2024 click pictures to enlarge

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RW - Dande
EA - Maitengwe
PH Comment - Len

Maitengwe is an area in the West of Zimbabwe. It boarders the Southern Boundary of Hwange National Park. A phenomenal elephant hunting area. September – October seem to be great months for hunting, and really the land of big elephants.

Client Comment

I have heard that Maitengwe was a great elephant hunting area. It has lived up to all that and more.  I have seen 80 bulls in one day and no less that 50 bulls on all other days. The medium weight of the bulls seen were in the 50lbs range. These bulls come in from Botswana, so you see different bulls each day.

I shot a bull of a lifetime estimated at 80lbs. I hunted with PH Len Taylor, you can do no better elephant hunting than with Len. Len is professional, highly educated on elephants and most willing to educate his clients. Accommodation’s were fantastic, food top notch. Great staff.

JS - Kazuma
Client Comment

My fourth trip to Africa and first hunt with CMS could not have been better. Buzz and his team - Criton, Nyati, and Eddie, are the best in the industry. I could not have been luckier to have taken my bull with long matching ivory on what turned out to be effectively the last couple hours of the elephant hunt. This was due to unusual weather and early rains in Botswana, which greatly altered elephant activity for the remaining 4.5 days of the hunt. If you’re considering big elephant, look into hunting during Eddie’s birthday - my bull was the 4th time the client took their bull on his birthday in Kazuma! I was also very fortunate to take the second largest Sable and largest hyena Buzz has ever taken, as well as a very nice eland. Can’t wait for the next hunt with CMS!

BS - Kazuma
PH Comment - Len

Some of the best elephant hunting I have ever experienced.
Seems to be the time of year to be here for elephant and good sable know buffalo
We were able to tack bull most days.

Client Comment

This was my first safari with Charlton McCallum. Len as the PH. I had a wonderful hunting adventure. Seeing bulls every day and shooting mine on day 11.

I want to thank Buzz, Myles and Len for all the planning and effort they put into this safari. It’s awesome to be able to pursue my hunting passion with such quality men and staff. I will be back and I will recommend CMS to my friends

SK - Mhangwe
PH Comment - Alan

This was a difficult hunt. SK is a great guy and remained positive throughout. We did a lot of driving and walking, even spending 2 days rough camping. The elephant were just not coming in, even though there was recent activity. On day 8 we found tracks of 4 bulls and followed them for about 3 hours before catching up. 3 were young and one was an older ele bull. After much discussion, we decided it was the right ele to take. We got within 20 yards and had to wait for a presentable shot. It finally turned to us an SK went for the frontal brain, barely missing, and after a few rapid body shots, it was all over.

A good end to a tough hunt!

JG - Maitengwe
PH Comment - Len

We had a great hunt. Saw a lot of elephants. Definitely a great time of the year to hunt this concession. The water has made a very big difference. In my opinion, some of the best elephant hunting of my life.

Client Comment

Excellent safari! Maitengwe is certainly the place for big elephant bulls. Both the camp and the food is the finest that I've experienced in Africa. Everything is extremely well managed.

Len's reputation as a premier PH on the continent preceds him, especially his knowledge of elephants. Even so, he far exceeded my expectations. He and his team are good, humble hard working men. Len taught me so much about elephant and its behaviour. Looking forward to the next safari with Len as my PH.

CE - Kazuma
PH Comment - Buzz

This was CE 2nd trip with cms but my first hubt with him. I knew it was going to be a great hubt as CE is young fit enthusiastic and fun to be with.

Ele bull was our priority and seasonally cold weather came in and slowed the ele movement down but we did look at about 60 bulls and turned down a few wonderful ele. We than tracked up a beautiful old bull with stunning ivory and CE decide that that was the one!

We also got an old buffalo sable two kudu giraffe and a stunning eland all in 6 days so to say the hunt was a success was an understatement!! I really hope to hunt with CE again and Andy who filmed the hunt is always a huge asset.

Client Comment

In October 2024, I hunted the Kazuma Forestry area with CMS. Buzz was my PH, and I couldn’t be happier with the overall hunt and experience. On day 3, we took an old elephant bull. The size of these bulls that roam between Kazuma and Botswana is truly amazing. Buzz’s team including Criton, Eddie, and Nyati have to be the finest team all of Africa. Thanks for an amazing first elephant hunt Buzz and the entire CMS team.

CN - Unit 6
SL - Unit 6
PH Comment - David

Matetsi Unit 6 was a fantastic area. We saw lots of game (buffalo, sable, roan, lion, leopard, elephant and much more) We had 5 baits set before SL’s arrival and had one good leopard on bait. Unfortunately moving off and not returning until later on in the safari. We go a chance on a good buffalo bull on day 2 and we got our leopard on day 6 of a 10 day safari after 3 sittings. After having our success very early on dg we focused on plains game and got a few good animals (impala, warthog, kudu x2 and duiker) We also looked at and turned down many good sable. The hunting camp was fantastic, we had an excellent time.

TH - Nyakasanga
GM - Dande
PH Comment - Gareth

An incredible hunt was had. Many jokes and good times and friendship. It was a pleasure hunting with GM, his marksmanship outstanding and well-practiced. We took some fantastic quality trophies.

We hunted hard and long for our leopard, had many cats on bait but the 2 big old toms we were targeting, outsmarted us this time. Looking forward to the next hunt together.

Client Comment

Outstanding on all fronts! PH, trackers camps and staff all excellent!
Dande is a wildlife haven, and I will come again
Roll Tide Roll

PG - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Keith

What an epic safari PG had with us here in Nyakasanga.

PGs first time hunting with us – he bagged some great trophies. We got a buffalo and kudu with a space of 3 hours of each other. PG got an amazing crocodile measuring 13,5 feet. A really old grysbok with one horn.

We hunted hard right o the last day and PG managed to get a great eland bull. What a great Safari! Thanks for hunting with us PG!

Client Comment

CMS and Nyakasanga certainly lived up to its reputation as a top-notch safari company and hunting destination. Keith and team did an excellent job of taking care of me and providing an excellent safari. Keith’s skill trackers are amazing to watch and these guys will not quit. I really enjoyed the croc hunt. Spending time on the river is always fun and matching wits with a big croc is not to be missed. We took at 13.5 foot croc that completed my Big 5, Dangerous 7 so it was especially rewarding. But perhaps the most challenging hunt was the tracking hunt for eland. To watch Keiths guys, go to work and to stay on the track was awesome. We were rewarded with a huge old bull on the last day of the hunt, measuring over 35”.

Looking forward to future hunts with CMS and Keith and praying for good rains this summer to to replenish this parched earth. Cheers.

IT - Dande & Maitengwe - 1 month of hunting!
OT - Dande & Maitengwe - 1 month of hunting!
PH Comment - Alan

Lion was very lucky.
Day 2 we were looking for a bait site, when we were charged by an old lion. We drove away and got out and ready and along came the lion. OT made a great shot in the chest and dropped him. Leopard was more difficult. We got 4 males feeding, of which, only one was old. We built a blind and finally got him on the 9th. Big cat! Sat in the blind for 5 days on about day 11.

We chased a few different buff. We then followed 2 bulls, and caught up after a hour and OT made a great one shot kill on the bigger of the two. A beautiful old 40” bull. We had lots of fun and chased plains game around for the rest of the trip, before moving to Maitengwe for elephant bull.

FW - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Buzz

FW has hunted with us several times and this was my second hunt with FW. This time we wanted tuskless, eland and bushbuck – so came to Nyakasanga. The challenge was finding a tuskless without a dependant calf. This meant we had many approaches before we found the right cow. FW then perfectly side brain shot her from 14 yards. What an exciting hunt! We also got a very old 14” bushbuck, that I had seen on a previous hunt – went back and found him again!

The eland was outstanding, we saw him late evening and then tracked him the next morning. After a few hours tracking, we caught him and FW dropped him with his double. 40” eland bull, could we wish for a better ending?!

FW is super relaxed and hunting with him is a lot of fun. I have enjoyed my time hunting with FW and I look forward to a future TEB soon!!

Client Comment - Accurate Reloading
BR - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Keith

This was BR 2nd safari with us, at Nyakasanga this time round. What a great Safari with his buddy JB who hunted with PH David Mann. We took some great trophies, being, buffalo, kudu, zebra, impala and some guinea fowl. A Safari with lots of laughter from start to finish, being entertained by cameraman Dan McDonald.  What a great hunt! Looking forward to the next adventure in 2026

Client Comment

This was my 2nd hunt with Keith and CMS. If possible, it was even better than the first! We took great trophies and Keith worked very hard. Camp was amazing. I really enjoyed being right on the mighty Zambezi River. We had the opportunity to shoot birds which I loved. I am already planning my return trip to Keith and the entire CMS Team!

JB - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - David

We had a very good 10 days in Nyakasanga. JB and BR were an absolute pleasure to have in camp. Day one myself and Jim got very lucky with a Kudu. We spent a few days after that focused on buffalo and go lots of interaction with dagga boys and a few groups. JB being a first time buffalo hunter really got the full exposure. We connected with a lone dagga boy early in the morning. With the main animal down we had time for fly fishing, plains game hunting and a little wing shooting.

Client Comment

What an incredible experience. David Mann’s knowledge, experience and professionalism for exceeding expectations. He was a job to hunt with. We had great success on my Safari and I was fortunate to take a beautiful dagga boy as well as at 56’’ Kudu, 2 impala, and a nice stallion zebra. Fly fishing for tiger fish (and catching), wing shooting and genuine fellowship around our camp, rounded out a true trip of a lifetime. I cant speak more highly of my PH David Mann, his tracker and the staff at Nyakasanga. I promise you I will be back to chase “Captain Hook”.

Robert Demb- Dande
Client Comment

I killed this bull out of the Karunga camp on a beautiful September day under a mackerel sky.

On the drive into camp I repeated my wish from my 2023 hunt with Len that I wanted a scrum cap. Len did have a line on one and said if we did not find him we would kill a very old bull which I was fine with. This bull Len estimated at 15 years, and we killed him on day 6 after tracking him on and off for 5 days. On that day we caught up with a smallish herd he was mixed up in after 4 hours. We crouched 180 yards from them for about 30 minutes without seeing the bull before they started drifting from left to right. We made a wide berth to get in front of them and we had a good wind. Len then quick walked us to a smallish hill/ridge line to our right that the buffalo were going behind.

Just as we topped the ridge, with me on Len’s behind, he put up the sticks and said “here comes your bull.” I got on the sticks. We were slightly elevated and he was coming head on towards us slowly feeding and I had the 4a scope on his shoulder at 50 yards but he hadn’t opened up an angle yet. Then a cow appeared coming up fast on his right. Things were getting complicated but he opened up the angle and I made a very good shot on the point of his shoulder. He took off and I swung with him but he stops, and then on the sticks I quickly put another shot into his shoulder at 35 yards. He takes off again, stops, and I put another shot into his shoulder. He takes off yet again and shooting off hand put another shot in his shoulder. He swaps ends, and then goes down and I do not shoot. He then jumps up and Len says shoot and I shoot him off hand, a little farther back, and he goes down.

We walk up to him after 3 death bellows, but he is still breathing. He is down and facing away. Len says shoot him again. He was about 20 paces away and all I could see was the enormity of his neck and hump. I put the scope low on the hump and shoot and he stretches out and is still. We later found the 500 grain Barnes .458 solid underneath and in the rear base of the right horn, and a shallow potato-like chip had spalled off the top of the horn.

This bull means a lot to me: He reminds me of me. Moses, Albert, and Custer (the colonial scout) did a lot to get me on this bull. And of course Len orchestrated the whole thing and managed my abilities perfectly through the whole hunt. I wonder if I’ll make another buffalo hunt. I’m not sure. I feel lucky that I was able to make this hunt. It’s time for elephant, and then lion …, but maybe I am just an ordinary dagga boy type of guy.

Rifle Notes:
American Hunting Rifles .458 Lott on CZ 550 Magnum action. 21 inch barrel. Pop up peep in rear square bridge. Leupold Euopean 1.25-4x scope with 4a reticule mounted in Alaska Arms LLC. cam- actuated quick detachable mount. Handloads (modified from Barnes reloading manual) of 74 grains H4895 with 500 grain Banded Barnes solid at 2192 FPS. This rifle is a twin of the .404 Jeffery AHR made for me that I used last year. I killed a very nice 49” Kudu bull with the .404 on the 4th day of this hunt on the way back to Karunga in the evening.

LE - Dande
PH Comment - Gareth

A great first time safari with CM Safaris for LE. We hunted Dante East and spectacular number of plains game was seen. Great numbers of roan, kudu, buffalo and impala. We put in may hard, long miles tracking lone sable bulls, getting in close multiple times but unfortunately no clear shot available and bust by fickle gusting full moon winds. Tracking was amazing. To stay on a single sable bull track all day through groups of roan and other game. We managed to sneak in close to a lone dagga boy and LE made 3 quick very precise shots, and the bull fell over on the spot. 2 old impalas, a jackal and a big hyena taken by LE. A very enjoyable and memorable hut with LE and his family. Looking forward to the next one.

Client Comment

I had a great hunt. It feels good to work hard for the animal and then be successful. We worked hard and long for sable but did not have success in the end but it was still rewarding. Gareth is a real professional and great to hunt with.

CM - Dande
PH Comment - Myles

Such a fun, intense and physical! Zambezi Valley Buffalo hunt, with lots of ups and downs.  In the end of the 7th day after seeing buffalo morning of every day, we finally connected.  It was C’s first with her Dads 500/416 NE with a perfect quartering on shot – he went 30 paces only.  The herd hung around, so CM also shot his bull was quartering on, at 60 paces with his 458 Loft.  Two great bulls taken.

Client Comment

This hunt is one we will cherish for our entire life. My husband and I wanted to come to Zimbabwe to hunt Buffalo and Myles delivered! He had us on Buffalo every single day and on day 7 1 finally took my first buff. Minutes later, when we saw the herd had not run off, Myles jumped into action to get my husband a shot for his buffalo and he was able to shoot one from the same herd. During our trip, my husband and 1 celebrated our wedding anniversary. On our way back to camp after a long day of tracking Buffalo, we came around the corner to a beautiful candle lit dinner under the stars that Myle's had orchestrated. He thought of everything and made this the most memorable hunting experience. From booking the hunt to our final days of the trip, CMS has been amazing to work with. We hope to hunt with them again!

MW - Dande
PH Comment - Keith

What an epic first time Safari MW! We took an ancient old dagga boy on the first day of the Safari. The next 6 days we walked and cruised around Dande doing some sightseeing and hunted plains game. MW was fortunate to bag a few more animals, being a klipspringer, bushbuck and impala. Great hunt being the first time in Africa. Thank you for coming along with us MW! Look forward to the next one!

Client Comment

Awesome experience!! Absolutely unbelievable first time African Safari for me. Keith and his crew were wonderful caretakers, could not have asked for better. The amount of game this crew guided me to, in a true “search on foot” and stalk fashion was incredible. This was the type of hunting I was hoping for, and they obliged. The sights of Dande were incredible as well, including the cliff paintings. I am very fortunate to score my trophy buffalo on day one, then spent the rest of the week stalking thre more very nice creatures. This experience will be unforgettable!!

BB - Dande
PH Comment - Dean

A fabulous hunt with fantastic people. We saw dagga boys from day one, were lucky enough to take a beautiful old buff on day two. We saw lots of plains game, sable, waterbuck, zebra, kudu, bushbuck, and so on. We shot a lovely old bushbuck and an old baboon too. We had a beautiful day on the Zambezi, seeing an incredible number of crocs, hippos and elephants. BB caught a tiger fish! Camp was outstanding, as was the good and staff. It was such a pleasure being with this amazing couple.

Client Comment

Words cannot express how grateful we are for the week in Dande with Dean and his team at camp Mururu. The whole team has made our fist trip to Zimbabwe more than we could have imagined. Dean was very accommodating, ethical and went above and beyond our expectations. His knowledge and love for nature and hunting was obvious from the very beginning of our time there and continued throughout our trip. We loved the stories of past experiences. His team was exceptional at tracking and taking care of our every need. Our trip down the Zambezi River was action packed and beautiful. Every day was full of adventure, excellent meals and laughter. We were fortunate enough to harvest a great buffalo, mature bushbuck and baboon. As well as seeing many other species of animals along the way. The scenery was wild, diverse and exceptional during each of our outings. The accommodations and staff at camp were wonderful. We made memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Thanks so much!

FJ - Dande
DD - Dande
PH Comment - Len

Dande a place of many buffalo. Much more rugged country to our other hunting areas. Lots of natural water, hence a lot of buffalo. Went to the river last for site seeing.

Client Comment

Wonderful hunt for my first buffalo! I couldn’t have picked a better location. Camp or PH. Len was professional and forthright, keeping me in the game when the hunt got challenging. Put an old bull in the salt and then put in the real miles tracking zebra. If you can, spend a day at the River Camp Matombo. Which put an exclamation point on a real African Adventure.

MB - Dande
PH Comment - Len

We had an amazing Safari. The first elephants we followed, we found them sleeping under a tree and got up very close. Later shooting the elephant in the villages was a great experience for the client. The elephant we shot there were 3 bulls standing together. The larger bull was standing at the back, and it was exciting to try and separate them, which we did successfully.

We then hunted plains game and a hyena for the remainder of the safari.

Client Comment

Hunting Elephant bull in Dande East with Len Taylor was an amazing experience. Before I booked, I had some conversations with CMS about the location of the hunt. My wishes were that it should be a true classic 14 day walk and stalk hunt in Dande in the wild Zambesi escarpment. CMS recommended me Len Taylor as the PH and they couldn’t choose a better elephant PH. My hunting friends Lennart, also from Sweden and Richard from South Africa joined up as observers and cameramen. Len and his team of trackers and driver Solomon, Nyati and Abraham were absolutely fantastic in the fine art of hunting elephant, but also had a lot of knowledge in all small animals, birds and insects and flora.

On the fourth day, I shot a very nice representative Zambesi escarpment trophy elephant bull. After that we were out for bushpigs, warthogs and spotted hyena, but weren't so lucky. The last night of the hunt we had hyenas at the bait, just some 15 meters from the blind, but it was too dark for taking a safe shot. We also had a lazy day fishing in the Zambesi River. The Pedza Camp, where we stayed and staff at camp were absolutely fantastic. Overall, the hunt could hardly have been better arranged – it was fantastic.

JP - Nyakasanga
TM - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Keith

This was TM’s first safari with CMS and epic we had. Thad took an AMAZING old dugga boy on day 3. We hunted for plains game too. We managed to bag a hyena and an impala. Lots of beautiful walks and even some fishing. Thanks TM!

Client Comment

First rate in all respects. My PH Keith was superb in every way. I could not recommend them more highly. My first Safari with CMS and will not be my last. My sincere thanks to all of the staff for the constant effort to make my experience memorable.

PB - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - David

Nyakasanga was very good to us we saw lots of buffalo in our first few days and got a good dagga boy. Our focus shifted to crocodile, we set up a bait but managed to spot and stalk a crocodile on the bank. The rest of our safari was focused on seeing the area and looking for various plains game animals

Client Comment

It was quite a bag, I couldn’t be happier. We hunted very hard and long each day. It was all good, challenging stalks and demanding shooting — especially that Kudu. All wonderful!!

SS - Dande
PH Comment - Gareth

A fantastic hunt was had in Dande East. We had some incredible long elephant tracks and looked at many elephant cows before finding the right tuskless without a dependable calf on day 5. SS made 2 great shots and put her down efficiently. We also worked on a few dagga boy groups long tracks and sneaking in close. SS took a beautiful old dagga boy at 45 yards with his double. A really enjoyable hunt was had with lots of hard, proper hunting and great jokes and friendship. Looking forward to the next one being planned.

Client Comment

Hunting in Dande East with Gareth and CMS was amazing. I booked this hunt wanting a true walk and stalk hunt. I received that and so much more. Trackers and Gareth did a great job on both elephant hunt and buffalo. Camp staff did a fantastic job, camp was beautiful and way above expectations. Along with seeing lots of elephants and buffalo, we saw some beautiful big kudu and a variety of other plains game. A big thank you to Gareth and trackers as well as the rest of the CMS Staff.

ZF - Dande
PH Comment - Alan

Ele day one we did a lot of milage and did not see a track. Day 2 we went south to Urira Village. We stopped at the road and sent trackers to look. They called to say that there were elephant in the river. We rushed down to find 8/9 bulls one of which was an old with long this tusks. We decided to take him. Frontal at +-20 yards. Slightly missing the brain, but the next shot put him down. Very exciting amongst so many bulls.

The next 4 days were dedicated to eland, which we connected with on day 5. We tracked 2 bulls and found them late afternoon in some old lands. We had to sneak about 300 yards to get within 250 yards. ZF made a fantastic shot and secured a beautiful old bull.

Waterbuck – we took at late afternoon walk along the Manyimo River. We hadn’t gone far when we heard something. We stopped and waited and eventually out came a great waterbuck bull. 30 yards away. ZF wasted no time in dropping him.

Bushbuck – we spent a lot of time on the bushbuck, but finally flushed a good ram in walking along a spring up in the hills. ZF made a quick shot offhand. We collected a few more animals. Had a fantastic hunt with ZF once again.

Client Comment

My second hunt with Alan and my first time in Mururu Camp, it's tough to beat ….. Very good hunt again. We actually saw a lot of game. I took a nice elephant bull and a great eland. Duiker, bushbuck and warthog. I really enjoyed hunting in the north this trip. Beautiful area and saw some amazing scenery. I really enjoyed the spring to spring walks in the hills looking for bushbuck. Great second trip.

VV - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Buzz

A high pressure 7 day hunt. High pressure in the amount of animals needed but absolutely no pressure from our wonderful clients. In the end we shot two beautiful dugga boys an incredible dry land hippo that was tracked and then several impala, waterbuck, kudu, and baboon.

This family hunt was super special for me and Dave. Spending quality time with a family in a true wilderness area like Nyakasanga is as good as it gets. I look forward to many more hunts in the future.

Client Comment

An absolutely wonderful experience from beginning to end.

This was a first time hunt with CMS and we were hunting with Buzz and Dave Mann. We only had 7 days to achieve a double buffalo, hippo and croc hunt with plains game - the pressure was on!

Buzz, Dave and their respective teams are absolutely first class did not disappoint. We had an absolutely fantastic time. The game was abundant in Nyakasanga and the buffalo activity in particular was extensive. We took two wonderful dugga boys who had been expelled from the herd, as well as a very old hippo and a large Zambezi croc. Truly ethical hunting conducted with conservation as the primary objective.

The hunting was exceptional, closing up to 18Ks walked on one day.

The camp was run immaculately by Muno with the assistance of Daniel the apprentice PH. The food was fantastic - the best I’ve ever had in the bush. Lynn and Charmain did a wonderful job behind the scenes making sure everything went to plan.

A truly memorable week in one of the World’s true wildernesses. We look forward to returning!

JS - Dande
PH Comment - Keith

So good to have JS back with us after an epic hunt in 2022. On this hunt JS was after leopard, hippo and crocodile. We had six baits out and had three different males feed. WE had shot a kudu cow and hippo as bait. JS got himself a great crocodile, measuring 12.5 ft. We built multiple blinds in diferent locations for leopard and sat multiple times. On Day 11 our luck changed, and JS got his leopard in daylight. We also managed to bag a jackal and klipspringer. Finishing the hunt off fishing on the last day. A great safari and look forward the next! Thank you for hunting with us JS!

Client Comment

Please read my hunt summary on Accurate Reloading!

RG - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Buzz

The G’s 2nd hunt but my first with them and what an amazing hunt we had. I could not ask to hunt with nicer and funnier people. The hunt itself was outstanding taking ele bull buff, 3 impala, 1 kudu 2 hyena, warthog, zebra and eland and great hippo. The shooting was outstanding and the humor even better. Can’t wait for our lion hunt in 2028.

Client Comment

My wife and I had a great 12 day hunt with Buzz. We are planning to come back in the near future to hunt a lion.

SS - Dande
PH Comment - Dean

SS is a super nice guy. We killed a super old dagga boy off the side of a big herd at Maonde loop. One shot kill on day 4 after tracking dagga boys for 3 days first. Food excellent & staff excellent. Great trip.

Client Comment

Fantastic first-time experience with CMS. The entire operation is first rate. The hunt was flawless, great game area, great trophy quality, great care. Can’t speak more highly of Dean Kendall my PH. He was five star, through and through. Consummate professional. We killed a beautiful Cape Buffalo. Also killed a baboon and hunted hyena. I will recommend CMS to others, no comments or concerns. Great place, better people.

PP - Dande
Client Comment

The safari was wonderful especially the PH Dean Kendall. Real wild hunting which I love. I have had safaris 1 in Namibia, 1 in Tanzania and 3 in Zimbabwe, this by far was the best. The camp was very comfortable, and the food was excellent I'll be back to hunting Zimbabwe for sure with CMS and if it's possible also with Dean thanks.

NF - Sentinel
PH Comment - David

I joined NF & L in Sentinel for a 10 day plainsgame hunt, our focus was on nyala and bushbuck with open arms for any opportunities that would come in the 10 days we had. We managed to get some very good hunting spending a lot of time on top of the sandstone hills glassing and walking slowly along the Limpopo and Ipaye river and got lucky with 8 really awsome trophies with a standout Nyala and two warthogs. Both where a pleasure to hunt with and it was really nice to have NF, a safari veteran and L a first time safari goer hunting together. Along with the nyala and warthogs, we managed to get a zebra, bushbuck, impala, wildebeest, and a kudu. Unfortunately wounding our bushbuck but luckily finding it 5 days later!

MR - Dande
Client Comment

It was a great hunt. All staff were excellent and very helpful and friendly. The quality of camp facilities was excellent. PH Gareth was the best. He protected me at all costs. After the leopard charge, Gareth was injured and had to be air evacuated to Harare. Daniel filled in the remaining 8 days, showing us a good and informative time. Both camps, especially the Zambezi River was just like a dream. Gareth did an outstanding job, figuring out the leopard pattern. He is an outstanding PH. We would definitely hunt with CM Safaris and Gareth again.

DH - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Alan

We ended up having another great hunt. It was tough on the leopard. We targeted 7 different males of which we managed to get all on bait.  We sate 4 time each on of the big males, but just missed them with the no hunting after dark rules. We got a 3rd big cat feeding on day 11 and decided to set up on him on day 13. He came in beautifully at 6pm, perfect light. DH made a great shot on him. So rewarding after such a big struggle with late nights and early mornings. The buff was lucky, we followed a few groups, but found a great old dagga boy which we spotted early morning. DH made a great heart shot and he collapsed after +/-40 yards. Last day we looked for an eland and got lucky, shooting at 38’’ blue bull. Perfect shot at +/-120 yards, great hunt. Great time.

Client Comment

This was my third hunt with Alan and CMS and it did not disappoint. I got my buffalo on day 11 and the leopard on day 13. Alan and his crew worked very hard for my success and it certainly showed after the leopard was finally down. I got a big Eland bull on the last day and that was the icing on the cake. The Nykasanga camp and staff was top notch. CMS is a great organization and I am looking forward to my next hunting safari with them.

GW - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Len

Nyakasanga is a great lion hunting safari area. Lions are plentiful throughout the concession. During the 15 days hunting we had 4 adult males feed on our baits. We took the oldest male. It was a good exciting hunt. We got a big bull hippo for bait out of pan and a very good warthog. We took a hyena the first day when test shooting the gun.

Client Comment

Exciting non-conventional lion hunt, close up and personal. Bagged my first warthog on my 8th safari to Africa, an excellent trophy.

JW - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Myles

What an amazing week in Nyakasanga! We started out hunting a dagga boy with RW day 1 morning we passed up a bull – not quite old or ugly enough! In the evening of day 1 we did track and find a dagga boy we wanted to look at harder at. Day two We picked up his tracks where we left them the evening before, followed him, saw he was a superb bull … RW, on sticks and whack – fine shot! He only managed 200 yards and a few more shots and he was done. A good 11-year-old dagga boy!

So, day 3 was JW’s turn. We spent all day tracking different bulls (1), then (3) and lastly (4) of them. They all went into some super thick jesse and no opportunities...

Morning of day # 4 into the jesse we went and no shot again just too thick. We did work out where they were heading though and got way ahead of them and four dagga boys in the open – a rare site! Josh shot the best of them but just a little low it turned out.

We followed them 4 hours that day and retuned day 5. Another 20km and after a brief and successful encounter and a 13 yo, 42-inch bull was ours!

Great hunting conditions, loads of game, fit and keen hunters made for a very enjoyable and memorable hunt.

OR - Dande
Client Comment

The return of the Viking.
After many years of absence I was back in the valley with no1 CMS team. Having a few hunts with Buzz under my belt. Hunts, not Buzz, including buff, ele, leo this time an ele bull was on the menu.

Arriving Pedza the morning after arriving Harare from the cold north. Meet and greet at the airstrip with Ph MG who was conducting a leopard hunt with my fellow viking. After dropping off guns and gear in camp we drove up to Matombo camp for lunch. What a camp! The most scenic view I have ever seen. High above the Zambezi river where hippos and crocs patrolled the river. Amazing camp and a perfect place to stay a couple of days before or after a hunt. We did plan on that but hunting days were prioritized. Back to Pedza camp and met up with the master. The feeling of being in Pedza again with friends was priceless.

Hunting. Day one. Elephant bull. They say you hunt elephant with your feet. Confirmed. Followed a nice track but the bugger was in musth and ran like hell. Buzz correctly pulled the plug on the chase and we left the eager bull at the famous Odin seep.

#2 I guess was the same ordeal. Looking for 18-20 inch tracks and trying to close the distance and have a look if possible a shooter. Usually we did this mornings and afternoons but if the track got hot we would skip lunch and try I bit longer. Day 3 or so we did this in the most beautiful terrain with creeks, rocks and a few but easy hills. Suddenly a giant grey tank appeared 70 meters from us on a hill top. Grazing and flapping ears. Wind was in our favour so we managed to get in a good shooting position. Turned this bull down but was definitely a shooter. Long symmetrical tusks and a big big body. Many days left.

Day four or so was the same program . Eventually caught up with a bull but turned this one down too. Found 21 snares put up by the Mozambique poachers. Bumped now and then into plains game but was not interested. Elephant first. The days went by quickly. Super nice camp, people, food , drinks and a few dodgy storytellers in camp made the time fly.

The tracking game usually had us hiking 3-4 hours and maybe 10 kilometers on average to close in on the elephants. Lots of small herds of cows, calves and some young bulls. Daily probably 15km. Day 10, found a track we had seen before. 21 inch I think. Followed from morning . The bull rested 4-5 times but he got the wind of us every damned time. Crossed a road and we set up for lunch. Nice! . Criton and Nyati followed the bull and we ran the back track and closed in. The bull went into a herd of cows and was spooked once again. Crossed back down the road and we took gps mark at 5 pm. End of day. Again.

Day 11
The plan was to have Nyati and Criton to do a sprint across some rivers to try to cut yesterdays tracks somewhere and we could close in. Of course because they walk a lot faster and longer than our Ph. Or maybe it was me.

Criton did not like that plan. “Drop me off at yesterdays track” was the short answer. He wanted to end the game. Followed the track approx. 10 k I guess and we took a shortcut in the jesse to meet up . Same story. Messed up with cows, wind and bad luck. Bumped the bull several times. Started to give up and had a small valley to cross and I thought this was it and a cold Zambezi next. I was wrong. Up the bloody noisy hill once again. A carpet of leaves made the walk hard. On top we heard some noise form the bull. Ha had a pit stop under some trees!!! A few steps forward and this was it. Our bull. No time for shooting sticks and two steps to the left presented me with a nice side brain shot. Took it and that was it. 40 so km on track on this elephant and we won. The feeling cant be described in words. Those who know knows.


Day 11 and probably 150+ kilometers. We deserved this success. We hunted elephant with our feet. This could not happen without Buzz, Criton, Nyati and Eddie. The tracking is simply outstanding . Show me a team that can track one single elephant for days. In this terrain. Once we got within 10 meters of a sleeping elephant bull!! Not many men have seen an elephant bull snoring. And of course the leader of the pack , Buzz. He is not a businessman, guide, entertainer or god knows what. He Is a pure solid hunter. You can feel that after just an hour in the bush with him. He really loves to hunt. So again thank you for the hospitality and keeping me alive and safe. I certainly will return if you allow me.

The elephant bull was the main course here but we also manage to bag a zebra and a kudu. Lost one warthog due to my bad shooting but that is another story. If anyone who reads this is interested in my story please ask CMS for my contact info. Im happy to recommend CMS to fellow hunters.

…I almost forgot. Our own appie Mr. Daniel Norman!!! He almost shot my elephant but other than that he is a very fine young rising star. I hope to share camp again Daniel, and hopefully before old Buzzer is retired!

GJ - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Keith

GJ and PJ have hunted with CMS a couple of times and it’s a pleasure to have them back again. This time they are joining us in Nyakasanga to hunt an elephant bull and buffalo with some plains game. This was such a fantastic safari where all the stars just lined up for GJ. We took an old dugga boy on day 2 and we got an incredible elephant bull weighing in at 40lbs. Both big game hunts were very exciting. GJ also managed to bag an impala, hyena and a giant warthog. Such a pleasure hunting with GJ & PJ in Nyakasanga. We had incredible experiences. Thanks GJ and PJ for joining us on an epic safari.

Client Comment

For us, Nyakasanga more than lived up to its reputation a on of the best hunting areas in Zimbabwe.

It was a privilege to be looked after by a very good PH. His team of trackers and driver, making for an incredible team who ensured 1 had the hunt of a lifetime. The camp staff were very professional and made our stay very comfortable from the tracking of the elephant and then the buffalo, to being challenged by a pack of hyena who had assumed ownership of the carcass. The excitement was intense. I love the warthog, which will take pride of place on my wall.

I am grateful to Buzz for sorting this hunt out for me. Good luck for the rest of the season!

PK - Dande
Client Comment

As we experienced last safari, Dean is an exceptional PH (probably better than Buzz hahahaha) and staff was outstanding.  Trackers great.  Brightons cooking is good every single meal.  I know that this all would not be possible without Myles’s and Buzz’s hard work and oversight behind the scenes.  Thank you all guys!

MF - Dande
Client Comment

This hunt exceeded my expectations on every level. Dande is a beautiful area. The quality of game is top shelf. All the hard work of DAPU is paying off. Myles is the true definition of a professional hunter in every way and it was an honour to spend 14 days with him. The trackers and game scouts all worked incredibly hard and were truly invested in a successful hunt. This was truly the trip of a lifetime! My sincere appreciation goes out to all of the staff at CMS that made this hunt possible!

D & LT- Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Len

After hunting this area very hard for 10 days for a buffalo for  DT. It must be one of the best buffalo hunting areas left in Africa.

Every day all day you can be hunting a dagga boy in thick jess. You may not always get as hot but you will always be in buffalo.

The population of cape buffalo in this area cannot be matched by any other area I know. DT took a great bull on day 6 after following him for over 3 hours. He wanted an old bull with deep drops and big bosses – everything he wanted he got. On top of a good buffalo hunt we got to stay in an amazing camp right on the banks of the Zambezi with hippos and hyena lion sounds all night.

Client Comment

My first time back since 2014 and my first hunt in Nyakasanga. Nyakasanga is big and beautiful and rugged. Our camp on the Zambezi was comfortable, convenient to the great hunting. Great staff. Of course, great food and drink. A special adventure for me in that for the first time my wife LT accompanied me. At night we slept like babies as the hippos, elephants and hyena sang us to sleep. Len Taylor our PH took great care of us and made sure we never were without creature comforts. Thank you so very much Len for all of the attention. I shot a very nice old bull (what I wanted) buffalo after picking up tracks at a watering pan. We caught up with him and another dugga boy and one shot from my 375 H&H put him down in a very humane manner. I thoroughly enjoyed the pursuit every day and look forward to returning soon. DT

I enjoyed my first time to Zimbabwe, Africa as a wife and non-hunter. I came to see the beauty of the country – scenic and animals. Totally loved the sunset by the fire and river. River is a treat. I was not disappointed. Cannot go without mentoring the perfect service and friendliness. Yummy food!! LT

NJ - Matombo
Client Comment

African Hunting Forum Comment
In all it was an amazing experience, unbelievable, I assumed I would love it but it exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to return, an expensive habit! I can’t praise the team and the outfitters CMS enough, I’ll hunt with them again as soon as I can afford it!

2 x 1 - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Dean

Super nice clients. Very appreciative of all. RG did a perfect heart short on his buff. Very good considering he is new to the game.

Unfortunately for SL, we lost his buffalo. It was quartering away and shot too far forward. We followed hard for 2.5 days and had no luck. Camp staff and food was all good.

Client 1 Comment

Excellent hunt. Hard working PH. Good camp and food. Beautiful location

Client 2 Comment

Outstanding experience from the start to finish. Dean was the ultimate professional. In addition, the perfect host. Every member of his team was also outstanding. The trackers were dedicated to achieving an outcome. The scout John was a real team player and added value with his local knowledge of aspects outside the actual hunt. Again a fantastic experience. Thanks!

JM - Matombo
PH Comment - Alan

As usual we had a most memorable time, with lots of fun and laughter. As slow couple of days to begin with, but on day 4 we found some dagga boys right in a village. We found them on the edge of thick reeds under a Masawu bush. It was slow getting a clear enough view of them, but after some lengthy sneaking we got into a position to shoot +/- 60 yards. The shot looked good, but sadly just a little low, in the shoulder, but breaking the leg. The follow up was intense and the buff was killed the next day after some exciting moments. We managed to do a couple of days fishing and JM caught a +/- 60lbs vundu which tested her strength, but she landed it successfully. Her daughter pulled in a 15-20lbs Cornish jack. A great time indeed. Will there be another hunt to come?

Client Comment

I feel I have been repeating myself for many years, starting in 2011 where I hunted my first tuskless with Alan Shearing. Five elephant, three buffalo later I still agree with the sentence… “we had the most memorable time, with lots of fun and laughter”

Hunting out of Matombo camp this time, we started out with two days of fishing the mighty Zambezi. What a brilliant idea, whoever came up with that.

Got my head settled, morning routines in order and ready to roll and let the hunt begin on day three.

The village dagga boys were very street smart and it did take some slow slow sneaking up, in order to get a head view of the one I finally took a shot at when he moved forward to reveal a shoulder.

It is a nightmare to mess up on a shot on buffalo, I did just that. I broke his leg, but the bullet travelled through his brisket.

We were part of the first follow up on day one, but on day two Alan did not want us along. On that day Alan shot the buffalo, as he came charging out of some unbelievable thick stuff. Relief all around, thank you, thank you Al.

We enjoyed the company of CMS appy hunter Daniel Norman, a solid, capable and very kind person.
Always on his feet to make sure we had all we needed or wanted. My daughter and I so enjoyed his company.

To sum this up. Charlton McCallum safaris deserve a big thank you. You do make dreams come true and for that I thank you.

PW - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Buzz

I had the pleasure of hunting with PW in Nyakasanga for a good traditional ele buff hunt. The Planning was to get close with PWs beautiful 475 no 2 double and take a good ele bull and buff, then pick up some plains game.

We had a tremendous hunt and considering PW broke his back 2 years before he did very well with tracking. His shooting was excellent, and he killed all his animals with a single shot. Nyakasanga is a real treat and we had a great time.

Client Comment

I have hunted around the world, including South Africa, Namiba, and Zimbabwe (with a diferent outfitter). I can honestly say that my time with Buzz and his crew was a highlight in my life. To the person they are consummate professional, and always put my needs first. The camp was excellent, the food 5 Star, the hunting car in perfect condition. The hunting itself exceeded my expectations with the country rich in game. Buzz and his crew were able to get me inside double range on some great animals, after which we hunted plains game with the 375. 5 Star all the way and new friends all.

MW - Sentinel
PH Comment - David

We started day one getting an understanding for the area and where the animals were moving, kudu and eland were our priority for this hunt and MW wanted to have a very pure hunt with lots of walking and tracking.

On our second day we went to the eastern boundary and picked up some eland tracks moving around some sandstone hills, after our first hour of tracking we went into some nearby hills to get a vantage point and saw a kudu bull walking alongside the same hills, MW was quick put in a good shot and we had our kudu down. With that we had 5 days left and our focus turned to an eland, we tracked one group of 5 young bulls and caught them in midday turned them down and went to look elsewhere, that afternoon we found a sign of a heard of eland that drank at a pan near the Limpopo river when we looked at the herds spoor we found one very big track and decided that that would be well worth our time three and a half days later after many hours tracking and a few failed attempts MW got a chance at that same eland and put in a good shot. A very memorable hunt and a pleasure to spend time with MW and SW again!

Client Comment

I hunted Sentinel Ranch with Dave Mann from 22-28 May. I was looking for eland and kudu and my wife and I saw plenty of both. Sentinel Ranch is an attractive property with plenty of game. We saw numerous elephant, giraffe, eland, zebra, wildebeest, impala in addition to bushbuck, nyala, hyena, rusty spotted genet and a wide diversity of birds. The lodge is nestled in and amongst an interesting rock formation, frequented by rock dassies, provided comfortable accommodation, attentive service, and good food.

Dave, and his team (Tiki, Zviyedzo, and Graymore) worked well together and demonstrated first rate tracking and stalking skills as we pursued eland on long spooring efforts as well as sorting through tracks of the same band laid down over the course of 4 days. Their skill and persistence gave us plenty of opportunities to see and experience classic African hunting and hospitality. Sentinel Ranch can provide diverse and productive hunting experiences for newcomers and veterans alike. I had an excellent hunting experience and Susan was able to fully participate and enjoy the experience. Dave demonstrated great professionalism and I believe he has a great future as a professional hunter.

JW - Kazuma
PH Comment - Len

After spending 21 days in the area I was happy we had taken the biggest and oldest lion out of the area. We found our lion on day one however we spent a few days adding bates and getting trail camera photos. We got a really nice big old giraffe for baits on day one and that put us in a good place for the rest of the hunt.

We took a good lion on day 3 from a blind JW made a good shot and all went well from there. On day 5 we got a really nice old buffalo he was a single bull I had been seeing his tracks day in and day out. Later on day six we took a nice male Zebra after a long stork, JW made a really good one shot Kill on all his animals.

And finely we got JWs prized old sable bull. This bull we had been following him for some days before he finally made his mistake.

During the Hunt we came across many elephants and other tracks like good leopard and even other lions. Kazuma has made it into one of my top hunting areas in Zimbabwe it is located in the top western corner of Zimbabwe on the Botswana border making it a exalt elephant hunting area in the drier months. It is Kalahari sand veld with teak forests, the sandy soils make it accessible all year round.

The camp from a hunting stand point was great and the staff are all well trained. Overall Kazuma is located close to Victoria falls and lends itself to sight-seeing after long hunt.

Client Comment

Excellent in all departments! Great hunting area. Camp staff attentive.
PH and trackers really good. Brillant food. And an incredible lion to top it off!

JD - Nyakasanga & Dande
KE - Dande
PH Comment - Myles

Our fourth buffalo hunt together in Dande, so I was very much looking forward to sharing a campfire again with KE and RE! KE was after an “unusual and old” buffalo – the uglier the better.

So, day 1, we got settled in and checked the zero in the .416 Rigby – perfect no problem there at all. Afternoon was a little driving / scouting which was very productive as we got into a big herd of several hundred animals.

Day’s two and three were spent on dagga boys and smaller herds, we were seeing lots of tracks! After lunch on the fourth day we followed a medium sized herd close to the Mozambique border, and after 3 hours of shadowing them finally got into a really good position on the sticks where we could have a good look. There must have been 8 or 10 old dagga bulls but one grabbed our attention immediately – his rack was worn smooth indicating a good old bull. There was something else too – anyhow I suggested to KE he take it – which he did. A very measured shot off the sticks at about 120 yards. No mistake – he was keeled over in 40 paces. When we got up to him we realized that he had an old snare that had grown into the skin on his face – so not only was he a good old bull but very clearly unusual too.

Excellent result and another truly rewarding hunt!

Client Comment
GW - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Alan

A lovely time spent with the Woodman’s. We saw a lot of ele, turned down a few tuskless.  GW shot a dagga boy on the first day. We saw it from the vehicle, so drove on and walked back. Some good shooting and a tough buff that took a good 6 or 7 shots before giving up. Day 3  GW shot a good hippo bull in the afternoon. Perfect frontal bran shot. Day 5 we found a big old tuskless.  GW made a perfect frontal brain shot at 20 yards. We saw lots of game. 2 lion, we also had an amazing experience whilst walking late pm along the Nyakasanga River. We flushed an impala ram, which ran straight into a big leopard at 10m from us and killed it. Great hunt.

Client Comment

Great trip indeed - my wife really enjoyed it which was major important! Alan did a great job putting up and taking care of us. Not really sure as to the why (think sitting on my ass to long) but my back issues flared up which made walking a bit of a challenge but we got it done!

Camp was really great and the food was exceptional - camp staff did a really great job in all. It is truly difficult to rationalize that the leopard hunt was 17 years ago - does not seem possible to say the least! Good to hear the soccer balls will be getting used.

BI - Sentinel
PH Comment - David

We had a wonderful hunt with I and B in sentinel ranch in south Zimbabwe our safari was a short 5 days but we managed to get some really good trophy’s as well as some incredible sightings of African wild cat and bat eared fox while in pursuit of eland. Sentinel being very rocky and very arid had a large amount of animals around the core area d the riverine around the Limpopo river and other smaller tributaries where water was present. On day one we did a lot of walking looking for Nyala along the rivers towards the end of the day we found a 24 inch impala in the upcoming days we managed to get zebra, kudu and finally on the last day last afternoon we fortunately walked into a nyala bull, in the forest along the Limpopo and managed to end the safari with a sunset Nyala. What a pleasure to hunt with B and I.

JB - Chewore
PH Comment - Buzz

JB has hunted with us, with his boys a few times but on this hunt I had the pleasure to hunt with just with JB on who’s focus was a good physical ele hunt and buff if we should come across one.

Physical was the understatement of the year. We found 3 bull tracks that we wanted to see – all in musk. Of the 3 we tracked one for 5 days and never saw him. The second bull we him and he was great but he set off before we could set a shot at him. The next 5 days we tracked him no luck. The we followed a few other bulls no in musk. Caught them but turned them down.  Then day 13 we found the tracks of the 3rd bull we were invested in and we got lucky. After 13km tracking…. Nice old bull. Total tracking was 225km my hardest hunt, yet my most rewarding. JB was simply amazing – great humor, great attitude and strong as an ox. I could not have asked to for a greater person to share the best hunt I have had. We also picked up a great dugga boy which was fun.

Client Comment
AN - Dande
PH Comment - Gareth

Great hunt. Fantastic tracking and final hour success on our wounded buffalo. AN is a great hard ethical hunter. Truly a pleasure.

Client Comment

I told Gareth on the drive in that my trip wouldn’t be successful or unsuccessful based on getting a buffalo, rather it would be defined by the quality of the experience. I got all that I could hope for and more. While I wish my first shot was immediately lethal, the follow up that evening and the following day was a true testament to the legendary ability of the trackers I have read about on these hunts. They kept us in it literally all day, even when the blood ran out and when the track was obscured by a herd of buffalo that passed by after ours. And I all culminated in an 11th hour miracle when he got up and we were able to put an end to his track.

CS - Dande
PH Comment - Keith

What an epic safari with CS. We shot two great dugga boys in 4 days. Some great fun and good laughs. Thanks for coming back gentlemen.

Client Comment

This was an experience of a lifetime. I enjoyed it very much. As a life long hunter this was the top of them all. Thank you to all.

GG - Nyakasanga
PH Comment - Keith

This was G’s first hunt with CMS, for an ele bull. Based out of Mukanga Camp Dande. This hunt we looked at many bull right from the south to the north of the concession. Some long hours of both food and driving was put in for the first 10 days out of a 14 day safari. Walking approximately 50km. Such a wonderful time of the year where the bush is thick and green. G shot a fantastic elephant bull about 15 years, side brain. A great Safari done the real way by foot tracking.

Client Comment

The hunt far exceeded my expectations. Every aspect of the hunt was well thought out and professionally executed. Everyone’s attitude was so positive, and very tuned into how I was physically doing. With a difficult hunt such as this, that was very appreciated.

I have had such a positive experience I am planning my return next year, and already anticipating it.

DS - Maitengwe
PH Comment - Alan

We started off the first day a bit slow, not finding anything to follow. We started seeing and following the odd tack after that. We experienced some rain for a couple of days which seemed to help. We saw a couple of nice bulls, but turned them down, hoping for something bigger and it was early in the hunt. Day 6 we found a nice track with a young bull tack at around 11am. We had quick bite to eat and got tracking. We found them around 1pm, wind was bad they were nervous. DS was happy to shoot the big bull, which gave him a brief side brain shot. Unfortunately, DS hit a bit too high and the bull turned and took off. He gave it one in the hip, which we found in the kidney. This was the start of a mammoth 60km of tracking over 2 days before killing the bull. The wind was bad and it sent him running many times. We did have a good chance at him mid 2nd day but before I could determine that it was the correct bull he took off again. Eventually later on in the afternoon we caught up and dispatched him, relieved to have got him - a beautiful old bull. DS managed to get a hyena. Great time with DS and his wife, as expected and we were well entertained by Dan the cameraman, who did a great job camp and food was exceptional.

Client Comment

As our previous hunt with Alan and his experience team, and not forgetting Dan the Camerman, we have had a great experience with the hunt and everything that goes with it. Accommodation has been great and the food has been 2nd to none. The manager at the camp Heath has been great with all aspects and overall the whole experience has been excellent.

JW - Dande Safari Area
PH Comment - Alan

We started in the East, where we spent the first 6 days. We found a couple of bulls and a massive herds of cows with bulls. Moved to the North. Spent 2 days following a very worn track, but never caught him as JW was ‘after cows’. Day 9 we found a track and followed. Caught him in very thick jesse. He was an old bull, and decided to take him. He did come looking for us. JW took a frontal, nearly dropping him, but he recovered and turned to run, a few shots put him down. A great time, and memorable moments

Client Comment

The first elephant hunt you experience will forever remain an indelible memory. The entire CMS team has worked hard every day for this success und ultimately made it possible. Thanks for this experience. To keep on track of a very specific elephant safely for over 6 hours is a masterpiece by trackers and PH. A very special thank goes to my PH Alan for his accurate assessment of the situation!

ED - Sentinel
Client Comment - Dean
It was nice here. Interesting fun terrain.
Good hunt. Good PH, nice.
Nice trackers too!
MV - Sengwa
Client Comment

What a ride!

Parks decided a week before our hunt was to commence to not issue the two non-trophy bull elephant permits for our planned Amandundamela hunt. CMS did the yeoman’s task of quickly coming up with an alternative hunt for early season and nailed it. Sengwa is a beautiful area which I had previously hunted in 2017 with Gary Duckworth.

It was hot. Really hot. The jess was thick, and game numbers were a bit lower this early, but we had great hunts nearly every day and accomplished what we set out to do. We needed to roll tires quite a lot to find tracks to follow.

After several great tracking sessions, catching dagga boys and getting busted trying to get close enough for a shot in the thick stuff, we scored. At this point in my life, I don’t much care about inches. I wanted a good hunt and an old hard bossed dagga boy, and connected on day five.

On hands and knees for 20 minutes, and a 20 yard shot on a marvellous old bull. All I could see was his nose and his boss.

There is almost no chance without an optical site in jess this thick.

Pro tip: if Crispin is cooking, and you shoot a buffalo, ask him to make oxtail stew. The best!

We could have asked for a few more promising bull elephant tracks to follow, but several bulls were seen and evaluated. There are adjoining communal areas and bulls ordinarily come in this time of year to raid crops. With El Niño producing severe drought this season, the maize has completely failed. Not even enough for the elephant to bother with. Poaching is going to be a serious problem this year. Because of it the concession owners are working hard and two poachers were apprehended during our hunt. Ivory poaching has pretty much been shut down in this area, but it’s a tough year for subsistence farmers.

We found a super promising old track on day eight. The track was 22 inches with good wear. When we caught him a few hours later, he was with a cow herd. Buzz and I had a bit of a squeaker in a cowherd hunting tuskless in 2022, shooting two in self-defense. Neither of us wanted to make a closer approach in the thick stuff. Nyati saw his tusks, and I decided that if we didn’t track up a good trophy bull within the next day or two, we would try to find his track again and take him as a non-trophy bull. He was big and old, with substandard ivory, the perfect non-trophy bull.

We found his track again on a road at 8:30 the next morning. I decided in consultation with Buzz that it was go time. We tracked until about 11 o’clock, cut a road and rendezvoused with Eddy and the Cruiser for drinks and a snack. We started tracking again. He had rested not 100 yards from the road. He had apparently heard us and moved on, but he was not moving fast. We caught him resting in the shade in some pretty thick bush maybe 45 minutes later. After watching him for a few minutes, he became aware of us and took a few steps in our direction to investigate. He offered a partially obstructed frontal. I took the shot and he dropped straight down. He rolled onto his right side, giving me a clear view of the front of his chest, so I immediately fired the left barrel of my 470 into his chest. Buzz had taken his fingers out of his ears, and said a very forgivable bad word, as his head was about 2 feet to the left of my muzzles.

You just can’t ask for a better, more fulfilling hunt, and 950 kg of meat went into local bellies.

D & M - Maitengwe
PH Comment - Buzz

Awesome hunt with good friends m and D! Sharing a second special big ele bull hunt in Maitengwe. This year we decide to try early rather than later in the year which is when we did our hubt there the previous year. The hunting was excellent but the difference was the bulls early season came either alone or groups of two. Late season they can in far bigger groups !!as a result we had more choice the previous year! Having said that we did get two great old bulls with amazing rifles, being a Westley Richards drop locks 577 and a Rigby 500 rising bite!!

So looking forward to our 3rd up and coming hunt !!!!