SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa With Unico Safaris

[JES Adventures]

It was been over two years since my last Safari but I am finally headed back across the pond! Most of 2024 was consumed with my construction project building the new trophy room @RESERVE RANCH and having my right knee replaced.

My daughter Jordan just completed her second year at the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine and is currently in the Limpopo for a three week Wildlife Veterinary course. My wife said since Jordan was going to be there, we should make a trip over and join up with her after her work is completed and do a bit of hunting.

Back in March, I was with my son Parker at the Austin Chapter of SCI fundraiser and I bought a seven day hunt donated by Unico Safaris for my wife and me. I have hunted RSA many times but this donation included a Golden Wildebeast which I have never hunted. That along with some night critters will make for a fun filled week.

We are sitting in the British Air lounge at Houston Intercontinental waiting to board our flight to Heathrow then on to Joberg. Not traveling with guns made check in a breeze so we relaxed and sipped champagne and enjoyed some snacks. Anticipation is always high when headed on a trip but I am looking forward to some down time on the plane ride. From what I have seen, the weather has been great so we are looking forward to getting back to the bush in a couple of days.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Good luck.

 

[Pablo]

Best of luck! I’m happy for your daughter, there is definitely a shortage of large animal vets.

 

[JES Adventures]

I know I am hijacking my own thread but I have to brag - she won the darting competition shooting a moving target from a helicopter!

 

[Fatback]

Sounds like a fun safari ahead. Best of luck and looking forward to following along with this report.

 

[JES Adventures]

We arrived London just after noon, the flight was an hour late leaving Houston. I have not used BA in years and I must say I was a bit disappointed. I chose this route based on budget and travel time. This is the first Business Class flight I have ever been on that did not serve a drink (beer, wine, spirits) prior to takeoff. Then, it was almost an hour into the fight before my first glass of champagne arrived.

My flight attendant was courteous but non-existent. I am not one of those passengers constantly hitting the call button, I simply wait until they walk by to make a request. Once my dinner tray was gone I never saw him again.

My last to flights to Southern Africa were on Qatar, East Africa on KLM. I rank Qatar the highest, KLM next and not quite sure where to rank BA, lets see how the rest of the trip plays out.

 

[AZDAVE]

It is always a blessing to see our children succeed. Have a good trip.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I believe my hunting companion Ross and his wife Heather are on the flight from London to JNB. I’m meeting them in JNB before heading to Zambia

 

[RESERVE RANCH]

The second leg on BA was a bit better as far as service went but the seating layout was a bit odd. I managed to get about 5 hours sleep so hopefully that puts me on schedule tonight.

The flight landed a little early and it was a brisk 37 degrees in Johannesburg. I always book Gun service or meet and greet through Anne at Hunters Support/Air2000 and it is well worth the fee. Our man met us as we deplaned and walked us past all the lines and had our passports stamped in the Diplomatic/VIP booth. After 11 hours on a flight I hate standing in the rat maze.

Tania Kaiser met us at after we collected our bags and we were off to the camp after a stop at Safari Outdoors in Pretoria. I had heard about this shop for years and never been there and it was very nice.

I packed everything I needed for the Safari but couldn’t pass up on a new flask!

A couple hours later we arrived at camp and were greeted with a refreshing aperitif.

 

[Firebird]

Excited for more!

 

[JES Adventures]

Shoes, the Butler greeted us with the welcome drink

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 1

Shoes brought coffee to our room at 7, I was happy to have slept the night so hopefully will be on schedule from here on.

After a full breakfast my PH Andre Keyter and I talked about the area while I let Debra sleep in. We went to the range for a couple of shots with the rifles and they were spot on. A 270 with pulsar thermal and a 300 Win Mag topped off with a Zeiss. Both had suppressors and were comfortable to shoot.

We got out of camp around 9 in search of Golden Wildebeest. It’s a beautiful Winter morning, clear sunny sky and 55 degrees.

As we drive the area we saw Steenbok, Duiker, Impala and Nyala. We stopped the vehicle and walked through some thick bush to glass an open area. There was a nice group of Blesbok and two very good rams 17”+. I have taken several in the past so chose not to go after them.

We carried on for an hour or so seeing a variety of game as we move slowly to glass various open areas. Shortly before eleven we came across a large heard of Golden Wildebeest about 40+ animals. There were two mature bulls in the group one larger so we moved slowly to try to get a position for a shot. After watching them for about five minutes at a range of approximately 250 yards something spooked them and they moved off.

Andre radioed for the vehicle and we drove for another half hour or so before finding the group again. We offloaded and made way through the bush to get into better position to glass them. Fortunately, when we came to an open space, Andre spotted the bull that we were after right on the edge of the tree line.

He set up the sticks and I got into position with the 300 and he said aim about 3 inches high. The bull was slightly quartering so I held back a bit and squeezed the trigger.

There was the solid report and the bull jumped in the air and kicked his hind legs as the group ran out behind him and all took off. He ran about 100 yards and did a semicircle then fell over. The Bull tried to get up on his feet, but couldn’t make it. I stayed on the sticks, ready in case he got up again, but he was finished.

Once we got to the bull, I was amazed how beautiful they really are. I had only ever looked at them through binoculars and never really had a true appreciation for the coloration of their hide. Handshakes all around them we set him up for photos.

Back to camp for a great lunch of Springbok burgers and fries. We relaxed the afternoon and headed to the bait to hunt for Honey Badger, Civet or whatever else shows up of interest.

 

[gillettehunter]

Great looking GWB. Congrats and good shooting.
Bruce

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 1 continued

We left camp a little before five to go sit in the blind. One of the trackers brought fresh bait to sweeten the pile and we got settled in for the evening. Shortly after sunrise, the full moon came up and there was no wind. For the next three hours, it was dead, silent no activity obviously the moon phase has affected the scavengers and predators. We called it a night about 9 PM and headed back to camp for a late dinner. we’re going to give it a few days for the moon phase to start falling off and monitor the game camera. If the activity picks up, we’ll try it again.

The plan for tomorrow is to be out of camp shortly after seven in search of event in Nyala. I shot a really nice bull just over 30 inches back in 1989 on my first trip to South Africa with a classic lyre shape. I saw one in the skinning shed that was quite unusual, it had the tips turning out and was quite impressive. So I said Andre if we can find one like this, I’ll be game.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 2

I was up about 6:30 and shoes brought coffee a little before seven. Andre was waiting for me when I got to the dining room and after breakfast we took off.

Once on the hunting area we started seeing Nyala bulls. Several nice ones but not the horn configuration I was looking for.

After hunting most of the morning and spending a bit of time winching out of a bog we decided to call it and move on.

Andre suggested we go look for a big Warthog and I was all in. We spent a few hours driving and glassing before we found an old male. He had one impressive tusk, was very old and in poor condition so we got off the truck and made a stalk.

The wind was perfect for the approach and the old boar never knew we were there. We moved in beside some brush and Andre set the sticks. I got the 300 WM up on the sticks and followed the pig until he stopped. I put the crosshairs on the shoulder, squeezed a trigger and down he went. Upon closer inspection, he was so old he had no bottom teeth left, worn down smooth with the gums.

After obligatory photos we loaded the boat and headed for camp.

After dinner tonight we’re going to head out and do a bit of spot lighting for small game.

 

[MarkB]

Great report so far, every part. Am very interested in that night critter story part, especially the honey badger, certainly hope one is in your cards, they are my nemesis animal. 3 try's, 2 countries and I still do not have one. Something about the night hunts I fully enjoy. Probably because it puts you in jail here at home.

Please keep taking us along.

Thanks

Mark

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 2 continued

We headed to the blind around five and it was a beautiful evening. The sun set and the moon rose shortly after. Despite being a full moon we chose to give it a try and it was very bright. This kept the predators from being active so we called it about nine and headed back to camp.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 3

My daughter is studying her wildlife veterinary program and fortunately it was close by so we went over to visit them and have lunch. I enjoyed visiting with the local Veterinarians and talking about game since I have a game ranch back home in Texas.

Back to the Unico lodge and we arrived just in time for sundowners.

We have made the decision to give the bait a couple more days when the moon starts to rise later in the night.

Andre suggested we go out spotlighting for Genet and Porcupine. We spent a couple of hours out, saw several Aardwolf and one African Wildcat plus a few Duiker and Steenbok.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 4

Today we will go out in search of an Ostrich. After 36 years hunting Africa I have never shot one.

Once in the hunting area it wasn’t long before a suitable male was spotted so we made a plan. Andre explained the anatomy to me and said these birds can pack some lead so making the correct shot is important.

The bird was walking slowly through the bush unaware of our presence and I followed him in the scope. When he stopped I squeezed the trigger and the report of a sold hit from the 300 was heard and he trotted off.

It took us a bit of time to locate him but we finally did and was walking slowly, obviously hit well.

We started towards him but lost sight I pointed and told Andre that I lost him when he passed this large bush. When we came around Andre saw blood and we stayed alert. Not twenty meters more and he was laying in the grass, head up. Andre placed the sticks and I put a finisher in him.

When we approached and inspected him we saw the first shot was high lung. I was elated to finally have an Ostrich, my 133rd African specie.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 4 continued

We relaxed at camp for the afternoon then went out right at sunset to spotlight for small game.

Not long into the drive we saw Duiker and Aardwolf. Off in the distance some Wildebeest and Impala eyes shined in the darkness.

We came around a corner and saw two male African Wildcat posturing to each other so they paid us no mind.

Andre asked if I wanted to shoot one and I took him up on the opportunity.

I lined up on the male on the right and had trouble making out the cat in the light as it blended into the background so well.

As he looked towards the light and his eyes shined I put the crosshair behind the shoulder and squeezed the trigger. No report of a hit, he took off like lightening, a miss.

Andre said “quickly reload and shoot the other one” as he stood there frozen.

I centered up and squeezed again and this time the report of a solid hit and the cat never took a step.

A beautiful little Wildcat and I was elated to have collected one.

We were back in camp for a great meal of grilled roan kabobs, gemsbok sausage and grilled corn with a nice South African wine.

I finished the night by the fire with a cigar and whiskey, enjoying the African night sky.