The hunt was started in the Umi Camp (Umi river mouth into Lake Kariba) for crocodile. Water level was very high so there were not many sandbanks, making stalking very difficult. We did however stalk a few big crocs, just never managed to get into a firm shooting position. On day 5 we shot an impala for bait, set up blind and set bait. We waited +/- 1 hour when a 12-foot croc came in to the bait. It was the average size we had been seeing, so Stuart opted to take him. He made a perfect brain shot at about 35 yards (375 H&H). We did see a lot of crocs in all.

We then moved to Manyuli camp to continue the hunt, and after settling in we started early next morning. We found a herd of elephant cows at about 7am from the truck. After an approach we saw 3 tuskless, so went in for the fist one, which was shoot-able. We got in to 20 yards whereupon she turned to face us, and Stuart shot her with his 416 Rem, perfectly braining her. The bullet was recovered in the neck. We then recovered it and watched the local carry every scrap off and then headed to camp for a relaxing drink.

Sallie shot a buffalo cow on day 10, after a long stalk, staying close to the herd for +/- 1 hour 30min to get a clear shot. It was lat afternoon when Sallie took the shot, which appeared to be good (broadside in shoulder).  The buff ran 30 yards and fell down, but recovered and ran off. We followed +/- 300 yards until dark. We went back and continued following the next morning. We followed 100 yards and found her dead. The bullet (375 H&H Trophy bonded bear claw) had deflected slightly on shoulder bone and cut one lung, clipped liver and ended up in the gut pile, perfectly mushroomed. On day 12 we went to an area where we had been seeing Zebra and walked. We heard some zebra calling close by so we walked slowly in the direction, eventually finding them. We followed for a good hour before we managed to get a shot at the stallion. Sallie shot it through the neck with her 375 H&H Trophy bonded bear claw (Federal) at +/- 100yards killing it instantly.

Other game seen: few herds of impala, waterbuck, kudu, sable, buffalo, zebra, eland and elephant, and a few bushbuck, duiker and grysbok. Plenty of buffalo seen and leopard was heard at camp.

The hunt met our expectations in every way. Alan Shearing was the most professional and effective professional hunter we have had in 7 African safaris. We, especially Sallie, look forward to hunting with them again.