They FLEW. They HUNTED. They LIVED.
The relief of seeing our first hunters back in Africa after a challenging 2020 has seen our spirits soar with enthusiasm. The hustle and bustle around camp and in our kitchens have echoed to the chorus of African voices in full song. Our skinning sheds and PH quarters have been alive with activity as the months of scouting and planning had finally come to a conclusion. Our hunters had arrived.
When ones lifework and existence is thrown into disarray by an event which you have no control over, then ones perspective changes in ways unimaginable to the bystander. What this pandemic did to families who lost loved ones is a tragedy too terrible to see repeated ever again. The loss of businesses and jobs have had a domino affect on economies around the world, and while Africa’s wildlife has kept the glowing ember of hope alive, it was paramount that we are able to stoke that ember into a fire once again.
As we turn to today’s world news, with headlines focused on the famous children’s book Dr. Seuss, one may be forgiven for thinking that the worlds media have moved on from this pandemic. We are not suggesting that everything is over, but we are recognizing the reality of this pandemic that should have been recognized 12 months ago if it were not for the over-exploitation of this event by the media. We ask ourselves; “Would a children’s storybook have been found to be this offensive at the end of the 1918 influenza pandemic which was the most severe pandemic in recent history?” The answer to that we will leave to you to decide in the aftermath of our current pandemic as regions around the world start lifting the requirement for the wearing of masks. Between vaccinations and herd immunity we are seeing people starting to return to the things they have enjoyed in the past.
They FLEW. They HUNTED. They LIVED.
Cable Smith and a group of friends from Texas were forced to postpone their 2020 safari and rescheduled to February 2021. They refused to stop living. They bought their tickets, jumped on a Qatar Airways flight and headed to South Africa. For Cable, Kevin, Arturo, Frank, and Zach there would be no regrets. They were quite literally the early birds who caught some of the biggest worms!
Don’t ask us ~ Ask them…
Being the first group back into camp after a global pandemic was a daunting challenge for our group. However, once we set foot on Woodlands, all those considerations instantly became a thing of the past. The team at John X Safaris was buzzing like nothing I’d seen before. The ever-present smiles were even bigger than what I had remembered before. I’m not sure who was more excited to be honest, but their obvious joy to have us in camp was contagious. The hunting was equally as wonderful as the wildlife had been given a reprieve for an unprecedented length of time without a season of hunting during 2020.
Amazing experiences and memories to last a lifetime. Looking forward to our next trip in July. ~ Cable Smith
This year I returned on safari with John X Safaris once again. Covid had delayed us, but we made it back. My trip this second time was just as memorable as my first. When will I return? …Soon. ~ Arturo Villegas
The Eastern Cape of South Africa has proven to be the greatest outdoor adventure of my life. A truly unique experience with vast landscapes and a large variety of animals, each with their own unique challenges and rewards. The team at John X Safaris far exceeded my expectations on accommodations, food, highly trained staff, and just an overall wonderful experience.
I hope to return and I hope to see my friends soon again! ~ Kevin McGrady
The experience of a lifetime! Words cannot describe the adventures lived, sunsets witnessed and stories shared. This was my first hunt to Africa, but I doubt it will be my last. ~ Zach Taylor
My first bow trip to Africa ~ What a hunt! I had the experience of a life time. Tiro Chingon! ~ Juan “Frank the Tank” Torres
We are happy to report that all went as planned with the group on their return home to the US. The system proved to be hassle free and with a simple negative PCR Covid-19 test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the US/SA we are confident that you too will experience the same scenario on your safari to Africa during 2021.
Contact us today for more information on our hunts and feel free to mail Carl directly on hunting@johnxsafaris.co.za with your specific safari requests or quotes. We look forward to hearing from you and sharing a campfire in Africa.
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