Well, I've booked a safari in Zimbabwe for this September. Sable/plainsgame hunt with emphasis on hunting Kudu, Nyala, Eland, and Bushbuck in addition to Sable. Hoping to get a few opportunity targets such as warthog or bushpig or impala if they don't interfere with the primary hunt. Just couldn't swing the additional rates required for Cape Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, or Elephant. I will be hunting with HHK Safaris for about 2 weeks.

Temperatures are going to be hard on this Alaskan boy, I won't be used to the 90+ degree days.

Hey, Dave -

C'mon down and spend a transition period here with me for a week or two before the hunt - I can guarantee you 110+ days in September!!

That ought to get you ready!! :D

Outstanding dude!!!

Kdub,
110+ degrees? Ugh, I know that is not possible for an Alaskan to survive in solid state. I'd melt or evaporate completely I'm sure. It's about -10*F right now and I'm drinking a nice cold iced tea.

Last time I was in that kind of temperatures, my wife and I went to Mexico one January a few years ago. Left out of Anchorage it was -36*F, got to Mexico it was 95 in the shade. The heat hit me like open the door to a blast furnace when I stepped off the plane. We spent a week just north of Manzanillo, everyday bumping the mid 90's. The heat just sapped the strength and stamina right out of me. Got back to Alaska and more civilized temps of -25*F when we stepped off the plane. Ahhhh, it was good to be home.

Funny, most of the folks I know that have left Alaska have moved to Arizona. Never quite understood that. Need to thaw out I guess.

Michael,
I'm hoping this trip turns out well. I've been planning this off and on since I was about 20 years old.

HHk has a good reputation. Did you book your travel through Kathi Klimes? She and her husband had a great hunt with HHK recently. I'm headed back to Namibia for my third hunt there in May. I can't get enough kudu and gemsbok hunting. At some point I'm going to have to go for bushbuck, sable and cape buffalo. The PH I'll be hunting with conducts hunts for them in the Caprivi, so I'll dicuss the possibilty of doing a hunt there when I see him in May. Good luck on your safari and get a good sable.
John

JB,
I haven't spoken with Kathi about travel, but I will be there just after her and her husband leave. Might be passing one another at the airport. I think they will be leaving Lemco to go climb Mt. Kilimanjoro when I arrive.

I've got the air miles for a round trip ticket. I'll probably need some help arranging the flights to actually be able to use them.

My understanding is the Caprivi is one of the most ideal places for dangerous game hunts. Also a bit out of my price range. Rates are similar to Botswana, aren't they? Heard some huge tuskers have been taken from there in recent times.

Dave,
Kathi really likes HHK, and she knows all the ropes concerning getting to Africa with guns. The Caprivi is expensive for elephant, but according to Fred Bezuidenhout, the PH, buffalo aren't too bad. You can take both a bull and cow, and add sable. I don't remember the exact price, but it was close to typical Zimbabwe based hunts, and the transportation costs were less. Anyway I'll check it out with Fred in May.

After you make this hunt don't think it will be your last. I waited 42 years before I went on my first Namibian hunt. My wife and I have been back two more times and the trip in May will be our fourth.

I'd really appreciate any info you'd care to share about the Caprivi hunt. Sounds really interesting.

I'd really appreciate any info you'd care to share about the Caprivi hunt. Sounds really interesting.
The hunts are conducted in Dr. Fritz Reinhart's concession in the Caprivi. The buffalo hunts are 10 days and a cow buffalo and other game can be added. Sable or roan are possible. I don't have the rate sheet with me, but Fred Bezuidenhout, one of the PH's who does hunts for Dr. Reinhart, said he is negotiating a new concession agreement with the government. Ultimately there will be new rates and, maybe, locations. I'll send you Dr. Reinhart's web page address.

Many thanks, JB. It will probably be quite a few years before I get back to Africa after this trip. The Caprivi has always interested me for some reason.

Many thanks, JB. It will probably be quite a few years before I get back to Africa after this trip. The Caprivi has always interested me for some reason.
Namibia has held my interest since I was 17 years old. I sent you Dr. Reinhart's web page via email. He and Fred will be in Reno for the SCI Convention. I have this sickening feeling that we will try to book something for the year after next or maybe another year after that. There is no hunting that I've experienced quite like it. I have a feeling that you too will be looking for a way to return as soon as you can. Is your wife going with you? She'll love it.

338, Good for you!

Right now I am in the "talking her into it" stage. Going to Africa is something I have wanted from the first time I saw a National Geographic. The opportunity to hunt Cape Buffalo and plains game isn't here yet, but hey, it is coming. Someday, soon.

Yeah, I'm a little jealous lol.

As for getting acclimatized, why not just head for the Fairbanks area in summer. Temps should be nearly 85-90 then. Each time I have been up around McCarthy in the summer it has been hotter than you know what. Actually on second thought, go someplace hotter so southern Africa won't seem so bad.

Keep us updated?

I've spent many summers in McCarthy and around Glenallen, Copper Center area. I will be in Bearflanks for part of the summer this year, but not long enough to become accustomed to those temps.

Problem is the 2 week sheep hunt at the end of August and then leaving for Zim two weeks later. Sheep camp has never been what I would consider hot, though the Wrangells can get very warm off and on during sheep season.