Eastern Cape, South Africa: Our Second Home.

A special connection with South Africa: memories of my best summer vacations.

How many times have we looked back trying to remember the old days and have realized how quickly time flies?

Just after landing in Port Elizabeth, while waiting for my luggage to come out on the belt, I was trying to figure out when was my last time being there. It was in summer of 2008, 13 years ago, however, nothing seemed to have changed. Since Juan Antonio and my dad -Alvaro Senior- founded Camino Real Hunting Consultants in 2004, my summer holidays changed from the withering heat -so typical from the Spanish beaches in South Andalucia- to the richest experience of my life working as a translator, hunting guide and peer for every Spanish hunter who booked a safari through us in South Africa.

For the next 4 years, from 14 to 18, I spent my 3 months of holidays working there in what it turned out being, without any doubt, the best experience ever and possibly the strongest reason why, 2 years ago, I decided to make my living out of my passion: hunting.

John X Safaris, much more than a regular partner.

John X Safaris, our partner outfitter, is much more than just that. Our first contact with them goes back a few years before Camino Real Hunting Consultants was established, although it was not until 2004 when we began working together as partners. Back then, Carl Van Zyl and his sister Lee, were just taking over the business that their parents, Rick and Sue had started many years ago. Despite being very young, the hard-working and sacrifice philosophy that they have demonstrated throughout the years, together with their personality, commercial talent and the long-term business vision, has enabled them to make John X Safaris the #1 safari outfitter in South Africa, without any doubt.

Being used to work with many different outfitters around the world, we can assure that we have never come across with professionals such as the John X Team. Carl and everybody involved in the John X Safaris project can be proud of what they have achieved in the hunting industry. Located in the Eastern Cape, the animal abundance of their hunting grounds is incredibly rich, the lodges, beautifully furnished, are amongst the nicest places one could ever dream of, and the service provided by the staff during safari is first class. Whether it is you first time to Africa or your tenth time, they never fail to surprise you.

Traveling to South Africa and other concerns people have.

From Spain and other parts of Europe, there are many different combinations to fly to Port Elizabeth, the final destination. The access to the country will take place via Johannesburg, where a domestic flight will be needed.

Access to South Africa is easy and hasslefree. All you need is to present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before flying at the check-in desk. Additionally, all travellers will be requested to complete a medical control form with easy questions -which nobody reads-.

With regards to covid, as long as we take the same prevention measures that we do apply back home, there is nothing that we should be worried about. Unfortunately, we are used to witness how the media tends to exaggerate 24/7. This is exactly what has happened with the South African variant, that they’ve put it in everyone’s mouths, but we have had zero perception of covid during our trip, just as what Carl has been telling us for the last 5 months. South Africa is operating 100% normal and there are no mobility restrictions between regions.

On the other hand, some of you have asked us about different riots and violent disturbances that were shown on tv. These are totally isolated cases which happened in remote places of the northern territory, far away from where you will reside during your safari in the Eastern Cape, the friendly province of South Africa. Again, absolutely nothing to worry about. The ladies from the group have walked up and down the city by themselves and felt like being back home.

After such a long wait, it was finally time to enjoy to the very best!

Having planned this trip with lots of time in advance and excitement, this was one of the many safaris that we had to postpone and that we kept on rescheduling due to covid. The last time I spoke with the group, we decided to block the dates with enough margin and stick to the plan no matter what.

This time, the group consisted of 4 good friends from Seville, Spain, and their wives. Right since we boarded into the flight, the mood could not be better. After a long flight to Port Elizabeth and a 2 hour drive, we found ourselves arriving to Woodlands, at the main lodge. The welcome to the lodge by the staff and our friends was wonderful.

Alvaro, the team leader and to whom from Camino Real Hunting Consultants we would like to thank him for his unconditional support, and his wife Maria, would hunt with Clyton, Marcos and Clara with our good friend Greg (Roy Boy), Isaac and Rocio with Martin -singer and guitar player at night- and, last but not least Antonio and Laura who would hunt with Ed or Mr. Wilson, a great professional hunter and a better friend.

The arrival time allowed us to go to the shooting range so that everybody could get familiarized with their rifles, as they all decided to hire it and forget about the nightmare of traveling with the guns given the current circumstances. The rifles provided were brand new guns, including a few Gunwerks, all of which were equipped with good scopes and well zeroed. This allowed us to finish quickly and have lunch right on time to go hunting that same afternoon after a few hours of resting. Let the action begin!

The action begins!

On the first afternoon, being the initial contact, our friends went off to different places in search of the first adventures. An outstanding nyala, black wildebeest, springbuck, steenbuck and a couple of warthogs were the beginning of an incredible week ahead.

Nights of stories that will last forever.

Despite how short the days are in this time of the year, the amount of excitement during the day, the many spot and stalks accomplished, the sun, the dust and the cold temperatures of the early mornings and late evenings would leave our friends completely exhausted. Given this situation, nothing in the world felt better than getting back to the lodge at night with the work done, go for a hot shower and have a few beers at the fireplace discussing the many different stories from everyone.

Around 8:00 pm, Lee would call us for dinner. Lee, as we previously explained, is Carl’s sister and she in charge of managing the logistics at the lodge, including the menus for lunch and dinner as well.   She was definitely born to do what she does as a job. Her dedication and commitment with her job is simply amazing and I really don’t know how she manages to always send us back home with a few extra kilos. Well, honestly, this is because every dish that she prepares with the team of cooks, consisting of delicious game meat, rice, vegetables, fruits could compete amongst the best restaurants in the world. And that is a fact. But when it comes to desserts, you better go to bed, or you will have to eat every piece of cake…it is impossible to hold yourself.

Springbuck Monteria.

For those who do not know, the sprinbuck is not only the symbol of the rugby national team of South Africa but one of the most abundant species in the country. The draughts of the season, together with an evident overpopulation will kill many animals. Additionally, game meat has a lot of value, meaning that the loss of game will not only cause a feeling of helplessness to the farmers but also an important economic loss.

Being aware of how used the Spanish hunters are to Monteria style -or driven hunt- we decided to arrange a couple of drives for our group. This is something that we had already done in the past with total success. Other than the fun itself, this kind of hunts allows to efficiently reduce the number individuals in properties where there is an evident overpopulation and animals struggle to survive, and it also provide the local communities with a decent amount of meat for a few months. It was incredible to see groups of more than 150 springbucks coming toward the hunters in full speed. In a few hours the group completed the quota available for the day with some outstanding shots.

Ladies at their very best.

But the best surprise of the trip came when the ladies, all of a sudden, decided that they would also want to try and take a few animals. This might not be that remarkable to those reading this blog used to see everybody getting involved in the hunt, but when it comes to ladies who have never shot before back home, this is something that makes us feel very proud. The lack of pressure, the professionalism of our PHs and the beauty of the different species pushed our non-hunters to try for the very best experience. What a feeling it was to see them coming as mere observers and return home as proper hunters.

Rocio, who had never taken any game before, was able to harvest a springbuck, gemsbuck, and a zebra whose stalk was amongst the most amazing thing we could have ever imagined. Clara took an ancient scimitar orix and a beautiful blesbuck. Finally, Laura, manged to take an outstanding eland in what it turned out being an exciting approach that will remain in our minds for a long time. Well done to all of them, it was fantastic to witness such an action with all of you as well!

A picture is worth more than a million words.

As a summary, here we have a few additional pictures that captures the essence of what this safari has been.

To finish off, here is a video of the stalk that we were able to put to Alvaro’s fantastic eland.

If you dream about Africa, now is the time!

The only reason for you to read this post is to be a hunter and if you are a hunter, there is no chance you have never dreamed about the possibility of hunting in Africa, at least once in your life. It I am not mistaken, I suggest you get in contact with us.

South Africa is opened to foreign hunters with daily flights from different parts of the world, so there are no reasons not to go. Come and join us to live an unforgettable experience!

Wishing you all a happy hunting and looking forward to meeting you soon.

Álvaro Mazón (Jr.)