Amanzi,* Our life blood

Toto’s song Africa - ‘I bless the rains down in Africa’ - celebrates and gives thanks for life-giving rain. Some say the song is about starting out, cleansing, getting away from technology. And where better than on an African safari? No explanation required for those who have experienced this…

About our rains – boy oh boy, haven’t we had them recently! Sure, there has been flood damage in areas, and loss of life, sadly - but we needed this rain. And rather too much than too little. It is the bedrock, foundation for life and growth itself.

In discussions this week with an outfitter who recently returned from Vic Falls, he said he tries to get all his clients to go there before the hunt, just for a few days. It helps them get into the African spirit. I couldn’t agree more, as I feel there is no better place to visit in southern Africa. And while talking of water - when you visit Africa (again hopefully) I invite you to take time to stop and appreciate the variety and diversity of some of our water features - falls, dams, lakes, and rivers, big and small. Many are legendary. Many are at full capacity this year for the first time in ages.

Be it sundowners, river walks, fishing, or even hunting the iconic African reptile, Mr Flat Dog himself, our waters are home to some incredible game, and offer perhaps one of Africa’s great backdrops for your safari.

Those who attended SCI’s Vegas show this year may have seen Stephan Alsac’s art. There was one piece that was utterly incredible, actually all of them were – but it really is with pleasure that we have it on the masthead of this February’s AHG Monthly. His website is www.stephane-alsac.com and all I can say, is just look at this crocodile for a masterpiece.

A short note for a short month – enjoy your February.

Regards,
Richard [email protected]

*Amanzi is the Zulu word for water

PS: if you love what we stand for, what we produce and think you could play a role – we invite you to sign up, spread the word, and help build African hunting.

Wildlife column

The story of Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique is one of the mos remarkable conservation success stories in Africa, if not the world. The Park was virtually destroyed during the dreadful civil war which wracked the country for 15 years from 1977 to 1992, during which more than a million people died, and the once abundant wildlife populations were largely wiped out. In 2008 the Carr Foundation in the USA began a project with the government of Mozambique to restore the Park to its former glory. It has been a spectacular achievement to date.

Classic and Contemporary African Hunting Literature: Spiral-Horn Dreams

I suppose there’s a certain irony in that finding a copy of Spiral-Horn Dreams is as challenging and frustrating as it can be to hunt the very animals that Wieland writes about. This is a book that’s as elusive as a bongo and as beautiful and perfectly crafted as a mountain nyala.
The first interesting tidbit you discover when picking up a copy is that it’s not, as the title suggests, solely about hunting Africa’s fabled spiral-horned animals. To be fair, however, four of the six primary sections of the book are indeed dedicated to members of the spiral-horned fraternity.

Looking at Kenya

I was born in Kenya in 1965, a turbulent time in this part of Africa with the uneasy onset of the “winds of change” sweeping the continent, with all sorts of upheaval and uncertainty. Very few countries in Africa escaped this; some emerged pretty much unscathed, others today still bear the scars of this tumultuous change. Writers like Robert Ruark romanticised this time and period with novels like Horn of the Hunterand Uhuru, still two of my all-time favorite novels! Other classics and favorite reads that bring this period in Africa to life are the works of Izak Denisen, Bartle Bull’s Safari and Markham’s West with the Night to mention a few.

Second generation hunt

We had booked another full bag safari for 2021 with Simon and Kate Rodger’s Safaris de Moçambique. This concession borders Lake Cahora Bassa in Mozambique. My 27-year-old daughter would be the shooter, and her PH would be Brian Ellement, son of the well-known elephant hunter Mark Ellement from Zimbabwe. My son and I had hunted elephant with Mark about 20 years previously on a very successful hunt – we took a 58 lb tusker. We had met Brian and his sister during that hunt when they were about 10 years old, and now Brian was pushing 30! Mark has since passed on and is deeply missed.

Campfire Thoughts & Reminiscences + Early days - my first leopard

Over many years I have written articles and short stories for various magazines and publications, most based on personal hunting experiences, and some articles hopefully of interest on firearms, ammunition and equipment. A number of people have suggested I compile these into a book to share ideas and memories with those who may have missed some along the way. My interest in hunting and guns goes back as far as I can remember. As a youngster aged nine or 10, I found out that my dad had a shotgun that was stored at a friend’s house. Greatly excited, I jumped on my bike and pedalled away to ‘Uncle Mac’ to fetch this treasure.

Stuck in the mud

Our 2019 safari had a vastly different feel for me – it was my first since I had officially retired from fulltime employment. I had worked for 38 years straight, and our first day in Zambia was just two months after I retired, and being back in Zambia was just what the doctor ordered and really helped me put my employed life behind me. I also stopped shaving – a retirement statement of sorts – but by the end of the trip I knew the rabbinical look was not for me! This was our third trip to the Lower Lupande in the Luangwa Valley and our fifth safari with Peter Chipman and Kwalata Safaris – I felt as if I were going to my second home, albeit in a different room in the house.

Leopard charge at Kantanta Hunting Safaris

Hunting Sable at Comre Safaris

READ THE 2022 AFRICAN DAWN CATALOGUE HERE

African Dawn featured outfitters

Chris Troskie Safaris

Chris Troskie has more than 23 years of experience in hunting Africa’s big game. We are based in the Waterberg region of Limpopo Province only 3.5 hours from OR Tambo International Airport where we hunt on more than 60,000 acres of land directly from our luxurious camp.

John Sharp Safaris

John Sharp Safaris is a hands-on business and committed to personal service. I will meet you at the airport and guide you through the formalities, and then drive you to the camp. After the safari I will see you safely checked through to your final destination on your homeward journey.

Mike Currie Adventures

For those of you that are passionate about wingshooting, we certainly share a common infatuation!! Working behind staunch pointing dogs has always been a passion of mine, and something I never get tired of seeing.

Russ Field Safaris

Russ Field Safaris was founded in 1994 and has offered first class hunting to discerning clientelle from all over the world since inception. Russ Field, is a qualified Wildlife Biologist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management and Forestry.