Dear Hunting Friends
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
Since my last newsletter on the 14th June we have had some very good hunts to update you on including this follow up on the Matetsi Lion hunt that was ongoing when I sent out my last newsletter and I finalised the launch of two first class hunting destinations in South Africa as mentioned in newsletter 63, please read on below:
Starting in Matetsi Zimbabwe where PH Steve Meyer guided a Russian client of mine on this fantastic hunt, the client shot what Steve tells me is the biggest body lion he has ever seen or hunted and further estimates this lion to be 8 years + old, this wild lion had a broken front canine tooth that would have made hunting hard for him. The client also hunted this 44 pounder elephant in Matetsi plus this giraffe (lion bait) and buffalo before moving to Binga for his hippo and croc:
We do have one lion left in Matetsi for 2017 please contact me if you are interested.
On a recent Gonarezhou hunt with PH Nixon Dzingai our client managed to get this 62 pounder elephant and this 44 inch hard boss buffalo on his 5th hunt with us in the Gonarezhou. Nixon tells me that elephant and buffalo movement into Malipati Safari Area is at its all-time best, I do have quota available for elephant, leopard and buffalo plus a whole host of plains game including nyala, bushbuck and waterbuck for Malipati Safari Area and Naivaisha for the 2017 season, late season hunts are fantastic now is the time to book.
South African PH Russ Field booked a buffalo hunt with me for his client from the USA in our Sengwe concessions of the Gonarezhou area during June, Russ and Zim PH Simon Dzingai hunted this very good dagga boy on that hunt, thanks Russ.
A South African client of mine on his 3rd hunt booked with Take Aim Safaris hunted this hippo and croc with PH Steve Meyer in Zimbabwe/Binga:
Adding my own personal touch to this newsletter my sons and I hunted these two oryx and this red hartebeest on a recent concession visit to Philippolis/RSA, I saw fantastic numbers of game on that hunt including buffalo, sable and roan, a real pleasure to see the beauty of Africa in this place. Please read on:
I am trying to get a sense/re-enforce my own view of where big elephants are being hunted in today’s Africa, as far as I know in areas open for hunting the Gonarezhou produces the biggest tusk weight elephant bulls consistently. There are two other good trophy bull areas I know of but I say Gonarezhou is best (and around half the price). Does anyone know if a bigger elephant than this Gonarezhou 83 pounder our client hunted in February has been hunted anywhere in Africa this year yet? PS: Don’t forget our 122 pounder in 2015 plus a whole host of other trophy bulls: https://www.takeaimsafaris.co.za/portfolio-item/elephant/
If you do have FACTS: Area, photos and date of a bigger bull that has been hunted in 2017 please let me know.
Look at this recent photo that was taken in the Gonarezhou National Park and tell me what you see? Obviously there are two elephant bulls in the photo but also a dead baobab that the elephants have just pushed over and killed for a few small fruights at the top of the tree and the high bark on the tree trunk.
There are very few baobab trees left in the Gonarezhou, same goes for the Kruger Park and the entire Lowveld (where elephants are found) thanks to an absolute over population of elephants that are now destroying their own habitat. If you think you are protecting elephants by not culling and not hunting them you are not, in fact at this rate they will destroy their own habitat very soon and take all other herbivores down with them.
How old is this baobab? 500? 1000 years old? This is critical situation that is not being addressed nor being helped by the so called greenies who stop us from culling in our own national parks by dangling the Dollar carrot, closing sustainable hunting in sustainable hunting areas will not help elephants nor any other animal in our Southern African National Parks, when the habitat is destroyed all animals will be gone not only the elephants. If you plan to do good then attack poachers and poaching not hunters who are real conservationists.
What should we be protecting here the baobab or the elephant?
As you may or may not know I live in Johannesburg South Africa and have hunted Southern Africa including South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique for the last 35 years (now 43 years old) in this time and over the 400+ hunts I have booked I have gained a wealth of experience with regards to Southern African hunting, on this point I can with confidence tell you that South African ranch/private farm hunting does not get better than these two areas:
LIMPOPO’S OWN SERENGETI
Take Aim Safaris is proud to bring you this first class South African hunting concession that is conveniently situated 3 hours’ drive North of Pretoria/Johannesburg international airport.
If you like me have done all the seriously tough hunts, driven all day when hunting then travelled hours on foot and by car looking for game movement in wild concessions and are now interested in a more luxurious hunt where game movement is good from the time you start hunting in the morning until you stop hunting in the evening yet you still insist on a fair chase hunt then this South African hunting area will be perfect for you.
The hunting area/Safari area is 10.000 hectares in extent that is equal to 100 square kilometres.
The hunting area has 3 lodges within the 100 square kilometre area, there is a main lodge/luxury 5 star lodge that includes a gym, a swimming pool, free wifi, 7 client villas all with en-suite bathrooms, there is a fully stocked well-appointed bar and a luxurious dining room plus a formal lounge with satellite/cable television plus a private office area that is available to guests wanting to catch up on emails/Skype calls etc.
The hunting area has many flat and mountainous sections that are ideal for all hunters whether you are interested in hunting mountains or flat areas, this hunting area will accommodate all hunting requirements and expectations.
We have a mountain lodge and a bush camp; the photos tell the story of this fantastic hunting area. There is also a helipad and a private runway on the property. The runway is 1300 metres long and 30 metres wide.
Whether you are interested in a 5 star lodge or a rustic but very comfortable bush camp or a luxurious private/exclusive mountain lodge we have got exactly what you are looking for and expecting from your South African safari.
This is a big game hunting area with buffalo, rhino, sable, crocodile, and leopard all available to be hunted on the same property plus an abundance of plains game that can be added to all our big game hunts.
This is South African hunting at its absolute best on a property that offers you a fair chase hunt with no breeding camps, no ear tags, no colour variants and no canned/pseudo hunting. I would go as far as to say that hunting in South Africa does not get better than this, in fairness there are of course other good hunting areas in this wonderful country, we are right up there with the best of them.
Here are a few photos of the area and lodge but please follow this link to see the full portfolio of photos: https://www.takeaimsafaris.co.za/hunt-in-south-africa/limpopo-serengeti/
PHILIPPOLIS
Nestled between undulating landscapes and ravines of the Southern Free State of South Africa, this Private Game Reserve spans some 14,000 hectares (34,500 acres) on elevated plains, with majestic hills rising from the charming yet harsh and rugged African Bushveld, captivating the most discerning visitor. This private nature reserve is unrivalled in its appeal as one of Southern Africa’s premier hunting destinations. The reserve is privileged to have the Lake Vanderkloof extending its 25km (15,5 miles) Western Boundary.
When I consider Philippolis hunting area words and key features that come to mind are:
- Privacy
- Up-market
- Exclusive
- Luxurious
- 5 star luxury accommodation with Wi-Fi in the lodge
- Abundance of game, big game and plains game
When you hunt Philippolis, you will be guided by top class full time hunting guides ensuring not only an unforgettable experience but everlasting memories that will entice your return. The serene setting coupled with the day’s events will make for good conversation around the fire at sunset.
We offer both the seasoned and less experienced hunter a hunt to suit their tastes and preferences. The reserve is vast and expansive, allowing a ‘walk and stalk’ hunt if you so wish. Hunting from pre-built hides is also an option.
The vastness of the Reserve coupled with the varied topography makes every hunt different – from high open plateaus to deep thorny ravines, the environment is not only aesthetically pleasing, but offers a different challenge on every day.
Come and do your fair chase hunting here on foot.
Here are few photos, to see the full portfolio of photos please follow this link: https://www.takeaimsafaris.co.za/hunt-in-south-africa/philippolis/
As always thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and for passing it onto your hunting friends.
I do have quota and dates available for all our hunts in South Africa and Zimbabwe, Agents, Clients, PH’s, Outfitters contact me for booking information.
Hunters best wishes.
Carl Knight
Contact Number: 0027-82-749-1747
Email: carl@takeaimsafaris.com
Web: www.takeaimsafaris.com
