50 ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL AUGUST 2019 | aksportingjournal.com
just over one week that might take a
decade or more in Alaska!RECAPPING A GREAT HUNT
Often in life, when embarking on a
much-anticipated adventure to a new
land, the tendency to create unrealistic
expectations can occur. With our South
African safari, I didn’t want that to happen.
Since I wasn’t sure what to expect, I
kept an open mind and crossed my fin-
gers while boarding our 16-hour Atlantato Johannesburg flight, quietly praying
for a positive experience with decent
success to come. After all, since I had
done my due diligence through exten-
sive research, the rest of the equation
was now out of my hands.
As promised many months prior, our
transfer agent was waiting for our group
in the airport with a broad smile and a
big welcome sign. He promptly loaded
our gear and drove us to the B&B, where
a scrumptious steak dinner and a good
night’s rest awaited.
The following morning, after coffee
and breakfast, the same driver picked us
up for the nearly three-hour drive north-
west to our hunting concession. That
ride was magical in itself, as the beautiful
scenery, many warthogs and baboons –
plus driving on the “wrong” side of the
road – further cemented the fact that we
really were on the African continent.
After passing through the town of
Thabazimbi, the paved highway mor-
phed into gravel and the countryside
became exceedingly wild looking. Near-
ly 15 miles of dirt washboard road later,
we finally arrived at a majestic and large
electronic entry gate. It was a not-so-
subtle statement that our chosen out-
fitter didn’t believe in cutting corners.
The lodge grounds, fully landscaped
and perfectly groomed, also gave tes-
tament that we had booked a true
five-star operation, as did the clean,You can have a great experience at the lodge here, including
some gourmet meals from chef Able. (GREG BRUSH)