Searles writes, "Kaka is excellent. This was among the absolute top five African experiences we have ever enjoyed!" The Searles hunted both of Matama's areas, Katonga and Lake Mburro, and took numerous quality trophies, including a 32.5-inch impala and a 32.5-inch waterbuck, as well as East African sitatunga and eland and Nile bushbuck. Searles also shares an engaging account of a Colobus monkey that followed them during their sitatunga hunt and attacked Matama. "The malevolent rascal approached us, swinging rapidly through the trees, growling loudly as it confronted us," writes Searles. "To our astonishment, the monkey leaped from 15 feet up in the tree and landed on Kaka's shoulders, driving him to the ground, growling loudly! Kaka shouted, Kill him!' and I shot the bastard through the chest. End of story!" That occurred their first afternoon, just after arriving in camp.
Searles goes on to point out that hunters should expect a tent camp with bucket showers, 90-degree heat and humidity and bug nets to sleep under. It rained eight of the 10 days they hunted. Also, as I have reported before, Matama operates in ranch country, and Searles says they encountered numerous cattle herders. However, he says they were a source of information on game movements every day they were afield. As for how the game populations and hunting are affected by the presence of people, Searles says, "This area is the finest mixed bag area we have experienced in 25 hunts in nine different countries of Africa, bar none!"
Searles was also pleased with his hunt with Bruce Martin of Royal Uganda........(continued)
