ZAMBIA: Kantanta Safaris - 10 Days In The Luangwa Valley

[thi9elsp]

What a great hunt and result. Up and down the hills. I too am amazed how the trackers follow in rocky terrain. Congratulations.

 

[Jörg Krüger]

Congrats on a great buff

 

[SkullKeeper]

Day 6 (CONT)...
After the standard afternoon nap we headed out yet again in search of bushbuck. We saw some females but no rams cooperated that evening. Earlier in the day some of the men had tied a rib cage to a tree at the camp entrance in hopes of us calling in a hyena. I had expressed interest in this from early on and had subsequently missed a hyena one night at the previous camp trying to guess where it’s body was to try and save the skull. We had eaten dinner and had retired to our chalets for a little bit when I heard Valario ”whisper yelling” at my window. He told me that hyenas were on the bait and to hurry up and come on. I told him to hang on, as I had to get my shoes and shirt on. That took me about 1 minute tops but when I stepped out Valerio had vanished. Knowing that he couldn’t be too far I wandered around looking for him but could barely see anything since most all the camp lights were off. I walked halfway to the camp entrance (which was about 75 yards away) thinking he was on one of the vehicles for a better vantage point with his night vision monocular, but I decided not to go all the way to the trucks because it was pitch black. I failed to locate him so I went back to my chalet. About 20 minutes later a shot rang out in which I nearly jumped out of my skin ! Hahahaha! I reassembled myself and headed back outside. Now I could see the flashlight beams at the camp entrance. James and Diva has already made it out there searching for a sign of a hit. When I got to them they showed me the hyena tracks In the road ... and the lioness track...and the leopard track. All done since we had driven back into camp. In retrospect I’m glad I didn’t walk all the way to the camp entrance in the pitch dark! This is just one of many reasons I love Africa - totally wild. Valerio had apparently missed the hyena. This made the score Team Hyena 2, Team Hunters 0. Well it was now time for bed (again), tomorrow was a new day!
....Day 7 up next...

 

[Red Leg]

Really enjoying this. The roan was an incredible gift from the Gods, and those are wonderful buffalo. Zambia is a special place.

 

[thi9elsp]

You've reminded me of my trip to Zimbabwe in 2011. The last two days were at Tafika Fishing Camp. Camp manager told us that hyenas and a lion pride come through at night. So, stay in your hut. The second night we have an elephant feeding on the tree next to our patio so I take pictures from 15 feet away. The elephant moves around to the front of our hut walking across the open field. I proceed out the door at 2 am, taking photos with a bright moon from 40 yards away. When we get home and are doing a slide show for friends a few months later I start laughing. Everyone's like what's wrong with you. I respond, "I was just realizing what I did and that hopefully I would have gotten a photo of the hyena or lion so Ann had it for the life insurance claim!"

As Jeff Foxworthy would say, "Here's your sign!"

 

[Graham Hunter]

You've reminded me of my trip to Zimbabwe in 2011. The last two days were at Tafika Fishing Camp. Camp manager told us that hyenas and a lion pride come through at night. So, stay in your hut. The second night we have an elephant feeding on the tree next to our patio so I take pictures from 15 feet away. The elephant moves around to the front of our hut walking across the open field. I proceed out the door at 2 am, taking photos with a bright moon from 40 yards away. When we get home and are doing a slide show for friends a few months later I start laughing. Everyone's like what's wrong with you. I respond, "I was just realizing what I did and that hopefully I would have gotten a photo of the hyena or lion so Ann had it for the life insurance claim!"

As Jeff Foxworthy would say, "Here's your sign!"

That would be Bill Engvall

 

[SkullKeeper]

You've reminded me of my trip to Zimbabwe in 2011. The last two days were at Tafika Fishing Camp. Camp manager told us that hyenas and a lion pride come through at night. So, stay in your hut. The second night we have an elephant feeding on the tree next to our patio so I take pictures from 15 feet away. The elephant moves around to the front of our hut walking across the open field. I proceed out the door at 2 am, taking photos with a bright moon from 40 yards away. When we get home and are doing a slide show for friends a few months later I start laughing. Everyone's like what's wrong with you. I respond, "I was just realizing what I did and that hopefully I would have gotten a photo of the hyena or lion so Ann had it for the life insurance claim!"

As Jeff Foxworthy would say, "Here's your sign!"

I’m sure most of us have “gotten away with one” at some point ! I think I’m safe from lions - if they ate me it would drop their IQ !

 

[thi9elsp]

@Graham Hunter Even more proof I need my sign! Thanks for correcting. ;-0

 

[SkullKeeper]

Day 7
Oh I forgot to mention that I killed a bush pig the late evening of Day 6....
We checked for bushbuck at last light in a low open swampy area. We had seen impala and literally a herd of warthog there earlier in the week. We eased forward looking intently as the fading light made a lot of shadows around the tree edge. Suddenly Valerio turned around and motioned frantically for me to get up there beside him. He pointed out 3 bush pig that were feeding in a low spot 100 yards away, right in the center of this little mud bog. We eased forward a bit as they hadn’t a clue we were there and Valerio glassed for a boar. He pointed out the one to shoot and he dropped at the crack of the rifle. Bush pig tomorrow night for dinner !

Now on to a Day 7:
The morning search for bushbuck was again unsuccessful in a shot opportunity as we saw only females. However, In the late morning we ran across a small group of impala. We caught them close to the river in fairly tight cover and me made a good stalk. Valerio saw one in group that had good width and his tips were worn down. He was broadside at 75 yards. There was a slight elevation of ground between us and when I shot he disappeared. Valerio said he dropped in his tracks but when we got up to the spot he was not there. Puzzled we started looking in the direction the others went. He had made it about 35 yards. The bullet entered low behind the shoulder (heart area) but we still have no explanation for the exit hole - it was way back- about mid paunch, as if he had been quartering to us. Valerio was watching the shot through binos and said the ram was broadside and never turned. The only thing between my barrel and the impala was air. The bullet hit nothing in route. Anyway, perplexed we were but a beautiful ram accounted for.

Timmy put the ram on his shoulders and walked out of the river bottom going up a 40 foot high embankment that was extremely steep. I tried to video it but I didn’t hit the button like I thought and I almost missed the whole thing - it was impressive. I failed to mention it was over 102 degrees by then.

We couldn’t get back to camp quick enough. Even the breeze felt like a hairdryer on high blast. Later that afternoon we continued our bushbuck search along a tightly choked section of river flat just upstream from camp. We didn’t come across any bushbuck but while we were standing on the riverbank glassing sandbars we heard baboons giving an alarm call. Valerio told me the baboons had spotted a leopard and further confirmation of that came when the Vervet monkeys chimed in. Since we were only 75 yards from all of this commotion Valerio told me we were going to go take a look and see if we can see the leopard. The brush was very thick and we crept in as best we could as the continued alarm calls of the baboons and monkeys pinpointed were we needed to go. We made it within 20 yards of the triangulated spot but neither of us saw the leopard. When we decided to exit the thicket I found myself the caboose of the train and I walked backwards way more than forwards. It was a really neat and “heightened sense of awareness” exercise even though there was no sighting.

 

[SkullKeeper]

Day 8 ...
The next morning we yet again set out for bushbuck and went to the area I think was the best of all that I saw there. It was a river convergence with one river bed being dry, apparently a giant waterway during the rainy season. We drove in a ways and while in the vehicle we saw 4 bull elephant all spread out over a 100 yard space in the dry river bed. Two were somewhat alarmed by the vehicle and took off running to get up with the other two.

We had barely gotten past these ele when we spotted a bachelor group of kudu bulls. One was a good one for sure. We eased past all of these and leaving James with the vehicle we dismounted for a walk along the bank of the river bed. We had been here earlier in the hunt and seen a lot of bushbuck rams. This area is packed with bushbuck. First thing we spotted was a very large group of impala filtering out of our side crossing the dry river bed - it had to have been 75 or more. We crept along for a bit attempting to step back inside the edge of cover, Timmy then Valerio then Diva then me ...but I saw something step into view about 250 yards away, and it was a bushbuck ... Diva caught a glimpse, turning and looking as he stepped inside the brush edge but quickly leaned back and pointed, alerting Valerio that a ram was there. The bushbuck was facing away from us and we hurried inside the brush edge down another 50 yards where there was a small opening to the river bank. Valerio stepped over the bank and called for Timmy to bring the sticks. The bank we stood on was a steep decline. I wasn’t very settled with this range (200 yards) and I told Valerio it looked like we could keep going inside the edge for another 75 to 100 yards as there was an opening onto the river bank I could see from where we stood. Valerio disagreed saying the ram would spot us if we continued further. When I put the bushbuck in the scope the reticle seemed to cover half of his body. I had very little confidence in making this shot. In retrospect I should’ve tried to sit on the ground or something. The ram was facing dead away and I had to wait until he turned. He finally gave a quartering away presentation and I sent the first round. Clean miss. He had no idea where the sound came from and he just stood there. I sent a second round. Clean miss. The ram swapped ends looking to the right, almost a broadside shot now. Third shot - clean miss. Again, the ram never moved. I sent the last round in the magazine....clean miss #4. I only had 2 cartridges left on me. I pulled a solid from my belt and as I chambered it I told Valerio to brace my right shoulder with his hand. This was what I needed and when I shot the ram suddenly jumped and bolted. The bullet had centered both lungs. He made it 35 yards towards the river bank before he did a nose dive. The elusive and highly-prized-by-me bushbuck was now accounted for. Pacing it off the shot was indeed 200 yards. Instead of the usual “whoop whoop you got him!!” it was more like “damn, it took you 5 shots to hit him” ...somewhat anticlimactic to say the least. But it was what it was. My safari being officially complete, I felt pretty sad -That’s always a double edged sword.

...Day 8 continued in a bit ...Jame’s version !

 

[PARA45]

Those bushbucks are tiny targets especially at 200 yds or more. Ask me how I know that. LOL!!!! Beautiful bushbuck, and wonderful safari, congrats!!!

 

[SkullKeeper]

Those bushbucks are tiny targets especially at 200 yds or more. Ask me how I know that. LOL!!!! Beautiful bushbuck, and wonderful safari, congrats!!!

Thank you very much...sounds like you have a bushbuck story to tell lol

 

[PARA45]

Sent you a PM.

 

[gillettehunter]

Congrats on your Bushbuck. They can be tricky to hunt. One of my favorites.
Bruce

 

[BRICKBURN]

Enjoying your tale of your adventure.

 

[VertigoBE]

Waidmannsheil @SkullKeeper ! Some amazing animals taken and I love how you described the ups and downs of your safari!

Thanks a lot for sharing

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

great bushbuck and great story

 

[enysse]

Congratulations, nice animals. I really love that second Cape buffalo, so heavy and nice shape of horns.

 

[geoff rath]

I took Ethiopian Airlines from Dulles Airport (D.C.) to Lusaka. There’s only 1 stop in Ethiopia and I like to lessen the multi-plane changes as much as possible. The inbound flights were without incident although it did take longer (much longer) than usual to have the firearms checked at ADD... but my escorting young lady from the airline assured me that I wouldn’t miss the flight and took me straight to the “X ray” machine then the gate. I arrived in Lusaka and James (Kantanta Safaris Lusaka manager) had made arrangements with the police authorities to assist with my rifle declaration. James was there on the other side of the glass door if further assistance was needed - or maybe he just wanted to have the additional 3 steps head start in case something went awry. Nonetheless, everything checked out and he drove me to the Marriott hotel in Lusaka to rest up with the plan of a 6:30 AM rollout the next morning for the 7 hour drive to camp. I must say that James is very personable and exuded confidence and friendliness. He was on point.
The drives to camp are always good reminders to never complain about road conditions where we live in the USA (even the logging roads on old farms). We got into the secondary camp of Kantanta (known as Marula Camp) about 2 PM where I met the head man and my PH Valerio Ventriglia. Instantly comfortable- period. Immediately I knew that I was in the best hands. It’s here at the Marula camp that I will start my hunting but I’ll finish in the main camp. Small and well kept, Marula camp still had all the amenities needed for a relaxing stay - full time electricity, full time hot water, and wifi. I met most all of the staff here and they were excited, ready to get going ( the 2 previous clients had been excellent marksman, making me very nervous since I have trouble hitting the side of a barn when standing INSIDE the barn). No pressure. Speaking of which, shortly after arriving we were to check the rifles- my least favorite part of any Safari due to the fact I’m “on shooting display”. But first, we had a fabulous lunch of guinea fowl and vegetables which, given the amount of food prepared, was more of what I would expect for an evening dinner. At that moment I could predict my pants size shrinking beyond my control.
I changed from plane clothes to plain clothes and we headed out to shoot. I told Valerio that I didn’t 1) shoot well in front of witnesses and 2) shoot at paper well since it doesn’t keep my focus. I proved myself correct on both points, but I at least tried to make him reasonably comfortable in taking me hunting anyway. He then suggested we go for a drive and see what we can see. About 15 minutes of riding the trackers spotted a good sized group of roan. Valerio asked if I was interested in roan and I said I wasn’t at this time. We continued on. No more than 10 minutes went by and he tapped on the cruiser’s roof. It was a solitary roan bull. Valerio put the glass up and said “ monster roan”. I looked at him, and with Mickey Mouse ears I questioned back “monster?” , he replied “yes”. Reaching for the 416 I said “let’s go”. The trackers Felix and Timmy leapt off the truck like it was on fire, as well as Valerio with sticks in hand waiting for me around the front of the vehicle. It was a spot and stalk and after a couple hundred yards of walking the trackers pointed ahead. The roan was steadily walking away and as he went up and over a small rise we quickly cut the distance. Topping the small hill, they spotted him standing behind a bunch of small trees about 80-90 yards away. The sticks went up. Valerio told me to wait for him to take a step as I had no vitals clear. It was really thick. The bull was facing left almost broadside, now looking our way ...and sure enough he took a step. I had a pretty tight window but I could just barely see his front leg line in the 4 power Zeiss. I held just behind the shoulder and the gun went off. The roan flinched hard, dropping his head low, and took off running. We ran forward and to the left, Valerio and I saw him at the same time just standing there 60 yards away not able to go another step. Again the sticks went up and I proceeded to completely miss him- an excited trigger jerk if I had to guess. He never moved a muscle. The next shot found his shoulder and he dropped immediately. It turned out he didn’t need another round after all, the first 400 grain North Fork Did the trick. Valerio was super excited and told me “you’ve no idea how many roan you would look at before possibly seeing one this good”, calling it at 28 inches. We took some great photos and loaded him in the cruiser. It was a bit surrealistic having been in the bush for 30 minutes and already taking pictures of my first animal (which actually stretched the tape to 27&7/8”). And it was day -0.25 , day 1 of my hunt wasn’t until the next day. What an introduction to SANDWE GMA....Day 1 coming up. View attachment 496087View attachment 496094View attachment 496092View attachment 496091View attachment 496086View attachment 496089View attachment 496088View attachment 496096

I love the way a P H will say "35inches,shoot!" and his call will be barely 1/4" out; Awesome!

 

[mikecatt13]

Awesome hunt thanks for sharing!