There is light at the end of this DARK tunnel….

Many of you will recall our first news flashes of Rhino poaching in South Africa. It was September 2010, and our heading red; ‘‘Rhino Poaching in South Africa – What story will future generations tell?’’
http://johnxsafaris.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/rhino-poaching-in-south-africa-what-story-will-future-generations-tell/

That article highlighted the success story of the South African Wildlife Industry, in particular the revival of our Rhino from the brink of extinction. Sadly it also raised the concern of a new trend – POACHING. While poaching has always been around, it was not until 2009 that things started showing signs of possibly escalating out of control.

Since then you’ve heard of our personal tragedy, the poaching of 4 of our Rhino at Lalibela during September 2012.
http://johnxsafaris.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/wednesday-25-september-2012-413-rhino-poached-in-south-africa-since-1-january-2012-4/

The tragedy left us shattered, but also revived our determination in working hard at educating the public about the problem, and possible solutions to solving the problem. As mentioned in a previous post, how can a fruit farmer enjoy the privilege of harvesting his fruit from his fruit tree without having to saw down his tree in order to harvest his fruit? How come a sheep farmer can sheer his sheep annually and a dairy farmer milk his cow daily, neither having to slaughter either the sheep or cow in order to realize a sustainable value.

Then why can a Rhino farmer not harvest his horn instead of harvesting the animal to realize a sustainable value in his asset and investment? This has been the question on everybody’s minds for the past 2-3 years.

While the question seems fairly simple, and extremely practical to a Rhino owner, things are never that easy when it comes to wildlife.

The Rhino owner will tell you he can’t keep plugging the holes for much longer, the cost of protecting ones Rhino has passed the tipping scale. Without a sustainable value there will be no future for Rhino in the private sector. Keep in mind, the private sector was largely responsible for +- 80% in Rhino population growth through sustainable utilization. Take this as a fact and not an opinion from a Rhino owner. There seems to be many opinions out there, most of the impractical opinions seem to be coming from people who have never invested a cent into ‘real’ Rhino conservation. If you don’t like what I’m saying, then go out and buy a piece of land big enough to house Rhino, then purchase a couple of Rhino as a starting point, then start protecting them 24/7/365. Then come back to me and talk conservation.

The liberals or antis will tell you ALL trade of Rhino needs to be placed on hold immediately. They consider the thought of harvesting a Rhino or its horn and trading it on a free market as morally incorrect. Humans cannot take advantage of animals by benefitting from their existence. To them sustainability means something different, often placing first world ideologies onto third world governments. The circumstances are just not the same.

To bring everyone up to speed of where we are right now, here are the latest Rhino poaching stats issued by The Department of Environmental Affairs in South Africa on 2 May 2013.

Rhino poaching statistics: 2 May 2013

SOUTH AFRICA	2010	2011	2012	2013
KNP (SANParks)	146	252	425	201
MNP (SANParks)	0	6	3	0
Gauteng (GP)	15	9	1	0
Mpumalanga (MP)	52	74	59	19
Eastern Cape (EC)	17	31	28	13
Limpopo (LIM)	57	21	77	21
North West (NW)	4	11	7	0
Free State (FS)	3	4	0	0
KZN	38	34	66	19
Western Cape (WC)	0	6	2	0
Northern Cape (NC)	1	0	0	0
TOTAL	333	448	668	273

 Rhino poaching arrests statistics: 2 May 2013

SOUTH AFRICA	2013	2012	2011	2010
KNP (SANParks)	41	73	82	67
MNP (SANParks)	0	0	0	0
Gauteng (GP)	3	26	16	10
Mpumalanga (MP)	1	66	73	16
Eastern Cape (EC)	0	0	2	7
Limpopo (LIM)	17	43	34	36
North West (NW)	8	32	21	2
Free State (FS)	0	6	0	0
KZN	13	20	4	25
Western Cape (WC)	0	0	0	2
Northern Cape (NC)	0	1	0	0
TOTAL	83	267	232	165

Pretty staggering – to say the least. Trust me, read it again and let it sink in. Then consider the following – Since May 2, 2013 to today, June 11, 2013, another 125 Rhino have been poached. TOTAL Rhino poached in SA as of today, 11 June 2013 = 398. That means 2 ½ Rhino are being poached every single day.

BUT all is not doom and gloom, there is light at the end of this DARK tunnel. A new chapter in the Rhino Conservation success story is on the horizon. On June 7^th, 2013, the following Article by Dave Cook was published in the Natal Witness.

Lifting the ban

THE announcement by the chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs, Johnny de Lange, during the recent budget debate, that South Africa will seek approval at the next Cites (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) conference of the parties in 2016 for the lifting of the 35-year-old ban on trade in rhino horn, is music to the ears of all those who have been advocating an economic intervention as a means of reducing rhino-poaching levels.

Hopefully, it represents a kind of conservation Rubicon marking the beginning of a much-needed brave new world in wildlife conservation practice. It is one sorely needed, not only in South Africa, but also further afield. Conversely, and without being spiteful, the decision to pursue a legal trade will not have been particularly welcome among the staunch anti-trade advocates and certain orthodox-minded non-governmental organizations, many of which will be scrambling to amend their agendas in a bid to remain relevant in the face of the impending policy shift.

Sadly, it is a decision that is long overdue, following years of obfuscation that seemed to suggest that the government lacked the political will to meet the challenge posed by a conservation constituency that is hostile to any form of commercial trade in wildlife. Had the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) pursued the legal-trade option when poaching spiked in 2007, we might not now be counting the appalling loss of over 1 800 massacred animals, and the grave threat, which has emerged on the back of this scourge, to the integrity of our acclaimed protected-area network.

This is not to say that the decision to trade will stop the hemorrhaging overnight. Should Cites lift the ban in 2016, it may take at least another two years for a legal trade to translate into a meaningful drop in poaching levels. By that time, at present rates of poaching (800 to 1 000 per annum), South Africa could easily see another 2 000 animals being poached. Not a pleasant prospect.

We also need to be mindful of the industrial number of resources, finance and manpower — now reaching unsustainable levels — that has been expended on anti-poaching protection in state parks as well as private reserves, while the very fact of some areas falling within what has been described as “war zones” suggests that tourism will almost certainly be negatively impacted, which is something South Africa can ill afford.

To make matters worse, evidence is mounting that we are not winning this war, we are losing it. Strong protective strategies will always be necessary, whether or not a legal trade in horn exists, but at least we can look forward to the fact that besides disincentivising criminal activity, a legal trade, once operational, has the capacity to fund the costly anti-poaching measures that are draining resources from normal management programmes, and at the same time will inject finance into cash-strapped park budgets.

How senior ministers Pravin Gordhan and Trevor Manual view the whole rhino-poaching saga is an intriguing thought. With few exceptions, criminals have got away with some R1,5 billion worth (based on wholesale prices only) of horn in the past five years, without paying a cent in tax, and have destroyed renewable state assets (live rhino) worth another R500 million in the process.

The ministers will also be confronted with the prospect of the country losing a similar fortune by the time a legalized trade takes effect.
With the decision having been made to seek a trade sanction from Cites, what needs to be done to ensure that it is carried through into reality?

Firstly, the minister must proceed urgently to implement the decision and prepare a proposal to go before Cites. According to De Lange, the cabinet instructed Minister Edna Molewa in December 2012 to “start a dialogue on the viability and desirability of lifting the Cites ban on trading”. Clearly, cabinet had not been adequately briefed. If ever there was an elephant in the room, it is the sheer scale of the poaching problem, the evidence that defensive options are failing badly and that South Africa, as the custodian of the bulk of the world’s rhino, is in a unique position.

Why dither with dialogue to establish what existing facts render self-evident? Clearly, a demand exists. The main consumer countries are well-known. Those in the East like to eat the stuff for reasons that have existed for over 2 000 years, and criminal syndicates with labyrinth tentacles have used the Cites ban to create a lucrative market. That’s all we need to know. Add to this the fact that with a substantial stockpile of horn, and 85% of the world’s rhino within our borders, South Africa is in a powerful position to monopolize the market and out-compete the criminals. The rest is academic.

One could go on researching the vagaries attending supply and demand until blue in the face, and still be ignorant of all the variables, but it goes without saying that the operational model used to trade horn will undoubtedly undergo frequent adaptations in relation to price, supply and demand as trade unfolds — a characteristic of any commercial venture.

Standing by to help the minister to develop the proposal to Cites, and to act as the architects of a trade system, are any number of experienced experts drawn from the various disciplines: economics, international trade and commerce and the legal fraternity, who could develop a viable trade model, and from whose ranks a panel could be appointed. It is unlikely that such expertise exists within DEA. Apart from wildlife policy formulation, the subject of trading in horn, the structures used to conduct legal sales through a central selling organization and all the professional checks and balances that need to be employed in the process, are responsibilities that should go to the Department of Trade and Industry.

The government’s role is clear. Firstly, as a major priority, it must use diplomatic channels to establish a primary partnership agreement with the consumer countries, then adopt Brics as a platform (via a trade mission) and negotiate a set of accredited buyers.
Finally, cabinet should not shirk from declaring to the world now, and especially Cites, that 35 years of a ban that has failed to achieve what it was designed to do, is proof enough of the need to change. And with the bulk of the world’s rhino within our borders under threat, we reserve the right to decide how, in the interests of sustainable rhino and wildlife conservation, these resources should be managed. Let’s get on with it.

Change will have to come, and come fast. How else are we as South Africans going to have a say in our own story? Our international friends have always been good to us, and we hope to receive the same support in years to come. The fight is far from over; in fact this new chapter may be the start of the greatest success story ever told.

If a bunch of likeminded South Africans were able to achieve the success they have under a 35 year horn trade ban – Imagine the possibilities brought on by free trade…..

For more information and current updates about John X Safaris; follow us on Twitter, connect with us on Facebook and visit our Website!

The story of OUR East Cape Kudu Hunt…..

We first met Randy Spence and Emily Belue at the Dallas Safari Club through our good friends the Arnette’s in early January 2013.

At that stage we’d been in correspondence over email, but had never met. As I saw a couple approach me early one morning I just knew this was them. Kristie Arnette had described Emily to perfection. A fun-loving happy individual! Randy was quieter at first, but over time I’ve come to know a great guy and made a good friend.

Their safari was to be their first hunt with John X Safaris, and their maiden trip to Africa. The hours of waiting soon turned to days, weeks, and months. May finally arrived and so did their safari!

An excited Randy and Emily arrived in Port Elizabeth and spent the first night in town before we collected them for their safari.

Our safari would see us hunt from our coastal and northern areas, experiencing the magic of the coastal region and the querkiness of the quiet Karoo with its dark starry nights.

We met many a stranger and came away with even more friends. We witnessed Africa in all her glory. Experienced the Big 5 on game drives, to Elephants and their rumbling stomachs outside our tent at night. We hunted hard, got treated to a couple of lows, but were fortunate to come away with many more highs. We harvested our own game, cleaned it, prepared it, and then cooked it over a crackling wood fire. We saw Africa through the eyes of the poor and gave back to those less fortunate. We got involved and allowed Africa to involve us. We took on each day as if it were our last and made the most of  the wonder of an African safari……

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While there were many great moments and hunts, there was one particular hunt  we enjoyed most of all. It’s often a favorite for most, and was certainly the highlight of our safari.

This is the story of OUR East Cape Kudu hunt….

Kudu hunting is addictive. Some of us love it, others don’t see the fuss or understand the passion for pursuing these gray ghosts.  It’s a matter of personnel choice. Ask the team of PHs at John X Safaris what’s their favorite game to guide and 80% will come back with a quick reply, “Kudu”. Ask me, and I’m more hesitant. It’s just that there are certain periods in the year when Kudu vanish off the face of the earth. Where they go nobody knows? But come next season and the start of the rut, they’re popping up behind every bush. And it is at this time that Kudu hunting is at its most exciting. Lucky for Randy he found himself slap bang in the middle of Kudu hunting paradise!

Randy”s Kudu hunt started like many before, at 5am that first morning. Right off the cuff we started spotting a number of Kudu, but nothing worth pursuing. At mid morning we bumped into a great Warthog – it wasn’t a Kudu, but the hunt was on.

Our boar was feeding in a clearing below our glassing position. With a number of Kudu sharing the same area we knew the trick would be to go as undetected as possible while covering the final 200 yards to our boar.

With a steady breeze and decent cover we were able to get within 100 yards of our pig, not a Kudu, let alone the Warthog even knew we were there until the 300 WinMag roared into life. Randy’s African safari was off to a great start!

It was midday, day one, and our pig was in the salt – an exciting afternoon of Kudu hunting lay ahead.

With a back pack stocked with a good supply of water and all the necessary equipment, Randy and I set off on an afternoon of wandering. The rut was in full swing and the thought of the possibility of a number of bulls being active throughout the afternoon proved a pretty exciting aspect.

A slow start at first soon materialized into a shooter bull appearing out of nowhere to clear the field below us. Just as he’d appeared – he disappeared.  I could see the look of amazement on Randy’s face, how could he have come so quickly and then dashed our hopes even quicker? Welcome to Kudu hunting my friend, the ghosts had started their age-old game once again. I wasn’t going to share that with Randy, it’s best he figure that out on his own. It’s what makes Kudu hunting the sport it is.

Later that afternoon we spotted him again, this time much closer than where we’d originally spotted him, but he was 300 yards off and dusk was upon us. It was time to call it a day, head back to camp, and see what Emily had been up to during the course of the day.

Emily had opted for a day of R&R while us boys were out hunting. Something tells me she enjoyed a pretty successful day of R&R with the camera too!

The next morning saw us up at five again. A quick cup of coffee and light bite to eat and we were off in an easterly direction. Today would once again be a Kudu day.

Zwayi our trusty tracker had spotted a great bull a couple of days earlier and was adamant we try one particular area. The area he had his heart set on was an open plain running along the top of two deep wooded ravines, the perfect home for a large population of Kudu.

As we approached the clearing we spotted him immediately, there he was – just as Zwayi had predicted. A magnificent old bull.

Immediately we gathered our gear and headed for our quarry. Deja vu – the one minute he was there, feeding contentedly in broad day light, the next he was gone. It felt like day one all over again.

With disappointment we headed back to the truck.

It was still early in the day and there was so much to still see in this beautiful area.

The views for one were spectacular…

By midday the temperature had peaked to 90 F, no Kudu, let alone any other game were going to move during the hottest part of the day. It was time for a pick nick lunch and a minute to rest weary glassing eyes.

By four that afternoon the game was on, things were starting to look good. Our weary bull from earlier in the day had made a sudden appearance once again. Randy took one look at him and needed no second invitation.

With so many other eyes in the form of Eland, Impala and Blesbuck, sharing the same area as our bull, we decided to take the safest and longest approach. By theory we should go unseen, but one never knows with so much game about.

The first 300 yards of our stalk went well, only a small family group of Zebra, which busted out in the opposite direction. Not like them or us had a choice, we met each other face to face at 15 yards coming towards one another on a narrow path. A lucky break I remarked to Randy, maybe this was a sign of things to come – Lucky things…..

Leaving our breaths, hopes, and nerves, behind in the Zebra ordeal we continued on. A mere 80 yards further, still hugging the tree-line, coming around a bend in the vegetation we walk slap bang into a monster Kudu. Hallo! Where did you come from? To late, what were we expecting at 20 yards. We’d been walking so quietly with a steady breeze at the nose that we were going literally undetected, our timing unfortunately was out by minutes.

Had we been delayed a mere 5 minutes, then the monster we’d busted coming into the clearing to feed would have been feeding in broad day light ahead of us. A butterfly net, that’s what I always say – we wouldn’t have needed more than that! Then again it weren’t butterflies we were after, weary old Kudu bulls, like this beauty breaking out ahead of us leaving us with glimpses of flaring ivory tips and a heavy lumbering ghate. The stuff dreams are made of.

Either way, time to move on, our bull was still up ahead. He was just as good if not better than the bull we literally walked into.

Covering the last 150 yards to a predetermined shooting spot, hoping our bull was still there, we bumped another bull at less than 20 yards. This time the bull we were after.

To say that I was frustrated would be the least of my flavored vocabulary I had chosen for the occasion. Experiencing the sinking feeling of dread watching two big bulls in the space of minutes disappear at close quarters was becoming too much to handle. Randy must have though his PH had lost his mind, having a moment whispering into his cap, then returning with a blood-red face. Yes folks – this dream job has its moments.

When you as guide know how important a Kudu is to your hunter, it’s important to find the right bull with the required trophy qualities. Age first – then length, but then the experience of tracking him down and providing your hunter with a comfortable setup to take the shot. Forget about challenging – that the Kudu will provide, trust me, ask my cap about challenging.

Ok, time to move on I thought to myself. If there were big bulls busting out within minutes from one another, then surely there’d be more? While the going looked good we were going to run with it.

The particular tree line we were following ran adjacent to a steep gorge with the other side tapering ever nearer towards the top of the valley. During the course of our stalk we’d noticed a group of Kudu cows feeding on the opposite ridge, the rut was on and waiting this group out until dark seemed a good idea and the only sane option at that stage. We grabbed a seat under an Acacia tree. The view was good and the wait was on.

As our wait drew on and the sun crept lower onto the horizon our eyes started wandering. I call this the desperate glassing period of the day, one starts seeing things not because they’re there, but because you want to believe they’re there! Thank goodness it was interrupted by a group of Eland feeding a mere 30 yards off to our left and a great Impala ram who seemed keen to take a better look at these two odd-looking creatures hiding in the grass under his favorite Acacia tree. Only later did we notice the tree we’d chosen was his scratching post – sorry fellow, we had important matters at hand.

With about 40 minutes of day light left we turned our concentration to our bait, now feeding directly opposite us. The group of Kudu cows had narrowed the distance between us and them, best of all they hadn’t seen us. We waited quietly.

Suddenly Randy spotted a big bull on the trail of the cows 600 yards out. This was it – now or never. We’d endured enough “bad luck”, which it really wasn’t if one were to look back, one should consider oneself lucky to have seen that many great bulls at close quarters in the same afternoon. At the time we didn’t see it that way, we were now determined more than ever to sit tight and have the approaching bull get within shooting distance.

From 400 yards he spotted the cows he was trailing, he kept coming. At 196 on the range finder I let out a loud whistle just as the bull stepped into a clearing in the brush. He stopped dead in his tracks, looked up, turned his head in our direction and froze. A better setup we could not have hoped for. The bull was broadside, Randy was sitting comfortably, his body anchored by the rifle and the shooting sticks. He clicked the safety button forward… This was it.

To express my regret of not having my trusty camera or video camera along on this particular occasion would be the least I could say. To explain the scene of a weary old Kudu bull a mere 200 yards out, locked onto attention is a sight to behold. Something any serious or romantic hunter should experience at least once in his lifetime. It’s a privilege being part of the scene.

As Randy touched off the 300 WinMag the bull reared up onto his back legs, regained his footing and took off into the brush. Silence…..

We couldn’t hear or see anything further, it was time to call in the recruits, our trusty dogs, Bongo and Foxy. We approached the exact spot where last we’d spotted Randy’s bull, but we needn’t have bothered the dogs, there he was, laying quietly with a perfect heart shot. Randy had concluded a perfect day with a fitting shot.

Perfect in ever way….. An old warrior past his prime. The perfect bull to take.

Having Emily along on Randy’s Kudu day was as much a highlight as hunting our bull. Her excitement is infectious to say the least, let alone her fun nature she brings along to every occasion.

That evening called for a celebration in camp, Randy had hunted his dream Kudu, Emily the love of his life had been along to share in the adventure, while I was content with the experience I was able to “provide”. I say “provide” in a hesitant manner, for that we have Africa and a magnificent Kudu to thank. The fact that we were in the right place at the right time is a matter entirely of its own.

For more information and current updates about John X Safaris; follow us on Twitter, connect with us on Facebook and visit our Website!

“From their experiences to you…..”

A couple of weeks ago we told you about Brett Nelson and his friends from North Dakota, a great bunch of guys with the spirit of a Lion, the bite of a Hyena, and the thirst of an Elephant. Fantastic people to say the least.

Well Brett wasn’t ready to pack it in just yet after his initial ten days on safari, that it was of utmost importance that his second group touched down on Port Elizabeth’s runway just as the first was heading out. A couple of old faces in the form of Luther and Richard Dietrich back on their second safari, accompanied by bunch of fun-loving fellows formed the nucleus of his second group. From the outset it seemed the warm up the PH’s, trackers, and camps, were treated to by the first group would stead us in good spirit as these guys had arrived with one thing in mind – They were here to have a good time!

And that’s what we had! From Lewis our pig hunter to Luther our Lion hunter and many in between, the experiences never came short of breath-taking. Speaking on behalf of the team I can assure you this was one of their favorite hunts of the year thus far, and what I could gather from the group on their feedback of their experiences we made one great combination.

 ”From their experiences to you”.

By Luther Dietrich, Richard Dietrich, Lewis Legge, Tom Morehouse, Todd Ingstad, Scott Fontaine, and Mark Swanberg

HUNTER – Luther Dietrich

PH – Carl van Zyl

TRACKER – Zwayi

SPECIES HUNTED –Lioness, Hippo, Cape Hartebeest, Black Wildebeest, Eland, Kudu.

John X did it again! I never would have guessed my 2^nd safari with John X would be able to be better than my first. Carl did everything he could to make each hunting experience world-class. I cannot thank Carl and the staff enough. I am bringing my son on his first safari next June. Hopefully time will fly by! Until we meet again ……. Luther

HUNTER – Lewis Legge

PH – Mike Currie

TRACKER – Themba

SPECIES HUNTED –Warthog, Impala.

The Bushpigs had taken the bait; all they needed now was a full moon and a ton of luck.

The food was excellent and trophies were great.Hunting with Mike was absolutely excellent. Lewis

HUNTER – Richard Dietrich

PH – Gary Phillips

TRACKER – Oluwhetu

SPECIES HUNTED – Cape Buffalo, Sable.

Another great hunt with my friend, Gary. I enjoyed the exciting Cape Buffalo hunt and the beautiful Sable. Thank you for a great hunt. Richard

HUNTER – Mark Swanberg

PH – Juan MacDonald

TRACKER – Dansile

SPECIES HUNTED –Impala, Kudu, Blesbuck, Waterbuck, Springbuck, Gemsbuck, Klipspringer, Nyala.

I had a great experience and spent time with a professional, knowledgeable, and capable guide. I did not think a second safari was on the cards, but after being here with Juan MacDonald and the John X staff I will be back again.

Thanks Juan!

Mark

HUNTER – Scott Fontaine

PH – Greg Hayes

TRACKER – Bless

SPECIES HUNTED – Kudu, Sable, Impala, Gemsbuck, Blue Wildebeest, Black Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Nyala, Kudu, Impala, Blesbuck.

My First African Safari and I took a 51” Kudu followed by a 44” Sable, 22” and 20” Impalas, 37” Gemsbuck, impressive Blue and Black Wildebeest, 30+” Waterbuck, and a beautiful Nyala. Can life get any better? Yes it can, as the staff, accommodations, food, and hunting properties, are all second to none!

Thank you Greg and John X Safaris for making my safari experience a memory of a lifetime! Scott

HUNTER – Tom Morehouse

PH – Rusty Coetzer

TRACKER – Big John

SPECIES HUNTED – Blesbuck, Impala, Kudu, Warthog.

Had a wonderful time with Rusty. The experience of a lifetime. Thank you so much for the wonderful memories. I will always remember my time in South Africa. The entire group is totally an A+ TEAM.

Tom

HUNTER – Todd Ingstad

PH – Tyrone Schulford

TRACKER – Sam

SPECIES HUNTED – Impala, Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Black Wildebeest, Gemsbuck, Sable, Waterbuck, Common Springbuck, Nyala

My hunt was simply the best hunt of my life! My PH, Tyrone, could not have been better!

If you are sitting on the fence about going – get off the fence and get going!

Scott

After the dust had settled Brett and I received the below mail from Todd Ingstad. A complement we’re proud of and one certainly worth sharing.

Hello Brett and Carl

I waited to draft this email so I could settle into regular life and process the feelings and emotions of my trip to Africa. People ask me about the trip and I have found myself answering the same way time and again. The trip was great! Some things were harder than I thought, some what I expected, and some were easier. The days spent hunting at Tollie’s were challenging physically, harder than I expected. The trip was one “WOW” after another with the scenery and beauty of the land what I expected. The part that was easier than expected had to do with the people… It was so easy to relax and connect with the entire staff at John X Safaris. I felt at home from the minute I arrived. 

It was a blast having friends and family in camp, some I rarely see at home but at John X we were able to spend a good amount of time catching up and telling our versions of the truth!

The food was World Class… I challenge anyone to show me a steak house that can consistently knock it out of the park like your people did meal after meal.

People’s final question is: “Would you ever go back?”…. at that point I have developed an uncontrollable grin that conveys the answer. 

Thank you Carl and Brett for teaming me up with Tyrone, a good fit for me. But, as I grew to know the other PH’s they are all world-class.

So to wrap it up, Thankyou Gentlemen for making my John X African Safari an adventure and memory that all others will be judged by. 

Kindest Regards,

Todd Ingstad

For more information and current updates about John X Safaris; follow us on Twitter, connect with us on Facebook and visit our Website!

This Mothers Day Spoil your Mom the African Way….

To all the cooks and chefs out there, AND all those men needing an idea to spoil your mom or wife on Mothers Day - this one’s just for you!

With Mothers Day a mere week away we thought we’d go for a change of flavor. We’d like to honor those fine ladies who spend their lives feeding us hunters, always ensuring a hearty dinner is prepared and on the table after a long days hunt.

May it be from the Cape to Cairo or Alaska to Nebraska,  we all enjoy getting back to camp with a warm fire and your favorite venison dish to round of yet another memorable day. We all have our secret recipes or “family secrets”, something that may never be traded – dare mentioned away from deer camp!

Well, we have a couple of our own, and we’ll be sharing them over the course of the season. This weeks recipe is one that many of you may have enjoyed in camp with us before, for others still planning their dream hunt with John X Safaris, you can try this at home or come to enjoy it in Africa. There’s  something special about a cosy camp fire, a fine glass of Red Wine, and a steaming Springbuck pot under African stars.

Our recipe for a Springbuck neck and shoulder pot is as follows. Please note this recipe will work well with your preferred game/venison in both Europe or the United States.

STEP 1:
Always remember a good end-product can only be guaranteed with well-ripened meat.  The ripening process is nature’s way of tenderizing the meat. This process will enhance the tenderness and flavour within the meat, where as the commercial tenderizer tends to  break down the fibres within the meat, resulting in a dry and crumbling end product.  Meat must hang for at least 7-10days in a cooler or similar, do not cover the meat as air circulation is important in the process.  

STEP 2:
Now for the marinade, yes folks the secret to moist appetizing venison most definitely lies with the marinade.

A Beer Marinade by Anita van der Merwe
450 – 750 ml beer (15 – 25 oz)
125 ml olive oil (4 oz)
1-2 onions
1 garlic clove, crushed
25 ml orange juice (0,85 oz)
15 ml lemon juice (0,5 oz)
15 ml prepared mustard (0,5 oz)
Worcestershire sauce ( A splash)

Beat all the ingredients together and pour over the meat.  Marinade for 4-6 hours. Do not marinade for longer than the prescribed period, the marinade contains acidic ingredients, namely Orange and Lemon juice, they will draw moisture from the meat if left to marinade too long.

STEP 3:
10 ml soft brown sugar (0,33 oz)
5 ml ground cloves (0,17oz)
5 ml mixed dried herbs (0,17oz)
5 ml ground coriander (0,17 oz)
5 ml salt (0,17 oz)
2ml freshly ground black pepper (0,08 oz)
1 ml ground nutmeg (0,033 oz)
1 clove garlic, crushed
10 ml vinegar (0,33 oz)
10 ml soya sauce (0,33 oz)
30 ml soft butter ( 1 oz)
40 ml cake flour (1,35 oz)

Pre-heat your oven to 320 F. Mix all your dry seasoning ingredients.  Add the garlic, vinegar and soya sauce.  Mix well with the butter and place in the fridge to chill.

Now pierce holes  in the meat and lard with the chilled butter mixture.  Put the lard venison in a cooking bag or similar with the cake flour and shake thoroughly to cover the meat.
Once the meat has been covered sufficiently place it in a casserole without the lid, add about 500 ml (16,9 oz) water with 1/2 a bottle of red wine and cook for 1-2 hours, until tender. A natural gravy will be formed from the ingredients and the slow simmering process.

Compliment your venison pot with your favorite vegetables, good wine and great friends!

There you have it fellow cooks, it’s simple, hassle free and very enjoyable preparing your very own harvested game.

Now all you men out there, be prepared this Mothers Day, get into the kitchen, use the above recipe and prepare dinner for your mom or wife!

Enjoy – With compliments from the bush kitchen.

For more information and current updates about John X Safaris; follow us on Twitter, connect with us on Facebook and visit our Website!

An African Reunion

As mid March came and went, with our first safaris completed in some of the warmest weather in recent years, we were beginning to wonder if the scorched African countryside’s thirst would ever be quenched before the onset of winter. 

Autumn rainfall is never a predictable occurrence throughout the East Cape, but can be the difference between a fair or great season.  The secret to the entire formula lies with the timing. If the rain comes to close to the onset of winter, then the growth period of warm weather will be too short to see our areas benefitting from the rain, and if it’s to early in autumn, then the heat will ultimately beat the growth. But when the timing is spot on – it’s a miracle metamorphosis that takes place overnight.

Not only does one see barren earth turn from dust red to a blanket of green, but one sees a change in mood. It’s as if everything perks up, most notably the first signs of the rut. It is during this period when sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking a valley below admiring the class of a Kudu bull in full rut, that one’s’ senses are filled with life and the excitement of the hunt. How else could one describe the privilege of hunting right in the middle of all these changes? The only thing better would be to include a bunch of old a friends, a couple of new faces, and a lot of fun!

Back on safari, returning on his 7th hunt with John X Safaris was our old friend Brett Nelson and his group from North Dakota. Over time, Brett and many in his group have become extended family members. Very seldom does a season or two pass without us seeing Jeff Edland, Chad Badger or Dennis & Nan Roberg back in camp. These folks and their friends are what makes our world the place it is. Getting to know Brian Gebeke, Brian Nelson and Joe Kapaun, and welcoming them into the John x family with the old timers, is what made this particular hunt one memorable trip.

Our teams on the ground consisting of PHs, trackers, skinners and camp staff had their work cut out ensuring each individuals needs were catered for. Varying levels of African experience by the hunters saw the need for our teams to head into the forests, mountains and plains. It was going to take the best in the very best areas.

Each morning saw the individual teams rise at the crack of dawn in pursuit of their quarry for the day, and each evening the smiles grew broader. Many great trophies were making their way to the skinning shed on a daily basis, with a number showing early signs of competing for trophy of the season. Each team had their favourites, with many deserving a special mention.

Where better to start than with one of our old timers, Chad Badger. Chad teamed up with Professional Hunter, Greg Hayes, for a second time and once again produced the goods. One of five Cape Eland hunted on this particular safari, most certainly one of our favourites.

As for Dennis his Kudu came as the greatest relief of all. We bet he can put away his Kudu fears from that first safari and head out bragging with his monster of 53”!

Sticking with the spirals and a massive welcome to the team. New comer Joe Kapaun with a breath-taking Nyala.

As for a first timer to Africa, Brian Gebeke may never quite realize what he bumped into on his first safari. Could it be the Waterbuck of the season ALREADY?

Jeff Edland saw the hunting gods smiling down on him with beams of luck. So many great trophies, only one to choose – we went with one of our favourites, a world-class Steenbuck!

As for Brian Nelson, the biggest character on safari, and now fondly known as the “Butterfly catcher” (don’t ask us – ask Chad Badger?) Brian hunted a bunch of great trophies, but we all loved his Fallow Deer stag.

Now Nan Roberg hunted a world-class Blue Wildebeest, which we’re sure you’ll hear of plenty more, but on this occasion we not only liked the Zebra’s skin, but the picture made it! Great job Nan!

Last, but certainly not least sees Brett finally getting his much-anticipated Cape Grysbuck. For most his trophy will be seen as just another one of those ‘Duikers”, never looked at in the same light as say a Kudu or Cape Buffalo, but for those experienced hunters who’ve spent many hours in pursuit of the Tiny 10 – they’ll know just what Brett has done again. Last time it was his Vaal Rhebuck, this time his awesome Cape Grysbuck. Eat your heart out, we all have!

While the above are some of our favourites, there were plenty more. The quality was outstanding, the hunting was hard and there was lots of it. Come along – hold on – this was one humdinger of a safari!

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Achieving all this in ten days took serious hunting, but as we’ve come to know Brett and his groups, we’ve come to know the hunting is as important as the fun. What at first seemed like a one-sided affair soon saw the John X team take up the challenge with a few pranks of their own and the ”brainchild” of a new award.

April Fool’s by coincedence fell on our last evening in camp…

Let’s just say between the ladies, Chad Badger and Greg Hayes, they enjoyed an interesting dinner.

After dinner it was time for the awards ceremony…

While Ed Wilson and Brett Nelson are fondly known as the Kings of Dordrecth…

By day 6 of their hunt we had still not seen one trophy hit the salt, concern was setting into the ranks…

By day 7 they’d been down graded to the King and Queen of Dordrecht…

By day 8 not even a Top 10 Cape Grysbuck could save their skins…

By day 9 they were officialy crisened the Xhosa maidens of Dordrecht.

By day 10 it was official, with a trophy and all! Congrats boys, you’re officially the dress wearers until next year!

For more information and current updates about John X Safaris; follow us on Twitter, connect with us on Facebook and visit our Website!

Paul & Sandra Dellva Safari Report

HUNTER & OBSERVER: Paul & Sandra Dellva 

Professional Hunter: Carl Van Zyl

Tracker & Skinner: Zwayi

Area/s Hunted: East Cape, South Africa

Safari Duration: 5 Days

RIFLE: 300 Win Mag

SPECIES: Zebra, Blesbuck, Black Wildebeest, Cape Hartebeest, Impala

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Guest Book Feedback: We had a great hunt – great time! Carl & staff are very accommodating. The patience and diligence in selecting trophy animals speaks loudly for the quality hunt that John X Safaris is noted for. We look forward to our return with the rest of the family!
Paul & Sandra

For more information and current updates about John X Safaris; follow us on Twitter, connect with us on Facebook and visit our Website!

How to choose a camera for your safari memories

Contributed by Safari & Photography Addict, Chris Petersen

Ok, you booked your safari.   You’ve poured over your prime species to hunt.  You’ve already been sorting out your hunting gear and packing list.   A camera is probably also on that packing list.  Almost everyone packs some kind of camera on their safari. But this is your “trip of a lifetime”, so what kind of camera is best to capture those special moments and memories?  And if you are going along as an Observer, your camera will most certainly be one of the most important items you should plan for in advance.

When people see my photos after a safari, they want to buy a camera just like mine. Not so fast. Just as there are many calibers of rifles and styles of scopes, there are many types of cameras and lenses. You probably can rule out a film camera these days given the convenience and quality of digital. But choosing the “best” digital camera for your safari will depend upon your style, passion and budget.

Safari photos should not exclusively focus on just the “big stuff” … One of my best safari shots is this tiny Sunbird, which it barely 4 inches long and weighs just ¼ oz.

We can’t begin to cover all the details in just one post. To keep things manageable, we’ll just focus on taking digital pictures for print or viewing on your computer screen (video is a topic for another post someday). Your major options to consider when choosing a digital camera for safari pictures include:

• Cell phone or smartphone camera
• “Point & Shoot” pocket camera
• Mid-level “Super Zoom” digital cameras
• Mirrorless Digital with changeable lenses
• Digital SLR cameras with changeable lenses

Let’s just say that I’m “serious” about photography and take at least two cameras on every safari. As we run through the camera options you’ll quickly see why.  If nothing else, having two cameras along always provides you with a backup.  In the case of my Giraffe safari, the camera in my pocket did not survive the chase that ensued.

Yes! Take your phone with a camera … even if you won’t make phone calls

International calling plans can be a bit expensive, but chances are you’ll be taking your cell phone with to talk and text when you are in your home country’s airports. Even if you don’t make any phone calls while travelling, there is simply no better or faster way than to use your phone to send photos to family or friends when arriving back home.  Everyone wants to hear about your safari and see your trophies.   Snap photos along the way, and you can quickly send a couple when you reach home.

You don’t have to have a new smartphone to take photos.  Almost all cell phones today have pretty decent cameras for snapshots. The added bonus is that most phones also shoot video clips. Ideally you want a phone with at least a 4 megapixel camera, having 6 or 8 is even better.   Going on safari may be the perfect excuse to upgrade your current cell phone to one with a better camera.

Pros: You already have a cell phone which is very small and lightweight.  It will take simple snapshot photos in good light that are easy to upload.  Best part is that it makes it very easy to send photos or video clips to friends and family when you are back home.

Cons: Slow shutter speed, limited telephoto capability for wildlife, photo quality is often poor in low light on early morning or late afternoon game drives.

Today’s phone cameras and the pocket point & shoots do a great job of capturing scenery and where you hunted like the one above. Photos can be easily sent from your phone.

Tablets … especially iPads can be used for photos!

When first writing this post about taking a camera along on your safari, we never even thought about including your iPad or tablet.   If any of you already have a tablet, you know how great it is to take with on trips.   You can use it to read books, watch movies or play games on the flight to and from Africa.  And the best part is that the latest tablets have built-in cameras that take pretty amazing photos!

Starting with the iPad version II, Apple started putting cameras on the back of their tablets.  Many other tablet makers have followed suit.   These cameras can take pretty amazing snapshots, video clips and even panoramic views of the landscape.   The quality of the photos is similar to a cell phone, and the photos are pretty good if you have good light.   While you certainly wouldn’t want to carry a tablet around in the field while hunting, it could be very handy to take some photos around camp or on a “sundowner”.

The best part about a tablet is that you get an app so that you can quickly edit and sort your photos.   You don’t want to waste valuable time editing photos while on safari, but it is a great way to relive your safari on the flight home.   And the best part about having your photos on a tablet is that it becomes the perfect slide show for family and friends.   Of course, you can use your tablet to email your photos on Wi-Fi when you get back home, or when you find a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Pros: If you already have an iPad or tablet, it is the perfect trip companion entertainment, and it probably already has a camera built right in.  It will take pretty good snapshot photos in good light that are already loaded for viewing or editing.  Video clips are also easy on tablets.  The best part is that a tablet makes it very easy to share photos with your group right in camp.  Plus you’ll be ready to send photos or video clips to friends and family when you are back home.

Cons: Slow shutter speed, somewhat limited telephoto capability for wildlife.  The size of most tablets is too large to carry out in the field.  Photo quality is often less than desired in low light on early morning or late afternoon game drives.

Point & Shoot – Pocket style digital cameras

   

You probably already have a pocket style digital camera, or maybe several collected over the years.   They get their name from their small size and being able to literally slip into your pocket.   They are extremely handy to carry with you everywhere on safari.  Although I would not recommend your front pocket as the best place based on me cracking my pocket camera in a front pocket while chasing my Giraffe!

If you own a pocket style digital camera by all means take it with you! If you are looking to buy a new one, it is amazing what the new pocket cameras can do. Most are very affordable ranging in price from $100 to $400 US. As usual, you get what you pay for … the higher priced cameras have better quality lenses, and better sensors for higher quality photos.

The power of the “zoom” lens is important for better wildlife photos.  You want to look for a pocket camera with an optical zoom of at least 6X to 10X. Some of the better more expensive pocket style cameras now have optical zooms as large as 20X.   For wildlife photos, bigger is better for optical zoom numbers.  (Ignore anything about “digital zoom” power because a digital zoom merely “enlarges” your pixels and degrades quality of your photos.)

Point & Shoot Pocket cameras do a great job of capturing your trophy photos. A very basic camera captured this memorable photo of my very first African trophy.

In photography, like shooting, you have to learn and understand the capabilities of your equipment. Point and shoot pocket style cameras are intended for all-round photography. They are great for taking photos of camp, activities, scenery, and your trophies! Some of the best photos of safari trophies are taken with pocket cameras, so by all means take yours on hunts.

Pocket style cameras can be effective for many wildlife photos, especially the larger plains game species.  The shutter on pocket style camera typically has a delay factor, which can cause camera “shake” or “motion blur”.  And pocket style cameras typically are limited to 4-12X telephoto zoom. While that is good enough for Elephants or nearby Zebras on a game drive, small animals like Springbok will look like “dots” in a big field.

What are those animals way out there? You can’t see from this pocket camera photo with 4X zoom that they are in fact Bontebok, not the more common Blesbok.

Pros:  The big advantages of these pocket style cameras are obvious: 1) they are so easy you literally point and shoot, 2) they are so small and light you can carry them in a shirt pocket.  The newer ones can also take HD videos.   If you are going to purchase a new pocket style camera for your safari, get one with at least a 10X optical zoom, 20X is better if you can find a model that has that in your price range.

Cons:  Most pocket style cameras have limited telephoto capability for distant wildlife. Photo quality can be blurry and speckled, especially in low light.   All pocket style camera have a “delayed shutter” which requires some practice to take sharp photos.

Digital “Super Zoom” all in one Cameras

   

A new category of cameras emerged over the past couple years which is perfect for an African Safari! Whereas pocket style cameras typically have telephoto zooms of 4 to 8X power, the new “super zooms” have a telephoto lens with 20X, to 30X power.  The newest models are even up to 50X optical zoom.  Just think of this like a rifle scope. A 4X scope doesn’t give you much magnification … but a 20X scope really brings wildlife “up close and personal”.

Even the big Hippos can look very small when shot with a pocket point and shoot camera on a game drive – Look below to see what a super zoom will enable you to shoot.

WOWSER … Now we’re talking great photos … this is what you can shoot when you use one of the digital super zooms with 20 to 30X zoom factor.

I can’t say enough good things about the new digital super zooms. They take much better photos than the smaller point & shoots because they have longer telephoto lenses, and they have better quality digital sensors. They have automatic settings and flash, which makes them just as easy to use as any point and shoot camera. There is no hassle of changing lenses.  And WOW, that zoom factor captures everything from close-ups to very distant wildlife.

When asked what camera to buy for a safari, the “super zoom” is the style of camera I most recommend. I’ve never had someone come back from their safari disappointed in their photos from one of these cameras. All the major brands like Canon, Nikon or Sony make one of these in the $350 to $500 US price range, which is a very good investment for your safari. And you can use this camera for taking pictures of all kinds of things at home, especially your kids in sporting events.

Pros: Affordable, compact all in one camera with a great telephoto lens that gets great photos of even distant wildlife.  While the camera won’t fit into your pocket, it easily fits in your purse/bag.   Almost all of them have a built-in flash.   They have automatic settings for beginners and most have adjustable settings for advanced users.  These style cameras can literally capture great photos of everything from a Dung beetle, to the distant tiny Klipspringer perched way up high in the rocks.

Cons: Not many drawbacks other than bigger than a pocket camera.  It still has a “delayed shutter lag” and won’t stop the action like the fast shutter speed of a digital SLR which is described at the end.

Mirrorless Digital 4/3 Camera with changeable lenses

The best quality digital cameras are the “SLRs”, and we’ll get to those in a minute. Since digital SLRs and their lenses are heavy, the latest trend by Olympus, Sony, Canon, Nikon (and others) is to build a very small camera body the size of pocket camera, but enable you attach and change lenses.  The lenses look huge because the camera body is so small and compact.

A “mirrorless” camera from Sony. Very small thin body, but it can accept big, quality lenses. For me, why carry this when you can have a full SLR in Africa!

This style is often called a “4/3” camera due to the size and format of the sensor. In simple English, the sensors are larger than pocket cameras, so they tend to take better quality photos. They also have faster shutters so you can stop action much better. They are “mirrorless” since you don’t look through the lens like you do on a SLR.

While they are “cute”, light, and a sexy trend in cameras, I do NOT like them for safaris. They are small, but not small enough to carry in your pocket. And, they are a bit fragile if not protected. They are also not “cheap”. The body alone costs $500 to over $1200 US, and then you can double or triple that buying the required lenses, sold separately. If you are looking to move up in quality, have the patience to learn settings, and want to try different lenses, this could be the style of camera for you.

The biggest drawback is that this style of camera is that they typically don’t come with lenses that have enough zoom power to take good photos of wildlife. If you want truly great photos and changeable lenses, then my recommendation would be to step up to buy a digital SLR, which starts out at about the same price for a kit.

Pros: Smaller and lighter than a digital camera SLR.  They have better quality sensors with higher resolution.  They also have more rapid shutters, with the ability to use better quality glass lenses that can be changed to match shooting conditions.

Cons: Relatively expensive, somewhat fragile for a safari.  The lenses that come in a kit with these cameras typically don’t have enough zoom power for wildlife.   The reality is that you don’t save that much in size or weight over the newer digital SLR cameras.

Digital SLR Cameras – Big, Heavier, but the Best Quality!

This is not a technical blog, but everyone always asks: “What does SLR stand for?” SLR is shorthand for “Single Lens Reflex”. In English what that means is that the camera has a built-in mirror that actually lets you see through the lens when you look through the viewfinder. You do not have to look at the back of the camera to see what photo you’ll take.  What you see is what you’ll get for a photo.

Digital SLR systems come with a “body” and an array of interchangeable lenses that can be adapted to shooting conditions.  The choices of bodies and the number of lenses can almost be overwhelming as seen by the photo below.

With an SLR it’s like looking through a rifle scope and “pulling the trigger”. If you are serious about “digital hunting”, then a SLR camera is your best choice. SLR’s have very fast shutter speeds, and the top cameras can shoot as many as 8 to 10 frames per second!  These kinds of shutter speeds on SLRs will literally stop birds in flight.

Fast shutter speeds and rapid frames per second on a Digital SLR literally froze this Secretary bird in flight, creating a dramatic photo.

With a digital SLR system, you buy a camera body and lenses separately. However, most SLRs are sold as a kit, with a camera and one or more lenses. Top brands like Canon, Nikon and Sony are sold by Best Buy, Amazon and even Walmart in the US.

The camera body is basically the computer that records. You can get a good quality one for about $400 to $800 US. It is more important to spend money on the “glass” or the lenses. In addition to an inexpensive zoom for taking all around photos, you’ll need a telephoto lens for wildlife.

A SLR with even a modest telephoto lens can take great photos even in low light … and has the ability to “blur” the background and foreground to create interest.

The zoom factor for SLR lenses is measured in mm length of the lens. You’ll need at least a 300mm lens, 400mm is better. A good quality zoom for a SLR can be had for about $500, but prices range well into the thousands. The bottom line is that you can get started with a good SLR system for about $1000 – $1500.  If you are familiar and comfortable with eBay and purchasing used equipment, you can get some great deals on digital SLRs as photographers sell their older equipment to trade up.

African safari photos are not always of animals. Notice the great blurred background in this photo taken before sunrise with a digital SLR.

Pros: Takes absolute best quality photos especially in low light.  The ability to use fast shutter stops action, and reduce camera shake.   Digital SLRs much more durable, with the flexibility of a variety of lenses

Cons: More expensive, especially for the good long telephoto lenses.   SLR cameras are bigger and heavier.   You must also have at least a couple of lenses and the mindset to change them.  You will definitely need a telephoto lens for wildlife.

So what’s in my camera bag for safari?

I take my smartphone everywhere, so I will snap some quick pictures to email from it. I also will take an iPad for entertainment, so I will try some camp photos with it.  I have a small pocket camera that I always take in the field while hunting and will use it for trophy photos.

But oh baby, there is nothing like my big digital SLR on safari! You just can’t get those dramatic, close-up animal photos with the “blurred background” unless you shoot a SLR!   (And don’t even ask my wife what I’ve spent on telephoto lenses J).   You can just never have enough cameras to capture your safari experience of a lifetime.

My favorite photo of Gemsbok was taken after the sun went down. Only a SLR can capture this kind of photo in low light, with a great blurred background.

Here’s what you need to do next …

Do NOT buy a new camera right before you go on safari. It would be like trying to shoot a new gun without sighting it in or practicing. The first thing you need to do is go to stores and try out different cameras. Pick them up. See how they feel in your hands. Test them, and see if you feel comfortable shooting with them.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! You can’t learn to shoot a gun in one session. Good photos come from practicing – take a lot of pictures of different subjects. Buy your camera early, and then practice taking photos around the home. More importantly, go outside and shoot photos of animals … your running dog, cows in a field, and some deer or birds if you can find them.

One of my “practice” photos of a great Canada goose. Our favorite thing to do in the frigid winter of Nebraska is hunt geese and plan next year’s safari.

Photography should not be a “chore” … but part of your journey that starts before safari, and creates memories for years to come.

If you still have questions …

Sorry for the long post. We tried to cover as many camera areas as possible. But, you may still have questions. Please feel free to post a comment or question to this blog, or our Facebook page, and we will try to answer it before you go on your safari.

For more information on our hunts and current updates about John X Safaris; follow us on Twitter, connect with us on Facebook and visit our website!