HuntingReport.com
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Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
7020 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
September 29, 2007 to October 7, 2007 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
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| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Buffalo, Cape - Availability: Hunt was cancelled. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
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Guide/PH
Ability: |
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| Condition
of Camp: |
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Condition
of Equipment: |
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| Quality
of Food: |
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Trophy
Care: |
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| Name
of Airline: |
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Airline
Service: |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$9050 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$2000 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$920 |
| Other Costs: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Our hunt was never delivered as contracted. We never went on our hunt or received our promised refunds. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
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| Equipment
Recommendations: |
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| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
No |
| Why? |
Absolutely not! Unless you want to just give your money away. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Ron Paiz |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 505-350-0943 - 2232 Durand Rd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105 E-mail: jrpaiz@yahoo.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Thirty years experience. I have hunted all over the world. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
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| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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My party and I booked a 10-day Cape buffalo hunt with Usangu Safaris. They promised us the Selous concession, but changed us to the Usangu concession. We paid all of our hunt fees as well as sent additional trophy money ahead for additional animals. We were told any money not used would be promptly refunded. Two days before our flight to Tanzania, we received a call that our hunt was on hold. We were told that Usangu was not set up to handle our hunting party. To make the story short we were told not to go. A month went by and we tried to get our money back for the cancelled hunt, as well as all the unused trophy fees that were promised to be refunded. Usangu's owner Zahir Mulla has never responded to our requests for a refund. He has not even responded, period! I don't think we will ever see our money, but we plan on taking as much action as we can against Usangu. I have heard that as many as 40 different hunting parties have also lost their money to Usangu for hunts promised that Usangu Safaris could not deliver. I would offer one word of extreme caution to anyone looking to hunt Tanzania. Stay away from Usangu Safaris and Zahir Mula.
Rebuttal from Usangu Safaris:
I have read the news release you have posted on The Hunting Report. I have been in the field hunting with clients for over a month, and I just returned. Therefore, I was unable to respond to this information any earlier. My response to your post is as follows:
We had some overlap of clients in camps due to some clients refusing to go to their assigned camps. However, each client was accommodated and had a tent. Two vehicles had mechanical problems that needed to be repaired. Clients were advised to stay in Dar for a couple of days until the vehicles were repaired as there was no extra vehicle in camp. The clients refused to stay in Dar and demanded to fly to camp knowing there would be no vehicle for them. When they arrived in camp, they were told there was no vehicle as advised earlier. There was also a shortage of one PH, which would have been freed in four days. I told the clients that they will hunt on 2X1 for two to three days, and their schedule will be back to normal to hunt on 2X2 after four days. They would also get credit for days they hunted 2X1. Two clients came to see me in the next camp, and I told them of the same situation, and I advised them that the solution of vehicles will be solved within couple of days. They agreed to wait for the extra days as they would credit on the missed days. I was later told that the clients decided to leave the next day different from what we agreed on.
Food etc: The main camp was given food supply that will last nearly the entire season. It is to my surprise to hear reports that main camp has no food, where less than a month ago they had plenty of stock. I have checked with the camp, and all PHs said that food was always available for clients.
Since I was gone for over a month, the office personnel handled fuel supply. I am still finding information as to why there was delay in fuel supply. I returned today, and the fuel issue is now resolved. Some of these issues could have been easily handled by the PHs who were with clients. However, they failed to take the initiative to solve several of these issues on behalf of the clients and/or the company.
There were clients who wanted to hunt northern species in the Masailand. Due to the Tanzania government proposed increased fees, the area that I reserved to hunt for the clients demanded $15,000 extra per client to hunt to cover the $50,000 block fee increase. We informed the clients of this situation as it was out of our control. As a result, we advised them to finish all of the hunting days in Usangu concessions. Some clients have been given 5 days of daily rate credit for the days that were scheduled in the north.
As you are aware, the government has not fully rescinded their decision of fee increases. Many operators are charging extra fees to cover the increased fees in the event the government will not rescind its decision. Until we receive official notification from the government, I expect concession holders may continue to charge fees based upon the current Government ruling. Usangu Safaris has chosen not to charge clients any extra fees to hunt in our concessions no matter what the final decision of the Tanzanian Government; however, we cannot control the decisions of other operators. I have advised all the clients to hunt in the Usangu concessions to avoid extra charges.
Paucity of Game: Due to heavy rains this year, there is plenty of water and vegetation for animals in our concessions. As a result, animal movements have been very limited. However, most of our clients have been successful in their desired species. Also, Tanzania is a free-range country with fair chase hunting. Therefore, animals are not fenced within an area. They migrate within an entire ecosystem that is several thousand square kilometers. All clients who have dedicated the hard work to be successful enjoyed great success.
Also, due to personal matters and health complications, Bill will not be handling any company matters for now. However, he will facilitate communications with the clients who are scheduled to arrive from September until end of October. If you need additional details, please feel free to contact us by e-mail, as I will be in the field.
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Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
6297 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
September 19, 2007 to September 29, 2007 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Mbeya Usangu Flats |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Gervas Maiko |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 38 inches. |
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Kudu, Greater - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Good. |
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Sable - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
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Eland - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
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Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Good. |
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Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Good. |
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Bushpig - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: Good. |
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Warthog - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Hartebeest - Availability: Very spooky. |
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Roan - Availability: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
I enjoyed my safari so much and I would repeat the same trip. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
Swiss Air |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
Excellent service and punctuality. |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$12000 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$6000 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$1800 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$1400 |
| Other Costs: |
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Amount: |
$6500 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
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| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Very exciting the buffalo hunting. I shot a good Dagaboy after tracking for three hours before shooting him. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
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| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Because everything worked perfectly. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Luis Solorzano |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 813-263-2873 - 19221 Cinnamon Ridge Way, Tampa, FL 33647 E-mail: lsolorzano@tampabay.rr.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Excellent. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
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| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
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|
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
6298 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
September 1, 2007 to September 10, 2007 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Zahir Mulla |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Charging bull killed by all of us. Not wide enough to be a legal trophy, but big enough to kill you. |
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Buffalo, Cape - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Buffalo, Cape - Availability: Scarce. Also thick dry brush made six person stalking problematic. |
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Hartebeest - Availability: Lichtenstein hartebeest. |
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Topi - Availability: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Animals scarce throughout concession, but essentially healthy. Our 10-day buffalo hunt would have allowed also taking: warthog, impala, zebra, topi, Lichtenstein hartebeest. We did see, over the course of all ten days, as huntable targets of opportunity with the right licenses: zebras, warthogs, impalas, dikdiks, waterbuck (several younger males), elephants, sable, giraffes (not hunted in Tanzania), hippos. The game looked healthy, but the population was never dense. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Good |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Good |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Good |
| Name
of Airline: |
Virgin Atlantic, Precision Air, Kenya and Coastal |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
Retail price was $11,000 a piece, 2X1. |
Amount: |
$5700 |
| Trophy Fees: |
Two buffalo included per person. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$2800 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$300 |
| Other Costs: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Buffalo much scarcer than we or the PH, Zahir Mulla, expected. We were on buffalo (within 50-100 yards) twice a day for the last seven days but just couldn't close the deal in thick, noisy brush and leaves. One aspect of this was that we were hunting in a 2x1 situation which meant a small group of six people (2 trackers, 2 clients, PH, game scout). Also had daily problems with our vehicle's rear axle, so we lost about an hour a day. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Being in Tanzania! Camp staff was attentive, friendly, and tried hard. "Saroya Mountain Village Hotel" outside Arusha near Mt. Meru was great! |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
PH wore brush jeans with Cordura nylon facing on legs...good idea! Lots of thorns. PH also wore leather gloves and that would be good if you're used to wearing them while hunting. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
It would only be to someone who I knew could accept Third World circumstances. Not suitable for everyone but okay for others. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
David Small |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 702-731-2330 - 8801 Icy Mistral Ct., Las Vegas, NV 89131 E-mail: dsmall@reviewjournal.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Previous buffalo hunts in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This was my 10th African hunt (also South Africa and Benin). Texas, NV, New Zealand, Australia, Ecuador & Argentina. |
| Physical Condition: |
Fair age 52. |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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One of my SCI chapter members offered me the hunt as a last-minute opportunity when his friend could not go on their planned 2x1 10-day buffalo safari. Since I was not part of the shopping and planning process, I don't know how it was presented to them, but I know my friend, Les, had much higher expectations in nearly every aspect. Also, I was in it for less than half the money he was. I thought the camp we were in, Urva, was more than adequate. We had showers and flush toilets, plus electric lights off a generator each evening, and the staff was attentive and friendly. There were 3 other clients in camp who told us of Usangu's problems at other camps like no food or fuel, and paying for each, but I did not experience those issues. We used Usangu's rifles, which were stainless Winchester Model 70 375's in Hogue stocks with Leupold variable scopes and Zahir's mix of ammo which was mostly Federals with Trophy Bonded Solids or Barnes X. To my knowledge there was no charge. There was a refrigerator, but no ice. There was no beer or liquor, and I do not know if that was a shortage or a decision by the management. In any event, we had some of our own. One day we were short of soft drinks, but we had more clients in camp than they had originally planned for. Our primary hunting vehicle had a problem with its rear axle wheel hub, and it needed a daily repair. They had sent a driver with another truck for parts & suplies before we got there, and it took him 5 days to return from the bright lights of wherever it was he'd gone to. We did not get our sought-after Cape Buffalo, although we did get a charge. Zahir looked in all their usual places, and they just weren't there. The skinning shed contained 3 buffalo skulls for a family who had been there about 2 weeks prior to us, and all 3 were keepers. On the fourth day, we found an area where they were laying up during the day... we followed tracks and fresh, steaming dung, but could never close the deal although we saw them a couple times, and could hear them running away on other occasions. I can only say what I experienced personally. I enjoyed the overall experience. A trophy buffalo or two would have made it much better. I do know that I enjoyed it much more than my friend did. I think they count on buffalo moving out of the Ruaha National Park and into the concession. I wonder if we might have been in some kind of seasonal cycle, because we just didn't see as many as Zahir and his trackers expected. Zahir knew we were disappointed and offered us make good return safaris next year, and I intend to go back with an open mind, and try hard.
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|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
7019 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
July 29, 2007 to August 19, 2007 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu Game Reserve |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Altaf Farouk Qureshi |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Lion - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Average. |
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Leopard - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Small. |
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Antelope - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: Roan antelope. 25 inches. |
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Waterbuck - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: 25 inches. |
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Kudu, Greater - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: 51 inches. |
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Sable - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: 40 inches. |
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Zebra - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: |
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Impala - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: 25 inches. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Buffalo - Availability: Lack of game. |
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Elephant - Availability: |
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Eland - Availability: |
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Hippopotamus - Availability: |
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Crocodile - Availability: |
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Reedbuck - Availability: |
| Game
Condition Comments: |
Usangu Reserve lacks of every type of game.This place is overhunted or has been poached to the max. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Poor |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Poor |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Poor |
| Quality
of Food: |
Poor |
Trophy
Care: |
Good |
| Name
of Airline: |
KLM and Northwest Airlines |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
| Airline
Comments: |
The luggage with the ammo and clothes did not arrive on the flight, I had to pick it up the next day. |
|
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$41050 |
| Trophy Fees: |
Not paid yet. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
Included. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$2516 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$6000 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$750 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
This dream hunt turned out to be my worst nightmare. Because of the lack of game. I could only take nine species, out of about 50 that I had in my license. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
The kabubi that I had with the whole crew when I bagged the leopard and lion. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
No |
| Why? |
Usangu Preserve does not have a huntable population of any species based on my experience on this safari. |
|
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Mateo Sanchez |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 305-525-1975 - 13924 SW 25 Terrace, Miami, FL 33175 E-mail: mateosanchez@bellsouth.net |
| Hunting Experience: |
15 years. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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|
I will attempt to detail all the major events, that turned what was supposed to be a lifelong big game hunt in Tanzania, into the worst imaginable hunting experience I ever had. My hunt was for 21 days, 16 days on the Usangu Reserve and five days on Masailand. My hunt was supposed to start on July 29th, and that day I had no PH, no truck, no game scout and no tent to sleep on. There were about 11 hunters in camp and about 3 observers; I have never seen that many hunters, even on a deer camp here in the US. When the hunt finally started, I realized the severity of the lack of game in the Reserve. We drove 12 to 14 hours every day with very little success. I could only hunt 13 days out of the 16 days in Usangu Reserve, due to the lack of fuel in camp. There were other hunters in camp that missed hunting days because of the lack of parts for the trucks. The day prior my departure to hunt on Masailand, I was informed by William E. Fronterhouse (Bill), he is the Marketing and Logistics Director of Usangu Safaris; that I would not be hunting on Masailand. Therefore I lost the other five days of hunting. So out of 21 hunting days, I only hunted 13, if you can call that hunting. But there was no game. Another incident that I can recall in camp, one day the scouts were on strike because they were not served with food the day before. The lack of food was also an epidemic in camp; I had to be shooting impalas for camp food every other day, during my hunting time. Something that I did not appreciate but it had to be done. Sometimes at breakfast there were no eggs in camp. If you will like to hear more from other hunters, I have a few contact numbers and emails from other hunters that were in the same camp. I just hope that this never happens again to any other hunter, and that Usangu Safaris be banned from sale of their hunts in the US; they are a disgrace to the hunting community and the people of Tanzania.
Rebuttal from Usangu Safaris:
I have read the news release you have posted on The Hunting Report. I have been in the field hunting with clients for over a month, and I just returned. Therefore, I was unable to respond to this information any earlier. My response to your post is as follows:
We had some overlap of clients in camps due to some clients refusing to go to their assigned camps. However, each client was accommodated and had a tent. Two vehicles had mechanical problems that needed to be repaired. Clients were advised to stay in Dar for a couple of days until the vehicles were repaired as there was no extra vehicle in camp. The clients refused to stay in Dar and demanded to fly to camp knowing there would be no vehicle for them. When they arrived in camp, they were told there was no vehicle as advised earlier. There was also a shortage of one PH, which would have been freed in four days. I told the clients that they will hunt on 2X1 for two to three days, and their schedule will be back to normal to hunt on 2X2 after four days. They would also get credit for days they hunted 2X1. Two clients came to see me in the next camp, and I told them of the same situation, and I advised them that the solution of vehicles will be solved within couple of days. They agreed to wait for the extra days as they would credit on the missed days. I was later told that the clients decided to leave the next day different from what we agreed on.
Food etc: The main camp was given food supply that will last nearly the entire season. It is to my surprise to hear reports that main camp has no food, where less than a month ago they had plenty of stock. I have checked with the camp, and all PHs said that food was always available for clients.
Since I was gone for over a month, the office personnel handled fuel supply. I am still finding information as to why there was delay in fuel supply. I returned today, and the fuel issue is now resolved. Some of these issues could have been easily handled by the PHs who were with clients. However, they failed to take the initiative to solve several of these issues on behalf of the clients and/or the company.
There were clients who wanted to hunt northern species in the Masailand. Due to the Tanzania government proposed increased fees, the area that I reserved to hunt for the clients demanded $15,000 extra per client to hunt to cover the $50,000 block fee increase. We informed the clients of this situation as it was out of our control. As a result, we advised them to finish all of the hunting days in Usangu concessions. Some clients have been given 5 days of daily rate credit for the days that were scheduled in the north.
As you are aware, the government has not fully rescinded their decision of fee increases. Many operators are charging extra fees to cover the increased fees in the event the government will not rescind its decision. Until we receive official notification from the government, I expect concession holders may continue to charge fees based upon the current Government ruling. Usangu Safaris has chosen not to charge clients any extra fees to hunt in our concessions no matter what the final decision of the Tanzanian Government; however, we cannot control the decisions of other operators. I have advised all the clients to hunt in the Usangu concessions to avoid extra charges.
Paucity of Game: Due to heavy rains this year, there is plenty of water and vegetation for animals in our concessions. As a result, animal movements have been very limited. However, most of our clients have been successful in their desired species. Also, Tanzania is a free-range country with fair chase hunting. Therefore, animals are not fenced within an area. They migrate within an entire ecosystem that is several thousand square kilometers. All clients who have dedicated the hard work to be successful enjoyed great success.
Also, due to personal matters and health complications, Bill will not be handling any company matters for now. However, he will facilitate communications with the clients who are scheduled to arrive from September until end of October. If you need additional details, please feel free to contact us by e-mail, as I will be in the field.
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Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
6198 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
July 22, 2007 to July 31, 2007 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Toronto/Selous |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Zahir Mulla |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Hartebeest - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Coke hartebeest. Good. |
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Wildebeest - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Nyasa wildebeest. Good. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Ph's and staff will do all they can to help get your game. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
KLM |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
| Airline
Comments: |
This time very good. |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Finished in five days of a 10-day hunt. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Coke hartebeest. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
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| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Jim Davis |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 847-394-4216 - 913 S Wapella, Mt. Prospect, 60056 |
| Hunting Experience: |
Extensive. |
| Physical Condition: |
Fair. |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
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| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
5971 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
September 23, 2006 to October 8, 2006 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu Game Reserve |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Edmund |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Leopard - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Good. |
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Buffalo - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: Poor. |
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Eland - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Fair. |
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Waterbuck - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Fair. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Lion - Availability: No shootable lion on bait. Scarce game for lion. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Very few buffalo. Poor trophy quality which meant very few lions. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Poor |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Poor |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Poor |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Good |
| Name
of Airline: |
KLM |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$28000 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$11000 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$3200 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$1700 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$600 |
| Other Costs: |
Gun transport one-way. |
Amount: |
$600 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Four days of hunting lost to lack of fuel and equipment breakdown. Four baits taken out of my camp that I was to use for lion hunting by Bill Fronterhouse the booking agent without my permission or knowledge. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
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| Equipment
Recommendations: |
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| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
No |
| Why? |
Most unethical company I have ever hunted with. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
James Lessig |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 303-913-9222 - 5006 Christensen Drive, Littleton, CO 80123 E-mail: jimlessig@msn.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Multiple African Hunts. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
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| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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January 12, 2007
Dear Bill
After reviewing your email dated January 6, 2007, I would like to respond. First, you are incorrect in assuming that I do not want to take possession of my trophies. I do feel however, that I should be compensated for the gross negligence your company showed during my September 2006 hunt.
I am attaching a copy of the document I sent you on October 12, 2006 via email listing some of the problems I had on my hunt. I will expand on some of these items as it is obvious you are getting misinformation from Usangu.
One problem in camp was that out of a sixteen day hunt I was only able to hunt twelve days due to problems in camp. The most common issue was a lack of fuel. You are misinformed if you think this did not happen. We did have fuel pump and fuel filter problems also as you stated (I have photos of my truck torn apart in the middle of the day for repair of these). We also ran out of fuel on several occasions. This was not a miscommunication between me and my professional hunter. One of the days of lost hunting we drove 22 kilometers from camp and ran out of fuel. I personally tried to start the truck when Edmund told me we were out of fuel. I checked the fuel gauge and it registered below empty. I guess we were out of fuel. Also, your statement that the truck was fixed within two hours is incorrect. I walked the 22 kilometers back to camp without my PH which took four hours. The truck did not make it back to camp for at least four hours after that. When I got back to camp I checked the fuel tanks in camp and they were all empty. I guess we were out of fuel like my PH told me.
One of the other issues of not being able to hunt was the fact that our guns did not show up in camp the first day. Another hunter in camp loaned us his gun and when we told our PH we would like to hunt with his gun, we were informed that they had no hunting licenses in camp for us.
The most disturbing incident on my hunt however had nothing to do with my lost days of hunting. The day prior to you coming to our camp Bill, we had harvested two buffalo and one eland. We hung six baits for lion and had six left in the skinning shed. After your group came through camp we only had two quarters of a buffalo left (I have photos of the skinning shed with and without meat). Essentially, four quarters had been taken by you. Stealing meat from a hunter who is trying to bait lion is the most unethical thing I have ever heard of, especially when the person who took it has financial interest in your hunt. After complaining to my PH, your hunter showed up in camp with his PH after two days and I all of a sudden had two quarters of an eland back. Potentially, had I had access to the animals we had harvested, my lion hunt may have been successful.
As far as your comment that I had the opportunity to take a lion, you are correct. I never had a shootable lion on bait. I did however, have an opportunity to shoot at a moving lion at 400 yards (estimated by my PH) in tall grass. When a group of hunters saw the lion the next day and told us where it was, my PH refused to get off the truck and track the lion even though we had fresh track. You are correct that I harvested thirteen animals on my hunt, the majority of which I harvested for bait which you felt you had the right to take.
The last area I would like to address is your statement that I had a cost savings of $10,905 which is another misstatement on your part. My contract with Usangu was for a sixteen day hunt at full daily rates ($1750/day) on those days. The $600 you placed on my bill and then credited was supposed to be split between myself and the other two hunters I was hunting with. So you did credit me $200.00. Thanks! The flight credit you showed was for a plane that had just brought hunters into camp and was flying out empty. I was told I could ride at no charge by leaving a day early. After my hunter refused to track a lion I felt there was no reason to stay in camp. I had already paid a separate rate for a flight which was to leave the next day which I was never credited.
I personally would like to resolve this issue quickly. My recommendation would be for you to credit me for three (not four) days hunting rate ($5250) towards my trophy fees ($11240). This would mean I would pay you a total of $5990US for payment in full for my trophy fees. I have discussed this with legal council and hope we don't need to pursue this any further. If we do I would name both Usangu and you personally. Please let me know as soon as possible how you would like to proceed. I will not be at the Reno meeting as I will be in Tanzania on a medical mission the end of January.
Sincerely,
James Lessig
Bill I was told no other lion hunter would be in my camp. Sam was in camp when I arrived and we hunted the same areas. Informed me that you had enough lion quota for all your clients. By my count, you had at least nine lion hunters not including Bill and only a quota of eight lions. Makes me worry as a hunter that I would be able to take a lion. Meat disappeared after his group went through camp. This was buff and eland we had shot in our camp. Meat reappeared two days later after one of his hunters showed up in Majimoto camp. After complaining to Edmund, two quarters of an eland showed up in our camp. It is unethical to take meat out of a hunter's camp without permission, especially when they are needed for baits. Edmund Guns were not in camp the first day. We were able to borrow a gun from one of the hunters in camp but still were told we couldn't hunt because we did not have licenses in camp. Ran out of fuel in camp two days. We left one morning and drove 22K and ran out of fuel. After using my sat phone, I was told by Edmund it would be about five hours before someone could bring us fuel. Prior to finding out we were out of fuel, my driver tried to make it look like the truck broke down. After I finally tried to start the truck, Edmund informed me we were out of fuel. We walked 22K to camp in the middle of the day. Multiple truck breakdowns. Four hunting days missed due to the above.
Usangu Safaris - Bill Fronterhous submitted the following as rebuttal:
November 10, 2006 Jim Lessig 9094 E. Minera Ave, Suite 260 Santennial, CO 80112 Dear Jim, Welcome home! The entire staff would like to thank you for choosing Usangu Safaris LTD. to host your safari. We certainly hope you had a memorable experience. I do apologize for my delay in responding. I just returned from a five week medical mission in Tanzania.
I was pleased to receive your field invoice and note that you were able to collect 13 animals on a 16 day hunt. Considering the drought the last two years and the challenge of hunting in Tanzania that is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations! I have been informed of the lion that alluded your shot. No other lions were taken after your departure so he awaits your return. I have had the opportunity to discuss your hunt with our staff in Tanzania and would like to address the concerns you raised in your email dated October 15, 2006. ? Sam was scheduled in our Kimbi Camp and spent the majority of his hunt there. He had moved to Maji Moto Camp to conclude the last few days of his safari. He was on a 16-Day buffalo package to include elephant if available. Sam's hunt was never scheduled to include lion. ? Six lions out of our Usangu quota of ten were taken prior to your arrival in camp. Six lions total were collected out of the Usangu Game Reserve during 2006. ? Without refrigeration in our camps and an inability to transport meat out of Tanzania, any meat taken is utilized to the best of our ability prior to spoilage. I however, am unaware that any meat was taken from Maji Moto Camp. ? You were first advised on June 27, 2006, the day I received your travel itinerary, that Coastal Aviation would not carry sporting rifles or more that 15kg of gear per person. I did not receive a response and again advised you on July 29, 2006. Numerous emails followed regarding transport of your gear by vehicle and the alternative to book a charter flight. You chose to use ground transportation after being informed of the significant transport time from Arusha (email copies enclosed). My records indicate that your guns and gear arrived at 10am on September 23, 2006, your first scheduled day of hunting. Our professional hunters confirmed that you were able to hunt on that first day. ? I confirmed that your vehicle did not run out of fuel but stop running as a result of contaminated fuel. A vehicle and mechanic were dispatched from Kimbi Camp and arrived within two hours of the report. Your vehicle was repaired in the bush. ? Hunting in remote Tanzania is carried out under very difficult and adverse conditions. Our vehicles are subjected to extraordinary use. As a result, they do break down on occasion. For this reason, we insure that each vehicle is assigned a driver and mechanic. I would also like to note that Usangu Safaris permitted you to hunt quota animals only available on 21 day safaris. Enabling you to hunt these species on a 16 day hunt resulted in a cost saving to you of $8,750. I am sorry that you were unable to collect the sable and lion that you desired. Usangu Safaris offers fair chase safaris and cannot make any guarantees for the species collected. Enclosed you will find invoice # 164 in the amount of $2,155, for the ground transport of your gear on September 22, 2006, and for your return charter flight to Dar es Salaam on October 8, 2006. Please note that you have received full credit for this invoice. Though Usangu Safaris feels we made every effort to provide you with a successful and enjoyable safari, based upon your concerns, we were unable to meet your expectations. I trust a total cost savings of $10,905, should offset your disappointment. If you would like to discuss these issues in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact me. Also enclosed is invoice # 163 in the amount of $11,240, for the game killed or wounded and lost during your safari. This invoice is due upon receipt. We are obligated to make final payment to the Tanzanian Government within two weeks following completion of your safari.
Again, thank you for choosing to hunt with Usangu Safaris LTD. Asante Sana! Bill Fronterhouse Director, Marketing and Logistics Usangu Safaris LTD.
January 6, 2007
Jim Lessig 9094 E. Minera Ave., Suite 260 Centennial, CO 80112
Dear Jim,
Following our phone conversation yesterday, I have once again reviewed your file and discussed your concerns with the staff in Tanzania. I did confirm that the Maji Moto Camp was not out of fuel during your hunt. As stated in my letter dated November 10, 2006, your vehicle did not run out of fuel but stopped running as a result of contaminated fuel and a plugged fuel filter. I am certain that the language barrier caused the confusion. When Edmund stated there was no fuel, he was referring to no fuel was reaching the injectors. Also please keep in mind that Edmund is a professional hunter and not a mechanic. A mechanic was immediately dispatched from Kimbi Camp and repaired the vehicle in approximately two hours. I was also in the Usangu Game Reserve from October 1- 23, 2006. I personally drove to the community of Mbeya to pick up a new fuel filter for your vehicle and delivered it to Maji Moto Camp. Providing this service caused me to leave my team of physicians in the village of Upagama until late that night. Usangu Safaris has already given you credit for Invoice #164, in the amount of $2,155, for any inconvenience caused as a result of the contaminated fuel. I also confirmed that you did take a shot at a lion and missed. We did provided you with the opportunity to take a lion. Usangu Safaris offers "Fair Chase" hunting and cannot make any guarantees for species collected. You were able to collect 13 animals during a 16 day safari including a leopard and had the opportunity to take a mature lion. This is considered a successful safari. In our phone conversation, you requested that Usangu Safaris offer you another safari. If we were unable to meet your expectations during this trip, Usangu Safaris does not feel that we will be able to meet your future expectations. We therefore decline your request to hunt with Usangu Safaris in the future. I did understand that you are not interested in taking possession of the trophies collected during your 2006 safari. I request that you make this request to Usangu Safaris in writing. Upon receipt of this request, I will credit Invoice #163. Usangu Safaris will accept responsibility for payment to the Tanzanian Government for the trophy fees due and assume ownership of the trophies collected on your 2006 safari. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss these items further detail.
Regards, William E. Fronterhouse Marketing and Logistics Usangu Safaris LTD.
January 14, 2007
Jim Lessig 9094 E. Minera Ave, Suite 260 Centennial, CO 80112
Dear Jim,
Thank you for your letter dated January 12, 2007. I do not intent to readdress areas of concern that were responded to in my previous letters dated November 10, 2006, and January 6, 2007, as I feel further explanation will not alter your opinion. I however would like to address some new issues cited in your letter dated January 12, 2007. I am not a booking agent but an employee of Usangu Safaris with responsibility for marketing and logistics. I manage the schedule and provide logistical support to facilitate a successful hunt equally for all Usangu clients. My presence in Tanzania during October 2006, was as the Vice-President of Hunters Who Care, a non-profit organization hosting a medical safari in conjunction with Usangu Safaris. This trip for four physicians and two nurses was planned and scheduled in 2004, one year prior to my employment with Usangu Safaris. I was not in Tanzania on behalf of any Usangu Safaris hunting clients. Your claim that I took meat, for personal gain, from animals that you harvested is untrue. I have no knowledge of meat transfers between camps other than your claim. As stated in my letter of November 10, 2006, "Without refrigeration in our camps and an inability to transport meat out of Tanzania, any meat taken is utilized to the best of our ability prior to spoilage. I however, am unaware that any meat was taken from Maji Moto Camp." Thank you for clarifying your position regarding receipt of your trophies. I obviously misunderstood your intentions from our phone conversation on January 5, 2007. The Usangu Safaris staff in Tanzania is currently crating trophies for shipment with a target completion date of January 24, 2007. Continuing to debate these issues serves no purpose. I too would like to resolve this matter as soon as possible. I therefore accept your proposal and will issue a credit for three days of daily rate for a total of $5250. Please note that I have reissued Invoice #163 to reflect a balance due of $5990. Usangu Safaris must receive your payment prior to releasing your trophies for shipment. My files indicate the following shipping information for your trophies:
Denver International Airport Jonas Taxidermy PRT #670291 1850 Dogwood St. Louisville, CO 80027 303-466-1112
Please advise if there are any changes to this information.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.
Regards,
William E. Fronterhouse Marketing and Logistics Usangu Safaris LTD.
Rebuttal Comment:
Usangu Safaris would like to congratulate Mr. Jim Lessig on the quality trophies he was able to collect during his September 2006 in the Usangu Game Reserve.
Cape buffalo - 45 inches Cape buffalo - 33 inches (old worn bull) Cape buffalo - 32 1/2 inches (old worn bull) Leopard - 15 inches Eland - 37 inches Waterbuck - 25 inches Impala - 22 inches
Other trophies collected but not measured were hyena, jackal, zebra, baboon and warthog. Photos of these trophies can be viewed at www.usangu.com
Bill Fronterhouse
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Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
5832 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
September 1, 2006 to September 10, 2006 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu Game Reserve |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Edmund Mbeya |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo, Cape - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 38, 38 and 39 inches. |
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Zebra - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Hyena - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 27 inches. |
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Baboon - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Buffalo move into and out of Ruaha National Park. All the hunters in camp seeking buffalo were able to take buffalo. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
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Guide/PH
Ability: |
Good |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
KLM |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
| Airline
Comments: |
Flight to Amsterdam from Houston was cancelled but we were fortunately able to rebook through Detroit. Temperature in-flight on the flight from Dar to Amsterdam very warm and made it tough to sleep. All in all though, flights were comfortable and on-time. |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$17000 |
| Trophy Fees: |
Included. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
Included. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$2100 |
| Charter Airfares: |
Included. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
|
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
We were originally booked to hunt in the Selous. Due to a last minute permit problem we were redirected to the Usangu area. The permit problem also resulted in a lost day of hunting at Usangu. We had a number of similar situations arise that could have resulted in real problems, but Usangu Safaris worked through the issues promptly and professionally and we ended up having a great trip. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Hunting buffalo the hard way. Long stalks, crawling on your hands and knees, getting in close, being busted and chasing them some more. Buffalo hunting is addicting let me warn you. Hunting in an area where the Big Five roam freely. We saw lions in field stalking buffalo, leopard, elephants, hippos and rhino tracks. A traditional style safari in a great area. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
I found using a scoped rifle more effective than open sights just given the relatively thick nature of the brush. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Usangu is very professionally run. Communications pre-trip are excellent. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Mike Jines |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 281-360-0154 - 2307 Crimson Valley Court, Kingwood, TX 77345 E-mail: mjines@kingwoodcable.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Extensive. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
|
For those that may be interested I have written an article on one of my buffalo hunts on this trip that will be published in an upcoming issue of Safari, the SCI magazine.
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|
|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
5028 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
August 14, 2005 to September 8, 2005 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Rungwa, Lake Natron, Gelai |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Hilary Daffi and Marshall Smalline |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Eddie Gomez; Hunting Chile. 15690 SW 260 Street; Homestead; FL; 33032; Tel. 305-262-0711; Email: info@argentinabirdhunts.com; Web www.argentinabirdhunts.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Kudu, Lesser - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 30 inches. |
|
Kudu, Greater - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 59 inches. |
|
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 44 inches, 43 inches and 45 3/4 inches. |
|
Lion - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Good mane 3/4 inches. |
|
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 125 pounds. |
|
Roan - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 28 inches. |
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Eland - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 32 inches. |
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Bushbuck, Masai - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 17 3/4 inches. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Good quality animals if you are willing to work for them and hunt hard. There are plenty. If you know what you are looing for you will get it. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
|
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
|
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
|
| Name
of Airline: |
|
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$38000 |
| Trophy Fees: |
For 24 animals. |
Amount: |
$26900 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
Included. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
First class. |
Amount: |
$5000 |
| Charter Airfares: |
$890 per person (we were six people). |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
Tips on three camps. |
Amount: |
$1900 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
None. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
I was able to hunt all animals on my list. Very high quality, they will go in SCI Record Book. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Long sleeves. Face net for flies and hanckercheif for dust. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Because this was my fourteenth safari and I consider this to be the best of all. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Carlos Nachon |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 786-299-8510 - 2477 W 4 Ave., Hialeah, FL E-mail: nacmill99@aol.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
26 years. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
4912 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
July 25, 2005 to August 14, 2005 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Elibariki Mchome |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Lion - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Skull over 25 inches. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Game were very plentiful. I was only hunting for lion and I saw lion sign everyday. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
British Airways |
Airline
Service: |
Fair |
| Airline
Comments: |
British Airways food service company was on strike. We were served box lunch with water from DAR. From London we were served the same bad box lunch with a choice of limited beverages. Not good when you paid for Business Class. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
The hunt went without a flaw. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Camp was on the banks of a flowing river and you could see hippo and crocs from your tent. The concession is very large and filled with animals, bring a camera. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
This company makes every effort to make your hunt as good as it can be. They truly go the extra mile. I will hunt with them again. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
John Davis |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 949-759-3477 - 27 Beachcomber Dr., Corona Del Mar, CA 92625 E-mail: jdavis35@cox.net |
| Hunting Experience: |
I go to Africa every year. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
4889 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
July 7, 2005 to August 5, 2005 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Rungwa/Selous/Lake Natron |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Hilary Daffi, Shendell O. Sherdell, David Masambi |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Lion - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
|
Hippopotamus - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
|
Puku - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
|
Gerenuk - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
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Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
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Gazelle, Grant - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
|
Gazelle - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: Roberts gazelle. Excellent. |
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Kudu, Lesser - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
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Oryx - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Hartebeest - Availability: Not seen. Creke's Hartebeast. |
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Wildebeest - Availability: Not seen. Nyara Wildebeast. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Plenty of game everyday. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
KLM and SAA |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
|
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Taken first lion and seeing many others. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Warm jacket and head net. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Very professional, large areas, lots of game, large trophy size. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
James T. Davis |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 847-394-4216 - 913 S Wapella, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 E-mail: hunterjim9@aol.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Worldwide. |
| Physical Condition: |
Fair. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
4493 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
November 19, 2004 to November 27, 2004 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu Game Reserve/Magimoto Camp |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Edmund Mbeya |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Representative trophy. |
|
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 39 inch heavy boss. |
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Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Good stallion. |
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Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 22 inches. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Topi - Availability: Very scarce. |
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Hartebeest - Availability: Lichtenstein's hartebeest. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
All the game seen was in good condition. |
|
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Good |
| Name
of Airline: |
British Airways. |
Airline
Service: |
Poor |
| Airline
Comments: |
BA tried to charge for my rifle case from Dar Es Salaam to London. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
Includes 2 buffalos, all licenses and air charter. |
Amount: |
$8085 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
London - Dar Es Salaam. |
Amount: |
$920 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
Tip and hotel in Dar Es Salaam. |
Amount: |
$950 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
None. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Tracking and stalking Cape buffalo. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Good bug repellant. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Very well organized outfit. The concession I hunted on was well-managed. The PH was very experienced. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Faisal Al-Zaid |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 011-44-1732-750655 - Westerham, Kent, England E-mail: faisal@al-zaid.cc |
| Hunting Experience: |
Africa, North America, Europe. |
| Physical Condition: |
Good. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
|
The Mulla family did a fine job in ensuring that my three friends and I had a wonderful safari.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
4475 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
September 13, 2004 to October 2, 2004 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Hilary Dafi |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Lion - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Three. |
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Roan - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Eland - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Hartebeest - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Reedbuck - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Impala - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Elephant - Availability: On license but saw no legal bulls, fair number around. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Incredible game, nice concession, lots of lions. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
|
Airline
Service: |
Good |
| Airline
Comments: |
Film, batteries, walkie talkie stolen from my bag (checked), discovered on arrive in Tanzania. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
$1,300 a day. |
Amount: |
$26000 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$11000 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$7200 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$910 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$2600 |
| Other Costs: |
Trophy prep, etc. |
Amount: |
$1800 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
|
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Lions everywhere, charging buffalo, the skill of the tracker (Peter), seeing a mamba up close. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Steve Thompson |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 407-947-2069 - 1209 Country Lane, Orlando, FL 32804 E-mail: squidnox@aol.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Extensive. |
| Physical Condition: |
Top notch. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
4208 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
August 1, 2004 to August 21, 2004 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Lwafi/Usangu |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Paul N. Horsley |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Hartebeest - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Lichtenstein. Very good. |
|
Roan - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: East African. Very good. |
|
Sitatunga - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: East African. Very good. |
|
Duiker, Bush - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: East African. Very good. |
|
Dik-Dik - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Kirk's. Very good. |
|
Topi - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Very good. |
|
Waterbuck, Defassa - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: East African. Very good. |
|
Hyena - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Spotted. Very good. |
|
Eland - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: East African. Excellent. |
|
Kudu, Greater - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: East African. Excellent. |
|
Bushbuck - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: East African. Good. |
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|
|
| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Lion - Availability: Missed shot. |
|
Hippopotamus - Availability: Not seen. |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Condition Comments: |
Vast area with many species available. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
KLM |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
| Airline
Comments: |
On time and helpful. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
$20,100. |
Amount: |
$20100 |
| Trophy Fees: |
$6,800. |
Amount: |
$6800 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
$600. |
Amount: |
$600 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
$2,300. |
Amount: |
$2300 |
| Charter Airfares: |
$2,000. |
Amount: |
$2000 |
| Other Costs: |
*This was a cancellation hunt sold at a reduced rate. |
Amount: |
$0 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
None. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Seeing lions, taking 52 inch kudu after a long stalk and belly crawl. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Insect repelant, head net. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Zahir Mulla runs a very professional company. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
James J. Davis |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 847-394-4216 - 913 S. Wapella, Mt. Pleasant, IL. E-mail: hunterjim9@aol.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
North America, South America, South Pacific, Africa. |
| Physical Condition: |
Fair. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
4393 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
July 21, 2004 to August 1, 2004 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Rungua Game Reserve |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Hilary Daffi |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Lion - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 10 1/2'. |
|
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 7 1/2'. |
|
Buffalo, Cape - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 40". |
|
Hyena - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Spotted. Gold metal. |
|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Elephant - Availability: Needed more time. Went to a different area only for day hunts. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Condition Comments: |
Tanzania is a hunters dream, but a nightmare for the total cost. I made two other after lion hunts in Zimbabwe with no shot at lions. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
N/A |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
N/A |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
N/A |
| Name
of Airline: |
|
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
Had trouble booking a charter to hunt elephants. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
Flies had a feast on us. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Saw three male lion and 3 female. My wife did not want to feed the lioness and cubs tuna fish! |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Complete netting and bug spray. Bring lots of money and credit cards. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Robert J. Matyas |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 610-837-6252 - 5556 Forest Town Road, Nazareth, PA |
| Hunting Experience: |
4 trips to Africa, China, Russia, ect. |
| Physical Condition: |
Jog everyday to the kitchen at 61, good. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
|
This hunt was taken with Usangu Safaris Limited in Tanzania. The hunt took place starting July 21, 2004, for 21 days. This gold medal (10 ½') lion was taken by Bob and Josephine Matyas. Bob also took a gold medal (7 ½') leopard and a gold medal hyena, along with a (40") buffalo. The area was crawling with cats; we say 7 lions in 12 days. All 14 baits were gone in 12 days, by leopard or lion. Tanzania has the largest population of lion in Africa, with estimates of 18,000 plus. The most serious for one lion case is 35 people killed, 10 injured from August 2002 to April 2004. In the Rufiji District, lions killed 35 people in 20 months.
This hunt was very expensive, but also very exciting. Bob warns, keep your rifle ready at all times. I knocked over my PH and 2 trackers to get to my gun, while checking a Zebra bait, when a lion hidden in the grass, jumped up 10 yards away. Hope to show the film of the hunt at a Chapter Dinner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
4058 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
September 20, 2003 to October 7, 2003 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu area for 13 days, Lake Nacron for three days. |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Shadel Omar Shadel |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
|
Warthog - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: Average. |
|
Kudu - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Excellent, 54 inches. |
|
Waterbuck, Defassa - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
|
Hyena - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Huge. |
|
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 37 to 42 inches. |
|
Hippopotamus - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Big. |
|
Crocodile - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 13.5 feet. |
|
Gazelle, Thomson - Availability: - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
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|
|
| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Impala - Availability: East African impala. Did not see one big enough. |
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|
|
|
| Game
Condition Comments: |
Saw animals everyday, every type. Abundant lion, leopard and roan. I am going back for elephant in 2007. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
Northwest and KLM. |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
One of the few good airline experiencs I have had, don't ask about TSA. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
$1,000 a day for 16 days. |
Amount: |
$16000 |
| Trophy Fees: |
For trophy fees and 20% to government conservation. |
Amount: |
$5600 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
$1,200 for 21-day license and $1,200 for firearms import. |
Amount: |
$2400 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
Roundtrip from San Diego, CA to Tanzania. |
Amount: |
$1700 |
| Charter Airfares: |
Side trip to Zanzabar. |
Amount: |
$220 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
|
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Taking 13 animals in 16 days with my friend getting 15 animals, all good kills with my reloads. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Light (khaki) colored clothing to repel flies. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Great concession and great staff, very capable PH. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Jamie Tierney |
| Contact
Information: |
Jackman, ME E-mail: jpt1272@aol.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Africa two times, deer and bird hunting all over North America and Mexico. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
3749 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
September 1, 2003 to September 18, 2003 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Sherdell O. |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Lion - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 9'8" |
|
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 7'3" |
|
Kudu - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 51" |
|
Buffalo, Cape - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 42" |
|
Eland - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Livingston 34" |
|
Sable - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 41" |
|
Hartebeest, Lelwel - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Waterbuck, Defassa - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 29" |
|
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|
|
| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Roan - Availability: Few sighted, other concessions though are guaranted. |
|
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|
|
| Game
Condition Comments: |
Thick conditions, mopane scrub, allow animals to reach mature size. 22 (yes) kudu include three over 55" were sighted by myself and my ph. The usangu concession is crawling with leopard. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
SAA/Air Tanzania |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
SAA - Air Tanzania excellent, guns well cared for. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
1750 a day for 21 days |
Amount: |
$36750 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$17500 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$2500 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
FF miles 750 Air Tanzania |
Amount: |
$750 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$3600 |
| Other Costs: |
Gratuity and hotel |
Amount: |
$6500 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
Lion were tough, 9'8" but partial mane. Clients before and after took excellent manes, much sooner in the hunt but that |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Unbelievable effort and talent of Sherdell. My first lion and leopard, 200 yard shot on 42" buff, one shot kill. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
315 with optics, forget open sites. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Absolutely, Sherdell is obviously becoming the premier "catman" of Tanzania. Usangu has excellent lion, leopard and buffalo. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Jeff Sevor |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 407-647-2295 - 109 W. Fredrick Ave. Lake Mary, FL 32746 E-mail: jsevor@mindspring.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
US, Mexico, and Africa. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
3710 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
August 29, 2003 to September 11, 2003 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Rungwa Game Reserve |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Farouk Querishi |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Two mature bulls. |
|
Kudu - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Mature bulls. |
|
Sable - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Mature bulls. |
|
Eland - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Mature bulls. |
|
Hartebeest - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Mature bulls. |
|
Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Mature stallion. |
|
Impala - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Mature buck. |
|
Warthog - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Mature boar. |
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Roan - Availability: Missed a fairly easy shot. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Condition Comments: |
Overall this was a very good mixed bag area. I could have probably shot two mature lions if they had been on quota. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
Northwest and KLM |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
No problems of any sort. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$9520 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$8500 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$3400 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$2100 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
$1,000 road transfers to camp, tips and misc. $1,600. |
Amount: |
$2600 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
Although it didn't affect the outcome, extensive burning by poachers altered game movement. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
I was priviledged to hunt with Farouk, who has over 30 years as a PH. His knowledge not only of game, but of all the Flora and Fauna in Africa is immense. A true gentleman and great companion. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
It exceeded all of my expectations in every way. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Gary Stanek |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 586-781-5086 - 52708 Stag Ridge, Macomb, MI 48042 |
| Hunting Experience: |
US, Canada and Alaska. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
3767 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
August 8, 2003 to August 18, 2003 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu Region Ruaha River |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Sherdel |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo, Cape - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 43 inches. |
|
Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
|
Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
|
Topi - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Excellent. |
|
Warthog - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: Fair. |
|
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|
|
|
| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Condition Comments: |
Excellent quality Cape buffalo. Drier September would herd more game into this region where there is a good water supply. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
KLM |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
No problems. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$4820 |
| Trophy Fees: |
Two buffalo, zebra, topi, impala and warthog. |
Amount: |
$3360 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$1950 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$1500 |
| Charter Airfares: |
Ground transportation. |
Amount: |
$450 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
None. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
A classic tented East African safari in the Miombo forests. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Do not take soft gun cases. Do take a warm winter jacket for early morning in the truck. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
R. Stephen Irwin MD |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 406-883-5680 - 75 Smuggler's Point Rd., Polson, MT 59860 E-mail: irwin@saintjoes.org |
| Hunting Experience: |
Considerable. |
| Physical Condition: |
Good. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
3960 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
August 5, 2003 to August 26, 2003 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Lawafi |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Paul Hosly |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Buffalo - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Buffalo - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Roan - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Hartebeest - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Hyena - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Lion - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Elephant - Availability: Spent a lot of time on lion passed on one nice elephant. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Excellent |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
British Airways |
Airline
Service: |
Poor |
| Airline
Comments: |
Three hours late leaving London; lost my guns, when found would not deliver to camp. |
|
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COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
|
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
British Airways lost my guns. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
See comments. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
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| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
|
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
John Davis |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 949-759-3477 - California E-mail: jdavis35@cox.net |
| Hunting Experience: |
Many years. |
| Physical Condition: |
Very good. |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
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| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
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|
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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This hunt started off poorly, as British Air lost my guns. I waited in Dar es Salaam two days and nights for their next flight and they still did not arrive. I was lucky enough to borrow a 375 from Usangu Safaris and continue on to camp. My guns arrived seven days later and British Air would not forward to the camp. I recovered them the day I left for home. This hunt was conducted in the Lawafi concession, one of eight concessions operated by Usangu Safaris. The hunt was a 21 day full bag hunt, but I was really only looking for lion and elephant. The camp was first rate, large new tents with a separate room for shower and toilet. The beds were excellent and the linen was changed everyday. The cook was very talented, as all of the meals were varied and all were very tasty. The camp staff did their best to make you comfortable. The camp and all of the equipment was in first class condition. My PH, Paul Hosly and his trackers are very skilled and were tireless in their efforts to locate a lion and an elephant for me. We hunted hard, we left camp one hour before first light and returned well after dark. I strongly recommend Paul Hosly and Usangu Safaris as they run a class operation. The hunt was everything I had hoped for, even though I didn
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Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
3094 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
October 23, 2002 to November 10, 2002 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Rungwa Game Reserve Rungwa - Ikili |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Farouk Qureshi |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Charles Goldenberg; Premier Safaris. PO Box 651; Apopka; FL; 32704; Tel. 407-889-9778; Fax: 321-978-9204;Email: premiersafaris@att.net; |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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|
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Three. 37 inches, 38 inches and 42 inches. |
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Roan - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 25 inches E, 10 inch base. |
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Hartebeest - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Lichtenstein, 20 inches. |
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Oribi - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 6 1/2 inches. |
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Warthog - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Two. 6 inches and 10 inches. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Sable - Availability: Only after exceptional trophies none of these seen. Saw numbers of these species. |
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Kudu, Greater - Availability: |
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Eland - Availability: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
All game in prime conditions. Saw two lions, one male - breeding pair. Too many hyena - PH feels numbers need to be reduced. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
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| Name
of Airline: |
KLM |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
Had no problems. |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$15000 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$4200 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
Included. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$1500 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
Road transport $667, tips $1,500, dip and pack $1,100 |
Amount: |
$3267 |
|
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Just Tsetses, heat and spooky buffalo. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Taking buffalo with my Jeffery 450/40 double rifle and taking a fine roan. All hunting with PH Farouk Qureshi - first rate. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Bug spray and head net. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
|
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Jacob M. Rybczynski |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 734-282-1636 - 13724 Fort, Southgate, MI 48195 E-mail: bmryb@foxberry.net |
| Hunting Experience: |
Fifth African Safari, Poland, Canada, out West, Midwest, Deep South. |
| Physical Condition: |
Very good. |
|
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
3274 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
October 15, 2002 to November 4, 2002 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu Game Reserve, River camp |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Sherdell |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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|
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo, Cape - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Over 40. |
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Lion - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Full-maned. |
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Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Large tom. |
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Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 26 inches - 28 inches. |
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Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Lots of stallions. |
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Sable - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 40 inches - 44 inches. |
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Oribi - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Good. |
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Reedbuck, Mountain - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Good. |
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Topi - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Good. |
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Warthog - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Good. |
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Roan - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 26-28 inches. |
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Eland - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Good. |
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Duiker - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Good. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Kudu, Greater - Availability: Never saw mature male. |
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Hartebeest - Availability: Lichenstein hartebeest, very wild and difficult to judge. |
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Bushbuck - Availability: Ran out of time to hunt. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Best cat and buffalo hunting imaginable. Saw thousands of buffalo. After hanging two leopard and two lion baits on day one, on day two, had two lions and two leopards hitting bait. Sable, impala, zebra very abundant. Remaining plains game average to scarce. See comments. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
N/A |
| Name
of Airline: |
KLM |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
I was impressed by job KLM did. Treated me well. Guns and ammo no problem. |
|
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$22000 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$16000 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$2500 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$1600 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$1400 |
| Other Costs: |
Ground transfer from camp to Dares Salaam. |
Amount: |
$600 |
|
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
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| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Absolutely great hunt. In six days I shot three Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, sable, zebra, impala and warthog. Taking first, second and third buffalo all with one-shot kills. First lion and leopard. Very exciting. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
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| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
yes |
| Why? |
Unbelievable buffalo and cats. I saw over 15 lions in broad daylight. 9 males, 3 with full manes, 2 black. Saw numerous to thousands of buffalo. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
B. Cal Hendrick |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 915-332-0893 - 2301 LaDueln, Odesse, TX 79762 E-mail: cal.hendrick@sbcglobal.net |
| Hunting Experience: |
Third African safari, extensive US hunting. |
| Physical Condition: |
Good to very good. |
|
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
|
Last year, I decided to enter the 21st Century. I purchased a computer for my office. As part of my ongoing effort to become computer literate, I switched to your email service and became an Email Extra Subscriber. In fact, I booked a cancellation hunt through your Email Extra Subscriber Service. Since I don't recall reviewing any report from someone who has booked a cancellation hunt through the Email Extra Advertisement Program, I thought I should provide you with my recent experience with the service. As stated above, I began receiving email extra bulletins, advertisements, and reports last Spring. In May of last year, I received an announcement about a hunt cancellation in Tanzania with Usangu Safaris Ltd./Tanzania Wildlife Corporation (T A WICO). For the past ten years, I have dreamed of taking a 21-day full bag safari in Africa. However, because of the high costs, expenses, and time constraints, I have not been able to do so. I was able to visit Africa in 1999. I hunted in Namibia. It was a great experience. However, it only wetted my appetite for more. As you and most of your subscribers are fully aware, a full bag hunt in Tanzania is expensive. Daily rates are generally $1,500.00 to $2,000.00 per day. When you add concession fees, trophy fees, camp fees, transportation, etc., a successful full bag safari can easily cost $75,000.00 or more. This is simply out of my price range. However, because of your email extra advertisement, I was able to put together a fantastic hunt last year. Specifically, I received an email extra advertisement about a 21 day full bag cancellation hunt. I immediately contacted the outfitter by email. I discovered that Usangu had a U.S. representative, Zahir Mulla, in Irving, Texas. Mr. Mulla immediately contacted my office back to discuss the possibility of purchasing the cancellation hunt. Apparently, a hunter booked a 21-day safari, and later canceled. Thus, instead of $1,800.00 per day, Zahir was offering the hunt for $900.00 a day. Because of the attractive price, he had already received several inquiries. The hunt was originally scheduled for October 2002, prime time to hunt cats and buffalo. However, even with the daily rate 50% off ($900.00 per day), I still felt the trip was too expensive for my budget. I informed Zahir that if he could reduce the number of days, or reduce the price further, I would book the hunt. Within 48 hours, Zahir had contacted my office. He agreed to allow me to pay the daily rate for only 18 days, and give me three additional days free of charge. I had to purchase a 21-day license and pay full price on the remaining fees. Because of the reduced price, I was able to justify the cost of the safari (with my wife) and close a deal with Usangu. If I had had to pay full price, the cost for the daily rate would have been almost $38,000.00. When you take into account additional government fees, licenses, charter airfare, concession fees, etc., before firing a shot, the cost exceeds $41,000.00. Because of the cost savings, with the cancellation, my costs were only $22,000.00, a 50% savings. I prepared all summer by shooting and training to be in shape for the upcoming hunt. The actual safari began on October 12, 2002 when I left Odessa, Texas. Anyone who says a trip to Tanzania is pleasant is simply not telling the truth. However, I am sure the same would be true whether you traveled to New Zealand, Tanzania, or China. A trip half way around the world is difficult, although I must admit it was almost hassle free, other than the long hours in airplanes and airports. I feel it is important to make a comment at this point regarding air transportation. Zahir recommended I fly KLM. I have read nothing but bad reports ofKLM, through the Hunting Report and other publications, and I was very hesitant. However, after talking to the folks at Gracey Travel, KLM offered the only reasonable transportation to Tanzania. As a result, I bought the airline ticket for coach and crossed my fingers. Although I certainly cannot comment on anyone else's experiences with KLM, mine was excellent. After arriving in Amsterdam, I contacted a ticket agent to check and ensure my firearms had safely reached Amsterdam. This was recommended by Gracey Travel. I determined that my gun case could not be located. I immediately feared my trip was ruined. However, in the next two hours, four or five KLM employees came to my aid, and tracked down my gun case. Apparently, the ticket agent in Odessa, Texas had written the wrong airport designation for Kilimanjaro. Not only did the KLM ticket agents locate my guns, they assured me that they had retagged the case, and the gun case was already on the airplane waiting for me. I arrived in Kilimanjaro without incident. My guns arrived safely. I cannot thank the employees of KLM in Amsterdam enough for their kind disposition and effort in locating and fixing this potential disaster. I should also comment that my return flight went without incident. I had no problem with my firearm, ammunition, or any of my hunting equipment. Kudos for KLM for their excellent job during these troubled times. After spending the night in Arusha, I headed off to camp with another hunter, Kevin Tabler. I found Mr. Tabler's company to be excellent. Kevin and I instantly became good friends. Kevin and I are already planning on additional trips together in the future. At any rate, we took a charter plane to the Usangu River Camp. After landing, we drove to main camp, unpacked, shot our rifles and got ready to hunt the following morning. We met two guys from Germany who were a father/son combination. They were very nice and had had a successful hunt. Usangu River Camp was excellent. Each hunter's tent had a bathroom and shower. In fact, all of the equipment at camp was in very good to excellent condition. Wake up call the following morning was at 6:00 a.m. Each morning, camp would wake up at 6:00, and after a light breakfast, we would leave camp by 7 :00 a.m. I rate my P .H., Sherdell Sherdell, as very good to excellent. Before we were 30-minutes away from camp, we cut buffalo tracks. We circled around and attempted to get in front of the buffalo herd. We then put on a stalk. Before locating the herd, we had walked over two hours. Finally, we located the herd and tried to sneak up on them to check for bulls. Unfortunately, the buffalo spooked, and they split into two large groups. We followed one of the groups and were able to catch up within 30 minutes. Quite a bit of work was necessary in order to get in position, find the bull we wanted, and take a shot. However, the .375 H & H Magnum loaded with 300 grain trophy bonded bullets did its job. I killed a large 42" bull who traveled approximately 40 yards before piling up. Although an insurance shot was placed into the opposite shoulder, it was not necessary. My first buffalo was taken within several hours of hunting. Since a lion and a leopard were two of my main priorities, we spent the rest of the day hanging baits. Along the way, we saw lots of zebra, impala, kudu cows, waterbucks, baboons, and birds of all type and variety. In fact, I wish I had packed a shotgun and several cases of shells. The bird hunting would have been fantastic. The following morning we went to look for more buffalo for additional bait. We were unable to locate any buffalo. However, we checked our baits. We hung two leopard baits and two lion baits. We had a cat feeding at each and every bait. We finally located more buffalo tracks and put on a stalk. After less than a mile, we came upon them. However, the wind switched direction and the buffalo spooked. Although we found the herd a little later, we were unable to find any good bulls. As a result, we went to look for more buffalo, eland, or zebras (more bait). We were able to locate zebra fairly quickly and shot a mature stallion. We took it over to one of the lion baits which we believed held the best lion. On the way to the bait, we saw a large male lion near the bait. He actually stopped in the grass and laid down in the sphinx position. Although he was a mature male, he had no hair on the top of his head. He had heavy hair below the chin, but I was really looking for a full maned lion. As a result, I decided to pass on this lion and look for a better specimen. However, the trip was obviously already a success. I could go into a great deal of detail on each and every day, as I took notes and kept a hunting journal. However, I think it is important to comment that in six days of hunting, I was able to shoot three mature Cape Buffalo (42,44, and 38 inches), a full maned lion, a large tom leopard, a 41" sable, a 28" impala, a zebra, and a warthog. I cannot decide if the highlight of my trip was the buffalo hunts or cat hunts. Kevin, my hunting companion, sat in a leopard blind in Zimbabwe for 14 straight nights before he shot his leopard. On the first evening in our leopard blind, I sat for less than 2 hours before I shot my leopard. The next evening, I sat in my lion blind for about 2 1/2 hours before I shot my lion. It doesn't get any better than that. Over the next two weeks, I was lucky enough to harvest a second impala, second warthog, and a second zebra. I took a 28" roan, two jackals, an oribi, a mountain reedbuck, serval cat, eland, duiker, a defassa waterbuck, and topi. All the trophy quality was very good to excellent. I saw buffalo every day, from two to three "dugga boys" to herds numbering in the 20's to 100's. I saw 16 lions in broad daylight, nine of which were males. The last two were black maned lions. The buffalo: and cats were plentiful. The quality was outstanding. I did strike out on kudu, hartebeest, and bushbuck. Although several large kudu bulls were seen earlier in the season, I never saw a mature male. Although hartebeest were present, they very wild and difficult to judge and then shoot. I actually left camp after hunting sixteen days. Although I had more days, I missed my wife and children. I had accomplished everything I set out to do, and to be quite honest, after hunting lion, leopard, and Cape buffalo; hunting plains game was not quite as exciting as it once was. I plan to return to hunt with Usangu/TAWICO in the future. Thus, I will return to Tanzania to hunt kudu, hartebeest, and other game at different Usangu camps. I guess the point of this long letter is to simply thank you and the Hunting Report for your email extra advertisements, hunt cancellations, and other information that you provide. Anyone that has access to a computer, and has not switched over to email extra, is making a serious mistake. Not only are you kept advised as to daily developments in the hunting world, you have access to information that can lead to a hunt of a lifetime. I wanted to write a letter of thank you for your services and for putting me in touch with Usangu/TAWICO through the cancellation advertisement. I have enclosed photographs of some of the animals, including one buffalo, lion, leopard, sable, and roan. I also e-mailed some pictures to you so you will have them in digital format. I would be glad to talk to any of your subscribers if they have any interest in hunting with Usangu/ TAWICO.
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Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
3139 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
October 7, 2002 to October 19, 2002 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Lake Natron Usangu Concession |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Gamshard Mulla and Paul Horsley |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Kudu, Lesser - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Gerenuk - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Crocodile - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Hartebeest - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Cokes hartebeest. |
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Hyena - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Wildebeest - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Gazelle, Grant - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Gazelle, Thomson - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Gemsbok/Oryx - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Fridge Eared oryx. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Hippopotamus - Availability: Out of quota. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Healthy populations of all animals sought. Shot exceptional trophies, however, never measured one. |
|
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
Alaska Air and KLM. |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
Gracy Travel provided me with all documentation on airlines policy in advance. Their preparation made for a smooth trip. |
|
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COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
Cancellation hunt reduced fees. |
Amount: |
$13200 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$7760 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$2900 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$1750 |
| Charter Airfares: |
Split by two. |
Amount: |
$1400 |
| Other Costs: |
$1,000 documentation, trophy prep, etc., $800 transportation to and from camps. |
Amount: |
$1800 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
|
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Taking gerenuk, long shot on fringe eared oryx and having a BBQ with the Masai. Enjoyed quality time with both PH's. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
I was treated like a king. Everyone went out of their way to see to my every need. PH's were personable and a blast to be with. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Kevin A. Tabler |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 907-263-7600 - 18722 Snowy Plover Circle, Anchorage, AK 99516 E-mail: tablerk@unocal.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Africa 8 times, New Zealand 2 times, Scotland, England, Canada, China, Argentina, Mexico, North America, Mongolia, Austria. |
| Physical Condition: |
Good. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
2944 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
August 28, 2002 to September 3, 2002 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu Hunting Concession |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Farouk Qureshi and S. Sherdell. |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Charles Goldenberg; Premier Safaris. PO Box 651; Apopka; FL; 32704; Tel. 407-889-9778; Fax: 321-978-9204;Email: premiersafaris@att.net; |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo, Cape - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Two. 36 inches by 38 inches. |
|
Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Large stallion. |
|
Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 22 inches. |
|
Hartebeest - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Lichtenstein. Very nice/Unk. Length. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Topi - Availability: Ran out of time on trip. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Condition Comments: |
All game taken was in healthy condition and very abundant. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
Northwest and KLM. |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
Trouble free, booked through Gracy Travel. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
Included trophy fee for first buffalo and all dip and packing |
Amount: |
$9000 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$1920 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
Included in above hunting fees |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$1860 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
No problems were encountered |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Taking two buffalo during hunt. I recommend using heavy caliber and stout bullets. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Take 100 percent deet for tetsi flies. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
The Mulla family runs a very professional hunting operation and I would recommend them without question. I plan to return to this area very soon. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Scott A. Hofacker |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 419-435-0812 - 3188 Stuart Rd., Fostoria, OH 44830 |
| Hunting Experience: |
9 States, 4 Canadian Provinces, Africa two times. |
| Physical Condition: |
Good, 37 years old. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
2465 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
August 15, 2001 to September 15, 2001 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Madaba, Selous and Lwafe |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Gamshard Darwist and Abdul Mulla |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 46 inches. |
|
Lion - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Seven feet, six inches. |
|
Hippopotamus - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
|
Wildebeest - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Zebra - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
|
Kudu - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 57 inches. |
|
Roan - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 29 inches. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Elephant - Availability: Saw legal elephants, failed to find that "special" trophy. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Condition Comments: |
Madaba in Selous high game concentration, Lwafe low numbers but trophy quality high, plenty of lion. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
South African Airlines |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
| Airline
Comments: |
SAA always treats hunters great, no excess charges as they exclude guns from baggage weight. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
|
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Saw lion nearly every day. I am rebooked for 2002, fifth straight year with Usangu. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Phillip DuBeau |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 407-876-6892 - 9170 Bay Point Dr., Orlando, FL 32819 |
| Hunting Experience: |
Super Slam Sheep, 20 plus safaris to Africa. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
|
This is my fourth year hunting with Usangu, and I have hunted all seven camps. It gets better every year. There are new Land Cruisers in all camps. I hunted this year, so they are putting dollars back into the operation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
2406 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
July 19, 2001 to August 2, 2001 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Lake Natron |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Aboul Mulla, Isac Kiwia |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Safari Headlands. Ronda de Toledo, 38; 28005; Madrid; Spain; Tel. 011-34-91-468-6622; Email: headlands@audinex.es; Web www.safariheadlands.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Leopard - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 14 1/2. |
|
Buffalo - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 33. |
|
Kudu, Lesser - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 28 1/2. |
|
Gerenuk - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 14. |
|
Gemsbok/Oryx - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 29 fringed-eared oryx. |
|
Dik-Dik - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 3 1/2 Kuk's dik dik. |
|
Gazelle, Grant - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 26. |
|
Gazelle, Thomson - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 14. |
|
Impala - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 27 eastern impala. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Bushbuck - Availability: Only saw females, and time spent in the mountains was too short. |
|
Wildebeest - Availability: White-bearded wildebeest. Open plains and too many animals. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Condition Comments: |
Game is so abundant that it's very difficult to aproach the animals without being seen or smelt. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Good |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Good |
| Name
of Airline: |
KLM |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
No problems at all with the guns. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$14700 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$7600 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$4640 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$1000 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
Tips. |
Amount: |
$1510 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
|
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Hunt buffalo in the mountains at 2,800 meters. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Two rifles, one for buffalo and leopard and another ready to shoot at long distances and warm clothes for the mountains. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Jose Marti |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 011-34-917451414 - PO Haband 12-28036, Naomo, Spain E-mail: jmarti@unilco.es |
| Hunting Experience: |
12 times in Africa, four in Asia, each weekend hunt in Spain. |
| Physical Condition: |
Fine. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
2873 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
July 2, 2001 to July 19, 2001 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu Game Reserve/Lake Natron Game Controlled Area. |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Sherdell O. Sherdell/Kiwia Isac |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Cassie de Bruin; Gaza Safaris. PO Box 820; Phalaborwa 1390; South Africa; Tel. 011-27-15263-6231; Fax: 011-27-1528-35169; |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Lion - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
|
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Crocodile - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
|
Hippopotamus - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Waterbuck, Defassa - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Gerenuk - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Gemsbok/Oryx - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Fringed Ear Oryx. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Roan - Availability: Not enough time, some seen. |
|
Kudu, Lesser - Availability: None seen. |
|
Elephant - Availability: No size seen. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Condition Comments: |
Game were in excellent shape across all species in both concessions. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
|
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Fair |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Fair |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
South African to RSA |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
Private charter from RSA to Tanzania, South African performed flawlessly. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
21 days at $1,600 |
Amount: |
$33600 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$14400 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$1200 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$5100 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$6500 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$4800 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
See comments. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Taking lion to complete Big Five. Taking huge crocodile feeding on hippo taken the prior evening. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Insect repellents for tsetse and mosquitos. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
No |
| Why? |
I would not recommend this PH. I would consider recommending these concessions with a different PH in Usangu. |
|
 |
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Gregory B. Jacobs |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 212-327-2853 - 171 East 84th Street #29B, New York, Ny 10028 |
| Hunting Experience: |
Six African hunts: Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and RSA. Several North American hunts. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? No |
Notified Personal Guide? No |
Notified Booking Agent? Yes |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? No |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
|
To: The Hunting Report From: Gregory B. Jacobs Re: Sherdell O. Sherdell
Sherdell O. Sherdell, the PH in the Usangu Game Reserve, proved to be aloof and disinterested, several instances suggested that he may have preferred that I not take the lion, which was the primary goal of the hunt. He spent much of the day speaking to and conversing with the trackers in Swahili, rather than engaging me, the client about the hunt.
Sherdell can and should be a capable PH as he knows the territory well and does display good PH skills. However, one must realize he is uncomfortable with even basic socializing, which is a big part of one's hunting experience.
The Usangu camp was well situated. But did not provide nearly the amenities to be considered a "Top-Notch" camp. Many of the expected basics were either missing or poorly provided. For example, lunch for each of the 18 hunting days was exactly the same.
The camp staff was generally very good, eager and ready to please. More instruction from management would go a long way.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW DOCUMENT ---------------------------------------------------------------------
To: The Hunting Report From: Usangu Safaris Re: Gregory B. Jacobs
I spoke with the client concerning his report. He was overall satisfied with the company. However, he felt that the PH Sherdell did not engage in conversation with the client. This is something I agreed with him. However, Sherdell may not have been as engaging because he was not the primary professional hunter. Sherdell was there to mainly facilitate the client and his professional hunter to have a successful hunt. But just because Sherdell may not have been the main professional hunter, it may not necessarily excuse his lack of conversation with the client and the client's crew. I will be addressing these issues with all of our professional hunters.
Also, he stated that there needs to be a variety of lunches for the clients. He was overwhelmed eating the same type of lunch during his safari. I also agreed with the client about his concerns. I will also be addressing this issue with all of the camp staff. Some of the general staff need a better direction and suggestions from the management.
Overall, the client was satisfied. I will be going back in June of this year to address all of these issues, which may seem minor to most people but do make a big difference.
His overall statement was that he would recommend the outfit and concessions, but not the professional hunter. He also stated that if he were to go back to Tanzania, he would look us up.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW DOCUMENT ---------------------------------------------------------------------
To: The Hunting Report From: Gregory B. Jacobs Re: Response from Usangu Safaries
I have reviewed the responses by Zahir H. Mulla of Usangu Safaries to my hunting report filed earlier this month regarding a hunt with his company in Tanzania. Prior to receiving these I had spoken directly with Mr. Mulla about my concerns.
One point does require clarification so that your subscribers can properly weigh both my hunting report and his responses. He states that PH Sherdell was there mainly to facilitate the client and his professional hunter. In fact, an observer, who is a PH in South Africa but not licensed in Tanzania, did accompany me on the hunt. Additionally, like me, he did not have any prior knowledge of the hunting concessions. I am perplexed that Usangu considered him the main professional hunter rather than Sherdell, who was the only licensed PH with the hunting party. This is not an appropriate excuse for the actions of Sherdell during the hunt.
I believe the hunting report that I submitted was fair and balanced. Your subscribers are welcome to contact me directly should they desire further information or clarification.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
1870 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
August 15, 2000 to September 9, 2000 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Lake Natron, Rungwa, Selous |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Hilary Dafri and Ray Stanly |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Elephant - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 80 inch ivory, 60 pounds. |
|
Lion - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Kudu - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Roan - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
|
Sable - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
|
Bushbuck - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Game
Condition Comments: |
I hunted three different concessions and there was plenty of trophy quality animals in each. This was my third safari with Usangu. My fourth is booked for 2001. |
|
 |
SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
South African Airways |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
After a disaster in 1999 (lost guns bothways) with KLM and Northwest, I will only spend my money with South African Airways. They aprreciate hunters and it shows. |
|
 |
COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
None, which is a surprise for a three camp safari. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
I brought three friends with me and in the first six days we shot four lion, three leopards, plus buffalo and roan. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Abdul Mulla produces the hunt he promises. A complete effort by his staff. It is a true hunt, not a shoot. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Phillip Dubeau |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 407-841-3088 - 3443 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804 |
| Hunting Experience: |
I have a super slam of sheep and have been on 12 African safaris. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
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 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
1184 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
November 1, 1999 to November 21, 1999 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Rungua-Ilelie |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Hilary Daffi, Abdul Mullah |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Lion - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Roan - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Buffalo - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Zebra - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Warthog - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Sable - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Eland - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
This was my second hunt (1998 and 1999) with Usangu (they bought Tavico). Major improvements since 1998. Vehicles, camp, staff, all of it was excellent. This was my eighteenth trip to Africa so I knew how to compare the camp's operations. |
|
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
KLM |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
| Airline
Comments: |
Lost guns on way in and out. It took 10 days to get guns back to Florida. |
|
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COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
|
 |
SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
None. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Game was abundant. Everyday staff was the best I have had in Africa. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Availability of game was great. PH and best camp staff. I am recommending to all my friends. It is a great camp. |
|
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Phillip DuBeau |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 407-841-3088 - 9170 Bay Point Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 |
| Hunting Experience: |
I have hunted in North America for 30 years and have taken 26 species of wild sheep. I have also been to Africa 18 times. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
|
 |
IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Usangu Safaris Ltd. Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
978 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
July 2, 1999 to July 23, 1999 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Tanzania Usangu Safaris/ Maasiland |
|
 |
OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Usangu Safaris Ltd.. 388 Wright Lane; Fairbanks; AK; 99712; Tel. 907-488-5577; Email: bill@usangu.com; Web www.usangu.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Sherdell O. Sherdell (Usangu), Isac Kiwiga |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Charles Goldenberg; Premier Safaris, Inc. 1912 Belmont Place; Metairie; LA; 70001; Tel. 407-889-9778; Fax: 321-978-9204;Email: premiersafaris@att.net; |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
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|
 |
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 6 1/2-foot male. |
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Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Two, 40 inches. |
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Sable - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 42 inches. |
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Dik-Dik - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 3 1/2 inches. |
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Warthog - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Kudu - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 27 inches. |
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Gazelle, Grant - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 27 inches. |
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Gazelle, Thomson - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 14 inches. |
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Gemsbok/Oryx - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 30 inches. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Eland - Availability: Tall grass and only saw females. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
See comments for condition. |
|
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
 |
| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
North West and KLM |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
| Airline
Comments: |
See comments. Flight 49 North West did not have enough meals and drinks on board. |
|
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COSTS |
 |
| Hunting
Fees: |
per brochure |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
per brochure |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
21 day |
Amount: |
$600 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
|
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
 |
| Problems
of Hunt: |
Tall grass in Usanga. None in Maaziland. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Sable with wife and daughter, leopard, buffalo with daughter. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
I would absolutely recommend the hunt. |
|
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
 |
| Hunter
Name: |
Clay Harvey |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 812-952-2122 - 16749 Highway 62, Lanesville, IN 47136 |
| Hunting Experience: |
This is my third African trip. I have also hunted in Alaska, and many states in the United States. |
| Physical Condition: |
Very good. |
|
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
|
Mr. Abdull Mulla of Usangu/ TAWICO did everything that he promised me before the hunt. He met us upon arrival Dar es Salaam, escorted us through customs, no problems or delays, and took us to the hotel. The next day he took us to Zanzibar via the ferry. His cousin Louis met us upon arrival in Stonetown. Louis had a van and drove us around the island. We went on a spice tour (very interesting). We toured the palace, a cathedral, and market place, had lunch, did some shopping and returned to Dar via ferry. Ferry tickets were around $70 each round trip first class. Louis charged $100 and I bought lunch. I highly recommend visiting Zanzibar. You could even spend the night in one of the many hotels.
The next day we flew on Precision Air to Mbeya. This is the new commuter airline. The aircraft was a 19 pax. Turbo prop. Be aware that Precision Air at this time does not accept credit cards. You must pay in cash or traveler's checks. Also, baggage space is very limited. Ticket Dar to Mbeya $135 each.
Sherdell O. Sherdell, PH, of Usangu Safaris met us in Mbeya. We drove to Fjew and visited the Mulla Farm. Then on to camp. The Usangu river camp is a comfortable camp with showers and flush toilets for each tent. We were comfortable there and the camp staff was overwhelmingly helpful. Meals were excellent.
The hunting was initially hampered due to the very tall grass, in excess of 10 feet. As the hunt progressed and areas burned the grass problem decreased and game became more visible. I am sure that following hunts will experience much better hunting conditions, and less tall grass. The tsetse fly was also an annoyance while ridding in the vehicle, but no problem while walking.
Sherdell was an outstanding PH with excellent knowledge of the game, area, and hunting tactics. Due to problem of the grass, the most he had ever seen in ten years of hunting there, we worked very hard for our trophies. Leopard hunting was outstanding. We had three leopard on one bait in less than one hour and thirty minutes in the blind the first evening we sat in the blind. My daughter was with us in the blind and we killed a 6 1/2 foot male leopard, the evening before my 50th birthday, a present that I will never forget. I shot two buffalo, both ten inches, the excessive grass also made the buffalo hunting more difficult. My last day I saw a herd of 500 buffalo with fifteen inch bulls just across the river. The antelope hunting proved to be the biggest challenge due to the high grass. The animals simply did not have to move very much, and were easily concealed. We were successful on the second to last day of the hunt on a 42-inch sable. We were all very happy.
I believe that Usangu is a game rich area. Hunters later this year should have even better success due to less grass, water, and more game movement.
We then flew on Precision Air Mbeya to Arusha; ticket cost $555 for three. Usangu/ TAWICO employees met us at the Arusha Airport. Mr. Urio of TAWICO was most accommodating.
Isac Kiwiya, PH met us and made us feel at home immediately. The Natron Camp was extremely comfortable. We were the first hunters in Maasiland as well as Usangu. Isac has over 20 years experience as a PH with TAWICO,
I was successful on lesser kudu (27 inches) the first day, Grants (27 inches), Thompson (14 inches), and a 30-inch Oryx. We saw at least five other lesser kudu bulls, many gerenuk, grants, and Tommys.
We left Natron camp on our last day of hunting and went to Ngorongoro Crater. Abdul set this up for us. It is a long tough drive but we made it and went to the crater that afternoon. My daughter was able to see lions and cubs at less than two feet. We stayed the night at the Ngorongoro Crater Wildlife Lodge. It had very nice accommodations, food and entertainment. We returned the next morning to Arusha. We did drive through Lake Manyra Park and saw many more animals. I highly recommend that you visit if at all possible. The cost for the three of us as $900.
We traveled via Northwest/ KLM from Louisville, Kentucky, Detriot, Amsterdam, Arusha, Dar es Salaam. We returned the same way. Going over we had absolutely no problems. Returning to Amsterdam, just before departure, I was paged and advised by the airport security that there was a problem with my baggage concerning the ammunition. Steve Turner at Gracy Maars Travel had booked our airline flights. He had also made the appropriate reservations for guns and ammunition. He also provided me with Northwest/ KLM regulations regarding the shipping of ammunition and firearms. I had felt very comfortable with the information provided to me by Steve at Gracy Maars and feel that my knowledge of the regulations that he provided helped me stop a possible frustrating experience. In Detriot I was asked for my customs form showing that I had brought the firearms out of the United States. This was the first time I had ever been asked for that document.
This was our third trip to Africa, first to Tanzania. The experience was a very good one. The hunt was very good, the areas are excellent, and all people involved with Usangu/ TAWICO did everything possible to make our trip a pleasurable and memorable one.
I highly recommend this company and think that the hunting areas that I saw are very, very good. My only comment is to book later in the year if you plan to hunt antelope in Usangu, August first on, as it will get better as it gets dryer and there is less grass.
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