Thabazimbi Bushveld Safaris |
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Has anyone hunted with Thabazimbi Bushveld Safaris. They are at http://www.africamp.com/tbzbush/. A client of the ranch that I hunted in Montana has gone with them a couple of times and thinks the world of them. Their list of game species seems impressive and they are exclusively bow hunting. I am planning to make a trip to Africa in the summer (our summer) of 2005 so it is time to do some research to decide who to use. Thanks for any info.
Randy
hunted that area with another outfitter last summer that was bowhunting only and if the game variety and numbers are similar,it will be fantastic..
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From: gville
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....... Date: 01-Dec-03 |
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gville
's Supporting Link
Just registered on this site. I have been hunting with Thabazimbi Bushveld Safaris each year for the last four years and have seen and taken extraordinary animals. email me if you would like more information. The animals and the areas are second to none in quality and quantity.
From: KSMike
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....... Date: 30-Jan-06 |
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Has anyone hunted with these guys lately? Thanks, Mike
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From: gville
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....... Date: 30-Jan-06 |
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KSMike,
I've been back with TBS in '04 and again in '05. 6 years in a row. In 2004, TBS moved to a new property in Thabazimbi and the hunting area is over 35,000 acres on the Matlabas River. The property is bowhunting only and the operator has wonderful hides over water holes, tree stands, tripods, and pop up blinds, all keeping the archer in mind.
We also made a traditional ambush blind out of grass, branches and other natural materials. Many different set ups. There is also spot and stalk available, and the river makes it much easier than other terrains to accomplish this. Although, spot and stalk is never "easy."
This past August, one hunter with his PH were stalking a nyala bull, when they looked over to their right, there was a large tom leopard stalking the same bull forty yards away. Talk about excitement!
There is a new website africabowhunt.com and it contains some good movie footage and still photos. Today the site is down for an update, but should be up again later today or tomorrow at the latest.
If you have any questions, you can email me at gmagee@bytheshore.com.
The operator and his wife will be staying with me at the end of February and then they are going to a few shows in Minnesota and Michigan.
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From: KSMike
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....... Date: 30-Jan-06 |
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gville, Thanks for the info. Is that a Mamba in your trophy photos? Mike
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From: gville
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....... Date: 30-Jan-06 |
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Yeah,
10 ft. six inches. This past year, it was an extremely warm winter for South Africa -- they did not have a frost and in late August the days were in the 90's and the nights only got down to high 50's. Usually it's 70's in the day and upper 30's at night.
As such, the critters were a little more active than usual. In the 6 years there this is the first live snake I've seen. I'm told by a couple of folks that they believe it was female (including a herepetologist) from the photo. The girth of the body compared to the length of the snake.
A cameraman and myself were in a blind on a waterhole on a blistering day. About 2 p.m., the cameraman asked if that was snake at the waterhole. (his first time to Africa).
I told him no, that it was a black mamba and to roll camera because we were snake hunting. So with a rented bow (my luggage lost/stuck in London for 8 days and I shoot left handed) we video taped the carnage.
The unusual weather contributed to the spotting of this snake. The blinds are extremely well constructed with concrete floors, nylon tarp encased by thick bamboo like reeds. He also has the entire blind outfitted with one way glass. The shooting windows also have the shoot through mesh. Great set ups.
Always something different and exciting in africa.
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From: Cornbread
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....... Date: 30-Jan-06 |
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Tell the story gville
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From: gville
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....... Date: 30-Jan-06 |
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"To put your life in danger from time to time breeds a saneness in dealing with day to day trivialities."
-Nevil Shute
Africa has many critters large and small that can do damage -- from the elephant to the micropscopic malarial, bilharzia and everything in between. These things make Africa a much more interesting place and add to the excitement and adrenalin one feels while on the continent. Wayne LaPierre of the NRA just wrote an essay in Under Wild Skies (new sister publication to Sporting Classics and print magazine of the ESPN show) where he describes the fear involved in the hunt. Great article.
As to the snake -- weather condtions played a large role in the sighting of the snake. Heat and no frost, midday sun, etc... the snake was at about 17 yards and two arrows took "her" out. The first did nothing, about 12 inches behind the head. Saw blood in the water but not reaction from the snake. But for the blood I would have though I'd missed.
The next arrow hit about 5 inches behind the head and she went nuts. Head flailing, but body paralzyed behind the wound. Her mouth was wide open with fangs bared in that deep dark black mouth. All on video, and the slo-mo is amazing stuff.
I felt a little weird after the killing of this snake (somewhat remorseful as this was not going to be eaten by anyone and this was not on my trophy list, plus I could not take it home for a mount (new laws prohibit reptile export other than croc with a CITES permit). One thing is for certain, everyone was glad it was dead.
The blacks would not get near the snake and believe it bad luck to touch one. The whites feel any dead mamba is good luck. All I know is I had nightmares for three nights after that and my hands stunk like skunk for 2 days. The snakes exudes a skunk like odor under stress.
Remember when you're tracking -- if you smell skunk, you better watch where you're walking.
Anyway, the snake could not get into the blinds the way these blinds are constructed -- sunken cement floors and walls -- 2 layers of nylon tarp/sheeting sandwiched between bamboo like reeds. The ceiling is this tarp material sandwiched by thatch. The nylon adds to scent containment. There are also shooting windows with one way glass panes the length of the two front side of the hide. An outstanding design. Add in the shoot through mesh and you have prevented Pat's naptime visitor.
All in all, great fun. I should have bought that ten year old Hoyt Viper redline with the giraffe bone handle. It was shooting pretty good.
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From: KSMike
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....... Date: 31-Jan-06 |
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gville, Great story. I cannot access their website. How are the accommadations? I am wanting to take my wife and son. Thanks, Mike
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From: gville
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....... Date: 31-Jan-06 |
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KSMike,
I emailed the owner and he is checking on the website. That's Africa for technology.
The accommodations are outstanding as you will find with most reputable African outfitters. Thatched roof lodge and chalets, indoor flush toilets and showers, daily laundry service and excellent food all served on the banks of the Matlabas river.
If you send a private message I will email you back with some pictures.
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From: KSMike
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....... Date: 31-Jan-06 |
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gville, Thanks-the website is now working. Looks like a pretty nice place. I will PM you my email. Thanks, Mike
If you're interested in working with a sporting consultant back here in the States Orion adventures (www.orionafrica.com) represents Thabazimbi. I just booked a hunt for '07 with them and have been very pleased with their services thus far.
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From: pjsullv
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....... Date: 04-Feb-06 |
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I'll be hunting with them in june. I've been impressed that most of the people I've talked with who have hunted with them have or are planning another trip.
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From: KSMike
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....... Date: 04-Feb-06 |
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I just booked for August. I am taking my wife and 8 yr old son. Just told him last night, and he is pumped! Mike
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From: gville
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....... Date: 04-Feb-06 |
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pjsully,
6 times in 6 years for me.
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