African Hunting Gazette

Our Objective is simple and clear - to promote hunting in Africa. And everything we do, focuses on this central mission. We believe that for the passionate hunters they are either hunting, or spend their time wishing they were hunting. This publication helps them get through that time when they are not actually in the bush. Our reader is more committed, more passionate and has tremendous interest in just about everything to do with the African Safari. From cover to cover the AHG brings you everything you need to know about hunting the great continent of Africa. From the southern tip of Africa to the northern reaches of Ethiopia, we go about pursuing our simple and unambiguous objective.

African Hunting Gazette

An underrated African icon – the impala. • It’s interesting to find out what is an iconic African animal to hunt. The buffalo and kudu on any hunter’s wish list are certainly the top two of dangerous and plains game, yet somehow it seems wrong for a first timer to Africa to hunt buffalo. There is no real logic to this – just a feeling. Of course, if you can afford it, or you are coming on only one safari, or age and health are stacking up against you – then fine – do it. It’s also interesting to hear how sable are so high on certain hunters’ wish lists, yet the roan, which to me is equally beautiful, doesn’t seem to feature. Others, who have hunted this regal member of the antelope family, agree.

South Africa Plans to Grow BIODIVERSITY ECONOMY • Wildlife has blossomed on privately-owned land in South Africa since legislation was passed in the 1970s, making the ownership of wild animals and their utilisation a viable alternative to conventional agriculture with crops and livestock. This has made South Africa an attractive destination for ecotourists and hunters and has allowed the evolution of a thriving economy based on biodiversity. But not all citizens of the country have benefitted from this form of land-use. Draft legislation from government now proposes some bold new initiatives to address this gap – but will they work?

The Art of HUNTING BUFFALO in Namibia’s Famous Caprivi • The Caprivi Region has an interesting history. The inclusion of the strange- shaped strip of land into Namibia (German South West Africa) was the result of negotiations between Germany and other colonial governments at the end of the 19th century.

Age Doesn’t MATTER • Our flight from Calgary via Amsterdam to Johannesburg arrived at OR Tambo Airport close to midnight, and we were transported to Afton Safari Lodge for our first-class overnight stay. With Richard Lendrum’s assistance we were able to book the 10-day safari in September 2023 with Eland Safaris. When I sent Alex Thomson our personal information, he said that we would be the oldest clients that they had ever had at their lodge, and they did a great job looking after all our needs and providing us with an adventurous trip.

How Badly do you want a LORD DERBY ELAND? • Prior to departure from home, the Cameroon government put a damper on our hunt. First, they raised trophies fees by fifty percent. Then we learned the government prohibits charter flights, so we had no choice but to use the domestic carrier, Camair, whose flights leave when they feel like, if at all. Further, delivering baggage on the plane you fly on is not guaranteed. Between cancelled and delayed flights, baggage arriving the following day, and fifteen hours of spleen-busting vehicle transportation to and from camp under government-imposed sunset curfews, we lost five days including one self-imposed day to leave camp a day early to ensure we did not miss our international flight home.

A BUFFALO HUNT and Murphy’s Law • Up to and for much of a 10-day Cape buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe, Murphy’s Law wrecked everything. During that time, I was utterly terrified by armed military personnel, the professional hunter got lost, we had a...