South Africa – An Adventure with Troels

It has now been several months since we returned home, and our unforgettable trip to South Africa has become one of those memories that keeps resurfacing whenever the mind starts to wander.

My hunting partner Troels and I set off for Copenhagen Airport early on a Monday morning. Check-in and security were smooth, and before long we were on our way to Africa.

Our journey took us via Heathrow and Johannesburg before we boarded a small aircraft bound for Port Elizabeth.

At the airport we were greeted by our PH and guide, Jason. At first he seemed like a man of few words, but it didn't take long before he started firing off one joke after another. The mood was great, spirits were high, and the African sun was shining brightly.

After a quick meal, it was time to test the rifles. At the shooting range we checked different rifles at various distances until everyone felt completely confident. We then returned to the boma, where an outstanding welcome dinner awaited us.

Well fed and ready for the days ahead, we turned in early. The real adventure would begin the next morning.

Troels' First African Hunt – The Zebra

The alarm clock rang early. With nearly 30,000 hectares of hunting ground available, there was no time to waste.

After a hearty breakfast, we climbed into the Land Cruiser and headed out into the African wilderness. The sun was rising over the horizon and the wildlife was slowly coming to life.

The goal for the day was clear: Troels would pursue his first African zebra.

From a mountaintop, the four of us scanned the vast landscape in search of the distinctive black-and-white stripes.

It wasn't long before Jason spotted a small herd some two to three kilometres away in dense bush. The stalk would be difficult, but we decided to take the chance.

After driving as close as possible, we continued on foot.

Carefully we moved through the thick vegetation, one step at a time. Birds sang around us while antelope wandered peacefully through the bush. The wind was perfect.

After only 20–30 minutes of stalking, we spotted the zebra herd again, now about 400–500 metres away.

Slowly we closed the distance.

Then the opportunity came.

Troels calmly settled his rifle onto the shooting sticks. Jason gave a short whistle. The zebra stopped.

For a brief moment, everything stood still.

Then the shot broke.

The bullet struck perfectly behind the shoulder and passed through both lungs.

Uncertainty – Then the Blood Trail

At the shot, the zebra bounded away and disappeared into the thick bush. The vegetation was so dense that we couldn't see how far it had gone.

We moved up to inspect the shot site.

Before long we found the first drops of blood. The light pink, frothy blood clearly indicated a lung shot.

Encouraged, we followed the trail.

Less than 100 metres later, we found the beautiful zebra lying still.

Smiles appeared instantly on every face. Troels had taken his first African zebra with an excellent shot.

We quickly retrieved the animal with the Land Cruiser to ensure the hide remained in perfect condition despite the intense African heat.

The Days That Followed

The following days brought more exciting hunts. Impala, springbok, nyala and steenbok were all on the list, and both Troels and I were fortunate enough to enjoy successful hunts and great opportunities.

I could write pages about every adventure, every campfire meal and every kilometre travelled through the African bush, but that story must wait for another day.

As the days passed, our friendship with Jason and the camp staff grew stronger. Before we knew it, it was time to pack our bags and head home.

South Africa delivered everything we could have hoped for: outstanding hunting, wonderful people and memories that will last a lifetime.

Most importantly, I am grateful that I got to share the experience with Troels.