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Big Game and Plainsgame Hunting
Big Game Hunting in unfenced Africa is one of the ultimate hunting experiences one can imagine. The sheer joy of the adventure; and the fun of being in a situation where ones' wits and woodsmanship are put to the test daily ...
Big Game
Hunting the traditional way by tracking and stalking dangerous game is unimaginably thrilling. Elephant and Buffalo hunting requires good physical condition and stamina. Once fresh tracks are found, the tracking of the animals by walking, begins. In the case of Elephant, groups of bulls or lone bulls are followed. Old bull tracks are determined by the size and 'wear' of the footprint. You can expect to follow an Elephant for up to 20 kilometres.
In the case of Buffalo hunting, you will follow (a common term used) 'daga boys' - pronounced 'dugger' which in the native Shona language means 'mud'. This term is usually used in referring to old Buffalo bulls, which are not part of a herd. They are named after the way they wallow in muddy waters and the large cakes of mud that get left on their skin.
Alternatively, Buffalo bulls are found in large herds - of which female and young are a part. Ones stalking skills are important. For both Elephant and Buffalo, you will be required to approach the animals within 25 - 50 yards.
Lion and Leopard
Leopard are the largest spotted cat in Africa. The average mass for a fully grown male is about 60kg. They reach sexual maurity from the age of about two and a half to four years.
Lion are the largest of the African carnivores. They reach sexual maturity at twenty-six months but only get an opportunity to mate when they are around 5 years old.
Only male cats are hunted and they should be well mature. Time and patience is the most important factor here. Cat hunting is commonly assisted by baiting. On some Lion hunts, conditions permitting, tracking of the lion can be done on foot.
Hippo and Crocodile
Usually hunted in conjunction with other species. It is a fairly relaxed hunt in typically beautiful surroundings on the edge of rivers and lakes. You usually need two or three days looking for large, preferably solitary males.
Plainsgame
'Plainsgame' is a term loosely used to differentiate any game that is not dangerous game.
Although a common hunt offered by many operators in Africa, hunting plainsgame is very exciting, rewarding and affordable.
Zimbabwe and Botswana equally offer a large variety of plainsgame.
Plainsgame available include:-
Baboon, Bushbuck, Bushpig, Duiker, Eland, Gemsbok, Grysbok, Hyena, Impala, Jackal, Klipsrpinger, Kudu, Lechwe, Nyala, Ostrich, Red Hartebeest, Reedbuck, Sable, Springbok, Steenbok, Small cats, Tsessebe, Warthog, Waterbuck, Wildebeest and Zebra. Certain species are limited to certain areas only.
The excitement of plainsgame hunting is the variety of species one can get on one safari.
Tip:
The minimum calibre for Buffalo, Elephant and Hippo is .375. If you are comfortable with the recoil, a calibre of .416 and .470 is preferred. For Elephant, Buffalo and Hippo, full metal jacket bullets are recommended. For Lion, Leopard and Crocodile, a minimum calibre of .300 is required and as for all soft skin species, soft nose bullets are recommended.
Read the literature to prepare ones self for an experience that you will never forget. Oh - the little flask of whisky in your back pocket, for the toast after you have found your quarry, is most important!