Finally we touched down at Johannesburg International
airport one hour early which is always a good thing. We went through customs
which is just a formality an goes pretty fast, than off to luggage to retrieve
our weapons of choice. After the luggage is retrieved than if you have guns you
need to get a temporary gun permit. There in the baggage area is a police
room that issues them which at times is a slow process cause they are still doing
things by hand. If you have a bow it is just considered luggage and you can go
right through with out any delays.
Once through we were met by Du Toit and all
the luggage was stowed in his van than off we went to Eland Lodge which is about a 2.5 hour ride southeast to a town called Klerksdorp.
As we pulled into Eland Lodge we entered a remote controlled gate that opened, we entered,
an wound down the road to the main lodge, as we pulled in all the
workers were in there uniforms all lined up along the road to wave and greet us
with an African welcome song.
Once out of the van they approached us singing
there African welcome song and each
one shook our hand and said hello an welcomed us to South Africa. What a very nice
touch after a long trip.
We were ushered into the lodge for some lunch and a
cold drink which also hit the spot, as all of our luggage was taken to our
rooms. The service could not have been any better any where in the world, an just
shows the thought and detailed that is put into your stay at Eland Lodge.
In the rooms is a small flask of Brandy if
you require a final night cap before turning into sleep. The laundry is done
everyday, in the morning while you are having breakfast your dirty clothes are
taken out of your room, when you return in the evening they are all folded and
placed on your bed or hung in your closet, now that is service!!
After a lunch the guns were all checked to
see they made it through ok and all seemed to be just fine.
Can you find the Kudu??
Than we went back to
the rooms to unpack and before dinner we took a short game drive through Du
Toit's farm where we saw and photograph Eland, Kudu, Impala, Zebra, Waterbuck,
Blue Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Ostrich and some others.
We had a nice steak dinner than off to our
rooms, everyone was pretty excited an ready for the hunt to begin which I will continue tomorrow
Here is a picture of the dinning area at the main lodge
Africa's
Only Bowhunting Magazine Africa's Bowhunter is a
bimonthly magazine aimed at a world wide readership interested in bowhunting
in Africa. The magazine is a complete guide on how, where and when
to bowhunt in southern Africa, with articles such as how to track and hunt
African game, what gear to use, and what to steer clear off.
Larry C. Reese, Wildlife Artistry Taxidermy 215 Lands End Road
Centreville, Maryland 21617
