Five Safaris, and Bowker Hunting Keeps Exceeding Expectations”
My wife Roberta and I have just returned from our fifth hunting safari in Africa, and once again, we trusted Bowker Hunting to deliver an unforgettable experience. Over the years, I’ve hunted Namibia, the Limpopo region, and the Eastern Cape, but Nick’s operation continues to stand out as the most professional, personal, and rewarding. Our passion for Hunting in Africa drives us to return time and again.
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This trip, I came specifically looking for top-quality trophies—Lechwe, Nyala, Waterbuck, and Bushbuck—all in a free-range environment with no high fences. As always, Nick delivered.
From Arrival to the Last Evening
Nick personally met us at the Port Elizabeth airport after our long flight from Italy. The short drive to OliveFountain Lodge gave us a chance to settle in, and that first evening, we enjoyed the traditional dinner around the fire, discussing our plans for the days ahead.
The accommodations were warm, comfortable, and filled with character, and the food, as always, was plentiful and excellent. Nick’s hospitality sets the tone before you even shoulder a rifle.
The Hunts – Four Days of Classic African Safari
Day 1 – Lechwe Success
We began on a cold, misty September morning, heading to a neighboring property on the escarpment. The fog made spotting tough, but by noon, Nick’s skilled trackers had located the same three bulls we’d glassed earlier.
After a mile-long stalk and a patient hour-long wait, the older bull finally stepped clear, and with Nick’s guidance, I dropped him cleanly with one shot.
That evening, we tried for a bushbuck along the riverbed, spotting several females and young rams but no mature males before the light faded.
Day 2 – Nyala Adventure
The morning was spent revisiting the riverbed for the previous evening’s bushbuck, but he had vanished. Wind kept us from closing in on a white blesbok, but the afternoon brought our Nyala opportunity.
After hours of glassing, we found a big bull near a dam, stalked through a dry creek, and waited as kudu cows crossed our path. When I finally got the shot, my first round hit a bit far back, and the follow-up struck the front leg. The bull dashed down the dam embankment and collapsed in the water. Nick and his team recovered him safely—a fantastic trophy for the collection.
Day 3 – Waterbuck and Black Jack
Hunting deep valleys, we spotted two bulls midday. A spooked duiker ruined the first stalk, but in the afternoon, we found another trophy bull. My shot was high in the leg, and the bull took off over a hill.
This is where Nick’s tracking team and Black Jack, his long-haired terrier, earned their pay. Fitted with a GPS collar, Black Jack tracked the bull nearly a mile before baying him. We arrived to finish the job and celebrate an exceptional Waterbuck trophy.
Day 4 – Bushbuck Finale
On our final hunting day, we scouted for a big warthog but switched gears to the bushbuck we’d seen earlier in the trip. With careful glassing and patience, we spotted him just 100 yards to our left.
One perfectly placed shot and we closed out the hunt with a beautiful bushbuck, the last trophy I needed. As an SCI master measurer, I was thrilled to see every one of my trophies qualify for the record book—something I know doesn’t happen often.
Why I Keep Coming Back
After five African safaris, I can say with confidence: Bowker Hunting is unmatched for free-range, fair-chase hunting in South Africa.
- Nick and his PHs know the land and the game intimately, putting you in position for clean, ethical shots.
- The trackers and dogs, like Black Jack, turn challenging recoveries into successes.
- The lodge, food, and hospitality make the entire experience seamless.
- And most importantly, every hunt feels authentic and personal, not just another packaged safari.
Roberta and I ended our trip relaxing at OliveFountain and even joined Nick while he set up camera traps along the Great Fish River for a rogue hippo investigation—an adventure in itself.
If you’re looking for true free-range hunting, world-class trophies, and a team that treats you like family, I can’t recommend Bowker Hunting enough. It’s why I keep coming back—and why I’ll be back again.
