The Dream of Africa: Guns.com on Safari

Pate and Alberts found a welcome home at Waterval Safaris, near Kimberley in South Africa’s Northern Cape with PH’s Boetie and Mardene Cooper. (Photo: Boetie Cooper/Waterval Safaris)

Pate and Alberts brought Savage Arms rifles, Bushnell optics, Norma ammunition, Pelican cases, Carter Cutlery knives, 5.11 Tactical apparel and Dark Angel Medical IFAK kits for the expedition. (Photo: Stan Pate/Guns.com)

Beware the animals! (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

Since reading Ruark, Hemingway and Capstick while growing up, Kristin Alberts dreamt of hunting the Kudu, the Grey Ghost of Africa. That dream became reality on this Safari, using a Savage High Country rifle in .300 Win Mag, Norma Oryx ammunition and a Bushnell Nitro scope. (Photo: Stan Pate/Guns.com)

Plenty of smiles even after walking through the hills over 9-miles. From left: Professional Hunter Boetie Cooper, Alberts, and Pate with Pate’s Warthog, harvested with the Savage High Country in 6.5 Creedmoor. (Photo: Waterval Safaris)

Pate poses alongside one of his trophies. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

Pate’s Cape Buffalo taken with a Westley Richards rifle belonging to a late friend. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

Any true hunter will be quick to tell you the hunt itself is only part of the experience. It’s the camaraderie, laughter, and friendships at any hunting camp that define the adventure. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

The Savage 110 Storm, topped with a Bushnell optic and a handmade leather ammo pouch filled with Norma ammunition. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

One of the rarer animals in South Africa, the Roan Antelope, was a dandy trophy and worthy adversary on the hunt. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

Recognized as one of the most beautiful of the Plains Game animals, the Sable’s swooping horns and dark coat stir the heart of the hunter. Alberts harvested this nice Sable bull with a single shot from the Savage High Country in .300 Win Mag. (Photo: Stan Pate/Guns.com)

Both Pate and Alberts hunted with Savage High Country rifles, this one chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and topped with a high-end Bushnell Forge riflescope. Loaded with Norma ammunition and packing a Carter Cutlery Camp Knife, Safari life is grand. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

Pate takes a break from the hunt to help the team skin his Cape Buffalo using his Carter Cutlery knives. Every bit of the animals is used, from the meat to the hides, with even the entrails utilized for food. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

Taking advantage of last light to celebrate Pate’s Red Hartebeest. (Photo: Boetie Cooper/Waterval Safaris)

Norma ammunition on the plains of Africa. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

Few places in the world could even come close to rivaling those South African sunsets. Safaris are about much more than hunting—the animals, wild cuisine, conservation, and of course, the scenery is second to none. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

Toasting the end of a successful Safari with champagne. From left: Pate, Alberts, and Professional Hunters Mardene & Boetie Cooper of Waterval Safaris. A South African Safari is a truly memorable experience and the hunt itself is only part of the joy. (Photo: Boetie Cooper/Waterval Safaris)