SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa With Unico Safaris

[JES Adventures]

Day 5

We were going to hunt Baboon today but there was a change in plans. Part of this husband/wife package was a spa day for the lady as well as a half day cooking class with a local Chef. Deb enjoyed the spa day earlier in the week and asked me to join her for the cooking class so I obliged.

The Chef, Yvette does the class at her beautiful home overlooking a river. She greeted us with a welcome cocktail and told us the plan. We will learn the “trick” to making carpaccio and her special roasted marrow bone recipe.

Ostrich and Eland Carpaccio

Roasted Marrow Bones

Along with that, she is sharing some cookie recipes with Debra and taught her how to make a cheese biscuit with chili jam.

It was a relaxing day, drinking wine and spending time in the kitchen and on the patio in such beautiful weather. The mornings are cool and by nine we’re in shirt sleeves. We finally said our goodbyes around four so we could get back in time to sit in the blind.

It was a nice evening, not cold and very little wind. The sun set just before six and we patiently waited for something to arrive.

After several hours, the wind picked up and changed pushing our scent right to the bait. Andre gave it a bit longer but knew our efforts would be fruitless with this wind so he called the tracker to bring the car.

Back in camp for a late dinner then off to bed at midnight. Another wonderful day in the Limpopo.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 6

This morning we got up at 7, breakfast at 7:30 then out for the day.

The plan is to go in search of a Chacma Baboon. After all of my Safaris in Southern Africa I have never shot this sub-specie. I had taken Yellow Baboon in Mozambique and Olive Baboon in Cameroon and Chad so was looking forward to hunting this one.

We left camp and headed for a more mountainous area about a 45 minute drive. Once in the area we quickly discovered how thick the bush was but had hopes to find a troop up in the rocks.

A couple of hours into the morning Andre spotted some females and young off in the bush but no big male. After driving for another hour we stopped in the shade of a big tree for lunch and listened to see if we could hear one bark off in the distance. After spending quite a while trying to locate them, the bush was too thick and we moved to another area.

One of the farm hands shows us a field below a rocky ridge line he said that sometimes the Baboon cross in the late afternoon going to water. We will set up in the brush and watch this field the balance of the day.

Andre called it just after four so we could be back in time to do some spotlighting. As we drove out of the property we saw a group of Baboon in the open at 500+ yards and as we started their direction they were off to the bush.

Once back at camp, we got our jackets and headed out just after sunset. The moonphase is better, almost half now and rising after midnight. Soon after leaving camp we saw Aardwolf, Duiker and Steenbok. Some time later a trio of Bat Eared Fox and a pair of Whitetail Mongoose. There is much more activity tonight as compared to previous nights the past week.

One of the many Aardwolf seen the past few nights.

Suddenly, Andre tapped the roof and started talking to Nicholas who was driving and he looked at me and said there is a big Porcupine. We tried to make way to it but it ran into the thick bush. Andre said let’s go after him and we took off with flashlights and the rifle. After several attempts to get a shot, the porcupine made it to a hold and the hunt was over.

While scanning the trees for Genet, Andre spotted a small troop of Baboon sleeping in a very large tree so we stopped and scanned for a big male.

When one was located, I took the 300 and got into position for a shot. It was an awkward angle so I needed two shots to bring the Baboon down but we had our Chacma and I was pleased. That was the last thing I thought I would shoot tonight!

Back to spotlighting we saw more Aardwolf, along with a variety of plains game and some buffalo. There was an alert on the camera at the bait pile and a Civet was eating. Andre said let’s go give it a try, maybe we can drive up on it.

As we approached the bait, there was nothing there so we carried on another hundred meters or so and turned to our left on another road. Not a minute later Andre said, ‘get your rifle’, then I said ’what is it?’ He said ‘Civet’. I raised the rifle as the Civet was walking through the high grass and got off a shot. The 17HMR with a suppressor was very quiet so the report of a solid hit was evident.

Nicholas, Andre and his dog Leica were out and headed to the Civet while I held the light. After searching, there was no sign of the dead Civet but they did find blood. A long tracking job ensued and when I caught up to them about 400 meters away Andre showed me blood on the trail and that the Civet was dragging a leg. After another 100 meters we could tell by the blood trail we were getting close and Leica started barking. I ran towards the noise but she stopped and Andre called for me to get ahead.

Before I could get him in my sight Leica started barking again and I could hear the Civet growling. The Civet tried to run again but this time Leica grabbed it and I heard her yelp as the Civet bit her on the nose. Andre yelled ‘Quickly Sir’ and I did the best I could on my old and new knees. I got up to the bush where the Civet was bayed and put in a finishing shot. When Nicholas pulled it out, I was shocked at how big it was. I had shot Civet before but unfortunately the skin went bad so I wanted another for the trophy room. This Civet was much larger than the one I had taken before and in fact when weighed back at camp was 16,2 Kgs.

Me and Leica! She is a wonderful German Wirehair Pointer and saved us hours of tracking in the night to recover the Civet.

After a long walk back to the vehicle and drive to camp it was well past eleven. Shoes had a great meal of Steenbok stew, corn casserole and salad ready for us. We paired that with a nice South African Cabernet to complete the meal.

Afterwards, we relaxed and let our food settle over a whiskey and cigar. There are no plans for tomorrow, sleep in late then go for a game drive. You never know what can pop up.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 7

We slept in today, awakened to the sounds of birds in the trees. I got coffee for us and we had a late breakfast. Debra chose to go to town with Chanelle to do some shopping while Andre and I went out for a drive. We saw Impala, Blesbok, Steenbok, Duiker and Nyala. Another gorgeous morning in the high 60’s and a clear blue sky.

We finished off the day at a lovely Sundowner spot and enjoyed some appetizers and a great bottle of South African wine. A fitting finish for a wonderful week at Unico.

I want to thank Tania Kaiser for her continued support of wildlife conservation for donating this magnificent week. She along with her daughter Talia run an impeccable camp and we wanted for nothing our entire stay. Besides that, they are very welcoming and made us feel right at home.

Being an outfitter myself, I appreciate their attention to detail as everything was in place from snacks and toiletries in our room to a vase of fresh flowers. These are things you don’t encounter on a lot of Safaris, especially in bush camps. But I must say, it was nice to have the overall experience.

The staff was always courteous and attentive, always ready to serve.

Unico is the perfect destination for wives that may not want to hunt every day. They can organize a variety of activities such as the spa visit and cooking class to game drives, shopping excursions and lion & elephant interactions.

Additionally, with Talia being a travel agent she can organize Cape Town Tours, Wine Tours to Stellenbosch as well as trips to Krueger National Park and Victoria Falls.

Whether you are a first time Safari hunter or a seasoned veteran, couple of family Tania and Talia will see to it that you have an unforgettable experience.

 

[Nyati]

Congrats for a great Safari !

 

[PARA45]

What a wonderful safari, and congratulations on finally getting your Chacma Baboon. Thank you for sharing the options for couples, I'm sure my wife will love to visit a place like this.