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The Ranch
in the Freestate where the Safari will be held, has been
in the family for the last 31 years. It is 12 000 acres,
3 000 animals which consist of 26 different species.
The first baby Rhino in 100 years in the Freestate was
born on our ranch. We started the White-Lion project in
2002, as there is less than 250 left in the world.
Wiets Botes, owner of Wiets Safaris was honoured with a
gold medal in 1983 as the person who contributed the
most towards Fauna and Flora in the Free State. |
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At 20 yards the white rhino looked huge. At 15 yards he
was enormous and still walking towards us. At 10 yards
with only a small thorn bush between the Rhino, the Pro
Hunter and myself, questions of my sanity were
dominating my thoughts.
At 5 yards he got our wind and charged off to the left
as fast as he could run. We lay there and started
breathing again. The tranquilizer gun that I carried
seemed small and insignificant when looking into the
eyes of the three-ton rhino.
more>>
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Sally had always wanted a
zebra rug, but she never dreamed she would have one made
from a trophy she had had hunted. She said she was
up to the task, because she figured she could shoot her
other animals at closer distances and work up to the
zebra later in the safari. Click on the
links below to read more about Sally's first safari...
Cover
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David & Brenda Ellis
with grandsons Dustin Osborn (15) and Kyle Wells (14)
Martinsville • Indiana • USA
We arrived in Kimberley on Saturday and we were met at
the airport by Freek & Boeta (PH). We had been in the
plane for 26 hours so just walking was a pleasure. We
recovered my rifles and loaded the luggage in the car.
As we started our journey to the ranch we started to see
animals. The trip to the ranch was quick and I saw my
first Gemsbok and Ostrich. We arrived at the “hunt
house” where Elsa had prepared the first of many
wonderful meals. Boeta had a plan to travel on Sunday to
the other side of the ranch to find the animals we were
searching for. We also would sight in the rifles as
well. I was able to enjoy the first of many glasses of
South African Wine with Marita and family. Sunday came
quickly after a goods nights rest. We opened the gate to
the South and quickly found Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest,
Impala, Springbok and Red Hartebeest. We didn’t hunt on
Sunday but made sure our rifles were ready for Monday.
We were up early on Monday due to excitement and the
time change. Since I was the oldest I got to have the
first shot. We had not been going for less than an hour
when we crossed a herd of Blue Wildebeest. We found a
magnificent specimen hiding in the back of the herd. We
maneuvered around the herd for a shot on the Big Bull.
By 09:00 we were done with photos and a great trophy was
in the record book. Dustin, my grandson was up next and
we found a Gemsbok. With a good shot the chase was on.
We had to track the animal into the bush where the
animal charged and two quick shots sealed the deal. Kyle
was up next and he made a good shot on a Blue
Wildebeest. He had to follow the animal trail where the
P.H placed an anchor shot and Kyle bravely walked in to
finish him off. We got started on Tuesday with a bang
when we found a Gemsbok for him as well. We tailed it
for the better part of the day. We lucked onto another
even larger Gemsbok for me and grandpa took the shot and
he went down. The following morning we found Kyle’s
Gemsbok and after 3x375 H+H and 1x338 Win the animal was
loaded and the photos were taken. Thursday began with a
plan for a Kudu. We spotted several cows an a few small
bulls. Finally we spotted two very nice bulls, one was
wide and the other one was narrow with ivory tips. We
got on the trail quickly and got within range and I
missed the shot when I slipped as I pulled the trigger.
We then had to follow across the ranch and they joined
forces with a third younger bull.
Now we had six eyes and three noses to fool. We caught
up again on a rocky hillside and decided to go on foot.
As soon as we started the young one busted and ran past
us to the right. We thought it was game over but we saw
the other two on the peak of the hill. The Kudu was
alive and all you could see was their horns over the
bush turning side to side. We crawled from bush to rock
and back again on all fours to gain a shot. Finally at
42 yards the animals gave us a chance and a grand trophy
of my dreams was claimed. We made a plan for Friday to
try for a Black Wildebeest for Dustin. We began early
and found many great animals. However finding and
hunting are two different things. Every time we got
close the Springbok and Blesbuck would take off and
startle the blacks as well. We had several missed
chances and we decided to let them rest and get back
after them in the morning. Dawn came with a cold start
and warm heater. We were on the hunt again this time we
found our quarry standing with a band of brothers. We
were able to get within range and Dustin made a great
shot that clearly hit its mark. The animal disappeared
into the bush, Boeta and Dustin went after him with
rifles ready. There was no need for aprehension as the
animal had been taken already with one shot and was
waiting for the hunter to claim. With that the hunting
was over.
David-blue wildebeest, gemsbok and kudu.
Dustin- blue wildebeest, gemsbok and black wildebeest.
Kyle- blue wildebeest, gemsbok.
We had three one shot kills and several that required
multiple follow up shots. They were great hunts and
tremendous trophies. Each animal was honored that
evening by taking a branch from the site it fell and
securing some blood from the shot we would toast with a
glass of sherry the quarry and the hunters both past and
present. It was a fitting tribute to the great game. We
had a banquet fit for a king made from all the game we
had taken. We all ate till it was gone and it was such a
pleasure to share a meal, wine and friendships that had
grown over the week in Africa. On Monday we went to
Kimberley and joined Angela as our driver and tour
guide. We went to the big hole museum, the mall and to
the SQ Military Base. It was a great day and the boys
will love to fight over Angela at some later stage I’m
sure. Boeta provided us a tour of the military base and
as a fellow officer it was very memorable. We have
finally reached the end of this adventure and can now
move on to the next. We have seen Rhinos and Lions and
so much other game that I would miss something if I
tried to recollect them all. The one thing I will not
forget is the Great hunting memories that I made with my
grandsons and wife. I will also treasure my South
African family as well. Wiets + Hetta, Marita + Freek,
Elsa, Boeta, Palie + Marta will always be in my thoughts
and memories. I will close this as I have many of the
days watching the sun and the game on the plains while I
listen to the lions roar. I hope one day to return but
at least I will have always had it once. Thanks to
everyone involved but mostly to my wife who allowed me
to chase this foolish dream and to my grandsons Dustin
and Kyle for joining me on this rand adventure of my
dreams. I could not think of better team to share it
with.
Brenda Ellis
The only thing I can add to my husband’s wonderful story
is that I will never forget our night walk to the Lions
Cages. Thanks Boeta. Also thanks to everyone involved. I
will never forget any of yous!!
Dustin Osborn
I don’t know what to say. So I’m just going to say thank
you everyone for the most amazing adventure of my
lifetime so far, see you next time.
P.S: marita and Boeta, watch out for the bats.
Kyle Wells
I’m not very good at these things but ill try my best. I
came here not knowing what to expect and still my mind
was blown. This trip was amazing. I want to say thank
you to Marita, Freek, Elsa and all the staff.
(Especially Elsa)
P.S: I will always remember you guys.!!!!!!! |
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