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By Janeske Thomson of Eland Safaris
Some safaris are about the trophies. Others are about the places. But every so often, a safari becomes something far greater – a story of family, of courage, and of passing down traditions that will last a lifetime.
When Martin and Kate returned to Limpopo this past August for their fifth safari with Eland Safaris, it wasn’t just another hunt. This time, they brought all five of their children to South Africa for the very first time. What followed was a week that blended milestones in hunting with unforgettable family moments, set against the timeless beauty of the Limpopo.
From August 1–9, 2025, the Limpopo bushveld once again welcomed two very familiar faces – Martin and Kate from ACP. For years, we’ve shared their hunting journey, but this safari carried a new kind of anticipation. Their children were about to experience South Africa, the bushveld, and the hunting lifestyle firsthand.
From the very moment they arrived at camp, it was clear this was going to be a trip to remember. Martin and Kate are the kind of people everyone gravitates toward – warm, fun-loving, quick to laugh, and never shy of a joke. Their kids took after them completely: curious, full of questions, eager to explore, and soaking in every new sound and sight.
Days began with cool mornings, the smell of wood smoke drifting from the fire, and the calls of francolins echoing across the bush. Evenings ended in that same glow of firelight, with laughter, stories, and the children’s endless stream of questions about South Africa. Around the table, biltong disappeared faster than we could cut it, pap became a new favourite, and every meal turned into a small lesson in South African food and culture.
For Martin, this trip had one very personal goal: he needed just one more animal to complete his Spiral Slam – the elusive bushbuck.
On the second morning, before the mist had lifted off the Limpopo River, they moved quietly along its thick, shadowed banks. The air was damp and crisp, every step deliberate. Kate and the kids climbed a koppie to watch for baboons and monkeys, giving Martin the quiet space he needed to focus.
Then the moment came. A mature bushbuck bull slipped into view, alert and cautious. Martin steadied his rifle, calm and precise, and with a perfect shot, the Spiral Slam was complete.
There were no loud celebrations – just quiet smiles, a firm handshake, and a moment of reflection. For Martin, it wasn’t just about the animal itself, but about the years of hunts and memories that had led to this point. And this time, he had Lukas there to share it with.
For the children, the week was full of “firsts.” On the shooting range, they handled rifles for the very first time. There was excitement, nerves, and then growing confidence as each shot rang true.
Antoine (11) will never forget that morning. Just hours after his father’s bushbuck, he harvested his very first animal – a Monkey. Later that week, he added a fine Impala to his story, grinning from ear to ear. Henri stood beside Kate during the Monkey hunt, experiencing every moment with Antoine, sharing the same spark of excitement.
But perhaps the most emotional moment came with Jade (10). She had stood quietly by her father after Antoine’s monkey, her eyes brimming with tears. Martin bent down and asked gently, “Are you sad about the animal?” She shook her head. “I just wish I could do something like that too – but I’m scared of the rifle.”
The very next day, our PH Johnny stepped in. Johnny has hunted alongside Martin and Kate for five years, and as a father of two himself, he was the perfect guide. Patient and calm, he started Jade with the smallest calibre rifle, slowly working her up to the .243. Each careful shot built her confidence.
That afternoon, Jade got her chance. Calmly, she shouldered the rifle, squeezed the trigger, and dropped a beautiful Impala. In that instant, her fear melted into pride. Tears followed – not of fear, but of joy and courage. For Martin and Kate, watching Jade overcome that moment was more meaningful than any trophy could ever be.
Lukas (17) added to the week’s success with both an impala and a steenbok, showing the quiet confidence of an older brother. Kate herself claimed a stunning yellow blesbok, with Thomas by her side on one of her hunts. Although she didn’t fire a shot that day, Thomas experienced the full thrill of the hunt, walking step for step with his mother.
As for the elusive jackal, the family tried several times, but the clever predator managed to stay just out of reach. A challenge left for the future – and a reason to come back.
Of course, no safari is complete without exploring the wonders beyond the hunt. The family visited a predator park, where lions, leopards, and cheetahs were seen up close. The children stood wide-eyed, hushed in awe at the raw beauty and power of these cats.
Another highlight was the 5th largest baobab tree in Limpopo, just outside Swartwater. Its massive trunk towered above them, ancient and timeless. The kids laughed as they tried to stretch their arms around it, snapping photos under its branches, their faces lit with wonder.
By the end of the week, the change in the family was clear. Hunting, for Martin and Kate, has always been more than a passion – it’s a way of life. Now, they had shared that legacy with their children. Each child had stepped into their own moment, whether on the shooting range, in the field, or simply sitting around the fire under the African sky.
Before leaving camp, the kids were already making plans to return. They spoke of saving up with part-time jobs back in Canada, dreaming of the day they could once again walk the Limpopo, rifle in hand, and laugh around the fire with friends who had become like family.
Saying goodbye was hard. But this was not the end – only the beginning of a lifelong bond between South Africa and a family whose story had now become part of its soul.
This was more than a hunting trip. It was a week of courage, first-time experiences, laughter, and dreams fulfilled. A reminder that hunting is never just about the trophies on the wall – it’s about family, friendship, and the memories that live on forever.
https://www.craigboddington.com/outfitter/eland-safaris
https://aventurechassepeche.ca/
