Travel report on the hunt on NGIRI by MHP and XL from Switzerland, Aug 24
We wanted to hunt in Africa for the first time after having hunted abroad in Kazakhstan, Canada and some European countries several times.
After carefully examining the offers, we decided on Muller Hunting & Safari because we were convinced by the conversation with Anja Muller (owner, outfitter and professional hunter herself) beforehand.
Thanks to Anja’s help, importing the weapons we had brought with us (caliber .458 and .375 H & H Mag, including ammunition) via Johannesburg was no problem. Anja and her PH Philip were already waiting for us at Port Elizabeth. The drive to the lodge was very entertaining and only took about 90 minutes. When we got there, we were not disappointed – on the contrary, our expectations were completely exceeded.
The catering, the accommodation at the 5-star NGIRI lodge with its modern and comfortably furnished chalets with African charm, the professional hunting guidance and individual support (we had the lodge and the 5,000 hectare hunting area all for ourselves!) were excellent!
Our wishes were also fully met with regard to everything. Following Anja’s suggestion, we booked 11 hunting days and enjoyed every single one – in the end, the days just flew by and we didn’t want to go back to Switzerland!
The type of hunting (walk & stalk) with the motivated and competent trackers was a joy and we learned a lot. After the animals had been killed, the skinners also supervised the beating out of the cover, salting and preparation for handover to the local taxidermist in an extremely professional manner.
All in all, a great location with first-class organization and very personal, individual hunting support. Nothing is left to be desired here.
Thanks to Anja, Philip, Clemens and all other team members who made our stay unforgettable!
Travel report by Josephine & Stefan Göschl, Vienna, Austria, March 2023
We had actually been to the Jagd & Hund trade fair in Dortmund to compare offers for hunting moose in Canada/Alaska and passed by the Muller Hunting booth. The conversation with Anja Müller inspired us so much that we decided to book a Cape buffalo hunt with the Mullers in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. In March 2023 the time had come – we flew via Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth, where Mrs. Müller picked us up from the airport. After an entertaining drive we arrived at the 5-star NGIRI lodge, where we were greeted with a welcome drink by the entire staff.
The next morning we first went to the shooting range to zero in with the rental weapon (a .375 H & H Magnum), where we were able to familiarize ourselves with the weapon handling and the selection of shooting sticks. Then it was time for the first drive through the area. We started looking for tracks and came across fresh buffalo tracks and droppings that same afternoon.
The following morning we set off again and followed the tracks of the buffalo herd up to a high plateau, where in the afternoon we had a herd of around 40 buffalo in front of us. Unfortunately the wind changed direction, the herd retreated and we had to abandon our stalk. On the following two days we managed to get close to the herd several times to find out whether there was a strong Dagga Boy with hard bosses among them. We were able to spot 3 bulls of a suitable age, but we never managed to get within shooting distance.
Finally on the 5th day the wind was favorable and we found the herd after sunrise on a hill with good bush growth. With this cover we managed to stalk the herd to within 120 m. Stefan waited until one of the 3 strong bulls was standing broad side and let the bullet fly. The Cape buffalo left a clear mark, but ran away very quickly. The other animals in the herd scattered and ran away. We paused for a moment and then started to pursue them with our repeating rifles. My PH Philip to my right, Anja Müller also with a loaded weapon (she is also a PH), to my left – we moved at the same height in the direction of the fleeing bull. After about 150 m we saw movement, the bull stood swaying in front of us, half hidden by a bush! Philip put my weapon back on the shooting stick, I aimed at the shoulder and pulled the trigger. The buffalo sank down and we heard its last deep snort. After a short moment of waiting, we carefully approached the black giant – Philip touched his eyes with a stick, no more reaction! What a splendid fellow – I had my once in a lifetime buffalo in front of me in the flesh! I will never forget this day!
A big thank you to Anja Müller and her PH Philip, who made this experience possible for me. The springbok that I was able to kill the day after next was the beautiful conclusion to an extraordinarily impressive safari that I will remember for a long time!
Stefan Göschl, Vienna, Austria, March 2023
Travel Report by Gertrud & Wilhelm Bauer, Germany, February 2023
We met Anja Müller at the trade fair in Dortmund. Willi wanted to fulfill his lifelong dream of hunting a large Cape buffalo and I wanted to experience this with him. It was important to us that the hunt would be conducted in German and that we could look forward to a comfortable standard of accommodation. Anja told us about her concession in one of the most extensive hunting areas in South Africa – 90,000 hectares of land with a lush population of antelope, rhinos and buffalo.
We flew to Johannesburg in February 2023, where we met Anja. She helped us import Willi’s weapons and we got in the mood for our safari over dinner together. The next morning we flew on together to Houtspruit, where Philip (Anja’s partner & Head PH) was already waiting for us with the off-road vehicle. It was about 90 minutes from there to our luxurious accommodation – which left nothing to be desired.
After practice shooting the next morning, we set off on our first safari – it was almost a little unreal to see white rhinos, black rhinos, waterbucks or lechwe up close. Big kudus and also oryx, herds of impalas, sable antelopes and roan antelopes were also part of the picture. It didn’t take long before we came across the first fresh buffalo tracks. A herd of around 20 animals came into view, mostly cows with calves but also young bulls. At least here there was no mature bull and so we moved on.
The next day, in the late afternoon, we passed a watering hole where four bulls were wallowing. We parked our jeep a good distance away and stalked the group, which had now moved a little further – along a dry riverbed. The tracks were clearly visible, but we couldn’t get within shooting range because the wind was changing. We waited a little way off at a reasonable distance to see which direction the group would move in. As darkness was already falling, we had to stop the stalking. The following morning we returned early and started the chase. The group had moved on into a bush field that was difficult to see. We stalked up and suddenly noticed two strong bulls slowly grazing from bush to bush. Now it was time to get closer, to get within shooting distance. Very quietly and carefully we moved forward under the cover of the bushes. The stronger of the two bulls offered us the broadside – a look through the range finder showed 170 m. Should we dare? Willi had felt good with his own weapon. We decided to go for it. Philip put Willi’s weapon on the four-legged shooting sticks – a moment of concentration and the bullet flew. An excellent shot behind the shoulder that caused the black giant to stumble. He paused, then moved about 10 m further behind a bush. Willi repeated the shot and we all pursued the buffalo, all side by side, with our weapons loaded. As he was hidden by the bush, we didn’t know whether he had fallen or was waiting for us. We made a circle around the embankment and approached from the side – the buffalo had left the bush and we had no view of him. We found blood on the ground where he had been shot and followed the strong blood trail. We worked our way from bush to bush, standing next to each other and concentrating on avoiding making a noise. All of a sudden he came up from behind a bush and moved quickly in our direction – about 50 m in front of us. Willi shot again, Philip shot again and the buffalo sank to the ground. A final deep snort could be heard – before the buffalo collapsed lifeless. We approached slowly, giving him time. Anja touched his eye with the barrel of her rifle, but there was no reaction! What an experience! A strong 44-incher lay before us in all its glory. We will never forget that.
Two days later we also shot a strong eland bull in an adventurous chase, so both of my animals on the bucket list came true.
Thanks to Anja and Philip for the wonderful organization, the competent hunting guidance and the uncomplicated and friendly execution of our safari – we will recommend you to others!
Gertrud & Wilhelm Bauer, Germany, February 2023
Travel Report, author: Vano, Holland, Nov 22
I met Anja Muller at the trade hunting show in Dortmund in 2022 and decided to come to South Africa for a hunting trip with 4 friends right away. When our trip got closer my friends had to step back for personal reasons and I therefore decided to go together with my girl friend for a 10-day safari at NGIRI plus a 1-day-deep sea fishing trip with Muller Hunting at the end of my stay.
It turned out to be the perfect holiday and hunting location for us. The 5-star Lodge and the guest chalets are equiped with everything you can wish for, excellent cooking and a beautifull scenery made our stay unforgettable. But the most convincing was the rich diversity of anilopes and buffalos on this exceptional property in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
On my bucket list were: Cape Buffalo, Kudu, Gemsbock, Springbock, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Impala, Blessbock and Warthog. I could not have chosen better – we managed to get everything I was looking for although I admit that I was getting to my limits during the wald & stalks in this beautifull terrain… but it was all worth it. This hunting trip was exceptional and will never be forgotten!
Great thanks to Anja & team
Vano, Holland, Nov 22
Travel report, author: Cornel Guesken, 2022
I’ve always wanted to hunt buffalo in South Africa. I had previously successfully hunted buffalo in Tanzania and Mozambique. The prejudices in my circle of friends were big because everyone assumed that this was a gate hunt. Far from it, but more on that later. So I planned to travel alone.
In spring 2022 I met Ms. Anja Müller at the trade fair in Dortmund and was immediately enthusiastic. I booked the hunt for early September and decided I want to hunt 2 Cape Buffalo and an Eland bull. After several phone calls with Mrs. Müller, who bought the hunting farm of about 5000 hectares with her husband a few years ago, I became convinced that the stay and the hunt would be a great experience. On September 2nd, 2022, I flew, without a weapon, via Frankfurt and Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. There Mrs. Müller picked me up from the airport with a warm welcome and we drove another 1 ½ hours to the hunting farm, which is second to none. A very tasteful and cozy lodge with 4 individual chalets in a 5 star quality. Ms. Müller was a perfect hostess and a sensationally good cook from day one.
The next morning we completed the obligatory test shooting with a repeater caliber 375 H&H, including silencer. At first I had my problems because I hadn’t shot with a trigger for decades. But the Müller family also has an R93 in caliber 375 with a muzzle braker which was a perfect second option.
The next morning we went hunting, which was very demanding. It was never shot from the pickup and I was pushed to my limits while stalking. There can be no talk of gate hunting at all, on the contrary, it was much more hunting than in Tanzania. There you have huge herds and hunting success is almost guaranteed. At Muller-Hunting you really have to fight for the buffalo with great exertion. Mrs. Müller accompanied me every day and we had a nice time together.
The PH and trackers were top notch and I was completely satisfied. After 10 days there were 2 very good Dagga Boys, an Eland bull and a Blesbok. I liked it so much that I am planning to go there again in 2024. I can only highly recommend this hunting farm and I hope that my report will do away with the prejudice of gate hunting. Of course, like everywhere else in the world, there are black sheep, but at Muller-Hunting you really feel that you are in very good hands.
I would like to thank Anja Müller, her husband and the whole team for their very nice support and the excellent hunt.
With Waidmannsheil
September 2022
Cornel Güsken, Viersen, Germany
