South Africa Hunting Safari Report by Thomas Driskill

HUNT REPORT

Hunter: Thomas Driskill
Date: Sep 25 – Oct 8, 2022
Trip Taken: Limpopo, South Africa Hunting Safari
Consultant: Mr. Todd Osborn, Outdoors International

Too much to say, how can I start…

I’ll make this a very abbreviated version, but will offer to be a reference for anyone who wants to repeat what we did.

We left Hawaii on Sep 25, 2022, it was 45 hours from our home to Sandton Hilton in “Joburg”, where my Son Daniel and I stayed two nights, Sep 27 and 28, before the hunt to get rested. That was very smart, we were worn out. Oldest son Tommy and girlfriend Elena flying from Bali to JoBurg and joined us on Sep 28. We love the Sandton Hilton and recommend it to all.

On Sep 29, our PH picked the four of us up at our hotel and we drove three hours to the lodge.

Our PH was named WJ and he was simply wonderful. Our outfitter met us at the lodge w his wife Crysta. We were introduced to Goodie the Chef and Joseph our tracker / skinner. We sat down for a lovely lunch and Goodie had made a special Croc sweet bread loaf since we were on a crocodile hunt.

The Hunting Lodge is to die for, with a total African theme and amenities to include three meals a day, cooking what we shot, plus a full bar. WJ was our PH the entire time. He took us out after lunch and we sighted in the rifle we had rented (a 30-06), then off we went on the hunt.

Space simply does not permit me to detail everything we did day by day.

So rather, I’ll generalize that we were up for breakfast every morning at 6am and out to hunt by 630am. Each evening we made plans for hunt the next day. We came in about 11am and had lunch each day at 12 noon, rested then back out hunting again at 3pm until dark.

Each evening was an exceptional experience with a big fire, lots of drinks and appetizers before dinner, then a sit down dinner with the outfitter, his wife, WJ, and sometimes some of their friends.

The dinners were tremendous  and innovatively prepared by Goodie, usually including the game we had shot. We ate from china, and drank fine South African wines from crystal glasses.

We went to on this Safari thinking we would take a croc, warthog, blesbuck and zebra.

We ended up with a sable, black impala, Golden wildebeest, King wildebeest and a nice crocodile.

Our outfitter and Todd Osborn from Outdoors International, admin@outdoors-international.com were totally flexible on trophy fees, giving credit for trophy not hunted against cost of trophies hunted.

The hunting was simply unreal.

We had a ball. Lot’s to choose from, hard decisions, but we have hunted in Africa several times before. From previous experience, we have learned to go with the target of opportunity.

We simply can’t say enough about the outfitter and our PH.

This was our fourth time hunting in South Africa, and they not only beat the pants off all of our other hunts, but exceeded our grandest expectations. We have a ton of specific stories of individual hunts and tracking, but you’ll have to experience it yourself to understand that.

Please plan on a nice gratuity for all, because they deserve it and that’s part of hunting in Africa.

Thomas M Driskill Jr
COL USA (Ret)

OUTFITTER EVALUATION

How would you rate your trip overall?

This was a world-class experience!  This outfit is the best in Africa, and WJ (our PH) is phenomenal. Goodie is best cook we’ve ever had in Africa, and Joseph is best skinner/tracker I’ve ever seen. If you ever want to hunt in Africa, set it up with Todd at OI, asking for WJ as your PH!

How was your lodging?

Great.

How was the food?

Great.

How was your outfitters communication?

Great.

How physically demanding was your trip?

Moderate.

CONSULTANT EVALUATION

How would you rate your Outdoors International Consultant?

We never could have planned this trip without Todd’s guidance, support and patience.

Todd was so patient and supportive that he enabled us to pull this entire trip together in about three weeks. In the past, it took me a year to plan an African hunt. He is #1 in the business.

Would you book another trip with Outdoors International in the future?

Yes.

• Can we use your stories and/or photos on our website? Yes.
• Can we use this in social media? Yes.

Here are some other hunts you might be interested in:

Norway Reindeer Hunt

Iberian Red Deer Hunting in Spain

Spanish Ibex Hunting in Spain

Outfitter Resources

From: $100.00 / month

Kamchatka Brown Bear Hunts

Pakistan Chinkara Gazelle Hunting Trips

Pakistan Sindh Ibex Hunting Trips

California Blacktail Hunting Trips

Oregon Blacktail Hunting Trips

Nevada Mountain Lion Hunting Trips

New Brunswick Black Bear Hunting Trips

Tajikistan Pamir Ibex Hunting Trips

Thank you Outdoors International!

It was an amazing steelhead fishing trip! I brought my dad along with me and we slayed the fish. If you guys aren't applying for the OI Draws, you should. They're legit!

Tyler Kirk / OI Draw Winner

I couldn't believe we won!

We won this fully guided, all-inclusive New Zealand red stag hunt in the OI Draw! I highly recommend this hunt, and Outdoors International—fantastic company, amazing meals, and hunts that are second to none.

Brandon Ball / OI Draw Winner

I'm so grateful for the opportunity!

Thank you to Outdoors International, all the PH's and their awesome staff. I made some new friends and will be back to Africa again 100%.

Brye Mangum / OI Draw Winner

My most memorable and rewarding experience.

This was my first guided hunt, and the outfitter was amazing. He was able to keep me motivated and encouraged to hold out for true trophies. I would rate him on an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10! I never thought Africa would be a reality for me. Thank you Outdoors International.

Dason Lasater / OI Draw Winner

Outdoors International

Whether it’s hunting, fishing, wingshooting, or outdoor adventure travel, our goal for you is a safe, worry free, successful trip from start to finish. Our continued success depends on giving you good advice.

See Full Bio