|
|
|
 Trophy Game Safaris
Limpopo Province
South Africa
News Letter 3 - 2010 Late Season
Our last part of 2010 was very exciting! We all have had difficulties with the world economic struggles and the value of the $$$$$.... Literally shrinking away. That being said, all else was great and we have been so busy that I had little time in the office. Amanda was getting ready for her second knee surgery in September and Arno had elephant safari dreams in Botswana.
Dick & Nancy Saxon from Florida made their first trip to Africa this year. They joined me in mid August in Sand River Hills (SRH) while Arno was in Botswana taking care of Bwana Jimbo on their elephant safari. Dick did a combo bow & rifle safari taking 7 beautiful animals along withwith some upland birds. Then they headed out to Kruger where they enjoyed the three day Blyde Canyon, Kruger Park and Tangala trip before they returned home. A Great couple and we are proud to say they are also now part of the TG family.
 BWANA JIMBO
Jim Fellman, Duluth, MN.
A BOTSWANA ELEPHANT HUNT
August 2010
By Arno
 A last minute problem elephant hunt in Botswana's Tuli Block changing to a CITES elephant safari. On a Monday August 2010, Jim Fellman and I (Arno) left the Polokwane airport on an expedition to Botswana to go elephant hunting. Little did we know what was in store for us. We arrived in Botswana a couple of hours later when we crossed the Limpopo River. Here we had the unpleasant paperwork to complete to legalize the short notice hunt. This took us two days, but with all the necessary paperwork in hand we set off to our very remote hunting area next to the Shasi River. This creates the border between Zimbabwe and Botswana in the South. Day three came and we left our camp early to go and scout for some fresh elephant sign, it wasn't long before we got fresh tracks from the previous night. Excitement was in the air as we started tracking these giants. After walking about 15 miles we were just too far behind them and made our way back to camp. Tired but full of confidence for the next day we went to bed.
The next morning came and we were out early again, but didn't find any fresh sign! Several hours and a lot of miles later we hiked a large rocky hill which we thought would give us a good vantage point. We were pleasantly surprised when we got to the summit. A whole herd of elephants were feeding close to the hill on the other side. We quickly put a plan of action together and scurried down the other side with our hearts pumping furiously. Now we were amongst them and we felt like ants in a giant's world. We stalked closer carefully and penetrated the herd in very thick shrubs where they were feeding. There were about 30 elephants and we were right there between them, still scouting for a large bull when suddenly the wind shifted! In an instant the elephants reacted towards us…..the intruders. A charge followed! Jim held the bead of his gun on the bull that was leading the charge and let the shot off at a mere 20 yards taking the elephant down with a brain shot, but this was not the end of it. Two or three more elephants came out of nowhere and in self protection we had to shoot another one just 15 paces away. The elephants turned after this and we were high on adrenalin. We went and looked at the 2 elephants…..took a brief moment to pay our respects then plotted them on the GPS and had to make our way back to the truck. Night was falling quickly and we had several hours back to camp. We got to the truck safely and proceeded back to our base camp which was a 100 miles drive south. At midnight we arrived where we sat around a celebrating fire, the whole team was delighted and couldn't stop talking about the near death experience we had.
Early the next morning we packed up our camp and loaded 7 people's camping equipment on the truck then we set off to go and retrieve the elephant. Two days later we were on our way back to Sand River Hills, HOME, where we shared our experiences with the family. This was truly an unforgettable experience that will be talked about for years to come as this was not just Jim's first elephant hunt, but my first solo elephant too!
THE HOUSTON GANG
In September we had a monster of a safari with Bill McDonald, Jake Leisner and Tom Marrow from Houston, TX who were here and meant business!!
Taking 30 trophy animals including two beautiful sables in ten days! We started out at Sand River Hills and also visited Princess Hill and Matoppi conservancy where we hunted some beautiful trophies and shared some great moments.
I truly have a problem finding the words to describe this safari. There were just too many special moments & memories built. A book could be written on all of it. All I can say is that between the guides and the hunters we know it all and may share some of these stories with you by the fire in the future if you ever make it to Africa!
It is here in the bush that you really get to know someone's true identity. This leads to some of the best friendships being built. The Texans gave us some busy days hunting using almost every minute of possible hunting time. They left with some extraordinary animals and as very dear friends. They accomplished something great by each bagging a Rowland Ward Nyala and the same with their Eland. Exceptionally done guys. Congratulations!
Thank you for your great support and friendship Jake, Bill & Tom!
 Niels & Inger Moses. One of our loyal couples from Denmark. A true hunter at heart and Mrs. Inger just loves following Niels through the bush.
Some beautiful animals taken, Niels! We can't wait for the next trip with your son! We will continue building on those memories. You will always have a very special spot here at SRH & TG Safaris.
From MN it was time for Bob Sparby and Sean Barnes to have their share of an African experience. Being first timers and testing the waters they did not have a large bag of trophies, but quality time was spent and some upland birds had to go down in the off times.
We are looking forward to seeing more of these guys in the future, and guide Bob off to bed every night.
See you soon Bob & Sean!
From the National convention of the NWTF came Craig & Lisa Koon.
Craig Koon, he taught me (Arno) a lot of new tricks - you are never too old to learn. That sounds weird coming from a young man like me, but this is a reality! Craig, Lisa and I really hunted long and hard but we were rewarded generously for our efforts with some exceptional trophies! One of the most memorable moments was probably the hunt for the grey ghost or better known as the kudu, we hunted them all over, climbed trees, mountains and then finally alongside a hill we spotted him in the last rays of sunlight just before dark. Things happened quickly and Craig made an excellent shot, too good because the kudu died on the highest point of the hill! It took us a while to retrieve this bull but it was worth every second. Craig and Lisa were great to be around and they are now officially a part of the TG Safari Family.
We can't wait to have them back in Africa in the near future!
 The Granite Man (Chuck Johannes)
At the very end of the season on a scouting trip for his granite business was Chuck from St. Cloud, MN.
This was a short and sweet trip. But Chuck will be back!
Can't wait for it Chuck!
Closing Word
It is with a sigh of relief that we close the season. Time to get some needed work done around the ranch and just relax from the day to day hunting.
Throughout the special times shared with every client this year Amanda and I cherish every moment. So does Arno and every other member of TG Safaris. It is with a bit of uncertainty that we move forward in this economical times. We will keep giving it our all and trust in our Lord that the sun will always shine somehow. There is just so much to be grateful for.
For every client that became a true friend in the past we can only give back our own true friendship in gratitude. We can never repay anyone in financial terms. But the gratitude and appreciation runs deep with us all here.
We look forward making new friends and sharing special moments with old friends here in Africa around the fire once again in the future!
A warm African festive season to all from the TG Safari team in Africa.
Tino & Amanda Erasmus
Trophy Game Safaris
Southern Africa
|
| |
