Africa hunting?

Dogleg said:
There’s an old African saying. “Only a rich man can afford a cheap hunt”.

Keep that in mind when you go bargain hunting. ;)
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Yes, I agree but if you don't mind hunting high fenced areas and don't want to take trophies home, then a cull hunt in Namibia or South Africa can be quite reasonable. Picking an outfitter that has an established business and a good online reputation (hunt reports) is important. In other words do your homework.

Nothing in life is without risk. The first time I wired a sizable deposit to an outfitter in South Africa, I was both excited that the plan was finally coming together and slightly apprehensive that I may be kissing my money goodbye. Fortunately it was all good!
 
Longwalker said:
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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Thanks Longwalker, now those numbers a fellow could swallow. This is what I thought I had heard for those type of hunts. Appreciate the info!....:)
 
jjohnwm said:
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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Your right John, I did buy a new/used truck, a UTV, a ATV and several guns!.....:) Even one from you. lol

But, I don't smoke, or drink, smoke dope, gamble, or experiment with prescription drugs. Heck I don't even drink coffee or watch hockey. lol

No I am not ### either. lol

Yes I would love to go to Africa and shoot a Cape Buffalo, some antelope, a sable, a warthog, an eland and many other cool animals. But I am not spending $30,000.00 US dollars to do it.

I do however spend over 80 days in the field every year hunting, trapping, shooting, recreational riding and just enjoying the outdoors. I use that atv, utv and new truck to accomplish this. Sure I could go to Africa once and enjoy it immensely. But there would be no other hunting here at home without those aforementioned tools.

Maybe one day my lovely wife and I could go to Africa for a plains game hunt without the high priced dangerous game animals. In the interim, we plan on enjoying what we can afford here and now.

There are a lot of people and hunters with a drinking, gambling, smoking, and smoking dope problems. Most of the ones I know do not have a pot to piss in, because of this lifestyle. Unless of course your a wealthy person and can do all these things and go to Africa on a hunt.

If the turd hunted, he could afford all of these bad habits, which I am fairly confident he dabbles in all of them, and go to Africa as well.

Money talks and bull-s-h-i-t walks. I've got the bs, but no money.........Laugh2
 
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I’m not necessarily saying that someone should spend their money on a safari instead of a ATV or truck. What I can say is that I have never shared a camp with someone who didn’t already have those things. I hear about people that scrimped and saved for years, but have never met that guy. What I have met are people who worked their asses off to be able to do what they wanted.

If you’re the guy that needs his wife’s permission; ya probably ain’t going either :(
 
Thunderhog said:
Your right John, I did buy a new/used truck, a UTV, a ATV and several guns!.....:) Even one from you. lol
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Okay, John, I see where you're heading with this...now it's my fault you're not going to Africa! :)

But, honestly, you almost lost me right when you said you didn't drink coffee...:sok2

Dogleg said:
I’m not necessarily saying that someone should spend their money on a safari instead of a ATV or truck. What I can say is that I have never shared a camp with someone who didn’t already have those things. I hear about people that scrimped and saved for years, but have never met that guy. What I have met are people who worked their asses off to be able to do what they wanted.

If you’re the guy that needs his wife’s permission; ya probably ain’t going either :(
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For sure! The secret to an African hunt...or anything else, for that matter...is that you have to want it enough to do what's necessary to get it.

It's like all my friends who say how "lucky" I am to live in the country, and be able to hunt on my own land. But, when they hear about the realities of long commutes to the city...and especially when you talk about the work involved with cutting your own wood, or the need to be responsible for providing your own water, or the need to maintain a generator, or the joys of sewage management away from sanitary sewers, or something as simple as plowing/blowing snow on a driveway that is several times the length of their entire city building lots...and suddenly eyes start to go wide, and then begin to glaze over...:)
 
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Dogleg said:
I’m not necessarily saying that someone should spend their money on a safari instead of a ATV or truck. What I can say is that I have never shared a camp with someone who didn’t already have those things. I hear about people that scrimped and saved for years, but have never met that guy. What I have met are people who worked their asses off to be able to do what they wanted.

If you’re the guy that needs his wife’s permission; ya probably ain’t going either :(
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Totally agree Dogleg, I am fortunate to have a wife that hunts, is my best friend and would totally enjoy going to Africa.

A plains game hunt is in the cards, or at least is a hope for one day. At 58 now, it's not going to happen next week or next year. It may never happen, but a person needs to dream for sure.

Any man married to a warden that hates guns and hunting may want to give up his sport or get a new wife. It's not worth the fight.......:)
 
jjohnwm said:
Okay, John, I see where you're heading with this...now it's my fault you're not going to Africa! :)

But, honestly, you almost lost me right when you said you didn't drink coffee...:sok2


Hahaha, your a funny fellow John, it's one of the reasons I like you, and for the obvious we both have the name John.

No, I would never blame anyone for never gone to Africa, except myself for marrying the wrong woman when I was young and stayed in the relationship for way too long.

I've kissed a lot of toads to find my princess who is my best friend, soul-mate and hunting partner. She has harvested many great animals. My only regret is I didn't meet her sooner! For the record, I never said I didn't like coffee, I just cannot drink it for medical reasons.
Trust me you don't want to know what medical reason!...Laugh2

I admire the fact that you have been on an African journey, maybe one day we could meet and I/we would love to hear your stories.
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It's like all my friends who say how "lucky" I am to live in the country, and be able to hunt on my own land. But, when they hear about the realities of long commutes to the city...and especially when you talk about the work involved with cutting your own wood, or the need to be responsible for providing your own water, or the need to maintain a generator, or the joys of sewage management away from sanitary sewers, or something as simple as plowing/blowing snow on a driveway that is several times the length of their entire city building lots...and suddenly eyes start to go wide, and then begin to glaze over...:)


You just described my life here on the acreage, only 16.5 acres but we back onto crown land, no neighbors! I drive 65 km's one way to work five days a week, wouldn't trade it for the city life.

We are definitely similar for sure John, take care my friend!.....:)
 
Thunderhog said:
Totally agree Dogleg, I am fortunate to have a wife that hunts, is my best friend and would totally enjoy going to Africa.

....:)
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I’ll forever cherish the hunting trips to Africa and elsewhere I took with my now deceased wife. When things like “You only live once”, “You can’t take it with you”, “Life is short” and “it’s only money” quit being flippant things to say and become brutal truths, nobody cares about the money spent. The missed opportunities will tear you up.
 
Dogleg said:
I’ll forever cherish the hunting trips to Africa and elsewhere I took with my now deceased wife. When things like “You only live once”, “You can’t take it with you”, “Life is short” and “it’s only money” quit being flippant things to say and become brutal truths, nobody cares about the money spent. The missed opportunities will tear you up.
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Sorry to hear of your loss Dogleg, my sincere condolences......:(
 
Longwalker said:
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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Great advice, and that buffalo in silhouette is calendar / publication worthy. Truly awesome.

I hunted buffalo in Zimbabwe, it’s not the cheapest but arguably one of the best places to. Hunting wise, the country is run very well, otherwise it’s in rather poor shape. The dangerous game PHs in Zim are likely the most qualified in the world, it’s a remarkably long and arduous program. I did my hunt a decade ago now but there are still good deals to be had, especially on non-export arrangements such as Longwalker mentions.

If I was to do another buffalo hunt without the fam it would be wild Mozambique (low success, good experience), with the fam Caprivi.

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Hi, Folks:

Thanks for all the comments.

I didn't know there was such option as "hunt for food", however, as I always use those trophies to make handcrafts, I'll still go for regular hunt.

I talked to some outfitters. Most of them offer 375HH rifle with scope for rental. Some of them has "milder" load for 375HH. I'm ok with 375HH
regular ammo although it's not something I'd try to shoot whole day long.

Yes, the budget bothers me a bit. I understand an "all-in" fees, but "tips" part always a problem for me.
Hypothetically, if I got a giraffe and it gonna take 10 men to dress it, how's the tip to be calculated?
Or if I'd go for a cape buffalo, which may take 4 men group to track it, and dress it, in this case, how's the tips to be paid?
Also, am I allowed to carry such amount in cash through the customs in countries of Africa? Would I get any trouble?

Again, thanks for your help and time. :)
 
Tips are a subject that has been discussed extensively on other forums, already mentioned. It is a bit of a controversial subject. I don't know if you are aware, that tips are more of an American thing. European's (German's especially), seldom, if ever tip. It is meant to be an extra payment for an exceptional service. I would never book with an African outfitter that insists on a tip. Most will say it is appreciated but not expected.
In both trips to Africa I have been hunting with an owner/operator and paid a tip. It was about 10% of the cost of the hunt, excluding trophy fees. My logic is that trophy fees are already paid to the owner. The more animals I kill the more they are paid. They have factored in the cost of the trophy fee that is is profitable for them. No need to add a tip, in my opinion. In both cases, I paid the tip to the owner and asked that he distribute the tip to the staff, as he saw fit. The Namibian operator paid this out as a Christmas bonus to staff after the season was done.

If you are hunting a true wildness area, where the owners pay concession fees and PH may be on salary, then things change, in my opinion. It also depends on which country you want to hunt. When researching for a hunt, I make up a set of standard questions to ask a potential outfitter. Ask them if you were to pay a tip, how it should be paid out.

On my last trip to Namibia the outfitter advised me to bring some american cash, in case of an emergency, such as your visa card being rejected. I brought $1400 US. I also brought $3000N (equivalent to $300 C). However, there is really not much to spend money on unless you plan to spend a day on your own. Also, Namibia has bank machines in every town. People traveling to Zimbabwe usually take a lot more cash in US dollars, because that country has no reliable banking system. I have never heard of anyone being robbed in either Namibia or Zimbabwe, while accompanied by an outfitter.

There are others with far more experience than myself. This is just my limited experience with two trips to the dark continent and spending a fair bit of time researching Africa online.
 
Tips aren’t hard, I’ve given them and received them. As an outfitter I made it clear I’d been paid and they didn’t need to tip me, but the guides appreciate it, though it was not expected. Some insisted and tipped me, and many more seemed relieved and relaxed, and just enjoyed their hunt. In one instance one of my guides received a set of $4500 Swarovski ranging binos, in others $100. They were always polite to the client about whatever it was, and I only ever heard real gripes when one got more than another.

As a client myself I’ve tipped 5-10% of the hunt rate, and paid it personally split by effort invested between the PH, tracker, and skinners. Skinners for instance I met once got $50, the tracker could get $500, and the PH could get $1000 on a $15K hunt. Play it by ear, if they feel like friends be generous. If not be very nice and explain it’s a lot of money to you, and tip the minimum (few hundred to the PH and a hundred to the tracker etc). I avoided getting into big handout situations and approached the individuals in private to tip.
 
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.
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From my experience, take a rifle you are familar with. Go see a travel clinic regarding your trip and vaccinations.
Buffalo hunts are expensive and imo overrated. I'd go on a wild area plains game hunt. It will cost you a lot less and is more fun imo.
Talk with a booking agent, especially on your first hunt. It will make the travel, payments and planning a lot easier.

I have many great memories from Africa. However they are expensive memories.
You pay for what you get in Africa hunts. And then you keep paying when you get home. And then years afterwards.
Tips, packing fees, exporting fees, inspection fees, pricey Canadian taxidermy fees follow you home. I would never discourage anyone from going but me personally have had enough of the international hunting racket which produces great but wildly expensive memories. Especially compared to the cheap but equal memorable hunts I can pull off in my back yard. If and when I go back to Africa it would be for plains game and I wouldn't bring anything home but pictures.
 
The buffalo hunt is excellent however you get dinged dangerous game rates (>$1k usd/d) vs plains game at (~$400 usd/d). And an eland bull is every bit as big and arguably more wary and challenging to get close. My take.
 
I hunted the wet season unplanned in Zim, so visibility was often 20 feet in the thorns and scrub. Ended up taking my bull day 10 of 10 at underhand pebble toss distance, I was covered with ticks daily in impolite places, and every day walked into buffalo herds in the jess trying to sort out a good bull, all the while getting torn to pieces by those giant thorns. I was expecting to go home empty handed, rains had greened everything to near jungle, and was ready to leave with nothing but a smile and plains game.

In the course of those all day failed stalks bumped into all sorts of creatures from those that towered above you to the tiny stuff and snakes that skittered under you. Went fishing, and wingshooting in the evenings nightly with a few castle or lion lagers. Took free plains game as they were concerned I was going to go empty handed as the buff weren’t concentrating at water. It’s a set of memories that will stick to the end, and one of the few travelling hunts I often daydream of revisiting. I’d probably only do Zambia if open / Zimbabwe / wild Moz / Caprivi. But more likely I’ll do a jungle hunt in the Congo or CAR and maybe seek a forest buff.

I like buffalo hunting admittedly as they’re not under the pressure some of the other species are, even understanding hunting helps the other species and having pursued a couple of them I’m good with buffalo. It’s just plain fun and I like most of the places they live in when free, and they’re big enough to make it exciting. I don’t think it’s a dangerous hunt admittedly, the local conditions and travel are far riskier, but there is a look in their eyes that even if the risk is extremely remote gets the blood pumping. I never felt that with plains game, even very close.
 
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