Rough and ready – The Niassa province.
What constitutes a great hunt for one person may fall well below another’s expectations. Clients that are looking for a South Texas Style Safari, where the only walking they have to do is from the truck to the animal after it is shot, may want to think twice about venturing to the Niassa Province. The broken topography, vast tracts of wilderness and remote location do not favour vehicle hunting as most South African and Namibian game ranches do.
We, as a company that operates two such rugged concessions, are very forthright with our clients about the style of hunting and the physical demands that the Niassa terrain dictates. However, hunters that are prepared to do some walking and not see herds of 200 hand fed antelope should seriously consider visiting one of the last true Safari destinations. Niassa presents an opportunity to see Africa through the eyes of Selous and Bell. There is no modern infrastructure encroachment leaving the bush intact and pristine. The stunning beauty of the Lugenda River flowing between inselbergs that unexpectedly jut through the miombo forest is truly a sight worth beholding.
The Niassa Reserve alone, where our Block L1 concession is located, is home to the densest population of large predators found anywhere outside of a national park. Even the nocturnal leopard can usually be seen slinking through the grass a couple times per safari. The roars of lions voicing their dominance and the whoops of hyenas calling each other to feed will drift into your camp lulling you to sleep or perhaps keeping you awake. It’s not uncommon to see sign the next morning from these nightly callers wandering amongst your chalets, drawn in by the aroma from the skinning shed or kitchen.
We still conduct Safaris in a manner befitting the image that the word invokes. Mornings are spent waking up to the gentle knock of your chalet attendant, followed by steaming cup of coffee and tea. Your days will be spent walking behind your professional hunter and his crack team of trackers hot on the spoor of your quarry. A midmorning or noon meal will be taken in the field and will consist of venison sandwiches and cold salads. After a successful hunt the evening will be spent around a campfire with a sun-dower in hand as you watch a magnificent sunset. . This view may be from our mountain camp perched atop an inselberg that looks across the entire Rovuma Valley or from a camp on the Lugenda or Lussanhando Rivers watching the water flow lazily past. A dinner of wild game or continental cuisine will top off your day.
As stated, these areas are vast and are criss-crossed by approximately 1,000 kilometres of winding bush tracks we have developed. Feeding in vleis beside the bush tracks a healthy population of Lichtenstein Hartebeest, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, and Niassa Wildebeest and can be found. Additionally, Kudu, Eland and Zebra can be seen browsing through the miombo woodland. Along the many river courses we pursue the more dimunitive species of antelope like Bushbuck, Red Duiker and Livingstone Suni. The topographical characteristics along with the opportunity to take several plains game species as well as 6 of the Dangerous 7 make Niassa Province a true Safari destination awaiting any rough and ready hunters.
Until Next Time Good Hunting and Safe Travels!
Visit our website at www.safrique.net
Matt Hulley-Miller
MD Safrique, Mozambique