John-X-LogoJohn-X-LogoJohn-X-LogoJohn-X-Logo
  • Home
  • Hunting
    • Since 1983
    • Hunting
    • Current Rates
    • South Africa – East Cape
    • Species List
    • Plains Game Hunts
    • Cape Buffalo Hunts
    • Family Hunts
    • Mountain Hunts
    • Long Range Hunts
    • Tiny 10 Hunts
    • Vita Dart
    • Hound Hunts
    • Borderless Hunts
    • Bird Hunts
  • Rates
  • Media
  • Year Books
    • Year Books
    • Safari Form
  • Excursions
    • More Than A Hunt
    • Day Excursions
    • Multiple Day Tours
    • Fishing
  • Safari Planning
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Equipment Recommendations
    • Packing List for SA
    • Travel Arrangements
    • Traveling with Rifle/Bow
    • Film Your Safari
    • Health Precautions
  • Giving
    • The John X Foundation
    • Donor Tax Benefits
    • Humanitarian Causes
    • Conservation Causes
    • Foundation Initiatives
    • Foundation News
  • Partners
  • Blog
    • All Our Blogs
    • Hunt Reports
    • Family Hunts & Safaris
    • Dangerous Game Hunts
    • Traditional Plains Game Hunts
    • Long Range Hunts
    • Social Responsibility
  • Contact Us
✕

Updates from the field…

24th Mar 2012

This past week saw the Thorpe family join us on their first hunt to John X Safaris. Greg, Nancy, and Hunter teamed up with Professional Hunter, Gary Phillips, as they took on the Eastern Cape. Early mornings, long days, and late evenings filled with excitement would be the norm for these first timers.
Their safari didn’t kick off to the best of starts, with lost baggage all over the world, but this wasn’t going to affect their trip of a lifetime. A massive THANKYOU to Anne and her team from Air 2000 Hunters Support for going the extra mile in relocating the rifles and ensuring they got delivered safely to Port Elizabeth.
The safari started on the Coast, before the men planned on heading to our Eastern Mountainous Area. Nancy decided to stay behind and take up a safari of her own. She’s been enjoying game drives, shopping trips, and horse rides along the Indian Ocean.
Join us for a mid safari update….

John X Safaris

Hunter was the first to luck into a beautiful Mountain Reedbuck ram, Greg and Nancy joined him on the hunt for his very first African trophy.

John X Safaris

Later that first day saw Greg join the action with a well earned Warthog.

One of Greg’s priorities of his safari was to hunt all the spirals of the Eastern Cape. Day two provided just the start he was hoping for on his quest for the four.

John X Safaris

A truly elated Greg! Who wouldn’t be with such a magnificent Nyala…..

For the remainder of the day they concentrated on Cape Bushbuck, hunting along the coastal forests of the Indian Ocean. The hunters spotted Bushbuck on numerous occasions, never finding the kind of ram they were after.

John X Safaris

Then finally lady luck played into their hands at the most unexpected time of the day. A super ram at mid-day.

Day three saw Nancy opt for a day of relaxation around camp. Treetops lodge and the magnificent Big 5 of our Game Reserve provided a memorable day.

John X Safaris

Breakfast on the deck at sunrise before heading off on game drive…

John X Safaris

Giraffes…

John X Safaris

Impala…

John X Safaris

Cheetah…

John X Safaris

Snails…

John X Safaris

Vervet Monkeys…

John X Safaris

And many more.

While Nancy was catching up to the wildlife on the reserve, the men had a different approach to taking it easy. A Waterbuck ranked high as one of Hunter’s priorities. The hunting party had spotted a number of good bulls over the course of their safari thus far. Gary had seen a bull on day two that he really liked, but the bull never provided the opurtunity they were after. Early morning on day 3 saw them spotting the same bull.

John X Safaris

He was quietly feeding in a valley below their glassing position.

Gary and Hunter stalked down towards the bull while Greg had a great view of the entire hunt unfolding in front of his eyes. Excitement was running high.
At the crack of the shot the bull jumped into the air, regained his footing and took off into a deep wooded valley. The bull was hit, but it was hard to judge if the shot was fatal. Step by step they started tracking the bull, finding a drop of blood here and there, moving deeper and deeper into the valley. By midday they had bumped the bull a few times, but the dogs couldn’t hold it for one reason or another.
Early afternoon saw the battle continue with weary hunters and tired dogs. The gap was getting smaller between tracking and bumping the bull, the Waterbuck was slowly growing weaker.

John X Safaris

They finally did catch up to Hunter’s bull, right in the middle of the deepest thickest valley. A quick snapshot after a semi charge by the bull, saw Hunter end the battle.

John X Safaris

A proud and satisfied Hunter with his magnificent Waterbuck bull.

John X Safaris

Hunter’s day finally ended with a well earned Impala at dusk, a fitting end to what was an exciting day hunting in Africa.

The following day saw the men head to our Eastern Mountainous Area while Nancy stayed behind on the Coast.
She’s been keeping pretty busy –

John X Safaris

Taking beach rides along the Indian Ocean.

John X Safaris

And shopping trips to town.

John X Safaris

Not to mention, bumping into a certain poser on numerous occasions!

The hunters will be getting back later this evening, we’re hoping to share some of their success from the north as soon as we’re back in the office.
We’ll be away on safari for the next ten days – stay well, shoot straight and be safe.
For more information and current updates about John X Safaris; follow us on Twitter, connect with us on Facebook and visit our Website!

Related posts

23rd Nov 2023

Foundation Report 2023 | For the Kids of Carlisle Bridge


Read more
17th Nov 2023

30 Years of Dreaming | Ryan Warhola in Africa


Read more
20th Oct 2023

The Land’s in Africa


Read more

Categories

  • Big 5 (8)
  • Big 5 Hunts (53)
  • Bird Hunting (10)
  • Bow Hunting (21)
  • Craig Boddington Endorsed Outfitter (156)
  • Dangerous Game (13)
  • Donation Hunts (4)
  • Families on Safari (111)
  • Family Hunts and Safaris (12)
  • Green Hunts (3)
  • Hunt Reports (52)
  • Hunting (7)
  • Hunting in South Africa (234)
  • Hunting in the East Cape (173)
  • Hunting in the East Cape, South Africa (241)
  • John X Fishing (1)
  • John X Foundation News (14)
  • John X Safaris – Botswana (3)
  • John X Safaris – Cameroon (6)
  • John X Safaris – Mozambique (23)
  • John X Safaris – Namibia (4)
  • John X Safaris – South Africa (138)
  • John X Safaris – Zambia (4)
  • John X Safaris Conservation Initiative (9)
  • John X Safaris Humanitarian Initiative 2012 (9)
  • Kids on Safari (46)
  • Ladies on Safari (76)
  • Long Range Hunts (12)
  • Long Range Shooting (39)
  • News Release (16)
  • Offshore Fishing (4)
  • Plains Game Hunts (245)
  • Rowland Ward Fair Chase Outfitter (16)
  • Safari (5)
  • Safari Report (100)
  • Shows (36)
  • Social Responsibility (12)
  • South Africa (26)
  • Surf Fishing (2)
  • The Safari World Of John X Safaris (118)
  • The Tiny 10 (69)
  • Touring (4)
  • Touring – Freewalker Tours (4)
  • Traditional Plains Game Hunts (65)
  • Uncategorised (5)
  • Uncategorized (6)
  • Videos (132)
  • Vita Dart (8)
Blood Origins DSC houston safari logo CPHCSA logo SCI logo Craig logo
John X Safaris
  • Home
  • Hunting
  • Rates
  • Media
  • Year Books
  • Excursions
  • Safari Planning
  • Giving
  • Partners
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • John X SafarisYoutube
  • John X SafarisFacebook
  • John X SafarisInstagram
All Rights Reserved © John X Safaris. In collaboration with SimonSAYS and Perfect Circle.