11-27 June 2010                                      Troy, Marla, & Cheyenne Hibbitts
 

Our outfitting Company was Dirk Rohrmann's Ongeyama Safaris - we booked directly with Dirk.  Dirk also acted as our PH.  We hunted 2 different properties - the Halseton Game Farm in the Hochfeld District (owned by Falco Schwarz) and the beautifully scenic Wilsonfontein Hunting Farm in the Karibib District (owned by Ingo Gladis).
 

Overview:
 
PH:  Dirk Rohrmann, Ongeyama Safaris

Game Taken: Kudu, Eland, Hartmann's Mountain Zebra, Blue Wildebeast, Impala, 2x Springbok

Game Hunted but not taken: Gemsbok, Warthog, Red Hartebeast (hunted as targets of opportunity, not seriously targeted)

Game Seen but not hunted:  Giraffe, Burchell's (Plains) Zebra, Waterbuck, Black Wildebeast, Klipspringer, Steenbok, Cheetah, Brown Hyena, Black-backed Jackal, Chacma Baboon

Rifles:  CZ 550 American in 9,3x62 with Sightron 1.5-6x42 scope; 2 Bullberry Custom T/C Encores, one in 9,3x74R with Leupold VXIII 1.5-5x24 scope, the other in .358 Win with Sightron 1.5-6x42 scope

Ammo: Personal Handloads - 9,3x62 using 250 grain Swift A-frames; 9,3x74R using 300 grain swift A-frames; .358 Win using 225 grain Nosler Partitions

Other Gear:  Leupold Golden Ring 10x42 mm HD Binoculars; Marla's boots were Russell Mocassin custom Safari Hunters; camera and lenses -Nikon D90 with 80-400 VR Telephoto Zoom lens and Sigma 17-70 mm Macro Zoom lens; Sony Handycam HDR-XR150 video camera; Pelican 1700 and 1750 rifle cases

Travel Arrangements:  Shawn Kennedy with Gracy Travel International 


Daily Journal

11 June 2010

Marla's Dad dropped Marla, Cheyenne, and I off at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport.  We left Houston and flew a Lufthansa 747 to Frankfurt, departing at 4 pm.  Baggage was checked through to Windhoek.  Relatively comfortable flight, with personal choice move/enterntainment on the seat backs.  I watched Invictus and The Blind Side.

12 June 2010

Arrived in Frankfurt at about 9 am.  Had an 11 hour layover.  Checked into a day room at the Airport Sheraton. 




Thanks to the economic downturn in the EU and the lower value of the Euro vs the dollar, our stay was less expensive this time ($170 vs $240).  We relaxed a bit and then went into the Stadwaldt Forest to bird watch and photo dragonflies.  The ride into town on the bus and tram was comfortable and the hike into the lake I'd found on Google Earth was straightforward.  Saw 15 species of birds (5 lifers), 2 species of exotic turtles (1 lifer), and 7 species of dragonflies (all lifers).




Boarded flight for Namibia at 7:30.  Left Frankfurt airport at about 8:20 pm for over night flight to Windhoek.  Flew an airbus - relatively uncomfortable compared to the 747, but I was on row 20, with only a half-seat in front of me and our seats could recline (unlike last time).  Got a bit of sleep on the overnight, but not as much as we'd have liked.

13 June 2010

Arrived in Namibia at about 6:00 am, cleared customs, baggage claim, and gun permitting by about 7:00.  Dirk Rohrmann was there to meet us, and we drove from the airport to Halseton Game Farm.  Our first Namibian sunrise was as we were leaving from the airport.  Saw quite a bit of game on the drive out, including Red Hartebeast, Kudu, Gemsbok, Springbok, Blue & Black Wildebeast, Steenbok, and Jackal.  Also saw several Martial Eagles perched on roadside trees.



Arrived at Halseton at about 9:00, met Kim Schwarz (owner), put away our gear and ate breakfast.  Spent the morning relaxing around camp, photographing birds, reptiles, and dragonflies.  At Halseton, I was to be hunting Eland (for which I'd brought my 9.3x74R loaded with 300 grain Swift A-frames) and Marla was to be primarily hunting Blue Wildebeast.



Went out for an evening hunt.  We saw Kudu cows, Blue & Black Wildebeast, Giraffe, Steenbok.  We put on a stalk on a nice Blue Wildebeast bull that never presented a shot opportunity - it was mixed in with a herd that was moving in and out of brush down a road and never offered Marla a shot that wasn't obstructed by  cows either in front of or behind him.  Did find our only snake of the trip this afternoon, a juvenile Southern Burrowing Asp.

14 June 2010

For our first full day in Namibia, we got up before sunrise, ate a light breakfast of what Cheyenne took to calling "Elven Waybread" (after the Lord of the Rings) and juice, then went out to hunt.  We took a long stalk through the brush in search of Eland.  Saw Gemsbok and a herd of Black Wildebeast.  Didn't know that we were going on a such a long trek, so didn't take water, got hot wearing gear more suited to driving in the truck, and Cheyenne got a bit tired.  Back in the truck, we drove around a bit and saw Giraffe, Warthog, Kudu cows, Blue Wildebeast, Springbok, and Steenbok.

Came back to the ranchhouse to eat Brunch (eggs, meat, toast & jam), then went back out to sit waterholes.  Dirk & I sat in one stand, while Marla & Cheyenne sat with the ranch foreman & hunting guide Likios.  Dirk & I saw several Gemsbok, an Eland Cow, and 8 warthog, including a VERY nice one with about 12" tusks that never presented a shot - it came into water behind a bush, then turned and trotted away without stopping.  Wish I could have taken this guy!

For the afternoon/evening hunt, Dirk & I again sat a blind at a waterhole for Eland.  Saw 2 groups of cows and calves, and had 2 big bulls come in about 10 minutes after visible shooting light while we were waiting for the truck.  Marla & Cheyenne sat a different waterhole with Likios and saw Springbok, Warthog, and Gemsbok.

15 June 2010

NOTE to self:  Underarmor packs very light and you never know when you might need it!

Dawned very windy and cold.  Drove out of lodge and quickly spotted a mixed herd of Blue and Black Wildebeast, Springbok, and Red Hartebeast.  Circled around to put a stalk on the Blue Wildebeast, but when we got back to where they were they had given us the slip.  Dirk & I went to seat a high seat near water while Marla & Cheyenne continued with Likios in the truck.  Dirk & I had 3 gemsbok come out, but it was so windy that we decided to still-hunt through the brush.  We saw 2 eland cows and 2 Burchell's Zebra. 

NOTE 2:  don't trust a GPS with low batteries (or whatever else was wrong with it)

Dirk got turned around following his GPS - he had the ranchhouse marked as a waypoint, only his GPS kept telling him it was in every direction.  I knew we were walking in circles and tried to point out the right direction and that was when Dirk showed me his GPS ("see what the GPS says"), since I more or less knew where I was  after one circle I turned on my GPS to point out the right direction.

After brunch, we went out and sat in a bow blind/ground blind at the same waterhole we'd been at earlier, while Marla & Cheyenne sat a different one.  We saw 3 eland cows, 2 Burchell's Zebra, 2 Gemsbok, and a big Blue Wildebeast bull.  Then had 3 warthogs come out, one of which would have been a shooter except for a broken tusk on one side.  Finally, a group of about 20 impala came out.  Dirk says "There's a nice ram" so I put down my camera and picked up my 9.3x74R.  Dirk asked "Are you going to shoot it?" and I told him "maybe".  I looked it over and decided that I liked it - he had heavy horns with a very pretty lyre shape.  So I waited until he cleared from the ewes and took what Dirk described as the "shortest rifle shot he'd ever taken" on an impala - 24 meters!  One shot, the impala drop in his tracks



First blood drawn.  The blind:



Now for the photo session:






He was a rather old ram, with very worn teeth.  22" horns with 5.5" bases.  I was very pleased with him.

Took the impala back for processing, then got ready to head out for the evening.  Dirk and I hunted different waterhole.  On way, we saw a MONSTER warthog (over 12") which Dirk thought would probably come to the waterhole so we didn't try to stalk it.  However, it never showed while we were there.  At the waterhole, we saw 2 gemsbok, 3 kudu cows, and a jackal.  Also had a kudu come in behind us that barked at us.  Dirk said it sounded mature but that there was no way to tell if it was a bull or cow. 

Meanwhile, Marla and Cheyenne sat a different waterhole with Likios and she finally got her chance at a nice Blue Wildebeast bull - a very massively horned citter.  She took him with double-lung pass through - the bull ran about 100 yards before piling up conveniently on a road.




The Wildebeast weighed around 500 pounds, had a very nice mane and beard, thick massive horns 41" from tip to tip around the curve, with 11.5" bases.

16 June 2010

This morning was bitterly cold - about 20° F.  When we left camp, I thought I was going to stalk through the brush with Likios to hunt Eland, but I guess Dirk decided that it was too cold to sit with Marla & Cheyenne so we drove around all morning.  Saw 1 herd of Black Wildebeast, 2 herds of Red Hartebeast (with 1 "nice" bull - I later told Dirk that had he told me the bull was a "monster" I'd have shot it, to which he replied that "nice" meant it was "VERY BIG" . . . NOTE: make sure you and the PH are speaking the same language about animals you might be interested in), 2 Steenbok, and 2 Warthogs.

After lunch, Dirk had to run to town to get petrol (= gasoline).  When he left, he told me that I'd go stalking with Likios over noon.  Kim told me that Likios had to oversee the caping of our impala and wildebeast from yesterday and that he couldn't take me out.  I'm not sure what was going on.  So instead of hunting over noon, I took photos of birds and lizards. 

This evening, I did go stalking with Likios for Eland while Marla & Cheyenne sat with Dirk in a blind on a waterhole.  Likios and I saw 5 Gemsbok, 5 Kudu cows, 1 big Warthog, and 2 big Eland bulls - which were about 250 yards away staring at us over the brush.  I could only see the big bull's head and had no shot at that range with the 9,3x74R. 

Marla and Cheyenne saw Springbok, Jackals, Blue Wildebeast, Impala ewes, and Gemsbok.

17 June 2010

This morning was again well below freezing, but maybe not so cold as yesterday (or at least not so windy).  We drove around a bit early, and saw several Blue Wildebeast, Hartebeast, Springbok, and Eland Cows.  At about 8 am, we dropped off Marla & Cheyenne with Dirk to sit a waterhole while Likios and I drove to a different area to try to stalk Eland.  He and I saw 2 Jackal, 4 Gemsbok, a nice Steenbok ram, 1 Black Wildebeast, and 2 Blue Wildebeast.  Also saw 3 warthog and 2 more Hartebeast from truck when going back to pick up Marla & Cheyenne. 

Marla & Cheyenne saw 10 Eland Cows, 2 Jackals, several Gemsbok and Springbok. 

This afternoon, I again hunted with Likios.  We drove to 2 areas to stalk for game - in both places we found bedded herds of Black Wildebeast.  We also jumped a young Waterbuck.  Driving in the truck, we saw several Kudu cows and 1 very young "spike" bull. 

Marla & Cheyenne again sat a waterhole with Dirk.  They saw a very nice Red Hartebeast and a nice-but-not-huge Warthog.  They also saw Gemsbok, Impala, Springbok, Eland cows, and a jackal.

18 June 2010

This morning it was again below freezing.  We sat Marla & Cheyenne by themselves at the waterhole where I shot the Impala, while Dirk, Likios, and I went to stalk in areas near where I had seen the Eland 2 days earlier.  Saw a nice Kudu bull near the blind where I sat the evening of the 15th, but he jumped into the brush before we could get the truck stopped and offered no shot.  Stalking, we saw Gemsbok.  Marla and Cheyenne saw 1 Springbok, 1 Black Wildebeast, 1 Gemsbok, Impala ewes, and 1 jackal.

After brunch, Marla & Dirk sat the waterhole (Cheyenne stayed at the lodge) where we saw the Kudu.  The decided to rename the place "pig hole" after seeing 30+ warthog, including a couple of pretty nice ones.  They also saw Kudu cows.  Likios and I stalked in on 2 groups of Blue Wildebeast, some gemsbok, and a herd of Eland cows.  Also saw some warthog.  I had him drive back to near the blind where I shot the impala to look for the big Red Hartebeast that Marla saw yesterday, but he wasn't around.  What we did see was a Cheetah slinking through the high grass.  It crouched down and belly-crawled when it saw the truck, and I never got a clear look at it.

After tea & cake, we went back out.  Marla & Dirk again sat "pig hole" hoping for the Kudu bull to show himself, while Likios and I went back to the waterhole near where I saw the big herd of Eland cows.  We saw 25 Eland cows & calves, 2 springbok, and 7 warthog.  I wanted to shoot one of the warthogs (probably 8-9" or so) but Likios told me it was a "big sow".  Honestly, I think we was intent on getting me an Eland and was afraid of me shooting and spooking him off.  Anyway, looking at the photos, it was clear that the pig was in fact a boar.

Marla and Dirk continued to see more warthog, including a "Monster" that never offered a shot - Dirk guessed it was over 12".  Anyway, when we went to pick up Marla and Dirk, I knew that they had gotten something because they weren't walking down the road to meet us but instead were waiting near the blind.  Marla told me that she'd shot a huge Red Hartebeast that was so big that she just couldn't pass it up.  Hartebeast my ass!  She'd shot a huge Eland bull!  Probably around 1 ton, with horns so thick you couldn't wrap your hands around them!









She shot it in the shoulder, taking out the front leg and lungs.  We never recovered the 225 grain partition, although it didn't exit (it was so cold that the processing team didn't look for it).  Dirk put in two finishers (320 grain Woodleighs) with his 9,3x74R Krieghoff double that entered above the hips and passed forward into the front of the thoracic cavity (he recovered 1 in the brisket), but Marla said the Eland was on the brink of toppling when he did so.  But better safe than sorry.

Getting the Eland on the truck was an adventure in itself.  Falco Schwarz (the owner) had taken the only trucks with winches on a Dangerous game hunt in the Caprivi, leaving Halseton with an older truck that didn't have a winch.  Likios first tried to load it using a come-along and big steel bars for levers.  I suggested we ought to take down the block-and-tackle from the processing rack that they used to butcher game.  A trip back to get it, and then we were able to get it loaded.  We still had to use the steel poles to lever its front half up off the ground.  This was accomplished by Likios, Dirk, myself, and 3 of Likios' workers (teenage grandsons, I think). 

An Eland makes an impressive carcass . . .





19 June 2010

This morning (it was above freezing), we packed up and drove from Halseton Game Farm to the Wilsonfontein Game Farm.  Leaving Halseton, saw a Brown Hyena run across road!  On way across Namibia to Wilsonfontein, saw Baboons and a Secretary Bird eating a snake.  Also saw lots of Warthog and a few Red Hartebeast.  Arrived at Wilsonfontein a bit after noon.  Habitat here was very different - a high desert with rocky mountains and kopjes interspersed with sandy alluvial fans and valleys.

NOTE:   wish I'd have known the habitat we were coming to here at Wilsonfontein - I could have sure used my Kimber 8400 in 300 WSM!

Wilsonfontein has electricity by generator only, but the accomodations were very nice.  Marla & I stayed in the Zebra room, and Cheyenne stayed in the Leopard room. Unloaded our gear, met the owner Ingo Gladis and his godson Ricky.   Did the photography thing a bit around the lodge before heading out to hunt that afternoon.  Saw only a single Mt Zebra this afternoon, along with lots of rock hyraxes. 

20 June 2010

Got up at 6 am, ate breakfast at 6:30 and left to go hunting by 7:00.  Hunting this morning, we drove through spectacular scenery.  Saw hundreds of Springbok, dozens of Gemsbok, 10-15 Giraffe, several herds of Hartmann's Mt Zebra, a small group of Kudu cows with a young bull, about 10 Steenbok, and 4 Klipspringer.  Put a stalk on Zebra couple of times, but they always either got out of range before we got close or Marla & Dirk got busted before they could get off a shot. 

Back around the ranchhouse, got lots of new birds and reptiles to photograph.

After lunch, again set out after Zebra.  Saw Springbok, 3 Warthogs (only ones we'd see on the place), a few Steenbok, and several Giraffes.  Spotted a distant herd of Mt Zebra on a mountainside.  Stalked to within 350 yards of them before the stalk was blown.  Marla shot what looked like a clean miss.  The zebra ran off without another shot opportunity.  We went looking for them.  Thought they had given us the slip when we spotted them 2 kopje's over from our vantage point.  We dropped off our kopje, ran over to the next one.  Marla had trouble getting on the sticks (the assistant with the sticks didn't have them ready) while I dropped to a prone position.  As soon as I did, I noticed that there was blood on the lead stallion - Marla's initial shot was a bit low and far back.  I told he that the stallion was wounded, and asked if she wanted me to shoot.  I shot (about 270 yards) and missed (using my 9,3x62 with 250 grain A-frames).  The stallion started to run.  Marla and Dirk both shot, missed.  I shot again, missed, then missed again.  On my 4th and Marla's 3rd shot (we shot approximately the same time), the Stallion dropped.  Not sure which of us connected - I think I did, she thinks she did.  Doesn't matter - the stallion's down.  A finisher to the brain with Dirk's 22 mag pistol, and we have our Mountain Zebra.  Probably about as scenic a locale for trophy photos as possible:










Had to wait a bit for for Ingo to get the Cruiser to the Kopje:




Ingo drove the cruiser right up the kopje to the Zebra, where the switch on his winch burned out and we had to load it manually.


Marla videoed the process:


21 June 2010

Drove around this morning hunting Kudu.  Saw 1 group of Kudu cows with 2 small bulls.  Also saw several Steenbok, Springbok, Gemsbok, and a couple of nice Klipspringer. 

Did the photo birds/lizards thing again at lunch.  Headed out again at about 2:30 pm.  Saw lots of Springbok (but no mature rams), lots of Zebra at close range (wouldn't you know, now that we weren't hunting them), lots of Gemsbok, a few Steenbok, a troop of Baboons, quite a few Bat-eared foxes, a few jackals, 2 Cheetah (at over 400 meters), an African Wildcat, and an Aardvark (right at dusk) . . . just no damn Kudu!

22 June 2010

DAY OF FRUSTRATION!  This morning, we spotted a NICE Kudu bull that I should have shot.  He was first spotted under an acacia in a streambed about 200 yards from the truck.  When we stopped the truck, he turned to run and I jumped out of the truck (my initial mistake).  When he stopped at 270 yards, I stopped and put the rifle over the hood of the truck waiting for the signal that I should take him.  I couldn't hear Dirk.  Turns out, Ingo had stopped in a spot that put Dirk in a thornbush, and he had to fight his way back.  He was telling me to shoot, but I couldn't hear him. I was asking if I should shoot, but he couldn't hear me.  Anyway, the Kudu then ran over the hill without me shooting and we never refound him.

Next, we spotted a nice 16" springbok.  Had it at about 100 yards, but it was moving behind some rocks.  Stalked into the rocks.  Ram had disappeared.  Next, found a 15-16" springbok, but the wind was wrong for a stalk.  Finally, shot 3x at a 38-39" Gemsbok and missed each time (ranges over 270 yards).  About 30 minutes later, refound the SAME Gemsbok - I have a slam dunk shot that I'd estimate at 150 yards.  Dirk says 270 using his rangefinder.  So I aim at top line of back.  Bullet sails right over.  At this point I'm really wishing for my 300 WSM . . . tired of playing "hold over" and "figure drop" games.  YES, I know that it can be done.  Only I brought the 9,3s expecting shots under 200 yards, and hadn't practiced at longer ranges.

Checked zero on rifle after lunch just in case.  It was fine. 

Went out in afternoon at 2:30.  Found nice 16" Springbok that we couldn't get on because it was behind a big herd.  Maybe a half mile away, found another nice Springbok that presented a good shot opportunity.  First shot is a hit, but the ram doesn't drop!  2 misses at range . . . then he goes around a rock outcrop.  We drive up to the outcrop, and he's standing at about 140 yards.  Bang! DRT.  Finally got this jinx off my shoulders.  Worst shooting day of my life though!




My first shot hit low and in front of front legs.  Second shot spined him.  Ram is very old, with heavy, worn horns 15" long and with 6" bases.  Saw bigger ones at Wilsonfontein, but I'm happy with him . . . and at this point just glad to get the "misses" out of my system.

Loading a Springbok is not an involved process:


Dropped ram off at the ranchhouse, then went back out.  Saw more Springbok, Giraffe, Gemsbok, Steenbok, Zebra, Baboons, a Cape Fox, and a Jackal.  At dusk, realized that the sounds of "insects" I'd been hearing every night were in fact Kalahari Barking Geckos - the animal on which my brother did his Ph.D. dissertation research in South Africa's Kalahari.

23 June 2010

Went out this a.m. to hike canyon country in an area Ingo had seen Kudu regularly.  Very windy.  Saw 5 Klipspringer and distant Mountain Zebra.  Also saw lots of Leopard tracks in wash.  After we got done hiking, the wind really picked up and game got very spooky.  Drove around, saw Zebra, lots of Gemsbok & Springbok, Giraffe, and a few jackals.  Some of the Springbok started running over a mile away.

Did the birds & lizards photography thing again at lunch.  After lunch, we went out again at 2:30.  I suggested we drive the canyon where we'd seen Kudu on the 21st.  Drove that canyon, and found a Kudu cow with calf and a mid-sized immature bull in tow. Also saw Steenbok, Klipspringer, Springbok, Meerkats.  Drove rock ridges, washes, etc, until dusk.  I was about to give up on the Kudu quest.  Almost dark now.  Rounded corner in streambed near waterhole and I spot a Kudu.  A shouted "Kudu!" stops the truck.  Can't see bull.  A second bull steps into view.  40 yards.  Bigger.  Can only see his heard.  Dirk says "Shoot!" . . . "I can only see F'ing head!".  Kudu runs off.  We get off the truck, grab sticks and head after them.  Round first set of bushes, spot Kudu standing staring back at us about 245 yards away.  I get on sticks, say "Which one?"  Dirk says "One on the Left".  I shoot - looks like a good hit!  Dirk says "Shoot again!" - he's running away, maybe 270 yards.  I shoot again, aiming for base of his white-tufted tail.   Hit again!  Kudu rounds corner of rocks, disappears from sight.  Dirk says "I think you hit him good twice."  I concur and reload.  As we're walking towards corner of rocks, I can see a bull Kudu in distance walking, looking around.  I tell Dirk - he says "That's the other bull.  He's looking for his buddy.  I think your bull's dead around the rocks."  We round the rocks and there he is!  Whoop!  High 5's!  21 days in Africa, and I finally have my Kudu!








He's not the biggest Kudu bull in the world, at 49-50" with 11" bases, but he's MINE.  He has a very big body, a thick dark neck, a nice beard and mane.  His lower chewing teeth are worn to the gums. 

Never found the entry for my first shot.  It entered somewhere on the right flank and lodged in the left side ribs behind the shoulder, taking out big veins in liver and one lung.  Good thing I hit him with the second shot - although first one was fatal, it would have left no blood trail.  Second shot was near-classic "Texas Heart Shot" and that's exactly what it did.  Although the A-frame didn't mushroom much at all, it penetrated all the way through the Kudu taking out the heart and lodging in the brisket.  This shot left a short blood trail . . . but he only ran maybe another 30 yards after being hit before dropping.


I recovered both bullets:

Also saw a porcupine on way back to ranchhouse.

24 June 2010

With the Kudu out of the way, we decided to try to get Marla a nice Gemsbok or Springbok.  First, we went to check out a 10,000 year old cave-painting site of Eland, Giraffe, and little painter's hands.  Marla missed a shot on a very nice (16"+) Springbok (again playing guessing games with holdover - should have shot dead on) then could never quite get back on him - they within range of the same ram 2 more times, but each time he either busted the stalk or appeared where they weren't looking.  She then missed a nice Gemsbok bull in very windy conditions (again at long range). 

Mostly rested around camp at lunch.  Went back out again at 2:30 in search of filling our last alotted (by our budget) trophy fee.  Saw several nice Steenbok, Klipspringer, a mature Kudu bull about like mine (Murphy's Luck, right - for another to appear when we're not hunting them), a jackal, and lots of Springbok and Giraffe.  Right at Sunset, we got on a very nice Springbok (probably the one that I hadn't been able to get on on the 22nd), and Marla was able to take him with a 220 yards frontal heart shot with her 358 Win.




Marla's ram is 16" with 5.5" bases.  Didn't seem to be quite as old as mine, and his horns weren't quite as thick or worn, but were noticeably longer.  The front lead section of the 225 grain Nosler partition was found in one of the two exit wounds in his abdomen after passing through the heart and body cavity.



25 June 2010

Last full day in Africa.  No money left for trophy fees, and although bittersweet that we're done hunting, weather made me glad we weren't hunting today as it REALLY got windy.  We did drive around and take photos of game, scenery, birds, and lizards.  Saw a group of distant kudu cresting a ridge - including 2 nice bulls.  Saw Springbok, Gemsbok, Giraffe, Steenbok, and Baboons.

Back at camp, did the bird/lizard photo thing.  Never went back out again, instead chosing to relax around the lodge and tell stories with Dirk, Ingo, and Ricky.

26 June 2010

Packed up after breakfast to head to Windhoek.  Saw several troops of Baboons on way.  Dirk had reserved us a room at the Hotel Palmquell so that he could get back to Swakopmund to see his wife in the hospital (she had gone in for surgery on the 24th).  We settled accounts with him and parted ways around noon.  Marla, Cheyenne, and I walked into town for lunch.  Bird-watched around hotel grounds until 3:30, when we were taken by taxi to the airport.  Ride to airport uneventful - no new birds or wildlife seen.  Bought souveniers, watched sunset, and World Cup soccer news on TV.  Slept fairly well on overnight flight to Frankfurt (although the Air Bus is still uncomfortable!).

27 June 2010

Arrived in Frankfurt at 6:15 am.  Moved through airport, got boarding passes, and ate a REAL breakfast (Air Namibia's idea of "breakfast" was a slice of lunchmeat, a slice of cheese, yogurt, and a roll), then waited for our flight to Houston.

Boarded flight for Houston at 10:00.  Left Frankfurt airport at about 10:50.  Flight did not have individual choice TV/entertainment, so got to watch Invictus and The Blind Side again.  Slept a little bit.  Arrived in Houston at 2:00, but did not clear baggage claim and customs until 3:30.  They actually disinfected the soles of our shoes because we had been on a "farm" and around livestock.  Seemed pretty pointless to disinfect just the soles.  Next time, I won't check that box!

Final Thoughts

For our second trip to Africa, we were overall very pleased with the hunting and quality of game.  Should have communicated more and better with Dirk before leaving - should have known to carry a 300 magnum at Wilsonfontein . . . but this is at least in part my fault as I told Dirk to "take us to whichever place is best suited to take the animals we want" and left it at that.   Meals were not the gourmet's delight that we had in 2007 with Leopold working as Dirk's chef, but at that time Dirk was running a single camp instead of hunting in 3 different countries on different properties . . . and in the end food isn't that big of deal - the hunting is.  Unless hunting in more tropical regions or not in June/July, next time we'll definitely come prepared (e.g. bring underarmour and gloves) for freezing weather.  Hunting was overall very good, and we'd book with Dirk again.  In fact, we look forward to hunting in Africa many times more in the future.