My younger brother and I have been hunting together for 30+ years. Our dad was a deer and pheasant hunter and when we were just boys he took both my brother and I with him on almost all of his hunts. We weren't wealthy, so that meant we always hunted public land and any harvest was a success for the venison, nice antlers were just a coincidental bonus (on the rare occasion they were present).
Dad always dreamed of hunting Africa and talked about it often. He wanted to see the plains of the dark continent and hunt the diverse species that roamed there. This instilled a deep desire in me and my brother to experience Africa.
Fast forward a couple of decades and my brother and I (in our early-fifties) decided that we needed to commit and go to Africa since our families were grown, and, if we didn't do it now we may never do it.
In ~2019 we met and talked with Mr. Harry Nel from African Arrow Safaris at the outdoor show in Salt Lake City. He was extremely friendly and while we weren't ready to book at that time, he was super helpful, suggesting that we talk to every outfitter we could at the show to get all their info as well (which we did). For the next few years, we saw Harry again at the show and each time he remembered our names, and kept saying "When you're ready, just let me know!" Finally in 2022 we decided it was time to book. Again at the show we talked with Harry. He gave us a proposal for a 10-day hunt with him, and again said we should talk with all other outfitters to make sure we were making our most informed decision. (We talked with many others and honestly, the decision was not easy. There are several very reputable operations.)
We decided to commit to African Arrow Safari for 2024 and we sent in our deposits.
After a long ~2.5 year wait, the time finally came and we were on our way. It's hard to express just how amazing this experience was. I had watched YouTube videos of African hunts and I wasn't sure how *challenging* it would be to sit in a blind and then shoot an animal over a waterhole.
My expectations were calibrated the first morning when we were sitting in a blind and I watched a beautiful male impala stand about 150 yards out, just watching the deserted water hole, making sure it was safe to approach. Short story, he never came in and I quickly learned that this hunt was not going to be a slam dunk.
Over the course of the next 10 days, we experienced all the things that make hunting so intensely exhilarating, so exasperating, so emotionally fulfilling, so mentally challenging, and ultimately so rewarding/enlivening/satisfying. I had trophy sized animals spook when the wind shifted and they smelled us. Another time I was trying to be as silent as possible drawing on a Gemsbok, and half-way through my draw-cycle my elbow went "pop" and that bok turned inside out and exploded out of the water hole. These are wild animals. It's like sitting at an elk wallow and hoping for a shot at the herd bull, if they come in at all.
We saw so much beautiful wildlife. Many female animals with young/juveniles would come in and it was amazing to watch.
Harry's guides really work hard for their clients to be successful. My brother wanted a spot and stalk experience so his guide took him on a foot adventure to find and stalk a beautiful Nyala bull. His guide also had a pop-up blind that he would occasionally set-up on trails or areas where he had observed quality animals. (My brother was like "We sat in the dirt and I had ants crawling all over me and my stuff, just like at home!") The blinds in general are spacious and comfortable. (Albeit they can get really hot inside!)
Harry has a large operation with several areas to hunt and I felt like even after 10 days that we weren't hunting the same hides repeatedly.
In the end, both my brother and I were able to take some beautiful animals. Just as importantly though, the whole experience was something just incredible. The hunting was fulfilling, the weather/wind was a constant variable, and the animals were unpredictable. The accommodations were top notch, the food was delicious, and the Harry's team is professional yet personable.
Harry was also fair in his pricing as I really feel he wants the "everyday" hunter to have a chance to experience Africa. He is genuine and caring.
What an experience. I can't say enough about it, and I think about it every day. The hard part for me now is figuring out how I'm going to convince my wife that I need to go back!
If you are thinking about going to Africa and are considering African Arrow Safaris, I'd be happy to be a reference and tell you more about my experience. [email protected]
great write-up, thanks for sharing.
BTW, did you get a price to shoot that awesome buffalo in your picture? :) That would be tempting.
It looks like you had a blast. Nice animals and good pictures. Congrats !
