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May 2023

Contents 

• Editorial by Richard Lendrum               (Scroll down to read)
• Product News: New SAUER 100 Rifles, Remington Core-Lokt Copper, BurrisSignature LRF 2000
• Book Review: Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter by Ken Bailey
• Wildlife column: African Parks 2022 Update by Dr John Ledger
• Nkosi Jubane
• Searching for Sable by Darrell Stirling
• Campfire Thoughts & Reminiscences Ch 18 by Neil Harmse
• African Dawn Catalogue Editorial
• African Dawn Outfitters 2023

Editorial

Road tripping to Eland Safaris

On the road to Eland Safaris

Usually, it’s been two flights. Seldom one. Occasionally, three. And that’s before you land in Joburg.

There’s anticipation of the safari; advice from friends or your outfitter; or you’re simply a first timer wanting to get into the veld as soon as you can, and you want to start hunting.

I have spoken to many hunters, and they all say the safari starts, and the experience begins, when you touch down in Joburg.

So, as I headed north into Limpopo Province to visit Dawn Member, Eland Safaris, I decided to look at this trip with fresh eyes. Share some thoughts and a few pics with comments on what you are likely to experience.

It is always a good feeling when you leave the city limits. Roads become less busy. Narrower. The bushveld starts to encroach on the shoulder. Hard shoulders, as they are referred to abroad, don’t exist. Wildlife can be seen on the game properties on either side of the roads.

Sure, there are cattle, and as you drive past rural dwellings, there are dogs, chickens and donkeys – but generally there will likely to be giraffe, kudu, springbok, warthog, monkey, baboon, impala easily spotted.

Sadly, there was roadkill along the way. I saw a dead puffadder, a civet, hornbill, genet, all a little mangled and not worth photographing or picking up to examine. But a glossy starling caught my attention. It was in perfect condition, and when you see one of these iconic birds up close in your hand, you can appreciate the iridescent colors.

Padstals (Afrikaans for road stall, or small shop) are unique and worth stopping at. You will find anything

from coffee and a snack to traditional South African biscuits, biltong and cookies – my weak points are the jams and koeksisters.
 

In the more rural areas, you will be fascinated to see folks driving donkey carts – one hell of a contrast with your previous day in the First World’s northern hemisphere. I really appreciated the aircon and comfort of my Toyota. Then the roads started deteriorating as I drove further north – and you must watch out for cattle crossing. Trees were changing color, guinea fowl taking flight and then the dirt roads. Many folk may not have travelled on dirt roads – so it is a novelty! Dirt roads – deteriorating roads – dust. That is what we are used to in Africa, but it can be quite something for a first timer!

This drive should be between five and six hours, but here’s my feeling: So what if it takes a little longer?

Some of the wildlife along the roadside

If you really want to make the most of your safari, treasure each day. The experience from beginning to end, literally, is what you’ll remember. If you land in the afternoon or evening, exhausted, then rush on for the next five hours, you could be compromising safety by travelling at night and arriving dead beat, without having enjoyed this part of the journey. Reconsider. Seriously.

Acclimating (my favorite Americanism) with a decent night’s rest, is what I suggest. In fact, that is what most hunters have said to me, and I am just repeating it. Get into the spirit, be ready for a fresh trip starting early the next day, and then when you get to that game farm – on your first day – it will be time for the range, settling in and be 100% for the first afternoon’s hunt.

Let the road trip there be just that – a memorable, interesting, and fun way to start your great African safari experience.

Padstal stuff to buy

On the game farm at last

Live stock to watch out for

Finally there

Enjoy the May edition of AHG Monthly.

Regards
Richard Lendrum

PRODUCT NEWS

Cancellation hunts 2023

Ekuja Hunting Safaris 

Elephant hunt available in Namibia in the area is north of the Kaudum complex.

Due a cancellation we have an elephant hunt available in one of the best areas in Africa.You can expect to shoot an exceptional elephant, especially this year with the current rainfall situation.

If you're interested, please email Drikus at [email protected] as soon as possible would you be interested.

Richard Cooke Safaris

Leopard hunt in Matetsi Safari area, just outside Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Either with buffalo or on its own.

Email Richard Cooke at [email protected] for more information.

Searching for Sable

I have always admired the regal appearance of the jet-black sable with its long sweeping horns. They are one of the most iconic and majestic plains-game animals in all of Africa. A dozen years ago they used to be very expensive to hunt. And I wasn’t sure if I would ever get that chance…
I had lined up a safari with Monkane Safaris. Owner Kerneels Viljoen had asked if I was interested in hunting for a sable. Of course I was, but said it was a little out of my price range. However, he was kind enough to work with me to make this hunt possible. Thankfully, the price has gone done over the years as more and more farms have been raising sables, and I was now fortunate because my outfitter had made it impossible for me to say no.

Campfire Thoughts & Reminiscences Ch 18

To quote George Bernard Shaw: ‘Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime it is to waste it on children.’ We never consider that we are getting older, and things change… As I myself get older, I have been doing more wingshooting than game hunting. I find it more relaxing, more sociable and more sedentary than tracking miles and miles through bushveld after game animals.
 
It was after my 60th birthday that I first realised that my shooting was a bit worse than it used to be, but I just thought I needed more practice. Then I went to renew my driver’s licence and was told I needed glasses. This came as a bit of a shock. Hell, I could still see the road signs, couldn’t I!?

African Dawn

Who are African Dawn Outfitters?

The African Dawn Program is about promoting hunting in Africa, not just through what we publish, but with the outfitters’ cooperation in this program… and it is for your peace of mind.

International travel consumes two precious commodities – personal time and money. And when you are a hunter, things can get tricky when there are further considerations like rules, regulations, details and differences between each country and their species. It is important to have a good outfitter, and whether it is your next hunting safari, or your first one, there are many outfitters to choose from. In fact, there are over 500, so how do you find a reliable one, the one that is right for you?

To help you, we decided to promote and work with approximately 10% of this continent-wide group of outfitters. We have listed a limited number of an esteemed group of established and reputable African outfitters and they can be found in this Catalogue. To familiarize yourself with this list, we also offer monthly publications, and monthly trophy gallery posts (Trophies Fresh from the Veld). To ensure you receive these updates, sign up www.africanhuntinggazette.com.

If you are an agent looking for an outfitter to represent, you’ll be safe contacting one of these outfitters.

If you are researching for your next safari, be sure to contact any one of listed outfitters directly. It will support them and save you money by booking with them. Please tell them that it was by them being an African Dawn Member that contributed to the decision.

Our website www.africanhuntinggazette.com has a detailed overview of them all, and you know where to contact me if you need to know anything more.

For now, just enjoy the read.

Richard Lendrum - Publisher African Hunting Gazette

[email protected]

List of African Dawn Members 2023

• Ken Moody Safaris
• Khomas Highland Hunting Safaris
• Lake Albert Safaris
• Madubula Safaris
• Mashambanzou Safaris
• Mayo Oldiri Safaris
• Mike Currie Adventures
• Mokore Safaris
• Monterra Safaris
• Namibia Safari Corporation
• Northern Operations Africa
• Pete Barnard Safaris
• Richard Cooke Safaris
• Rob Lurie Safaris
• Rolling River Safaris
• Rovos Rail Tours
• Royal Karoo Safaris
• SB Hunting Safaris
• Spear Safaris
• Stone Hunting Safaris
• Strang Middleton Safaris
• Thierry Labat Safaris
• Watts Trophy Hunting Safaris
• Wow Africa Safaris