"Thumbs Up" By Gudfinnur and Jane

Evening thunderstorm

Back in 2012 I had the pleasure of doing my first South African hunting trip with the Umdende team, which had been recommended to me by a good friend of mine who had hunted with them previously. 

Stalking the Buffalo

So when my wife gave me the “thumbs up” on hunting my first of the big five (buffalo), there was no question and I contacted Umdende to help me make the trip become reality. As it was with the previous trip in 2012, the 2014 quest for buffalo with Umdende was an unforgettable experience. 

Gudfinnur and Jane with the UCCHS team (Left to Right: Garth -PH & Outfitter, Clayton-Owner & Outfitter, Marius- Videographer, Robert -tracker)

Gudfinnur with his Zebra

The professionalism, commitment, consistency, level of hunting ethics and integrity as well as the companionship of the Umdende team (Clayton and Garth out in the field with Debbie and Tenneil back in the office) made this trip the great success that it was. 

Gudfinnur with his 30" Nyala

My wife, who is not a hunter, joined us on most of the stalks and loved every minute of the trip, both during the stalks and back at the lodge, hanging out with the team around the bar/braai. There is no question that for my next hunting trip to South Africa, they will play a big part there as well. We truly can’t recommend them enough!

Gudfinnur and Jane

Waidmannsdank by Hermann and Tobias

Sunset

Dear Debbie and Clayton
"My long-cherished desire to kill a buffalo in South Africa, has so far met me on my 70th birthday when my son Tobias, who is also hunters, I promised his party hunting trip. I immediately began searching for a suitable area. Umdende was known to me by a visit to the fair in Salzburg. The internet negotiated the time and the conditions quickly and reliably. In September, the 7-day trip began to Durban. There we were picked up by Garth and taken to the beautiful lodge.

Hermann and Tobias with Hermann Cape Buffalo

On the 2nd day of hunting I could shoot my old and very strong Dagga-Boy. I was overjoyed at this beautiful game hunting with really strong trophy.

Tobias with his Gemsbuck

Several buffalo, z.T. large herds were under the direction of Clayton, safely and without any hassle, stalked. When we discovered the old buffalo, everything went very quickly. The buffalo was only 100 meters from the first shot to the track. Also, the supplying of the game and the removal were organized very professionally. The remaining 5 days hunting was done by my son Garth carefully and passionately on local game. Every day was a different type of game to the track.

Tobias with his Impala



Tobias with his Springbuck

We have also enjoyed the days with the hunters and their pets in the end with Debby and very Tenneil. The exceptional attention and kindness of our hosts will give us the stay, stay with abundant and best cuisine and of course also in südfafrikanischem wine, a memorable one






Extremely pleasant we found that we were accompanied by the trip back to Johannesburg airport. We were in the professional support from the beginning to the end is always the secure feeling of being in good hands.

Tobias with his Warthog

Again our Waidmannsdank to all parties to meet with the hope of us once again to hunt. Unrestricted we can recommend your company to all employees. "

Thanks again for your great hospitality and many greetings to all.

Hermann and Tobias

Truly Fantastic by Tim Macmanus

 

Tim with his Bushpig

Nkulu here. Can’t say enough good things about our trip. It was truly fantastic. Clayton does a phenomenal job as a PH, host, driver, fire maker, guinea drive manager, Dad and husband.

 

Tim with his Zebra

 

 

 

 

 

We had great fun with him and he did a fabulous job. Bob and Roger are very, very, very happy with their trip.

Tim with his Impala

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few photos of yours truly from the trip. That bush pig thing is really a spectacularly ridiculous stupid event. WOW!!!!! My adrenaline gets going just when I see the photo or think about it.

Tim with his Blue Wildebeest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love u guys and I am officially recruiting Liam for Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. He would make a fantastic Fightin’ Texas Aggie like his Uncle Tim and Mark.

 

 

 

 

Bob, Roger and Tim with Rogers Buffalo

 

 

Enjoyed it all. Wish I could do it every year!

My Best,

Tim

Safari Time Hunting Adventures

Unforgettable Lifetime Memory by Aaron Martins

 

 

 

What Can I say....from the moment i stepped off that plane,  the service was top notch.  Such professionalism!  

 

Aaron with his Kudu

 

We were completely catered to and I have never met such a great group of people who truly made my first African hunt an unforgettable lifetime memory.

 

Aaron with his Red Hartebeest

It was such a pleasure and a great learning experience to hunt with Umdende  Hunting Safaris. I had the time of my life along with some exceptional trophies to take back home. Thank you Clayton and Garth for  everything.  We will see you next year my friends.

Aaron Martin

Red Deer, AB, Canada

Am i really in Africa by Jonathan Williams

 

 

 

John and Jonathan Williams

Up at 7am , Frost in the morning "Am I really in Africa? ", it's our first days hunting at the magnificent hunting estate, 2000 Hectares of rolling hills ,valleys , dry river beds, vast areas of woodland and grasslands. This was Jonathan's and my first trip to SA and first trip Shooting game.

 

Checking out the view

On landing we were met by our 2 PH'S who loaded our gear and a short time later we entered the enormous estate which would be our home for the next 8 days.

 

The lodge is impressive, a roaring log fire outside surrounded by comfortable chairs burns 24 hours a day, and I was soon shown my large bedroom with swimming pool bath. I was unpacked within minutes and booted up we went to the firing range to check our sights and a sensible chat on safety. This was fun and got us all in a relaxed mood for dinner. None of that Michelin stuff !!

Father and Son relaxing before going hunting

 

Jonathan with his Warthog

Good tuck which over 8 days included curries ,steaks, Roasts, chops, greens, roast potatoes and all that makes one feel well and truly fed. Great starters and the puddings to die for.

My PH was Garth Lee , been a Pro for 12 years. Jonathan had his first kill that day a magnificent Warthog. I was in bed by 9.30 each evening as stalking these hills made us all tired and ready for an early night.

That evening we also met Clayton Comins who runs the very successful Umdende Hunting Safaris Company , Clayton employs Garth and Rudolf and the three travel the world to various game shows presenting the various hunting lodges and farms they represent throughout Africa.

John, Garth (PH), Clayton (Outfitter), Jonathan, Sean, Rudolph(PH)

These guys enjoy enormous knowledge of their quarry and will organise trips in Namibia ,Botswana in fact wherever you wish to find your trophy. Each evening over dinner we would discuss our day and plan the next, these PH's really know their business and ensure you are completely at ease.

 

 

 

 

Jonathan with his Bufffalo

 

They are competitive with each other and measurement of horns and a good bit of teasing was par for the course. The next morning was to be Jonathan's big day, Cape Buffalo had been seen and it wasn't long before we were all loaded up. Wow it was an amazing moment when Jonathan took his Buff and I could only imagine what was going through his mind. A magnificent beast, probably 19 years old with the scars of battle on his horn bosses.

 

 

Jonathan and Rudolph with good Kudu

We took numerous other species over the week, then guns were cleaned, lunch taken and with great sadness we bade farewell to our new friends at Umdende Hunting Safaris. They had done us proud and given us the most amazing, exciting trip of our lives, I have to say that hunting in Africa was never something I felt I had missed but now I want to return to this magnificent countryside , and I will and see our new friends again.

By Jonathan Williams

Jonathan and Rudolph with a good Red Hartebeest

 

Exceeded all expectations by John Huckabay

 

 

John with his bag of pigeons

I have just finished my fourth year of hunting with Umdende. Garth and Clayton have again done a very good job of presenting fair chase game.

John, Kevin and Dan with their bag of Ducks

 

 

The birds were very active for the most part. Blinds and hunts were set up to maximize the opportunities. Weather hindered one day but there is nothing that they could have done to improve this. Even with this they made changes to the plans to maximize the chances. I really like that all of the hunts are close to the lodge, very little wasted time driving.

Kevin, John and Dan with their bag of Geese

This is a family operation with Debbie and Tenneil assisting. The lodge and food exceeded all expectations. I appreciate that we were eating the game that was taken.

I am already looking forward to a return trip next year.

Regards

John

USA

Recommended without hesitation by Ross and Eric

 

Ross with his Eland

 

 After being the successful bidder on the Umdende Hunting Safaris donation hunt at our local SCI chapter I elected to take my oldest son Eric on his first African safari. 

 

Eric with his Blesbuck

 

 

 To say that it was a success would be an understatement as he cleanly harvested 7 animals after months of practicing and preparation.

 

 

 

 

Eric with his Kudu

 Everything was first rate from airport pickup to drop off. Camps were impeccable, food was superb and the quality of Clayton's work as a PH were excellent (with a good word also for Johan who assisted at the end of our hunt as well as to Garth who assisted with Eric's Kudu hunt).

 

 

 

Eric with his  Red Hartebeest



 

 

 

We plan to return next year. Recommended without hesitation.Ross and Eric Spagrud

Winnipeg Manitoba

 

 

Eric with his Warthog

Eric with his Blue Wildebeest