Africa hunting?

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gelatine

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Hi, Folks:

I started to plan my next safari. As I went to Baker lake last time, this time I'm thinking
to go somewhere warmer..... Africa? :)

I'd thinking something exotic but not too controversial.... So my choice is as followed:
Cape buffalo, Kudu, and giraffe. (Giraffe was my first choice but everyone started talking
it's so cute, they are harmless, why you wanna kill it?.. And it's Controversial... So I
decided to go for something ordinary: buffalo).

After a bit research, I think the best location/price I can find is Namibia.

I talked to some friends and they had bad experience about bribing in Africa, so I wondered
other than bribing, anything else should I be aware of?

I will be renting a rifle there instead bring my own rig. The 375hh with scope is my bottom
line. I don't think I can handle anything bigger than that without muzzle brake.

Any ideas and comments are welcome. What should I be aware of in the trip? Any special
gears I may need? Vaccination?

Thanks for your time and help.
 
I hunted Namibia in October for plains game, and buffalo. Namibia is probably the best run, safest country in all of Africa. Buffalo are mostly confined to the Caprivi strip (Zambezi region) and only a few operators have licenses there. I hunted with a PH who leased his hunting rights for buffalo from another outfitter. That can be a good arrangement. If you don't care about taking trophies home, look into "own use" hunts. Own use tags are certainly much cheaper, but no trophies can be kept. You are essentially hunting meat for the local community on community conservancies, and the community also gets a royalty payment for each animal taken. Everybody wins, wildlife and local people all benefit. The local tribes herd cattle as an economic and cultural necessity. If cattle are to co-exist with big dangerous game animals, the game animals must have local value. Or the cattle herders will push them out. Own use hunts provide a great alternative.

After the buffalo hunt I ended up hunting giraffe too, there was a surplus of giraffe on a private concession next to the property where I was hunting Kudu and Gemsbok. The management of the private concession needed to bring the overpopulation of giraffe back in balance with the carrying capacity of the trees that they eat. A population of 80-90 giraffe on land that could sustainably support 30 or so. They needed to harvest the surplus to reduce browsing damage to the trees, and to make some money to keep the private wildlife reserve running. So I hunted giraffe. It did not cost much, and it was a very interesting and challenging hunt in the semi- open country where we were. Stalking the correct animal close enough for a sure shot was difficult. They can see you coming for a Looong ways off! I shot a young bull after several failed stalks.

The meat went to a commercial butcher and the money from meat and "trophy" fee went to support the management of the land where the remaining giraffes could live and prosper. Not controversial at all if you understand the situation!

Go to your local international travel clinic for vaccination advice. You will need some, follow their recommendations.
 

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Cool pics Lw, looks to have been a great time and exciting experience.
Malaria is a real thing as it that tiny fly(Tsetse flies include all the species in the genus Glossina) that can cause some serious health issues.
Do keep us in the loop of the build up to the trip and of course a trip report after when your jet lag has subsided.
Go for it, you only live once and you can not take it with you.
Rob
 
If you worry about shooting an animal that somebody will say is too "cute" to kill...you will never shoot an animal! :) Personally, the buffalo is what drew me to Africa, with all the other cool stuff just adding extra spice to the main course. I didn't have too much interest in shooting a giraffe, but only because money was not unlimited and I already had about a dozen or "must-have" trophies to hunt. Decide what you want to hunt, and screw anyone else's concerns about cuteness or controversy.

I will mention that there were a few animals that I just had to hunt...zebra, kudu, warthog...but the animal that I added on at the suggestion of a couple of experienced African hunters was the eland. It's the biggest antelope in the world, generally larger than a cape buffalo, and while it isn't dangerous it is in every other way a fantastic hunt, done by finding and then following tracks, often for many miles. It was fantastic, every bit as much fun as the buffalo and "classic Africa" in every way. It's also some of the best wild meat I have ever tasted.

One other thing: get or make a set of shooting sticks and practice, practice, practice with them. They are ubiquitous in Africa, and trying to learn to use them effectively is not something you should put off until you are looking at your first African trophy, trying to line up a shot before it bolts. It takes familiarity to use them to their best advantage, so know how they work before you get on the plane.

Good luck, you're in for an amazing experience. :)
 
gelatine said:
Hi, Folks:

I started to plan my next safari. As I went to Baker lake last time, this time I'm thinking
to go somewhere warmer..... Africa? :)

I'd thinking something exotic but not too controversial.... So my choice is as followed:
Cape buffalo, Kudu, and giraffe. (Giraffe was my first choice but everyone started talking
it's so cute, they are harmless, why you wanna kill it?.. And it's Controversial... So I
decided to go for something ordinary: buffalo).

After a bit research, I think the best location/price I can find is Namibia.

I talked to some friends and they had bad experience about bribing in Africa, so I wondered
other than bribing, anything else should I be aware of?

I will be renting a rifle there instead bring my own rig. The 375hh with scope is my bottom
line. I don't think I can handle anything bigger than that without muzzle brake.

Any ideas and comments are welcome. What should I be aware of in the trip? Any special
gears I may need? Vaccination?

Thanks for your time and help.
Click to expand...

Using an unfamiliar rifle on dangerous game is just plain DANGEROUS!! Having seen some of the rental rifles offered by a few of the outfits I would rather depend on a sharp stick.
You are spending a fair jag of money on a trip like this, why not take a rifle you know fits you and know how it shoots? The rifle is the cheapest part of the trip in most cases.
Get ALL of the travel vaccines as things can change unexpectedly. It is not unheard of for a planned trip to change into a nightmare if the airline at the last minute opts to touch down in another country for a multitude of reasons. my own experience was an emergency landing in Zambia enroute to Zimbabwe from S.A.

I would stay away from S.A. currently, Nambia gets my vote for best run safari hunting, just a bit more hassle to get there is all.
 
Get on the Accurate Reloading website; they have sub-forums devoted to Africa and they are a goldmine of assistance and information. Making an informed and intelligent choice as to the outfit with whom you will be hunting will, quite literally, make or break your trip. The AR guys are always posting hunt reports, bad and good, which will assist you with that choice.

And, yeah...going to Africa and hunting with someone else's rifle is about as appealing as wearing their underwear. It's a bit more hassle but bring the gun you like and shoot well and have practiced with. The outfit I hunted with in Botswana (another terrific choice of country) was owned by a fellow whose gun safe was a walk-in double-size seacan, packed with some pretty beautiful and exotic hardware. I was tempted, but I used my own rifle for everything and am eternally thankful that I did. I used a shotgun of his for a day of wingshooting, which was just a spur of the moment decision...felt like a panhandler...:)
 
Bringing or renting firearms depends where your destination is and how you travel to hunt. I used my own rifles for my Namibia trip, not hassle free but manageable. I flew Saskatoon - Toronto - Frankfurt - Windhoek and needed paperwork & permits for each leg of the trip, but I managed to avoid the usual annoyances at Johannesburg. My next hunt will likely be Zimbabwe, which has a lot of "old Africa" left and wonderful hunting opportunities, but Canada has placed an arms embargo on that country and so I will rent a rifle when there.
 
Longwalker said:
Bringing or renting firearms depends where your destination is and how you travel to hunt. I used my own rifles for my Namibia trip, not hassle free but manageable. I flew Saskatoon - Toronto - Frankfurt - Windhoek and needed paperwork & permits for each leg of the trip, but I managed to avoid the usual annoyances at Johannesburg. My next hunt will likely be Zimbabwe, which has a lot of "old Africa" left and wonderful hunting opportunities, but Canada has placed an arms embargo on that country and so I will rent a rifle when there.
Click to expand...

An arms embargo WTH!! Do they think your 416 Remington Magnum (or whatever) will end up in rebel hands?:rolleyes:
 
gelatine said:
I will be renting a rifle there instead bring my own rig. The 375hh with scope is my bottom
line. I don't think I can handle anything bigger than that without muzzle brake.
Click to expand...
While I agree it is better to bring a rifle you are familiar with, I rented a rifle both times I have been to Africa. It was not a problem, though I am left handed and the rentals were not. Talk to your outfitter ahead time to make sure he has a quality firearm and scope. Practice shooting off sticks and make your first shot count. Most shots taken, are under 150 meters.
This past August, I hunted a large unfenced area in NW Namibia and was very fortunate to successfully hunt leopard. This is a beautiful area of Africa and I plan to return there and hunt Eland. No Buffalo there though, you have to go north to the Caprivi strip.
There are a lot of good reputable outfitters in Africa but as with anything, there are some crooks. The cheapest are not always the best.
As mentioned already, Accurate reloading is an excellent resource. Likewise, Africa Hunting Forums has been invaluable for my trip planning.
Good luck with your safari!
 
The cost of a guided & outfitted hunt anywhere can vary widely, but in most African countries is about the same as for a multi species hunt in the Yukon. Sheep & caribou or moose, vs. Buffalo and eland or kudu, not much difference actually. A plains game only African hunt is a better deal than hunting moose in Canada.
 
Longwalker said:
The cost of a guided & outfitted hunt anywhere can vary widely, but in most African countries is about the same as for a multi species hunt in the Yukon. Sheep & caribou or moose, vs. Buffalo and eland or kudu, not much difference actually. A plains game only African hunt is a better deal than hunting moose in Canada.
Click to expand...

A sheep hunt here in BC can be $25,000.00 US dollars. Are you saying it costs that or more to hunt in Africa?

I thought it was affordable? If it is that much, I know my wife and I could never go!......:(
 
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PSE said:
An arms embargo WTH!! Do they think your 416 Remington Magnum (or whatever) will end up in rebel hands?:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Same embargo was in place when I went there 10 years ago. One hunting rifle or a sea can of AKs...same rules. Some people have gotten around the embargo by stopping in RSA overnight first and then carrying on. Or flying through the US and getting a hunting license in New Jersey or Georgia (or wherever the flight lands). But it's all illegal.

Thunderhog said:
A sheep hunt here in BC can be $25,000.00 US dollars. Are saying it costs that or more to hunt in Africa?

I thought it was affordable? If it is that much, I know my wife and I could never go!......:(
Click to expand...

Affordable is relative. I did plains game in RSA in 2007 for about $15K with flights, taxidermy, and shipping included. Three years later I did Zimbabwe for somewhere around $30K all in. If you want to hunt dangerous game then you should plan to spent most of $30K. The Canadian dollar was very strong in 2009-2010 when I paid for my Zimbabwe trip. it's easily worth 30% less today. All safaris are bought in US Dollars.
 
PSE said:
So I've got to know - How much money for a safari like this - all in???
Click to expand...

A typical plains game hunt will cost about the same as a really nice new quad or sled

A typical buffalo hunt will be about to same as a decent secondhand 4X4.

Elephant is about the same as a new one. :)

I know it’s true; because when I price hunts out for people many sputter BBBBBut I can get a new quad/truck for that............

Thats saving tbe taxidermy and shipping for a surprise ;)
 
BigUglyMan said:
Same embargo was in place when I went there 10 years ago. One hunting rifle or a sea can of AKs...same rules. Some people have gotten around the embargo by stopping in RSA overnight first and then carrying on. Or flying through the US and getting a hunting license in New Jersey or Georgia (or wherever the flight lands). But it's all illegal.



Affordable is relative. I did plains game in RSA in 2007 for about $15K with flights, taxidermy, and shipping included. Three years later I did Zimbabwe for somewhere around $30K all in. If you want to hunt dangerous game then you should plan to spent most of $30K. The Canadian dollar was very strong in 2009-2010 when I paid for my Zimbabwe trip. it's easily worth 30% less today. All safaris are bought in US Dollars.
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for that information! Looks like my wife and I will never go, I thought Africa hunting was affordable, apparently it's still for the rich.

I appreciate the numbers BigUglyMan!.....:)
 
African hunting is not only for the "rich" You can hunt plains game for not much money, depends what you want. Without looking hard I found the following example, only one of many possibilities. In addition to the US$2000 you would need to choose a budget for your animals and add airfare.

ALL INCLUSIVE US $2 000- Cull hunting Package Includes:
- 1 Day outing to Mapungubwe National Park-optional
- All meals and drinks (incl. Local Beer and Wine and spirits)
- Accommodation for 6 nights, 5 full hunting days for 1 hunter
- services of a PH 1 on 1 , or 2 on 1 basis
- All airport transfers to and from the hunting area
- Extra animals can be added from price list

Excludes all animals, build your hunt by adding the animals you want to hunt at these special rates:
impala $80
warthog $80
zebra $300
blue wildebeest $250
Giraffe $600
waterbuck $250
Kudu $250
eland $400
Cull animal will be either female, young male or as pointed out by PH
trophies, horns, skull, skin from cull animals may be taken, except Zebra and Giraffe
hunt can be done with rifle or bow
observers welcome at $200 per person per night, all inclusive
 
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Yeah, that's the standard reaction when most people hear the cost of an African safari...or an Alaskan one, for that matter. "My God, do you realize I could buy a ###XX for that much money?"

So they don't go, but they do spend that money on a truck, or a sled...or smokes...or alcohol, grass, gambling, blah, blah, blah...and then when the topic of that life-changing experience comes up, they stare wistfully into the distance and murmur "...if only....."
 
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