It’s hard to know where to begin this story. I guess I should start with WOW!…. What an amazing experience! It was everything I hoped it would be and more, yet it was nothing like I expected at least in terms of how the hunt would go down. The main focus of this safari was going to be a Cape buffalo hunted spot & stalk with a bow. No hides, no tree stands, no water holes, and no food sources… Open ground, cutting tracks and stalking in… Not that I am against any of the aforementioned methods, but that is not how I wanted to attempt my buffalo hunt. I entered this hunt completely aware that my chances of success would be small, but for me, trying to take one any other way would not have been the same challenge or reward. So here we go….
Like many safaris, this hunt began many months prior in the planning. Although I have been fortunate enough to have visited and hunted many places in Africa, I have never had the opportunity to hunt anything other than plainsgame and the smaller predators. Although I have always had dangerous game ambitions, I unfortunately also had a plainsgame budget. I was not likely that I would ever get to chase my dream of hunting Black Death with a bow & arrow. Thanks to lots of sacrificing, saving, and lots of overtime shifts at work, my wife and I were able to put some money aside and seriously consider making this hunt a reality. That, along with the very gracious opportunity provided to us by my “South African boss” and great friend Hannes Els, owner of Limcroma Safaris, we were able to put things together. Hannes recommended that in order for us to have the maximum opportunity to attempt this hunt the way I wanted to do it, we would need to dedicate at least 10 full days… I opted for 12… He suggested April or May so we would still have ample grazing grasses and lots of green cover still on the bush essential for successful stalking. The dominant strategy would be to catch the buffalo grazing with their heads down early in the morning before they bed up for the day, or late afternoon as they graze before sunset. A grazing, relaxed buffalo would be much more approachable than buffalo bedded or on alert. The problem is that the thick cover that would provide us with the concealment that we needed would be doing the exact same thing for the buffalo. One of the most remarkable observations I made during this experience was that for an animal the size of a Cape buffalo, they have an uncanny ability to disappear in the dense bush. When they are found grazing and relaxed, they can often be heard a hundred or more yards away beating through the bush with their huge bodies and hard bosses making quite a ruckus. In this mode, they are anything but stealthy. However, they can amazingly disappear silently especially when they think that they are being pursued.
*The outfitter for my hunt was Limcroma Safaris located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Hannes Els, the owner, is one of the most qualified and experienced PHs in Africa. He is a specialist at hunting dangerous game with a bow. We would be hunting one of Hannes’ own properties very close to the Limpopo River on the Botswana border.
Pictured below is one of the lone dugga boys on the potential hit list. We never did see him again after the first day. He mock charged the bakkie as we drove past to let us know who the boss of this bushveld was.
(Insert photo: Lone dugga boy)
Upon our arrival day in camp, we did what most safari guests typically do in preparing and assembling gear, and shooting our bows to ensure that the nice folks at the airport did not do too much damage. Thankfully, our arrows were grouping tightly out to 40 yards just where we left them at home on the practice range. The late afternoon was spent with the entire hunting team heading out to do some scouting, brush the roads, and make a plan for early morning. Hannes had told us that there were several groups of buffalo on this particular concession that we would be hunting ranging from one or two lone dugga boys that have been ousted from the herds to several bachelor groups of bulls of various ages. There were also several small herds of mixed ages of both bulls and cows. Finding fresh spoor would not be the problem…. Finding the right spoor would be the first challenge. We encountered several fresh sets of tracks that evening so we knew what areas had been most active. The plan was to be on ground at daylight looking for the freshest spoor.
The next morning we headed out making to the hunting area as planned just as the sun was breaking the horizon. We headed straight for one of the water holes to see if any fresh tracks had been laid since last evening. After a few minutes of discussion, Hannes, our tracker Bolla, and our accompanying PHs Otto Bousema and Drian Laas, determined that there were at least 6 bulls that had watered sometime early in the morning. This group would be our best bet for the first stalk. The pursuit goes down in the following manner: Hannes would lead the hunting party with binos and his .416 Rigby in hand. He would go 30-50 yards ahead. Far enough so he could move alone in silence, but not so far as to lose sight of him. I would be first in the group behind Hannes, followed by Otto on the second rifle, our PH/videographer Drian, and my wife Lisa close by his side. Bolla, the tracker, would attend the bakkie and monitor the radio. All of us were in full camo with face masks and me in full hood and face paint. Hannes would follow the tracks for an indefinite period and then stop periodically to listen and glass the dense green bush. The pace must be slow and methodical to be successful. It is very easy to go too fast and run right up on an unsuspecting buffalo as we would soon find out…. After about an hour or so of following the tracks, we were given the hand signal to stop and get low. Hannes dropped to one knee and peered carefully through the tall grass and dense brush. Before anyone could make another move, we heard the disappointing sound of heavy hooves galloping away. We had slipped up on a single bull bedded down which must have come in from a different angle. The good news was that this was not the group we had been tracking and no other buffalo seemed to spook from the immediate area. We could regroup and continue on the original spoor. By late-morning, the steady wind that was in our face was now swirling from every direction. Even if we found the group, they were likely to be bedded down by now. Hannes suggested that we back out and come back in the afternoon to pick up the track when the conditions were more favorable. So, it was back to the bakkie for some lunch.
Although I was excited at the prospect of this adventure, I was also an experienced hunter in my own right and more importantly a realist. The reoccurring thought that I had all morning was how am I going to get a clear bow shot in this terrain? As we stalked the bush, I was constantly looking for shooting lanes and angles as any hunter would. I wasn’t finding many. In the planning stages, we figured that I would likely have to draw and shoot from my knees. That was not a problem as I was practiced and comfortable shooting from my knees for years. The problem was to find lane under 40 yards clear enough for a shot. From my knees, the grass was at or over my head in most places. Forget about the endless bush that was still holding its leaves. This was going to be even harder than I thought….
After a wonderful bush braai of kudu sausage sandwiches and a short siesta, we were back in pursuit refreshed and optimistic. The wind was lighter than the morning, but steady once again. We found the group of bulls we had been tracking bedded after a stalk of about a half of a mile from where we left the tracks. It looked to be 6 bulls, with 4 shooters and 2 really nice shooters among them. We crawled to within 40 yards, found good cover, and bedded down with them. It was an incredible experience to hear them drawing deep baritone breaths only yards away. We would have to wait them out until they got back on their feet to graze. It was about an hour or so before the first bull got back on his feet. The others joined him one by one. While Hannes and Otto were careful to maintain cover and still try and glass our best option, one of the older bulls started to graze and work the bush toward us. He would rake his tremendous bosses cracking the branches and shaking the bush violently. What a spectacular moment to see and hear such a beast that close! Unfortunately, he got too close… He made his way to 15 yards before he smelled us or pick up our movement. He snorted loudly putting the rest of the group on high alert. Hannes and Otto scrambled to their feet, grabbing me and Lisa by our collars to drag us to a safer position behind them. Rifles forward, we hastily backed out. Thankfully, the herd chose to flee rather than charge. You could literally feel the pounding of the hooves hitting the ground in your chest as they thundered away. At that moment, I had never felt so helpless and non-threatening with a bow in my hands. It was an eerie feeling. What a first day….!
(Insert photo: Drian Lass with video camera)
This is a shot of me taking a photo of our cameraman for this hunt. Drian Laas is not only an extremely talented safari videographer; he is a very respectable PH in his own right. Drian joined our hunting party courtesy of Bush Bro Productions. I really believe that you have to be a PH and at least a hunter to have an eye for what detail to capture on a hunting video. Drian got some incredible footage for us on this trip. In fact, he captured what could have been my last moment on this earth on the second day. We got caught in the wide open with our butts in the breeze by a very angry bull. We were trying to crawl to a better position for a shot when the bull caught our movement and busted us. He charged into 15 yards blowing and snorting. All I could do was freeze in place and trust the pair of rifles that I knew were fixed on his head from Hannes and Otto behind us. After staring us down for what I am sure was just a few seconds yet seemed like hours, the bull raised his head to check our scent and then whirled around to make an abrupt exit into the thickets. I am glad that bull chose to retreat and fight another day. The old expression that says a Cape buffalo looks at you like you owe him money could not be more true… I would add that this particular bull not only looked at us like we owed him money, but also like we had been dodging him for weeks to avoid payment.
The value of trust and experience in an outfitter cannot be overstated. Although we had plenty of adrenaline-filled moments during this hunt, never once did I fear for my safety or the safety of anyone else in the hunting party. These guys are the ultimate professionals, and it was impressive to see them in action. Very few African outfitters possess the qualifications, experience, and skill necessary to successfully and safely pursue dangerous game with a bow and arrow. Hannes Els and Limcroma Safaris is one of them. I was lucky to have the opportunity to hunt with one of the some of the very best.
Each subsequent day we would start out with a similar plan. Look for fresh spoor and pursue accordingly. 6 days has passed, and we had several encounters getting as close as 20 yards on a few more occasions. Each time, something would just not be quite right for a shot, or the wind would swirl and the buffalo would bust us. As I mentioned earlier, my concerns over getting a clear shot were realizing to be all too true. More than once, I could see a nose, a boss, or a hind quarter, but not the vital open shoulder that I needed for a lethal shot. The animals’ vitals would either be obscured by tall grass, bush or both. On one encounter, the hunting party a few yards behind me could see the entire head and shoulder of a shooter bull at 22 yards. Yet, from my vantage only a few yards to one side, I could only see the rear half of the body. No shot once again….
I would be lying if I was to say that I was not secretly getting discouraged at this point. So many close calls that took hours upon hours of tracking, crawling, crouching and waiting in the thorns to create, would vanish away in seconds. I was starting to believe that this was not going to happen. Although I never said as much, my body language must have reflected it to the rest of the party. I began to feel pressure that I was letting the rest of the hunting party down. They all worked so hard for days to get me so close, yet I couldn’t take the shots. Still, the entire time, no one but myself, ever remotely got discouraged. The positive energy and encouragement from all the others kept my head in the game. That is what you need from your team to get it done.
So, the morning of Day 7 started out like the rest with one major exception. Hannes had to drop out as our lead PH. He had a prior commitment to a very good client to do a rhino hunt in the Northwest Province. Although we would miss his experience and encouragement, I was in good hands with Otto and Drian. We soon got back on the group of 6 bulls that we had stalked the first several days. They relocated to a different area about 4 miles from where we had originally pursued them, but the tracker and my PH team were very sure this was indeed the same group with 2 very respectable shooters.
I would guess that we followed the tracks for about 90 minutes when we came upon the herd grazing lazily a hundred yards ahead. This time, they were in a rare open area that had much less bush and tree cover than all of the encounters before. If we could figure out an approach without getting busted, I just may get a shot. Things can turn around in a big hurry…. While we were formulating a plan, the herd gradually made their way straight for us. They were relaxed, grazing, and best of all, upwind. Otto decided to find suitable cover just ahead and sit tight to see what happens. Within 10 minutes the herd had made their way to 50 yards and closing. Otto whispered for me to get ready and nock an arrow…. Holy crap, I’m thinking to myself. This might just happen! He whispered for me to crawl my way to a crossberry bush about 5 yards ahead and get ready for the shot. As I SLOWLY crawled, I kept peeking over my right shoulder to get an update. I could not see the bulls from my position. Otto hand-signaled 1 shooter bull out front… He had my range finder and called it 40 yards from his spot. Being the mathematician that I am, I figured 40 yards minus 5 for my forward position should put him at 35… So I set my single-pin Truglo Rangerover sight for 35 yards. One last peek over to Otto and I got the signal that he was coming… Go ahead and draw….!
Now the adrenalin was flowing! As I peeked over the top of the crossberry bush, I could just make out tips of his horns. I told myself in my head to remain calm and focused…. Control your breathing, pick a spot and release… I smoothly drew the bow and leaned out from behind the bush. The massive shoulder of the bull came into full view in the wide open. No tall grass, and no bush, this time… All black and LOTS of it! I swept the pin up the front leg, settled it on the sweet spot mid-body, and touched off the arrow. It seemed to happen in slow motion. I can still see the fletchings rotating in flight. The arrow hit the bull with a resounding thwack! For what seemed like something that would never happen, happened so fast. I stood to watch him thunder away with the yellow and white trademark fletching of the Grizzlystik arrow embedded in his shoulder. Within that split second of elation and relief came great concern. It occurred to me that there was still a lot of arrow sticking out of that bull. With my set-up, that arrow should have buried to the fletching at the very least. It also looked a bit high… Much higher than where I put the pin. What happened?
I glanced back and looked to the rest of the group for reassurance. I got none…. “Look high to you?” I asked Otto. “Maybe a bit,” he answered displaying the same concern on his face. “I’m not thrilled with the penetration either,” I added. “What did you range him at there at the shot? I inquired. “Otto answered, “22 yards from me where you shot him.” “What do you mean 22 yards? What the hell happened to 40 yards?? I set my pin to 35… From where I was, if you got him at 22, he must have been more like 17.” “A different bull came out that was even closer,” he said to me. “I thought you saw that?” he asked. “No, man. I didn’t. I had my pin at 35 and all I saw was a black wall of muscle step out with horns on it. I put the pin on my spot and let the arrow fly. If he was inside 20, it was definitely going to hit high. There is a solid 10-12” drop differential from 17 to 35 yards with these heavy arrows. “My fault,” I said. “I should have recognized that he was much closer than 35 and made the mental adjustment. I got tunnel vision in picking the spot and focusing on that. All I could think about was hitting my spot. It never occurred to me that there was another bull 15-20 yards closer.”
*As a side note, upon examination at the skinning shed, the first arrow penetrated 12″ splitting the lower portion of the right shoulder bone completely and entering the upper chest cavity lacerating the very top of the right lung. The second shot penetrated 24″ breaking the right side ribs, getting both lungs, and lodging into the rib cage on the opposite side. This was a true testament to the arrow and broadhead combination that I used for this hunt. I could not have been happier with the performance of the Grizzlystik arrow shaft and Bishop Archery 315 grain broadhead.
Nobody panicked…. Drian had the shot on video. We looked at it several times. What a tremendous advantage it is to have the shot captured on video. The shot definitely looked high, but the vertical alignment was good. It looked as if half of the arrow got in. Maybe a little less or a little more if we were lucky. It definitely hit some shoulder bone, but maybe I got the top of one lung if the arrow pierced the bone. We had a few spots of blood on the ground where the bull stood. So, we headed back to the road to meet up with Bolla and make a plan for the tracking job ahead. It was a nervous walk back to the bakkie.
From the field, Otto called Hannes and told him our situation. Without hesitation, Hannes said to hold off and he was sending Franz to the rescue…. Franz is one of the best Cape buffalo trackers in Africa. Not just RSA…. I’m talking all of Africa. He is the African equivalent of Winston Wolf from the movie Pulp Fiction. Franz has earned the local nickname “Buffalo Assassin” and with good reason. He is responsible for more dead buffalo than bovine tuberculosis….. After watching this guy work, I could see why. He was nothing less than amazing.
When Franz arrived, the track was about 90 minutes old. Without a word from us other than to point out the spot of the shot, Franz was off. Within minutes, he told Otto that the bull was dragging his right front hoof, and he could not bear as much weight on it as the others. The buffalo was wounded but how badly? Franz continued casually along the track as if it were a lighted superhighway. Ten minutes or so into the track, Franz stopped and walked around in a 10-yard radius occasionally using his shooting sticks to part grass or push branches to the side. He whispered to Otto that our bull was no longer with the herd. He explained that there was a scuffle and that the other bulls likely smelled the blood and sensed the weakness of the wounded bull. They had forced him from the group. Our bull had split to the right 90 degrees from the rest of the group. We were now on a single track. Once again, I stood in awe of the proficiency of Franz’s skills.
We also utilized Otto’s hunting dog “Impy” to help take up the track. Impy is also an impressive tracker if there is any blood to be found. Using him would bring the advantage of a bark alarm when the bull was found, and he would help to keep the bull distracted until we could close in. Maybe another 20 minutes on the track had passed when we heard Impy’s frenzied bark coming from a thorn thicket approximately a hundred yards ahead. Impy had found our bull and jumped him from his bedded position. We all raced up in a fury, with Impy barking wildly, he held the bull’s attention while I nocked another arrow in a fast trot. In a blur, I drew my bow, guessed the range at 40 yards and shot. The second arrow buried itself it deep into the crease of the wounded bull’s shoulder. The shot looked good. Better than the first… The shaft of the first arrow was no longer visible. We would give him some time before we would take up the track again.
This time we had good blood, Franz the Buffalo Assassin, and Impy. I felt much better about the situation that earlier in the day. However, I also realized that the seriousness of this hunt had gone to the next level. We were tracking a severely wounded Cape buffalo. This was no joke…. Our pace slowed considerably. Every team member would meticulously scan back and forth peering deeply into the thickets looking for a patch of black before moving forward. With the safeties off and rifle bolts locked down, we cautiously proceeded on the track. We had only tracked another hundred yards when Franz dropped to a crouch and pointed out the bull bedded once again in a heavy thorn thicket 50 yards ahead. The buffalo’s head was down by not rolled to the side. Otto said he was still drawing breath. We were all confident that the second arrow would soon prove to be lethal. However, the bull was entrenched in a spot that was too thick for a third arrow shot. We discussed that we could wait him out to either expire, or move closer for another bow shot. At this point, I made a decision and asked Drian for his .375 H&H to finish the job. I felt ethically obligated not to push this bull any farther or make him linger any longer than necessary. It was also a decision of safety for the entire team. Maybe he would expire in the next few minutes or maybe the next time we push him he charges and somebody gets hurt. It’s no secret that these animals are at their most dangerous when wounded. Too many “dead buffalo” have injured or killed numerous hunters, trackers and PHs over the years who have failed to give a mortally wounded animal its due respect. It was the right call…
I placed the first rifle shot squarely on the point of the shoulder and the animal hunched up noticeably at the impact of the .375 soft tip. “Keep shooting!” was shouted in stereo by Otto and Drian. I slammed two more solids into the body for good measure and this incredibly impressive animal was down for good. “My God, these are tough animals,” I thought to myself. As we approached my buffalo, I cannot begin to express the range of emotion I felt at this point….. Elation, relief, accomplishment, and a bit of sadness for putting this incredible creature through more than it should have endured if my initial shot would have been better. Never before have I experienced such an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows on the same hunt. We all took a brief moment to catch our breath and silently put this moment into perspective. Then, it was time to celebrate with handshakes and hugs for what was truly a team effort. I cannot say enough about the skill and professionalism of the team that made this hunt possible. Hannes Els, and his staff are collectively the most impressive individuals that I have ever hunted with. This buffalo was my first, and likely to be my last of the Big 5. It was also Otto’s first Cape buffalo as the lead PH, so the hunt was very special for the both of us. It is a memory that we will share for the rest of our lives. My heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone on the team that made this possible for me.
(Insert trophy photos of Cape buffalo)
*My equipment selection for this hunt was a Diamond Black Ice compound bow. Considered to be a dinosaur by today’s high tech bow standards, the Black Ice is accurate, durable, and has the smoothest draw cycle of any bow I have ever shot. I had it cranked up to 72lbs. at a 29” draw length.
My arrow shafts were custom made for me by the great folks at Grizzlystik. Their technical knowledge was spot on. The arrow they built for me performed as promised. The shafts for my set up were Momentum Black 175’s cut to 30” and fletched with Blazer vanes. They were built to have a 26% front of center weight distribution which was a critical component to the amount of penetration I would need for this hunt.
The broadheads I selected were from Bishop Archery. I chose the 315 grain Bridgeport 41L40, 2-blade, right single bevel, in forged tool steel. After testing several brands and styles, I chose the Bishop heads because they flew like field points and they seemed virtually indestructible during my “backyard” testing process. I finished the arrow with a Nocturnal lighted nock at 20 grains. The total arrow/broadhead weight was 975 grains.
With my bull in the salt, we could all relax and enjoy the rest of the safari. The pressure was off and to my wife’s delight, it was time for her to hunt. Although she was completely committed to letting me hunt the entire 12 days if that’s what it took, I know inside she was chomping at the bit to shoot some arrows for herself. She is just as passionate of a hunter as any that I know. She is equally skilled with a rifle as she is with a bow, and she won’t pass up a chance to put either one to good use. Turns out she had a hunt of a lifetime for herself….
This same concession where we hunted my buffalo had an abundance of giraffe. The first day Hannes commented that he had too many for this concession, and that 5 or 6 of the old females no longer breeding needed to go. You don’t have to ask Lisa twice….. The only stipulation was that she really wanted to hunt one spot & stalk with her bow. This raised some issues to consider because she doesn’t really shoot a big enough rig to be ethically effective for a broadside shot on a large, thickly hided animal such as a giraffe. Otto and Drian agreed that she would need a frontal shot opportunity. They made it very clear to Lisa that the chances of getting one in bow range and getting a preferred frontal shot would be next to impossible. That said, they were willing to try if she was willing to accept the challenge. Challenge accepted!
They tried several stalks that day not even getting close to bow range let alone a frontal shot. They were already prepping her for the idea of trying to take one with a rifle the next day. However, late that afternoon on the way off the property, they spotted one female by herself. They got out of the bakkie about 150 yards downwind and stalked in. This female’s curiosity got the best of her and it resulted in a 30 yard shot between the shoulder blades. The 650 grain arrow with a Helix broadhead sunk deep into the chest cavity. The massive female fell within 300 yards.
*Lisa’s equipment selection for her hunt was a Mathews DXT compound bow at 52lbs. and 27.5” of draw length. Her arrows were Momentum Black 330’s also built by Grizzlystik with a 25% front of center weight distribution. The total arrow weight was 670 grains. Her broadheads were Helix 200 grain, right, single bevel, 2-blades. She got 20” of penetration on her giraffe with a perfect frontal shot between the tips of the shoulder blades.
(Insert Giraffe trophy photo)
I spent the remaining days on safari doing what I love to do most in Africa, and that is spot & stalking the river bottoms with bow in hand. My opportunities are fewer than hunting from the hides, but this is what I love to do. I am okay with not getting a shot as long as I can be on the ground trying. My first morning on the Limpopo River resulted in my second porcupine taken with a bow. Ironically, I have taken 2 porcupines in Africa with my bow and both were early in the morning in daylight. I caught this massive female digging a new burrow around 7:30 in the morning.
(Insert Porcupine photo)
I had numerous encounters with warthogs throughout my remaining days. However, I was having a hard time getting any shots on big males. There were lots of young males and females with young ones, but very few shooters. On the last evening, I was finally able to close the deal on this female cull. She was old, battle scared, and a prime candidate to take out of the population. The warthog meat was tasty, and the ivory will make a beautiful towel hook.
(Insert Dan’s warthog photo)
Lisa’s luck continued with an opportunity to take a great cull waterbuck from one of the hides over a waterhole. This young bull came in displaying his wear and tear prominently. He had obviously been fighting with another bull and took the worst of it. Drian was hunting with Lisa, and he glassed multiple gashes and puncture wounds all over this bull that had become infected. He gave her the green light and she put a 20 yard shot on the money. The young bull was down within sight of the hide.
(Insert Lisa’s waterbuck photo)
We cannot go to Africa without trying a little night hunting…. This trip it would be Lisa taking the shots. She had never taken an animal at night before. I explained to her that it’s is difficult to do that when you spend every night around the campfire drinking wine and socializing…. She actually put in the time this trip and was rewarded with a great small-spotted genet cat.
(Insert genet cat photo)
Lisa and Drian were also struggling with the warthogs that were visiting the hides. They, like myself, were seeing lots of young males and females but few mature males. Still, persistence pays off…. She got an opportunity to take out an old female for cull and made it count. More braai meat and another ivory towel hook.
(Insert Lisa’s warthog photo)
Lisa rounded out an incredible hunt for herself by taking an exceptional trophy springbok on the last afternoon. This springbok was one of 3 males that frequented the area around the main lodge which is also happens to be in the heart of a bow hunting concession. She tried to spot & stalk him for several days without getting close enough for an ethical shot. On the last evening, Lisa and Drian sat in a hide near the springbok’s home range. This big, tall male came in for a lick of the salt block. She double-lunged him at 32 yards. He will make a fine addition to our trophy room.
(Insert Lisa’s springbok photo)
This was our 5th safari with Limcroma Safaris. In addition to being long-time clients, and dear friends with the Els Family, I have the privilege of representing Limcroma as one of their USA based representatives. The main reason I became involved in representing Limcroma is precisely because I was so impressed with the great lengths they take at every opportunity to exceed the expectations of their guests. No effort is spared and no detail is left unattended to ensure that each and every guest has a very personal experience while in camp. The Limcroma folks are family to Lisa and myself. But, each guest that visits is made to feel like family. When hunting at Limcroma, you will be spoiled! Prepare yourself to gain 10 pounds from the fantastic authentic South African cuisine. Each and every PH at Limcroma is a consummate host and ambassador for African hospitality. You will be treated like royalty and hunt some of the finest trophy animals on the most beautiful properties in southern Africa. Whether you are planning a first-time safari for the family or planning your next addition to the Big 5, I can’t imagine a finer host than Hannes Els or a better outfitter than Limcroma. Thanks for allowing us to share our adventure with you!
I currently reside in southeast Florida where I was born and raised for the last 50 years. This was my 6th African safari and my 5th hosted by Limcroma. I grew up hunting and fishing all over south Florida. I am a lifelong hunter and fisherman, but especially passionate about bow hunting and particularly spot & stalking. I started my first professional career running sport fishing charters out of the South Florida area. That career led to 20 plus years of both charter and tournament fishing incredible destinations world-wide. In my lifetime, I have been lucky enough to have fished or hunted in 4 continents and over 20 countries so far…. For the last 17 years, I have been a full-time professional firefighter and paramedic in South Florida. For the last 8 years, I have had the privilege of representing Limcroma Safaris as one of their USA-based representatives where I assist with internet marketing and safari consultations.
