Emslie Safaris

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Are you ready to stare down BLACK DEATH??

A lost era! Not lost adventure!!Emslie Safaris, we live for adventure!!

Africa-you never know what she’ll offer

Emslie Safaris

Facing black death.

Day 5.
Following tracks from a wounded animal for 3 days is tuff and we constantly had to make sure we were on the right track.

Starting before sunrise we were now on the tracks for about 4hrs , this buffalo has not laid down yet or had a drink of water which means he is tired, dehidrated and pissed-off!(the only word that can truly describe it)
After 4hrs we lost the track , we had to backtrack 30min to make sure where he turned. Keep in mind this is an area with a big population of buffalo and it is thick.

We finally picked up the track again , at this point the sun is high and we are tired. Every sound , every bush moving it’s guns up and safety off.

For the last 3 days I’ve been telling my client “it’s going to happen when we least expect it"

Another hour of tracking goes by, once again we lose the tracks. It looked like the buffalo turned.

While myself and Herman took a closer look at the tracks my client suggested he would go and sit under this big camel thorn tree.I could see he was tired , but for a man in his early 60’s he impressed me!

I crouched down to take a closer look at the tracks when Herman yelled “ SHOOT!!” There he was bloodshot eyes breaking through a brush at only 7yrds! I pulled my gun up as fast as I could with no time , I pushed my safety forward and fired,as the shot hit I jumped out of the way with the buffalo missing me by 2feet and disappeared into the thickets. I ran as fast as I could after him and fired the last shot, putting him down!

Walking up to this magnificent animal we realised how lucky we were, just a day prior we had heard of a fellow ph and friend who passed due to a buffalo charge.

I have had buffalo charge me ( including other animals) but never this close, I played this over and over in my head and realised one thing , I was to eager!
My shot being 3inches to low, I was lucky! This buffalo could have killed me!

We stood with this bull talking about the hunt over and over for more than an hour, appreciating the hunt and what mother nature provided .

This was truly a hunt to remember!!

Facing black death.

Day 5.
Following tracks from a wounded animal for 3 days is tuff and we constantly had to make sure we were on the right track.

Starting before sunrise we were now on the tracks for about 4hrs , this buffalo has not laid down yet or had a drink of water which means he is tired, dehidrated and pissed-off!(the only word that can truly describe it)
After 4hrs we lost the track , we had to backtrack 30min to make sure where he turned. Keep in mind this is an area with a big population of buffalo and it is thick.

We finally picked up the track again , at this point the sun is high and we are tired. Every sound , every bush moving it’s guns up and safety off.

For the last 3 days I’ve been telling my client “it’s going to happen when we least expect it"

Another hour of tracking goes by, once again we lose the tracks. It looked like the buffalo turned.

While myself and Herman took a closer look at the tracks my client suggested he would go and sit under this big camel thorn tree.I could see he was tired , but for a man in his early 60’s he impressed me!

I crouched down to take a closer look at the tracks when Herman yelled “ SHOOT!!” There he was bloodshot eyes breaking through a brush at only 7yrds! I pulled my gun up as fast as I could with no time , I pushed my safety forward and fired,as the shot hit I jumped out of the way with the buffalo missing me by 2feet and disappeared into the thickets. I ran as fast as I could after him and fired the last shot, putting him down!

Walking up to this magnificent animal we realised how lucky we were, just a day prior we had heard of a fellow ph and friend who passed due to a buffalo charge.

I have had buffalo charge me ( including other animals) but never this close, I played this over and over in my head and realised one thing , I was to eager!
My shot being 3inches to low, I was lucky! This buffalo could have killed me!

We stood with this bull talking about the hunt over and over for more than an hour, appreciating the hunt and what mother nature provided .

This was truly a hunt to remember!!

Emslie Safaris

The .416 Hit...

Facing black death.

Day 4.
With almost no sleep we head out again with 1 difference, we’ve got a wounded buffalo!

After the shot went of so did the buffalo, we gave hime 2hrs ,but no sound of the famous death bellow.
We tracked the wounded buffalo finding blood every couple of feet until dark and headed back to camp.

This morning we were motivated but realized that this could become a potentially dangerous situation!

We were ready to face black death!

Herman (my right hand) joined us on the tracks and we were on just before sunrise.
Following the tracks for about 3hrs we realized this bull was not alone anymore (which is usually a bad sign) and he had not laid down yet. With the sun getting high and warming up quick I kept on telling my client “ we are going to find him soon its hot , he is tired and frustrated so be very careful!"

We started finding more and more places where he would fight with the other 2 bulls.The reason for this was , they kept trying to get him up so he would not lay down while doing that they would also lick his wound therefor no more blood.

With our hearts racing, palms sweaty and a finger itching on the safety we made our way thru dense bush .

We found the bull twice and only for a split second as he bombards thru these thickets as if it was nothing!
We could not get 1 shot in!

After walking for 11,5 hrs we were drained and came to one conclusion : we’ve got a problem!

To be continued>>>

The .416 Hit...

Facing black death.

Day 4.
With almost no sleep we head out again with 1 difference, we’ve got a wounded buffalo!

After the shot went of so did the buffalo, we gave hime 2hrs ,but no sound of the famous death bellow.
We tracked the wounded buffalo finding blood every couple of feet until dark and headed back to camp.

This morning we were motivated but realized that this could become a potentially dangerous situation!

We were ready to face black death!

Herman (my right hand) joined us on the tracks and we were on just before sunrise.
Following the tracks for about 3hrs we realized this bull was not alone anymore (which is usually a bad sign) and he had not laid down yet. With the sun getting high and warming up quick I kept on telling my client “ we are going to find him soon its hot , he is tired and frustrated so be very careful!"

We started finding more and more places where he would fight with the other 2 bulls.The reason for this was , they kept trying to get him up so he would not lay down while doing that they would also lick his wound therefor no more blood.

With our hearts racing, palms sweaty and a finger itching on the safety we made our way thru dense bush .

We found the bull twice and only for a split second as he bombards thru these thickets as if it was nothing!
We could not get 1 shot in!

After walking for 11,5 hrs we were drained and came to one conclusion : we’ve got a problem!

To be continued>>>

Emslie Safaris

With no room for error, I pulled the trigger...

Facing black death.

Day 3.
Today was a slow start , we picked up our first fresh track about 10am. Never the less we were off.
Once again loading our rifles and testing the wind.

The tracks we picked up was from a herd between 30-40 buffaloes with a lot of calves .
We tracked them for no less than an hour before spotting them.
They were bedded down, the wind was perfect in our faces and we as quiet as church mouses.

Slowly making our way thru the thickets without a noise, we spotted one buffalo laying underneath a big wait a bit tree.
Now anybody that’s been to Africa dreads a wait a bit!
It grabs a hold of you as if to say “wait a bit my dear where are you going”.

With the buffalo only 40 yards away , i got the shooting sticks up. My client slowly gets up on the sticks (this was it!!) he pushes the safety of and slowly squeezes the trigger, “CLICK!” No bullet in the chamber!
As he loads the buffaloes hear us and off they go.

With frustrations running high I keep telling myself this happens, its human!
With both me and the client being frustrated I lit up my pipe and we relaxed for a while. We started running thru what happened and 1 thing I always tell my clients is “ when loading always look at your bullet going in to the chamber”!

We decided to go after the tracks for a while and we came across a very fresh track crossing these other buffalo tracks. While I was taking a closer look at these tracks my client suddenly grabs the back of my shirt. “ there -look , look!’ he says!
3 Bulls grazing!

We were on our knees crawling, going thru the dens bushes trying to get the perfect shot. We were now 40 yrds and a massive bull grazing infront of us, but no shot !
We had to go closer! We were now at 20 yards , on our knees and the client leaning against a red bush willow.
“take it of safety” I whispered. The buffalo picked up his head and quartering towards us I told the client to “take him”.

To be continued>>>

With no room for error, I pulled the trigger...

Facing black death.

Day 3.
Today was a slow start , we picked up our first fresh track about 10am. Never the less we were off.
Once again loading our rifles and testing the wind.

The tracks we picked up was from a herd between 30-40 buffaloes with a lot of calves .
We tracked them for no less than an hour before spotting them.
They were bedded down, the wind was perfect in our faces and we as quiet as church mouses.

Slowly making our way thru the thickets without a noise, we spotted one buffalo laying underneath a big wait a bit tree.
Now anybody that’s been to Africa dreads a wait a bit!
It grabs a hold of you as if to say “wait a bit my dear where are you going”.

With the buffalo only 40 yards away , i got the shooting sticks up. My client slowly gets up on the sticks (this was it!!) he pushes the safety of and slowly squeezes the trigger, “CLICK!” No bullet in the chamber!
As he loads the buffaloes hear us and off they go.

With frustrations running high I keep telling myself this happens, its human!
With both me and the client being frustrated I lit up my pipe and we relaxed for a while. We started running thru what happened and 1 thing I always tell my clients is “ when loading always look at your bullet going in to the chamber”!

We decided to go after the tracks for a while and we came across a very fresh track crossing these other buffalo tracks. While I was taking a closer look at these tracks my client suddenly grabs the back of my shirt. “ there -look , look!’ he says!
3 Bulls grazing!

We were on our knees crawling, going thru the dens bushes trying to get the perfect shot. We were now 40 yrds and a massive bull grazing infront of us, but no shot !
We had to go closer! We were now at 20 yards , on our knees and the client leaning against a red bush willow.
“take it of safety” I whispered. The buffalo picked up his head and quartering towards us I told the client to “take him”.

To be continued>>>

I pushed the safety forward and took one last breath...

Facing black death.

Day 2:
With an early morning coffee to get the body going, we were off.
Today was the day, we told ourselves.
Well let me tell you one thing , mother nature does not mess around!

With Herman (my right hand) driving , myself on the tracker seat and the client on the back of the “bakkie” we were ready .
"STOP STOP” I yelled ! Fresh tracks ! We have missed them by a few minutes. 3 tracks, which only means 1 thing. DAGGABOYS!
In an area as big as this , lone bulls are (in my opinion) the way to go. Beautiful, old worn down, full of character bulls.

We loaded our rifles and ready to go , only 1 problem; this time of year the August winds pushes from every direction and does not stay constant.
We set out on the tracks , rifle in one hand , shooting sticks in the other.
We tracked these bulls for nothing more than 20min when suddenly the shining of ones horn gave them away. We took our time and walked with them, working as carefully as we can thru the thickets (not to mention the dry leaves on the ground) and taking the wind in consideration.

After about 2 hrs of walking with them ,we slowly started making our way around them.
They were slowly turning towards a big pond and this is where we would use the advantage and make our move!
We got to a point where we could see all 3 bulls grazing towards us , the wind perfect!
I got the client on the sticks ready to shoot, 1st bull too young, 2nd bull was very good ,but the 3rd! “That’s the one” I said.
Now they were getting close, 40 yards , 30 yards, 20 yards,15 and wouldn’t you know it mother nature hits AGAIN!
The wind turned and as you guessed the buffalo ran!

I lit up my pipe and we took a breather.

On the tracks for another 3hrs, we finally caught up with them and now they were grazing once again.
We started making our way around them , with it being so thick I wanted to put us in a position where they would graze past us or towards us.
We could hear them 40yrds infront but not even a glimpse , only bush shaking.
We got into a perfect position , with enough cover and an opening infront of us they have to come into this opening!
One problem (yet another) darkness was catching up and quickly.
What could we do accept wait?

Now they were 20-25 yrds infront of us, fighting with the Morretwa bushes like only testosterone fuelled buffaloes can do.
My palms sweaty , my breath shorter and shorter . I was getting buck feaver! (while trying to tell my client to calm down!) All the hard work coming together to this 1 moment.

MOTHER NATURE!!!!!!

Well you’ve probably guessed it, the wind turned!!

I called Herman, (to bring the Bakkie off course)we sat down on our butts and enjoyed the breathtaking sun set.

Africa has a lot to offer but she doesn’t make it easy on us!

To be continued>>>

Emslie Safaris

I pushed the safety forward and took one last breath...

Facing black death.

Day 2:
With an early morning coffee to get the body going, we were off.
Today was the day, we told ourselves.
Well let me tell you one thing , mother nature does not mess around!

With Herman (my right hand) driving , myself on the tracker seat and the client on the back of the “bakkie” we were ready .
"STOP STOP” I yelled ! Fresh tracks ! We have missed them by a few minutes. 3 tracks, which only means 1 thing. DAGGABOYS!
In an area as big as this , lone bulls are (in my opinion) the way to go. Beautiful, old worn down, full of character bulls.

We loaded our rifles and ready to go , only 1 problem; this time of year the August winds pushes from every direction and does not stay constant.
We set out on the tracks , rifle in one hand , shooting sticks in the other.
We tracked these bulls for nothing more than 20min when suddenly the shining of ones horn gave them away. We took our time and walked with them, working as carefully as we can thru the thickets (not to mention the dry leaves on the ground) and taking the wind in consideration.

After about 2 hrs of walking with them ,we slowly started making our way around them.
They were slowly turning towards a big pond and this is where we would use the advantage and make our move!
We got to a point where we could see all 3 bulls grazing towards us , the wind perfect!
I got the client on the sticks ready to shoot, 1st bull too young, 2nd bull was very good ,but the 3rd! “That’s the one” I said.
Now they were getting close, 40 yards , 30 yards, 20 yards,15 and wouldn’t you know it mother nature hits AGAIN!
The wind turned and as you guessed the buffalo ran!

I lit up my pipe and we took a breather.

On the tracks for another 3hrs, we finally caught up with them and now they were grazing once again.
We started making our way around them , with it being so thick I wanted to put us in a position where they would graze past us or towards us.
We could hear them 40yrds infront but not even a glimpse , only bush shaking.
We got into a perfect position , with enough cover and an opening infront of us they have to come into this opening!
One problem (yet another) darkness was catching up and quickly.
What could we do accept wait?

Now they were 20-25 yrds infront of us, fighting with the Morretwa bushes like only testosterone fuelled buffaloes can do.
My palms sweaty , my breath shorter and shorter . I was getting buck feaver! (while trying to tell my client to calm down!) All the hard work coming together to this 1 moment.

MOTHER NATURE!!!!!!

Well you’ve probably guessed it, the wind turned!!

I called Herman, (to bring the Bakkie off course)we sat down on our butts and enjoyed the breathtaking sun set.

Africa has a lot to offer but she doesn’t make it easy on us!

To be continued>>>

Emslie Safaris

There he was , Bloodshot Eyes and running straight towards us with no warning! I picked up my gun...

Facing black death.

Day 1.
Waking up to the smell of coffee and the fresh limpopo air is energising ( the caffeine helped off course ).

With me on this trip I had a German client , well experienced in the hunting field.

The morning started like any other Buffalo hunt, looking for fresh tracks.
About 09:00 am we picked up, which looked like a fairly good track. We got of the truck and loaded our guns, I was carrying my trusty .416 Rigby and my client .375 H&H.

We tracked these buffalo for a good 3 hrs in thick dense bush where 50 yards seemed a long ways away.
We walked into a herd bedded down, making our way thru the thickets on our knees trying to spot a good bull and as mother nature would have it , the wind turned!
With the closest buff being only 15 yards away, all hell broke loose . Everything around us started breaking, with buffalo running everywhere.

We decided to back up , give it a moment and try again.
By now the Buffalo herd of about 30+ were a mile and a half away.
I lit up my pipe , checked the wind and to calm the nerves .
We tracked this herd for at least another 3,5 hrs before we decided to call it a day.

Heading back to camp we talked about the "what if’s “ of the day and the cold beer waiting in camp off course.

To be continued>>>

There he was , Bloodshot Eyes and running straight towards us with no warning! I picked up my gun...

Facing black death.

Day 1.
Waking up to the smell of coffee and the fresh limpopo air is energising ( the caffeine helped off course ).

With me on this trip I had a German client , well experienced in the hunting field.

The morning started like any other Buffalo hunt, looking for fresh tracks.
About 09:00 am we picked up, which looked like a fairly good track. We got of the truck and loaded our guns, I was carrying my trusty .416 Rigby and my client .375 H&H.

We tracked these buffalo for a good 3 hrs in thick dense bush where 50 yards seemed a long ways away.
We walked into a herd bedded down, making our way thru the thickets on our knees trying to spot a good bull and as mother nature would have it , the wind turned!
With the closest buff being only 15 yards away, all hell broke loose . Everything around us started breaking, with buffalo running everywhere.

We decided to back up , give it a moment and try again.
By now the Buffalo herd of about 30+ were a mile and a half away.
I lit up my pipe , checked the wind and to calm the nerves .
We tracked this herd for at least another 3,5 hrs before we decided to call it a day.

Heading back to camp we talked about the "what if’s “ of the day and the cold beer waiting in camp off course.

To be continued>>>

Emslie Safaris's cover photo

Emslie Safaris