Botswana and Timbavati 2011 - Coenraad Vermaak Safaris

It was a great pleasure to have Alex Smuzikov and Viktor Efanov return and hunt with me again this year with Coenraad Vermaak Safaris. Also having the wonderful Kerry Wallace of DCVP on hand to document the adventure was rather enjoyable and her services come highly recommended.



Our first leg of the trip started in the wilds of the Timbavati and the search was on for a Hippo and 2 Trophy Buffalo. The going was slow the first day and we saw very little Buffalo herd movement, an unusual occurrence in the Timbavati, but this returned to the usual mass sightings rather quickly and by mid morning on Day 2 we had already viewed over 600 Buffalo. Being able to look over large numbers of Buff and in particular many Bulls each day is what makes the Timbavati a unique and special hunting destination Our search for an Old Hippo Bull ended on Day 3 with a single shot entering the brain from Alex's .375 H&H. The excellent shooting continued and the following morning Alex took his first Buffalo, a perfect SINGLE shot, through the heart and lungs. Later that afternoon we had the opportunity to take another fine Buffalo specimen, which Alex quite comfortably did at 60 yards, and this ended what will always remain with me as one of those "special days" in Africa never to be repeated.



TWO Buffalo bulls, both absolutely remarkable trophies, (42inch and 43inch respectively) taken in one hunting day and with very well placed broadside shots from Alex! It was then off on an early departure to Botswana where Kerry and I had the pleasure and enjoyment of travelling with Alex and Victor in Alex's Gulfstream G450 (cruising at an altitude of 42000 feet, at a speed faster than a 747 in luxury is an experience I highly recommend trying).

In Botswana we met up with PH's Ian Newmarch and Richard de Bufanos and continued our hunt looking for 2 trophy Elephant Bulls. Alex took his first Elephant on the 4th day in Botswana with a perfect Heart lung shot and followed up with some insurance shots to the spine and head. A respectable 50lb plus Ele that Alex can be very proud of. In search of the second Elephant we were stretched to the last day and as the case on many safaris it all came together perfectly with Alex taking his second Bull just before lunch. A truly remarkable 14 days had come to an end and will firmly remain with me as a very fond memory. Ayiki Inkinga (no problem)

I look forward to my next adventure this year with Alex in search of White Rhino and Lion in August. Thank you to Victor for his always energetic humour and company on this safari and to Alex for choosing once again to hunt with me and Coenraad Vermaak Safaris.