TANZANIA: Tanzanian Plains Game Hunt With Kilombero North Safaris

[gillettehunter]

@gillettehunter I think your Kudu only had 11 or 12 stripes? There was something unique about its coat and I dont have it in my notes.

Thats right. According to our PH's they have 13 stripes. Yous and mine each had only 12 on one side. Thanks for all of the kind comments. Mike and I had an exceptional hunt and wanted to put together hunt reports that did it justice.
Bruce

 

[gillettehunter]

Day 10 of the hunt
We were realistically done hunting for the trip. I had spent more than expected for trophy fees which was fine. We slept in and straggled out of camp at around 9AM. First stop was a large farm/ranch that is for sale. Over 27,000 acres. It has a photo lodge sitting on it that is operational, but needs some TLC. We talked to staff and looked at the buildings. Tried to get a pic of the resident Bushbuck, but he was playing shy with me. At its peak this place ran 8,000 bed nights per year. Its less than 1 1/2 hrs from The airport. Has lots of features that make it an interesting property. New laws in Tanzania allow an individual to own the animals if there is a game fence around the property. This allows you to legally sell game meat from those properties.
After that we went up the road to a school. It is having several new buildings added to it. Middle school. They were having a talent show outside. We had some candy as well as some school supplies that we wanted to drop off. Always fun to see the kids. The new classrooms looked pretty nice. Be a good thing for the coming generation. Then back for lunch.
That afternoon we went on a game drive for pics. Saw a lot of animals just not the huge herds of before. Elephant, giraffe,Zebra, WB and the gazelles primarily. Had a nice sunset. Got back to camp and had a nice dinner. Like Mike mentioned the food was good. Quite good. Always plenty of cold drinks too. I loved the before dinner toasted cashews. Locally grown and apparently cheap.
I don't remember if we had the DR visit that night or the night before. CoVid tests in camp. No loss of hunting time running into town. Pretty nice that way. Did both a nasal and oral swab. Printed results were available before we flew out.
It was a somewhat melancholy day for me. I hate to leave Africa, With the amount of time and $$ invested in flights I really prefer to spend at least 2 weeks there. Just couldn't work it out this time. It also was a day to reflect on our hunt and our time there. It was a pleasure and a great time. We had excellent staff and great PH's to work with. I love that part of Africa. First time to Tanzania for us. Would like to return.
I'll do a final wrap up either later today or tomorrow. I was asked the question of why Tanzania and was it worth it by one of our members. I want to address that as well. Also want to see about the pics from my camera. Only pics posted have been from my cell. Those are OK, but some better ones on the camera.
Bruce

 

[VertigoBE]

Thanks for taking us on this adventure @gillettehunter ! It was an enjoyable read!

 

[PARA45]

You two gents had a wonderful safari, wow. I am also sad to say that your safari report is coming to an end that I will not be reading any more about your marvelous adventure. By the way, what are you doing with all the animals taken, shoulder mounts or Euro mounts? Congrats sir, and well done! Thank you for taking us along!!!

 

[Bullthrower338]

Great report Bruce, thank you!

 

[cls]

Great report and fantastic animals. Thanks

 

[Trogon]

@gillettehunter Thanks for sharing your hunt report, another enjoyable story with great looking animals and a place I don't know that I'll ever get to visit (but your story surely makes me want to!). Really enjoyed your photos as well. Congratulations!

 

[Ridgewalker]

Your adventure allowed me to escape every time you added to your report!
Thanks for the great escape!

 

[gillettehunter]

Your adventure allowed me to escape every time you added to your report!
Thanks for the great escape!

Just paying my dues. As we each do hunt reports it allows the rest of us to escape and join the hunt so to speak. Many of you have done the same for me.
Departure day
Slept good. I again awoke to the doves. I love that sound. I think I’ve heard it on virtually every African Safari I’ve been on. It’s part of the spell...... that hold that africa has on me. It’s so hard to describe to friends. Some hunt elsewhere and ask why you go to Africa. Part of the mystique I suppose. Every time I depart I hope to return again.
We all have negative results on our COVID tests. We can get paper copies on the way to the airport. Only about a 1 1/4 hr drive to airport. 15 min to get the test results and on to passing through. Gun checks and paperwork was smooth. Flight out to Addis went well.
Getting off in Addis there was nobody with a sign with our names. Thanks to this forum we knew what to do. We started asking people. Eventually we wound up in a lounge across from A13 gate . They got someone called to escort us down and confirm serial numbers. Probably ask 8 people for help to get to that point. All clear and then wait for the flight to Germany and then on to Denver. Cleared customs and made it home by 10:30.
All in all the trip home was without major difficulty. My rifle was late coming to customs. They literally asked the airline about it. Very professional about guns in Denver.
About the trophies. Not sure where to hang them, but they’ll be shoulder mounts. Such nice quality animals I can’t stand to not do that....

 

[gillettehunter]

One big question I ask myself after trip like this is would I do it again? This one is a resounding yes. Couldn’t it of been better? Perhaps, but not much for sure. Was it worth the money? That’s an interesting question. For me yes. For some people the answer would be no.
Someone told my if you’re hunting Masailand do it sooner rather than later. I would echo that advice. That part of the world is changing. More people everywhere. For right now it’s a fantastic destination. The big question someone asked me was is it worth that money to go hunt there given the restrictions and costs. I kinda answered that above. The long answer below might be this:
If you like hunting where there are no fences then this hunt might be for you
If you want specialized plains game animals of Tanzania this hunt might be for you
If you want Rowland Ward quality animals this hunt might be for you
If you don’t mind the Masai walking through the animals you’re stalking this hunt might be for you
If you want responsive, professional PH’s this hunt might be for you
If you want the experience of a lifetime this hunt might be for you
If you like seeing lots of game animals this hunt might be for you
If you like short drives to where you’re hunting this hunt might be for you
If you like hunting in great weather this hunt might be for you
If you like great food in camp this hunt might be for you
If you want to make friends this hunt might be for you
If hunting Africa is a passion then this hunt might be for you
Travel notes would include making copies of your 4457 as well as getting copies of the paperwork that Ethiopian Airlines wants. It speeds things up. In Addis hunt someone down to take you to check the serial numbers on your rifle if someone isn’t waiting. Plan on a mask while traveling. All in all you can still hunt Africa.
This hunt special was made available by the Tanzanian government opening the hunting season all year. I expect this was to help make sure the hunting industry was able to pay for their concessions as well as trophy fees to the government. If open next winter/spring I expect KNS will make a similar offer. I have a copy from them of their price list. Should that be on interest just send me a DM and I’ll get it to you as well as contact info for Quintin and Zidane.
If you have any questions fire away. I’ll try to answer them. My wife has downloaded my pics from my camera. She should be able to help me get some more pics up later.
Bruce

 

[Gemsbok45]

Any info on the specifics of your hunt would be appreciated. Tanzania is on every hunters bucket list!

 

[Edge]

What a fantastic Safari Bruce, great report and stunning animals!

 

[Neale]

Thanks for sharing your great experience with us Bruce. Loved the read and you have some great trophies.

 

[JES Adventures]

Awesome report Bruce, thank you for sharing the adventure with us I greatly enjoyed it.

 

[Scott CWO]

Congrats on a great trip, Bruce! Massailand is a special place and I love the plains game selection there and I agree with you that those spectacular species need at least a shoulder mount. Thanks for allowing me to go back there through your report.

 

[BRVDude]

Tremendous trophies by way of a fantastic foray into what is truly a hunters heaven! Congrats and thanks for sharing the experience!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Congrats on the amazing hunt. Sounds like you added many additional memories to last a lifetime

 

[rinehart0050]

Congrats on your hunt- especially that lesser kudu! Wow! And awesome dramatic photos with the clouds and rain!

 

[DieJager]

Stumbled on this gem of a report. Congrats with all the beautiful animals you have taken and your kindness in writing the report for all of us to indulge in.

 

[gillettehunter]

Stumbled on this gem of a report. Congrats with all the beautiful animals you have taken and your kindness in writing the report for all of us to indulge in.

I was happy to write it up. As part of the community is part of paying your dues , so to speak. Glad you enjoyed it.
Bruce