"I have had a highly unique experience, which will have lasted 24 days when it comes to an end shortly. To my knowledge there is nowhere in modern Africa, other than Ethiopia, where a traditional `foot safari' such as mine could could have become a reality. During the 24 days, no vehicles were utilized and my guide, Nassos Roussos, and I were assisted by 22 porters, plus eight staff members from Ethiopian Rift Valley Safaris. We moved our fly camp five different times and I believe we will have walked about 240 miles. The safari was highly enjoyable and yes, we saw a number of elephants.
Every day is a hunting day, but not every day is a killing day. There were two instances where we got glimpses of 100-plus pounders. The first encounter was about 10 days into the safari. We were tracking three large bulls - the largest bull print measured 23 inches in 12 to 15-foot-high elephant grass. At the appropriate time one of our trackers climbed a tree and motioned for Roussos, who immediately summoned me (excitedly) to climb up into the tree so I could view the three elephants, which were about 120 yards ahead in the elephant grass. The three bulls were impressive; the two Askari's were in the 70 to 90-pound range. Roussos estimated the large bull to weigh........(continued)
