BnC 04
AH elite
Anticipation was high as Zambia was a new location for us to visit and do a bit of hunting with @spike.t (Mike) on his Takeri property. We chose to fly Airlink out of Johannesburg directly into Ndola. Upon landing we noticed that the airport was very small and not many people were present, which was a welcome site versus piles of people and mass chaos. Getting through passport control and immigration was simple and painless. One thing I should mention is that Mike offered to lend his Mauser 30-06 to my wife to use during the hunt. So, with not having firearms to check surely expediated the process getting through the exit doors.
We have made several trips over to Africa and I can say driving in Zambia is on a whole new level of its own and best described as combat driving while taking fire. For about 30 minutes after leaving the airport there was a good highway but then it suddenly disappeared due to a new road was in the process of being completed. What was left for us to maneuver down was a cluster bombed dirt makeshift road. It was “unique” and actually kind of fun. After a few more turns and other roads, paths and trails, we arrived at Mike’s Takeri property. When we stepped out of the vehicle and looked around, we were a bit astounded. The camp is right on the Kafue River with lodging being tents on concrete pads with ensuite bathrooms/showers. Hard to believe we were in the bush with this level of comfort, but it was most welcomed and immensely enjoyed.
We were greeted by the camp staff and our PH Billy. After we had settled in, we spoke with Billy and Mike a bit about what animals my wife was interested in hunting. If my memory serves me correctly, she was looking for four species if presented with an opportunity. Plans were made for the morning and then it was time for dinner and a good night’s sleep. I will add that Ronald the chef was absolutely amazing with ALL the food he prepared for us. Game meat was always utilized for lunch and dinner dishes and fresh fruit ect for breakfast.
Breakfast at 5:30 and by 6 were all loaded on the truck and ready to roll. Billy did the driving while myself, my wife, Mike and 2 trackers road up top. After a quick stop at the range to check the rifle, it was time to take a drive around Takeri. One thing that we noticed immediately is that there are ant hills everywhere and in every size. Most small but some absolute giants were present as well. It wasn’t long into the morning that we started spotting game. Defassa waterbuck, Kafue Lechwe, sable and puku all had us in awe. We went around a bend and Mike and Billy noticed a good reedbuck which was deemed a good animal and with that the hunt was on and the first animal of the trip was down. If you have never hunted with Billy you must know he is obsessed with his photography and getting that perfect location, angle and backdrop. Mike and I had a good chuckle watching this ritual unfold.
After pictures were taken and the reedbuck was loaded it was back to hunting. Mike suggested taking a drive by the dam area and that’s exactly where the lechwe were found. After maneuvering the truck out of sight, a plan was made and once again a truly remarkable animal was down. Something worth mentioning is that Mike has the final say on the quality of animal that will be taken. We looked over several lechwe bulls that looked good to an untrained eye but after Mike glassed the animal over his verdict of “we can do better” was understood and very much appreciated. This standard held true for every animal taken.
After dropping off the lechwe and reedbuck off at the skinning shed it was time for lunch and a brief rest before heading back out at 3pm. As we drove, I marveled at the giant ant hills and various trees and bushes growing on them. I was looking at one such hill and noticed something tucked away in a thicket that appeared to be some game animal but what? That’s when Mike informed us that the bushbuck love hiding on the ant hills. Going forward all ant hills got a good going over by my eyes. As luck would have it, just prior to heading back to the lodge for dinner a puku ram was spotted following a female. His dedicated attention to the female led to his downfall.
After another trip to the skinning shed it was dinner time and afterwards, we enjoyed a bit of bush tv (fire) and the lovely full moon.
To be continued...
We have made several trips over to Africa and I can say driving in Zambia is on a whole new level of its own and best described as combat driving while taking fire. For about 30 minutes after leaving the airport there was a good highway but then it suddenly disappeared due to a new road was in the process of being completed. What was left for us to maneuver down was a cluster bombed dirt makeshift road. It was “unique” and actually kind of fun. After a few more turns and other roads, paths and trails, we arrived at Mike’s Takeri property. When we stepped out of the vehicle and looked around, we were a bit astounded. The camp is right on the Kafue River with lodging being tents on concrete pads with ensuite bathrooms/showers. Hard to believe we were in the bush with this level of comfort, but it was most welcomed and immensely enjoyed.
We were greeted by the camp staff and our PH Billy. After we had settled in, we spoke with Billy and Mike a bit about what animals my wife was interested in hunting. If my memory serves me correctly, she was looking for four species if presented with an opportunity. Plans were made for the morning and then it was time for dinner and a good night’s sleep. I will add that Ronald the chef was absolutely amazing with ALL the food he prepared for us. Game meat was always utilized for lunch and dinner dishes and fresh fruit ect for breakfast.
Breakfast at 5:30 and by 6 were all loaded on the truck and ready to roll. Billy did the driving while myself, my wife, Mike and 2 trackers road up top. After a quick stop at the range to check the rifle, it was time to take a drive around Takeri. One thing that we noticed immediately is that there are ant hills everywhere and in every size. Most small but some absolute giants were present as well. It wasn’t long into the morning that we started spotting game. Defassa waterbuck, Kafue Lechwe, sable and puku all had us in awe. We went around a bend and Mike and Billy noticed a good reedbuck which was deemed a good animal and with that the hunt was on and the first animal of the trip was down. If you have never hunted with Billy you must know he is obsessed with his photography and getting that perfect location, angle and backdrop. Mike and I had a good chuckle watching this ritual unfold.
After pictures were taken and the reedbuck was loaded it was back to hunting. Mike suggested taking a drive by the dam area and that’s exactly where the lechwe were found. After maneuvering the truck out of sight, a plan was made and once again a truly remarkable animal was down. Something worth mentioning is that Mike has the final say on the quality of animal that will be taken. We looked over several lechwe bulls that looked good to an untrained eye but after Mike glassed the animal over his verdict of “we can do better” was understood and very much appreciated. This standard held true for every animal taken.
After dropping off the lechwe and reedbuck off at the skinning shed it was time for lunch and a brief rest before heading back out at 3pm. As we drove, I marveled at the giant ant hills and various trees and bushes growing on them. I was looking at one such hill and noticed something tucked away in a thicket that appeared to be some game animal but what? That’s when Mike informed us that the bushbuck love hiding on the ant hills. Going forward all ant hills got a good going over by my eyes. As luck would have it, just prior to heading back to the lodge for dinner a puku ram was spotted following a female. His dedicated attention to the female led to his downfall.
After another trip to the skinning shed it was dinner time and afterwards, we enjoyed a bit of bush tv (fire) and the lovely full moon.
To be continued...
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