Who has an end of season Africa hunt still to come?

[Brandon.Gleason]

Heading out on Halloween for a 10 day hunt in Upper Lupande GMA with the du Plooy's. Expecting some heat, but this was our second reschedule for 2025 due to another outfitter having unforseen issues in Zim (well out of his control). Didn't want to push off into 2026, and finding quota for 3 hunters in one DG area was a tough one at baseline. We have plenty of LMNT packed, and all did our prep work this summer working out in the heat. I'm down 50lbs since my 2023 elephant hunt.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Don't know about the EC but NC and Free State in mid October was hotter than the hinges of hell. Mid 90's in the daytime and ten days of no AC, just cold showers. That time of year, one and done.

 

[PARA45]

@Green Chile, don't forget the Eastern Cape Kudu is a bit different than the Greater Kudu. Oh, and normally the trophy fees for EC Kudu are not bad at all.

 

[Green Chile]

I'm down 50lbs since my 2023 elephant hunt.

Wow...congrats on a great accomplishment! You will be cruising in overdrive.

 

[Green Chile]

@Green Chile, don't forget the Eastern Cape Kudu is a bit different than the Greater Kudu. Oh, and normally the trophy fees for EC Kudu are not bad at all.

The South African spirals are an interesting subject to me. I love tracking them...searching for them...watching them move...but I don't have to take them every time. I just really like watching them move around. I have taken good kudu and bushbuck and killer eland and nyala but I don't have them on the list every time. I can tell you though when I see the ONE...something clicks and I'm getting on the rifle.

There was one memorable time when we were looking for Sharpe's grysbok and a monster bushbuck moved through the edge of the field about 75 yards from us. You know how they move...sllipping and sneaking around but we had him...except I didn't shoot. Dieter kept saying shoot, shoot...and I just stood quietly and watched him move away. Maybe it was the 22 Hornet in my hands...maybe it was because I REALLY wanted the grysbok (which we found 20 min later). Dieter was stunned that I didn't shoot it and still reminds me of it to this day. He says you just don't pass up big bushbuck and he's right...but I'm still glad I watched him sneak out of there. That was a special moment even if it gave my friend a stroke. Hah.

 

[Red Leg]

I hunted the Zambezi Delta the last two weeks in October several years ago in order to increase the likelihood of taking a big bull Livingstone Eland and was successful. BUT, it was a tough two weeks, and I grew up in South Louisiana. It was difficult to get a any real sleep lying in a pool of sweat. Finally moved a mosquito net outside which helped until it rained. It was a fabulous hunting experience, but I can not imagine bringing my spouse along.

 

[Green Chile]

I hunted the Zambezi Delta the last two weeks in October several years ago in order to increase the likelihood of taking a big bull Livingstone Eland and was successful. BUT, it was a tough two weeks, and I grew up in South Louisiana. It was difficult to get a any real sleep lying in a pool of sweat. Finally moved a mosquito net outside which helped until it rained. It was a fabulous hunting experience, but I can not imagine bringing my spouse along.

The things we do as hunters don't compute to others. When I get back from trips and tell some stories, others always say is that really a vacation?

 

[Fatback]

The things we do as hunters don't compute to others. When I get back from trips and tell some stories, others always say is that really a vacation?

100%!!

 

[widetrackjack]

Africa is wrapping up their season for the most part. They take most of December off for holidays and then show season starts. Who still has a hunt to go at this point in the season?

I thought I was not going to be able to get to Africa this year with a lot of things going on at work and home. However, I pushed through a lot of progress and decided I can make a trip next month just as the season is ending. There will be a lot of firsts for me on this particular trip.

This will be my first trip to the East Cape and I expect it to be a great trip. Dieter and I will be chasing at least 3 of the Tiny 10 (depending upon permits, possibly 4) and also caracal with dogs. This will also be my first African trip without taking my own guns. I’ve always taken my own guns, filled out the paperwork and pushed through the hassles. It will feel very odd to get on a plane with no firearms permits, extra baggage, etc. Since that won’t be an issue, I’m using British Airways for the first time and going through London for the first time. This allows me to land at 7:35AM in Jo’berg instead of arriving late in the day and having to overnight like usual. That part is exciting and the idea of a couple of 10+ hour flights instead of the long haul 16+ is something I look forward to.

I will be doing a full hunt report and look forward to adding more info to the T10 and small cats database here on AH. This will also be my first trip to Africa that doesn't have DG involved. Strange in some ways but I'm excited to get in a last minute hunt with a good friend!

 

[widetrackjack]

I’m heading to Zimbabwe this Friday for a Lion/Buffalo hunt with Spear Safaris and Shangani river Safaris. A long time hunting partner will be joining me to hunt Leopard. After 14 days there, we will travel to SA where our wives will join us to hunt plains game, and he will hunt buffalo as well. I’ve been in these parts in late October and early November before, where it was 100f plus temps, rain, and very chilly temps… all in one weeks time! I will try to write something up for AH when I get back.

 

[Green Chile]

I’m heading to Zimbabwe this Friday for a Lion/Buffalo hunt with Spear Safaris and Shangani river Safaris. A long time hunting partner will be joining me to hunt Leopard. After 14 days there, we will travel to SA where our wives will join us to hunt plains game, and he will hunt buffalo as well. I’ve been in these parts in late October and early November before, where it was 100f plus temps, rain, and very chilly temps… all in one weeks time! I will try to write something up for AH when I get back.

Sounds like you guys are cleaning up the leftover quota. That's a good move.

 

[Osama Mahdi]

@Green Chile Who will be your outfitter in EC good Sir?
Looking forward to your hunting report, and please take a lot of images to share.

 

[godwincp]

I made one safari without my rifles and the travel part was great. No checked bags and no gun permits and associated hassles. But taking my own rifles is way better.

 

[TaylorM456]

I always look forward to writing the hunt reports and was sad not to have one this year for Africa...but I did a report for Argentina and Canada. Now we're back in biz!

can you link your Argentina report? I am headed there tomorrow, just for dove, but would like to read yours. Thanks!

 

[Green Chile]

can you link your Argentina report? I am headed there tomorrow, just for dove, but would like to read yours. Thanks!

Thread 'ARGENTINA: Epic Argentina Hunt'

Mar 11, 2025

Well, I’m wrapping up a hunt that had been a long time in planning and looking forward to. I write this from the Buenos Aires airport. I had booked this hunt prior to Covid and it got rescheduled twice for that. Then those dates fell through and I had to switch outfitters and locations. As I have done many times, I booked this hunt through WTA and on their recommendation decided on Los Molles in the La Pampa region.

It has been an epic trip in numerous ways with lengthy travel, memorable people and outstanding trophies. I look forward to getting photos and lots of details to you...

• Green Chile
• Replies: 124
• Forum: Hunting reports Mexico, Central & South America

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[widetrackjack]

Sounds like you guys are cleaning up the leftover quota. That's a good move.

Thanks Green Chile. On one hand, it can be advantageous, but , on the other, it can be slim pickin’s if your safari is the last one of the year.

 

[Green Chile]

Thanks Green Chile. On one hand, it can be advantageous, but , on the other, it can be slim pickin’s if your safari is the last one of the year.

Sounds like you did ok with lion, leopard, buff, etc. No elephant left on quota?

 

[Moe324]

Good luck. I absolutely love the eastern cape. Hunted it in 2017 and 2024. Will you be hunting blue duiker with dogs also? Good chance you will be hunting caracal with Uncle Jeff and blue duiker with uncle robs dogs. I believe also Uncle Jeff has most of the oribi permits in that area. Have you hunted mountain reedbuck or vallies yet? Those mountains the vallies are in are no joke. Some great cape mountain zebra hunting too.

 

[rafter3]

I’m heading to Zimbabwe this Friday for a Lion/Buffalo hunt with Spear Safaris and Shangani river Safaris. A long time hunting partner will be joining me to hunt Leopard. After 14 days there, we will travel to SA where our wives will join us to hunt plains game, and he will hunt buffalo as well. I’ve been in these parts in late October and early November before, where it was 100f plus temps, rain, and very chilly temps… all in one weeks time! I will try to write something up for AH when I get back.

Good luck and tell Ernest hello, I love hunting with them!!

 

[Green Chile]

I do not know yet the specifics of the locals we are working with. We are only using dogs on the caracal as we want to have a chance at picking a male blue. With the dogs they run past and it's about 50/50 odds on what you are seeing streak through. We will be baiting them or using water to try to select one. It's very late in the season to be making plans but there is a chance of getting an oribi permit so we are hoping for some luck there. Most places are out of quota. Normally my hunts are planned out 1-2 years in advance but this is a last minute situation. I never even thought oribi would be an option this late but the local PH has some ideas on getting a permit.