper has. Easy to shower in oversized corrugated sheet metal shower stalls located in each of the tents along with a very uniquely designed sink different in each and a good flushing toilet.

The kitchen/dinning area is now grass covered and ran very efficiently directed by Johan’s super sweet wife. A full array of gas fired appliances fill the kitchen half. At least one of their 4 wonderful kids was helping mom at all times while one was getting this old man my daily red wine dose, cleaning my chair in front of the fire, stoking the fire, taking me for a bit of a stroll to take pictures, or helping dad work on something trying to improve it.

Johan’s family has to be on top of my list for sweet, fun and tons of energy. Simply some of the nicest kids I have ever met!

Currently the place has battery powered lighting with everyone having one to help find their way in the dark from the fireplace to their tent. I don’t think they will be needed except in the dark phases of the moon, but still a comfort to have. Each tent has an LED light in the bedroom space and one in the bathroom space. Solar panels with lots of deep cycle batteries are in the works with time to install them the only item needed. Even in the dark of the moon it was no problem with my one cell pocket flashlight.

In my experience camps always need upgrades, improvements and modifications. I’m sure as each hunter comes, they will have their own suggestions based on their own experiences for the final goal of the Limpopo Tent Camp.

I like it...a lot!


The bush. The thousands of acres (I think they said 4,000 or so) where the camp is located is only a fraction of all the properties (some adjacent to it) accessible to PawPrints clients. The camp piece of the area could be driven around with lots of crossing roads, but don’t think this will make it an easy hunt! It is mostly very thick bush. A couple of times we walked right out of came stalking around just to see what we could find. Not 100 yards from camp we spotted two giraffes. Then we spotted a really fine bushbuck! Excellent heavy parallel horned impala were almost everywhere! Including in camp after we all retired. I know this because of the fresh tracks in camp and I could here them “growling”...it was mating season in May.


There are two funny ancient hand started diesel water pumps. These things last forever! Johan and his son worked in unison to start one while I watched. They’ve got it figured out. Both of the pumps feed water to several watering troughs and a couple of tanks as well as the camp tank. So plenty of water.

The game-

There were lots of sign of warthogs, but it was very cool and they didn’t show when we spent a couple of hours in a blind. We did spot one on an adjacent property, a moma and three little ones, and jumped one some 10 feet away in the bush that was napping. I don’t know if he was spooked any more than me though.

Impalas did come near the water, but they too didn’t water. Just too cool that day.

Many female and young kudu bulls with at least two fine kudu bulls on the place we saw.

A good herd of blue Wildebeest covered ground constantly. Not sure there are any good mature bulls yet.

My favorites, the night critters, seemed all over. We saw genet, caracal and civet. Honey badgers are supposedly there as well. Oh yes and leopard are also around!

I didn’t have time there to see the other places, but they have about any game you could want including Cape buffalo. They also can be hunted most methods, ie, walk and stalk, driving spot and stalk, blinds, what ever you like.


In my opinion this particular piece of property is especially good for top quality impala. And the best hunting here would be for someone who enjoys the walk and stalk without any specific game in mind and wants to be as close as possible to traditional Africa hunting. As I have seen many of you say “take what Africa offers” would be the best way to hunt here.

Me, I’m already planning how to get back there next year. It was absolutely that GRAND! Beautiful place. Beautiful family. And some fine game! Genets and honey badgers look out! I’m coming to get you!

 

[cpr0312]

Nice pig! And congrats on your hunt, you did well!

 

[Ridgewalker]

Oh my I almost forgot one of my dream animal I had to pay dearly for!
While Johan’s son was driving us around looking for night critters the last night at camp, we spotlighted two big glowing yellow eyes behind us! My heart began to race...a NIGHT CRITTER has exposed itself by his glowing eyes in the spotlight! What could it be?
Young Johannes turned the truck around as quickly as possible in the narrow road. My heart raced hoping it would not spook what ever it was! We finally got close enough to see the animal. Awesome! A caracal! Johan was trying to calm me telling me to take my time. I had already missed several jackals and a genet by rushing because they just don’t stay around long and are constantly moving. Oh heart calm down and please shot be true on this a dream animal! BAM! The recoil takes the scope off the animal. My mind is racing...did I blow it again on another of my night critter dream animals!
I’ll let you be my judge.

Yep, another bucket list checked off! Night critters have been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old and called in a grey fox in Texas from the back of a 1950 Jeep station wagon using a Weems Wildcall. Such wonderful memories with another one to add.

 

[johnnyblues]

Super hunt Phil. Nice cat! What's next buffalo?

 

[Ridgewalker]

Super hunt Phil. Nice cat! What's next buffalo?

John, I took a fine buffalo last September with PawPrints. Another one is on my list, but if they still have the great deal next year on lion/lioness I’m thinking very seriously about it. And on the way back from that stopping again at the Limpopo Tent Camp to maybe get another night critter and one of the fine impalas I saw.
I’d enjoy having a hunting bud to split the lion/lioness hunt if you’re interested? And when things get better in your world.

 

[johnnyblues]

John, I took a fine buffalo last September with PawPrints. Another one is on my list, but if they still have the great deal next year on lion/lioness I’m thinking very seriously about it. And on the way back from that stopping again at the Limpopo Tent Camp to maybe get another night critter and one of the fine impalas I saw.
I’d enjoy having a hunting bud to split the lion/lioness hunt if you’re interested? And when things get better in your world.

Morning buddy. Seriously considering a water buffalo hunt in Argentina for the near future. @reedy0312 is also seriously considering it too...Any interest in doing one? Next year if Ro's situation is ok and if my guy in Namibia gets a leopard tag I ll go round two with Mr. Spots. But water buff within in the next two years.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Morning buddy. Seriously considering a water buffalo hunt in Argentina for the near future. @reedy0312 is also seriously considering it too...Any interest in doing one? Next year if Ro's situation is ok and if my guy in Namibia gets a leopard tag I ll go round two with Mr. Spots. But water buff within in the next two years.

I’m interested! Dr Ray and I have also been discussing water buff, but out of Darwin. He’s chasing them next month as well.

 

[johnnyblues]

I’m interested! Dr Ray and I have also been discussing water buff, but out of Darwin. He’s chasing them next month as well.

Ok Argentina buff a little different but a worthy adversary! I ll probably take another blackbuck and pig...

 

[Art Lambart II]

Great Report, I really like the Tent Camp Pictures and can't wait to see it for myself in July.

 

[Ridgewalker]

One more treat Johan’s family did at The tent camp. Johan, his son Johannes and I had left for an evening hunt. We were driving along when I noticed a truck in the bush. I thought maybe someone else was there, then I realized it was the family truck. I thought maybe all the girls were out for a ride. Rounding the corner what did I see, but all the ladies sitting near a lovely spread table covered in treats! I asked what is going on? Johan said we’re here for a sundowner. What a surprise out in the middle of the bush!

Amarula is a liqeuer made from the Marula tree fruit. We were sitting in the middle of a grove of them! How grand is that? Apparently wild animals get drunk eating the Marula fruit when it is ripe. Everything from baboons to elephants! Me too! It was delicious!
So how was that for one’s final evening at the Limpopo Tent Camp? Now you don’t have to even guess why I am looking forward to returning to a tent camp with a wonderful family as your hosts!

 

[billc]

I love that drink myself ridgewalker. Johan is a great guy it seems his family is tops also.

I can see why you wanted to go back to the tent camp .They give you a going away treat and Pieter try's to pry your gold teeth out. Hope we can share a camp one day my friend it would be a treat for me.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I love that drink myself ridgewalker. Johan is a great guy it seems his family is tops also.

I can see why you wanted to go back to the tent camp .They give you a going away treat and Pieter try's to pry your gold teeth out. Hope we can share a camp one day my friend it would be a treat for me.

Hopefully next year we can have a grand hunt together! Looking forward to it Bill!

 

[CAustin]

Great follow up report sir. By the way you got my cat darn it! The caracal is high on my list.

 

[Shootist43]

I have to agree with the previous comments, the tent camp does look comfy. My only concern is the availability of electricity at night which I need to keep my CPAP operational.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Great follow up report sir. By the way you got my cat darn it! The caracal is high on my list.

Charlie, we saw another one that appeared larger! He’s all yours!

 

[CAustin]

I bet Pieter can come up with a generator for you and me both on the CPAP need.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I have to agree with the previous comments, the tent camp does look comfy. My only concern is the availability of electricity at night which I need to keep my CPAP operational.

Art, a buddy of mine has to use a CPAP but he has one that runs off both 12v and 110v. Pieter and Johan said they would see what they could do for you and Charlie. I think they also have a generator for backup. Also they’ll probably be towing the meat trailer which has a generator. Another bit of info as I understood, they have over 600 watts of solar panels ready to install. That with batteries and an inverter will run a whole lot of AC stuff!
Just my guesses though. Check with them. They’ll do what ever it takes to make it work for you.

 

[cagkt3]

Great looking caracal, I'm jealous! The new camp looks great

 

[Ridgewalker]

cagkt3, thanks! You should try the camp. It was so much like stepping back in time. Great experience. I think they are also looking at offering a combination where you start out by spending 2-3 days at Balule then 2-3 days at the tent camp. This gives you the best of both experiences. That’s just hard to beat! JMO