I have to say, I really enjoyed my time at this camp, it was quiet with just myself, Boet and a few staff. The evening beers were great as was the conversation and the hunting, well, it was hunting, a bit frustrating at times, hard work at others, challenging and exciting. Despite being hot, dirty and sweaty, I loved it...!!! Each and every moment of it !!
So...instead of spending another night out at the Buffalo Camp we decided to get back on the track and to the main camp for the night (closer to where we were to hunt Kudu). One thing here is that in the wet season all the streams and such come up and batter whatever little bridges and such they put in. As a result there are lots of "less than permanent" bridges over little (and not so little) bodies of water.
This one use to have a permanent and well made bridge (pre the civil war) but now...
One the way back we passed through a couple of small communities and villages, one of which includes of of the six schools that the company I was hunting with built and maintains as part of their commitment in Moz. It also had a nifty "Corner Store" ...
Back at the main camp just in time for an afternoon relax before dinner...
and sunset along the river (accompanied by more beers
)...
So now we planned to hit the road for the rest of the time (pretty much) that I had in Moz and there were some looooong days of driving ahead. So we needed to pack up a good supply of feed, water and camp stores as well as Obano the Tracker, Jake the Cook and a Skinner. It also mean a change of vehicle to a Nissan Pickup that is a little newer and more refined than the old Tojo. This of course is akin to asking a die hard Chevy Fan to travel in a Ford... but I gritted my teeth and soldiered on
.
One of the other guys in camp was also due to have days off and asked if his mother could also get a lift back to civilisation with us (about 40km or more)... now of course when the morning came there was all our gear, the three guys travelling with us, the guy going on his days off....his mother....AND two more kids.....
Yep, we were well loaded up to start off...
And back at the gate (40km away) unloading the four extra passengers and checking in with the other staff who watch the road for poachers etc entering...
Back up transport if the Nissan threw a piston and died...
And the general "Go Away" signs at the gate.....yes the blue one is a Lion Warning Sign...!!!
And a couple of hours later crossing another bit of water (after the lads has repositioned some logs and such (you will notice Jake the Cook didn't exit the truck for this as I don't think heavy lifting is in a cook's job description
)...
Unpacking at the new digs...
Camp Kitchen/Stove...
Down on the river below camp (it empties into the Zambezi Delta) ...
A wild banana tree (one of many)...
Some more emergency transport (again anticipating the Nissan passing away
) ...
So after a lunch of cold meats and salad we packed up and got out into the bush for a look around. Now this was to look for Kudu but also Warthog if either presented. After about 40mins of driving we were well out into the bush, we packed up under some shade and set forth to see what was about. This area has LOTS of game, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Nyala, Sable, Kudu, Warthog, Leopard, Lion, Elephant and LOTS of Baboons...!!!!! But it was Kudu I was after (or Warthog). We saw a few Kudu Cows and a very young bull. But nothing to really hunt further. I COULD ($$$$s aside) have taken a VERY large Waterbuck (very large) a nice Nyala and a Nice Sable. All things you would happily spend a week hunting for one their own (and then I see them all in a period of about 90mins walking !!!!)... but my bank account was not willing and any of these would have meant passing on a Kudu.
As we were hunting there are no great attempts to take pics, as much as this really tested me - but on this part of the trip hunting first !!)... only one of a mixed group of critters I snapped back near the truck...
So on the drive back to camp we had a chat about "what now" and Boet's thoughts were twofold, I was a "Cheap Bastard" and he was not going to be able to pry any extra $$s out of me
and that this was not their best area for Kudu, the reality (and I get it) was a couple of days here was to try and get me to spend some more....
.... but those things don't breed in my bag so I knew what my limitations were (BTW - the most stressful thing on this trip, organisationally, was travelling around with that much cash on me all the bloody time) !!!! In Moz, all payments beyond the package price, which in my case was going to be tips and trophy fees excluding the Buffalo as it was part of the package.
As a result of this, I was was never going to BS him or he me, we decided to pack back up that afternoon, get back on the road and up into the Croc Camp
. Yes I was looking forward to this !!!!!
Poor Jake the Cook had just put a load of bread rolls on for dinner as well
With some running around we were back on the road well before dark but first needed to cross that river below camp...and another stick bridge. This one a little longer than the rest (along with plenty of cracking and groaning)...
Pretty much my view for the next couple of hours....
Till we hit Inhammga in the late afternoon ...
From here the sun was going down and we had another 4 hours of travel ahead, the dirt roads are actually better to travel on than the "sealed roads" as the later are in such disrepair that just as soon as you get some speed up you are slowing again for a bloody big pothole !!! I also realised that the locals CAN'T RIDE BIKES (motor or push) AT NIGHT !!!! We had no less than 15 (yes 15, I lost count around then) come a cropper as they came toward us at night. All low speed loss of control in soft sand and no injuries (I think it is actually an accepted method of braking now) and somewhat amusing when you are tired and sore from the long drive !!
About 2030hrs we arrived at the "Croc Camp" (they also hunt Hippo from here) which is located on the banks of the Zambezi near a village called Sena (for those with a map). I think we were all knackered and after dinner (Buffalo Backstraps, salad and some ordinary bread rolls - Jake was not wasting a thing and nursed the Dutch Oven all the way !!! ) it was off to bed.
:thumbup:
Shot placement does make a difference however, and he's probably used to clients who can't shoot worth a darn, where "softs" will help make up a little bit for poor shot placement.
