Trad bow time
Joe and Ramon ready for the Sofala trade bow experience… perfect weather, moon phase is ideal and the excitement is big.
Recently we had a wonderful time with our Mississippi family at Kruger National Park and Sofala. It was so special for all to watch South African school sports where Louis led his team on the field as captain of the boys RUGBY team and Anna Kate scored a few goals playing NETBALL for the girls team.
Kruger was spectacular and I saw a rhino for the first time in several visits to the national park. Sofala did not disappoint and many family members had the hunt of a lifetime!
A very special occasion was when we celebrated "Pop and Nanny's" 50th wedding anniversary at Sofala.
Sofala Horses and Elephants
At Sofala we seem to have too many “horse” species and I’m not referring to zebra either. For some reason, in my first language, Afrikaans (similar to Dutch), several animal names include the word “PERD” ….. which literally means “HORSE” in English.
Well, some of the “horses” are actually quite scary and can do some serious damage to reduce the numbers of newborn game in the summer months (Southern Hemisphere).
Here is what I mean:
First the Afrikaans name, second the direct translation and then, the actual
English name:
KameelPERD - camel horse - GIRAFFE
LuiPERD - lazy horse - LEOPARD
JagluiPERD - hunting lazy horse - CHEETAH
You may not be the only one hunting this coming season….. Also, to add to the interesting things going on, TWO ELEPHANTS entered Sofala last week and left a path of destruction. They are gone now, but their footprints are still there, and the smashed fence.
Imagine you are out on a hunt and suddenly you see one of the spotted “horses” or an elephant! Don’t book hunts near towns or cities if you want to experience the real wilderness of Africa.
Welcoming the Nicols and Gray families at Sofala.
Sitting at a Sofala waterhole and suddenly….. (just kidding this was one of the most amazing Kruger Park sightings I’ve ever seen. Enjoyed the Kruger safari with Lee and Amanda Nicols and family.
A recent equipment upgrade/add-on for Sofala. It's been a 15 year waiting period for this one. You can ride in the Land Cruiser too - Book your 2024 hunt with Sofala Safaris soon! (A big thank you to the hunters this week it was a very special safari).
The master and his student. We just cannot appreciate Mike enough, this time he built a bow for little Louis, brought it all the way from Arkansas, and the arrows are already flying.
After reading the article Richard wrote for the Belzoni banner about our hunting dog named Mauser, I figured it was way overdue to introduce Mauser to the Sofala world officially. Mauser, a GSP (German Short-haired Pointer) got his name from the famous Mauser rifles that that my ancestors used with great success in the Anglo-Boer War back in 1901. Most gun owners are familiar with the reliability of "mauser-action" rifles. I have to say, Mauser is living up to his name for sure! We are all seeing things we have never seen before when it comes to tracking and recovering game on safari. Mauser is really fearless, fully committed and can run for days. He is making tracking so much easier, saving us many hours and finding game with great success. To experience Mauser in action, you have to come to Sofala!
BIG day for Lil Louis. After watching his dad and other hunters all his life today he succeeded in officially joining our family tradition of hunting for game meat in the South African bushveld. The rifle he used was the same one which once belonged to his great grandfather, Louis Botha (Sako .308). The very same rifle I used for all plains game in South Africa (minus bow hunting) for just about 30 years. What a waterbuck for a young man! Baie geluk my seun!
Sofala Summer Rains
The Lord provides. Wonderful summer rains at the Sofala Game Reserve
So we are bow hunting for kudu and then this guy comes over and keeps looking and smelling as if he is looking for us with the angry thought that we owe him something....
Peace on Sofala slideshow until the last slide.....
Sofala Dangerous Game: Cape Buffalo
When hunting on Sofala... be very quiet. Carry a big stick.
