Today I am writing this from a cool and wet Gauteng Province. The last few weeks have been hot and dry at our place, so I am quite enjoying the cool weather. 14˚C (57˚F) Sure feels a lot better than 40˚C!
We have had a busy month and a successful start to a new hunting season. As many of you may know, we attended the SCI convention for the first time, last year in Nashville. Our donated hunt sold on auction to a lovely couple from Alaska, who just so happened to be our first US clients for 2024.
On March 21st, Gerry and Leonide McKay arrived at camp. They set out on their adventure and took down some beautiful trophies (pictures on Facebook). During their time with us, they were exposed to the South African culture and cooking, as they got to spend time with us, Zander’s family, and some friends who came to visit, while getting to try a variety of game meat, including that of which they shot themselves. From Red Lechwe lasagne to Giraffe tail “potjie”, we tried to keep it interesting…
On Monday morning, April 1st, we all set out in different directions. Zander had an early flight to Namibia, where he would meet our next client, a gentleman from California. I had an early flight to George, Western Cape, where I would visit my dad for a few days, and Ruan took Gerry and Leonide back to Johannesburg, where they would spend the night at a hotel before the long flight back to the USA the next day.
I can happily report that Zander and Darryl had a successful hunt in Namibia, taking down a big and beautiful male Leopard. This was Darryl’s 4th attempt at getting a Leopard. He has been to Zimbabwe twice and to Namibia once before this, but he had never even had an opportunity to pull the trigger on a Leopard. It’s definitely no easy task. In the 6 days they spent hunting this big cat, they travelled more than 5000 kilometres (3100 miles) through the different hunting areas, checking baits and putting up blinds and just waiting for that opportune moment! Now they’re off to our place for some more hunting adventures before Darryl returns to the US.
Tomorrow morning I set off to pick up more clients from the airport and take them to the amazing Kruger National Park where we will spend three nights before heading back to our lodge for some hunting.
Our hunting season sure kicked off with a bang and we are excited to see what the rest of the year will bring. For now, that’s all the latest from Zander Bierman Safaris.
Until next time – happy hunting!