Newsletter 49

These last few weeks have been rather busy with a photo safari that took place and the general upgrade of the website. It was during the photo safari that the new website design went live and with the teething problems the last few days could not be updated. They are updated now and operational for your viewing pleasure.

It would be sincerely appreciated if you could give some feedback with the new design on the website, so please let me know.

A lot of time went into the website and suddenly I find myself with more time on my hands than I have been used to lately.

I tried adding 3 pictures per trophy animal hunted of the hunters who have hunted with me. Due to the constraints of the picture display area it cut off a number of horn tips and or hunter heads which does not display too good. In some of the cases I had to remove the pictures that did not fit properly and will in time seek additional pictures that may fit.

Have fun finding the animals you hunted to see if your face is there in the first round. I am thinking about changing the pictures from time-to-time but will see how things pan out in the next few months. The time spent on my chair was just too much to now even consider updates!

For those who missed the last few days, please go to the Home page and in the left hand green column, select the day(s) you missed.

Till next time.

Pieter

A close-up shot of a guinea taken in Kruger Park, South Africa. That was one of the best trips I have had thanks Bill and family: 2012 on your 50th wedding anniversary.

I was fortunate enough to be in the correct spot at the correct time. This lilac breasted roller left his perch when I pushed the button. The picture was cropped to get a closer view of the rascal.

Today started out raining and not good sightseeing weather at all. We finally left our hotel in Sabie and reversed the itinerary by starting at Pilgrims Rest first. This historical gold mining town dates back to the 1870’s and is a tourist attraction today. Seen here is the Royal Hotel in Pilgrims Rest where some had a beer and the driver had coffee in the bar that was once a Church.

Above: Then we headed off to the Museum of Mankind close to the town of Ohrigstad.

Above: An example of rock art by the San people. This would translate loosely to: bushman paintings by bushmen depicting a European on horseback.

Above: We moved to the Three Rondavels – the 3 circular thatch roof huts. This is situated in the Blyde River Canyon, third largest canyon in the world. The largest would be the Grand Canyon in the USA with the Fish River Canyon in Namibia the second largest canyon.

Above: Bourke’s Luck potholes discovered by Thomas Bourke, a British soldier. This is one of the two rivers about to intersect the other one.

Please rejoin us again tomorrow!

Sudwala Caves.

Above: We departed Pretoria earlier today on our 5-day trip doing a photo safari on the Panorama Route in the eastern parts of the country before heading towards Kruger Park. Our first stop was at the Sudwala Caves between the Mpumalanga Provincial Capital city of Nelspruit and the logging town of Sabie.

Inside the Sudwala Caves.

Above: A beautiful lit area with a reflection off the wind still water surface.

The Sudwala Caves in South Africa.

Above: In the Fairytale section of the caves with numerous lit areas. This was really beautiful.

The Horse Shoe Falls.

Above: Horse Shoe Falls, Sabie. A short walk from the parking lot to see these falls from close up.

Bridal Vail Falls – Sabie, South Africa.

Above: Bridal Vail Falls – Sabie. We visited 3 different waterfalls all within 4 miles from each other. It was only at the last one we did not have to pay admission because the gatekeeper took an early afternoon off. This was about a 20 minute hike to get to the falls but well worth it.

Thanks for joining us. Please rejoin us for the following 4 days leading to Kruger Park and back.

Hunting in Africa

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Newsletter 47 and 48                                                       February 2013

Good morning all

The year started off at a slow trot that went over to a full gallop.

Several things have happened in the last few weeks that have been keeping us very busy indeed. As invited guests Karin and I found our way to a private property where we did some game viewing which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Jr started his college career. I’m hoping he completes his CPA studies in the minimum amount of time to allow his parents a breathing space before his younger brother enters college.

The excited barking of the dogs showed where a small rinkhals was at. This cobra type snake is highly venomous but was not resistant to the two bbq tongs I used to catch him and set him free outside my backyard.

The first hunt of the season took place last weekend which was combined with a photographic safari to the well-known Pilanesberg National Park. Having two young children on board was fun again, keeping us awake and on our toes.

A number of interesting prospects are in the pipeline with some fine hunts lined up in the near future.

Please enjoy the pictures below with us.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to a busy hunting and photographic season.

Pieter Kriel

Above: This is how close the elephant walked past our vehicle. The last one of the 3 put his trunk on the hood of the vehicle just because he could.

Above: This Cape buffalo cow and her calf thought we were very interesting and watched our every move intently.

Above: We were about 15 ft from this big guy. He looked us over as if deciding which one of us would be a starter, main course and dessert.

Above: The black rhino woke up in a bad mood. It got progressively worse during the day and he looked at us like we owed him money. To see the differences between a white rhino and a black rhino, go to http://www.huntinginafrica.co.za/more-info/hunting-the-african-big-5/hunting-white-rhino/ where the two different kind of rhinos are compared.

Above: We were spoilt being able to see this cheetah. Little did we know what lay ahead.

Above: We did not see these two brothers actually catch the impala but we were there seeing them finish off the young impala. After almost 20 minutes the only left overs were the skin, hooves and lower jaw. What an experience watching them from 6 ft away.

Above: Once the vultures started arriving they arrived in full force. There was not much left for them to fight over.

Above: We could have hand-fed this zebra from last weekend.

Above: Just a scenic shot from last weekend in the Pilanesberg National Park.

Above: Taking a break in the Pilanesberg National Park while zebra, blue wildebeest, warthog and giraffe had a drink.

Hunting in Africa

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Newsletter 46                                                                                                  December 2012

Good morning all

It is always at this time of the year you stand back in awe and look at how fast the year sped by. In reality the only things that changed are the thinning hairlines, greying hair and just maybe a small increment in weight. Getting out of bed in the dead of winter may also take several seconds longer than 12 months ago but we still do it and we are thankful for it. This is a time to reflect on the past 12 months and to ponder on the following 12. What will be the same this time next year and who will we have said our final goodbye’s to.

It is our heartfelt wish that we will all be able to share a campfire with loved ones at least one more time, that we have the opportunity of saying unsaid pleasantries to those dear to us and of course to be able to squeeze the trigger at least one more time on the one that did not get away.

Thank you for the support from one and all during 2012. Without it this last Newsletter of 2012 would have been the last one many months ago.

Please have a blessed Christmas with those close and dear to you, lest we forget the Real Reason why we celebrate Christmas.

It should also be mentioned that the very last day before Donald departed home after his elephant hunt has been added to the updates of the hunt. It was an interesting day and you can have a look at what happened on this link http://www.huntinginafrica.co.za/donald-back-in-south-africa/ 

Pieter and family.

Above: The tusks finally removed. At 37 and 38 lbs apiece it was what we needed: a bull elephant!

Above: It was worth the effort. We are considering an elephant and buffalo combination for next year.

Above: Back in South Africa it was Donald who felt too much time was spent travelling in the truck. He felt cramped and requested a hike. After some time searching the internet a local hiking trail was discovered within 40 minutes drive and we decided to investigate. That was the first mistake I made in what turned out to be a very long day.

Above: I was taught a walking lesson today by two teenagers. I should have stayed at home but instead opted to go walking with two teenagers. It was blistering hot and towards the end of the 18^th kilometre (11 miles) I was feeling the heat and got left behind. Seen here is Linda the younger of the two teenagers.

 Above: Donald with some giraffe in the background. We saw kudu, eland, blue wildebeest and some smaller critters along the way.

Above: The two teenagers. Donald (19) on the left and Linda (18) on the right. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.

Update to the comment left by Donald:

Indeed Donald you are correct. I neglected to mention the dearly loved horse. In fact it is disturbing to have forgotten about such a companion who shared many memories with Linda and many more.

A couple hours before reaching the end of the Death March we stopped to inspect some dung which was rather unknown to all present when our tender nostrils were attacked by an odor which was far from pleasant. Being hunters we were immediately able to identify the smell of death as we were downwind from something that was very dead and in fact had been in that state for quite some time. While filling our lungs with the dreadful stench of death we received a memorable lecture on the untold number of qualities previously possessed by the recently departed. As in life, all good (and bad) things come to an end sooner or later and to our relief, the 18 good years the horse shared on the property were condensed to about 20 minutes. All the while Donald and I felt compelled to take as much of the smell with us by breathing heavily while listening mildly interested. We both felt bad about the horse that reached the end of its timeline but the relief was much greater when we left the fowl stench behind us.

May he rest in peace (pieces?) and may the odor of death have vacated the vicinity. 

Today was a particularly long day. The pictures will do most of the talking.

 Above: Ultimately we were looking for something like this attached to whoever was on top of it…

Above: The hunter (Donald) claiming the rights to his elephant. Well done Donald! This is a much shortened version of what happened, but here goes. After some time walking a possible was spotted between some others. Approaching carefully an elephant cow spotted movement and was suspicious but fortunately moved away. Another approach and another wide awake elephant passed within 15 yards. A short stalk and the possible became a probable. At about 18 yards Donald let rip and the 500 gr Hornady solid rocked the elephants world with a perfect body shot. He just stopped when the second barrel put it down! Donald paid the insurance.

Above: A proud moment to remember.

Above: The 470 resting against a tree.

 Above: As if by magic, the Scottish lady appeared!?

Above: Of course no meat is wasted and the best bbq griddle is the one handy. In this case it was a spade.

Above: The first 500 gr Hornady solid retrieved.

Above: The face of a happy hunter. Well done Donald!

Please rejoin us again tomorrow!