African Safari 2012 - The update thread

[fvh40]

I had Malaria once when I was farming in Zambia and it's not nice, I lost about 4kg's. Only drank water and was sick for about 5 days

[Rob]

Malaria lasts a lifetime right?  I know folks who were in Vietnam and got it.  They talk about having recurrances of it from time to time. 

[Rob]

I was hoping to get three rifles in my rifle case so I could bring a varmint gun, but it was no use.  Two is the max it will hold. 

I spent the weekend cutting foam and getting the stuff packed up.  I managed to get the following in the case:
-450 Dakota
-375 HH
-Spare scope already mounted in rings
-bolts removed, and set in the foam
-Leatherman
-knife
-Toolkit (buried under the foam below the bolts)

The case weighs 47 pounds.

[Rob]

In talking to Terry, he mentioned that there were some “mountains” on his land.  That got me to wondering, what is the elevation there, and how high are the “mountains”.

I went to Google earth, and using some maps of the SAVE, I am nearly positive I found the area we will be hunting.  I marked off the boundaries with the red line.  I understand there is one other place we can go the SE as well.  I’ll try to mark that one on the map sometime in the future.

Anyway, compared to the other parts of the SAVE, it does appear that he has a lot more topo on his concession.  I see one hill on the southern border.  The altitude appears to be around 1,800 feet, and the hill seems to be about 2300 feet.  Not exactly a mountain by Washington Standards, but certainly by Texas standards!

[Knocker of rocks]

Malaria lasts a lifetime right?  I know folks who were in Vietnam and got it.  They talk about having recurrences of it from time to time.

I think malaria can be asymptomatic for years with some chronic reoccurrences.  I think this mostly, if not wholly, occurs in individuals who are untreated, poorly treated or used treatments in the past which are now thought to be ineffective.  The treatment ability of Docs now is much better that 40 years ago. 

Quite obviously, the poor make up  the majority of  individuals with chronic malaria.  Westerners who contract malaria and are treated for it should have the parasite completely eliminated.  Trouble could occur if an individual contracts the malaria parasite, but is asymptomatic for a number of years

 http://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/18-040-0107_Malaria[1].pdf

[Knocker of rocks]

In talking to Terry, he mentioned that there were some “mountains” on his land.  That got me to wondering, what is the elevation there, and how high are the “mountains”

The Cedarberg and Drakenburg Mountains, on the SW and SE coasts of SA like very cool.  They don't seem to be particularly high, but look to have a lot of relief.  Much like our Colorado Plateau.

[Rob]

I was in Cape Town in 2007 and the mountains there are nice.  In Namibia the mountains are no-nonsense high and rugged.  No snow, but picture taking West Texas habitat and draping it over Yellowstone topology. 

Zimbabwe (where we are going in October) seems flatter overall.

The Save is East of Bulawayo, between Masvingo and Chipinge with the Save river bordering the east side of the consession (see map below)

[fvh40]

Hi Rob

I would like to hear your opinion of the Sierra Gameking sbt bullet, for reloading 375h&h.

Thank you

Ferdi

[Rob]

I have no personal experience with the Sierra Game kings in big bores.

My opinion on them is, they are probably a fine bullet and will do the job well.  If it were me, and I wanted a soft point expander, I'd probably go with the Swift A-frame.

You might want to field this question on the AR big bore forum.  they might have someone with experience who can chime in. 

(I am also a huge fan of Barnes Tipped TSX bullets...)

[Hi-Liter]

I have been to Zim. I went there in 2004. My mother and father in law bought a home in Bulawayo. They ran a bed in breakfast out of it for a while. My father in law was the first ever American licensed hunting guide in Zim. He was licensed in 2008. He was a retired Seattle Police Officer. This was his dream and fullfilled it. He shot several animals there. Elephant, zebra, kudo, cape bufuloa etc. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in lat 08 and passed away in 2009. He never was able to fully fullfill his dream of being a guide. My mother in law spread his ashes in Mutopose, there is some truly awesome animals in there. I have also been to Victoria falls, one of the seven wonders of the world, if you get a chance you should see it. They have 20 foot crocs in the zambize river, huge. I also went through the Hiwange park stay in there for 3 days, I saw over 200 elephant, between 5-6 heards and hundreds of giraffes. If I remember right they get a lot of poaching in there.

Anyway, you won't have a problem finding game in Zim. Keep your eyes open for the lion.

[Hi-Liter]

I don't know if this matters since you have been there before. But, from what my father-in-law told me the African guides, used only Federal Ammunition-they were biased by it. Because they could always depend on the ammo to stop a charging elephant right in there tracks. He would always bring extra ammo. over when he went there. All calibers from 30.06 to .458 Win.

[Rob]

Howdy Hi-liter

I am jealous of your in-law's ability to spend more time over there.  I'd like to figure out how to do that.

I have not been to Zim before, but looking forward to it.  My first and only other trip was to Namibia. 

I have always been fond of Federal ammo.  I reload so I don't tend to shoot factory brands much, but when I do look for or recommend factory loaded ammo, I tend to go with Federal Premium.  I like how they load up the better bullets like Barnes, Nosler and bearclaw.

I have been pretty impressed with the reports on Cutting Edge Bullets so that is what I will most likely use.

Thanks for sharing the info on your in-laws.  Lucky folks.

[lhrbull]

getting the capes and horns back from Africa what would you suggest don't want to spend the trophy fee to get them back

[Rob]

Sorry, not sure I follow the question.

You will spend the trophy fee once you pull the trigger and have a bleeding animal.  Assuming you collect the animal, you will then need decide what you want done to it prior to having it cleaned in the field.   The manner that you skin out the animal will depend on how you are doing the mounts.  options are:
1.  full body mount
2.  Pedestal mount
3.  shoulder mount
4.  rug
5.  European

If you are not interested in bringing home trophies, then you can elect not to bring anything home.  Or, if you want to go with minimalist, you can do European mounts only.  here is a Gemsbok mount that was done for my buddies dad on our last trip to Namibia.  The Europeans look good, are cheaper to ship home, and take up less room in the house.

[Rob]

In 2007, here is what it cost me to get my mounts from the outfitter in Namibia to the tannery in Texas (9 animals):
Dip and pack:  $1,185
Shipping to the USA:  $1,043
Freight Forwarding in Houston:  $375
Total:  $2,603

The cost to ship them to the tanner was rolled into my taxidermy costs so I cannot line item that out.