Safari Report – Travis Trip #8

Steve Travis and Professional Hunter, Carl van Zyl, have hunted together in South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania over the course of the past ten years racking up some truly memorable safaris. As the years have passed their adventures have taken them to interesting destinations that started perking the interest of Steve’s wife Haylee. Haylee is no hunter, but a greater safari companion would be hard to find!

Having missed our annual safari last year and not being able to visit the Travis’s in Houston during our traditional trip to the US each January we planned for a grand adventure that would include both hunting and touring.

Carl had found something truly special that he and Steve had been chasing for a number of years up in the high country, always trying, but never quite connecting with that magical 10″ Vaal Rhebuck. To many the Vaal Rhebuck is considered the Rolls Royce of African Mountain Hunting, with anything in the 8″ class being a superb quality to harvest. Steve had previously hunted a 8 1/4″ ram, and his son Justin had connected with a ram just shy of 9″ a few years previously until connecting with this once in a lifetime animal.

This year proved to be our year. Not only would Steve’s Vaal Rhebuck break the dreamt about 10″ mark, but it nearly toppled 11′!

We also went on to enjoy a few sessions on the range honing Steve’s ever-growing interest in long range hunting while making the most of a number of superb opportunities. As always Steve has a knack of bumping into a big Warthog and a Kudu seldom passes him bye. Both wonderful specimens to add to our growing collection at their beautiful home in Texas.

From the hunting they headed onto Cape Town and the breath-taking wine country as the team embarked on what would be Haylee’s safari. Trish joined Carl as the couples took in the splendor of the Cape and all it has to offer.

A week of travel, fun and much laughter was shared with friends like few. As always the Travis’s involvement and support of the John X Foundation in both Humanitarian and Conservation initiatives speaks of actions louder than words and is appreciated beyond description.

Here’s to the next adventure and the wonderful experiences we get to share!

We are happy to report that all went as planned 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.

Contact us today for more information on our hunts and feel free to mail Carl directly on johnxsafarishunts@gmail.com with your specific safari requests or quotes. We look forward to hearing from you and sharing a campfire in Africa.

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