Mid-June saw Grant and Lisa join us from Alabama for their very first African hunting safari in South Africa, and it certainly lived up to expectations. As friends of TJ, they arrived with a good idea of what African hunting might be like, but as every hunter soon learns, nothing truly prepares you for experiencing it firsthand in the bush.
Both Grant and Lisa are accomplished hunters and excellent marksmen, which made for an enjoyable and efficient safari from the very beginning. The hunting was productive, the stalks were exciting, and every day delivered something memorable.
One of the early highlights came when Grant got onto a beautiful Sable Bull. After a solid stalk and getting into position, he made no mistake and delivered two excellent shots straight into the triangle. It was a superb bull and a special trophy to collect on a first African safari.
Lisa’s Wildebeest hunt was one none of us will forget anytime soon. We found ourselves locked in a tense standoff with a brute of a Blue Wildebeest Bull. With only a tiny bush for cover, we stayed pinned down for more than an hour as the bull stared us down, snorting and pacing as though warning us to leave his territory. Eventually, the bull offered a brief opportunity and Lisa reacted immediately. Shooting her .300 Win Mag with confidence, she downed the bull exactly where he stood. The emotions were running high as we celebrated and captured photos and videos of an unforgettable moment in the African bush.
Grant later added a fine Kudu Bull to his safari after making a spectacular 350-meter shot deep into one of the valleys. It was an impressive piece of shooting and another memorable moment on the hunt. Lisa also collected a beautiful Impala after a successful stalk through the thick bushveld.
On one of the particularly windy days, we decided to head up onto the northern slopes in search of Burchell’s Zebra. The conditions made hunting difficult, and once again we found ourselves in a long standoff with the herd while hiding behind a tiny bush with almost no room to move. We stayed patient and waited for the opportunity. When the herd finally settled, Grant kept calm, held steady, and put the hammer down on a beautiful Burchell’s Zebra.
From start to finish, this South African hunting safari was packed with great hunting, exciting stalks, and unforgettable memories. We had an incredible time hosting our new friends from Alabama and we are already looking forward to sharing the next African adventure together.
