Anyone hunting Africa this year?
- Thread starter Slickshooter
- Start date
Lol! I’m assuming he was referring to the sentimental value you would have for that rifle after taking it on such an epic journey and experience.
Lots of people do tho. My 416 Ruger was in Africa apparently. The guy used it for one safari then sold it.
I recall reading a magazine article many years ago that was trying to explain how an African safari was not as expensive and unattainable as most people thought. One of the suggestions made was that a rifle purchased for such a hunt could be sold afterwards to recoup some funds.
I thought that was about the dumbest idea I'd ever heard.
I thought that was about the dumbest idea I'd ever heard.
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Africa hunts are pretty cheap if you stick to the cheap species of plains game. The flights, taxidermy and import costs drive things up a lot tho. If you’re dedicated enough and willing to sacrifice a few things, I think a lot of people could save up over a few years and go.
That’s my plan anyway. Africa 2028!
That’s my plan anyway. Africa 2028!
No slight on the OP or any one else that would prefer to go to Africa but my preference would be to hunt in Canada any time over going abroad. From the Yukon to Northern BC, Alberta Sask and NL with all points in between, this country has so much to offer that it is inconceivable to want to hunt elsewhere.
I love hunting here in Canada, and the USA... but Africa is a different kind of experience, different culture, different vibe and pace... also, different and unique species. It is also cheaper than most out of province Canadian hunts... that is not to say it is cheap. The sort of African experience you choose will dictate the cost. A South African farm hunt for standard PG species is inexpensive, whereas a free range hunt in Zim or Moz or Congo, for Buffalo, sable, roan or bongo is going to be significantly more expensive, but not nearly so much as a Canadian sheep hunt. What you choose to do with the trophies after the hunt can increase the overall cost significantly. Euro mounts are far cheaper than full shoulder mounts and the cost of shipping shoulder mounts triples as well.
Africa is its own thing, and if you choose well, it can be a terrific, valuable experience... it's worth as a life experience is evidenced by the number of hunters that immediately begin planning a return when their trip is over.
Well, you would be missing out. And it’s not giving money to Africans…it’s paying for a service which cannot be found in Canada. Nobody said hunting in Canada isn’t good, at least I didn’t and I’m the OP.
How many times have you been over there?
What Africa can offer and specifically the Selous Reserve in Tanzania is the hunting blocks have no human traffic, no planes passing overhead, no photo tourist vehicles, no agriculture, no domestic animals, no permanent structures, literally nothing but the camp staff and abundant wild game populations. In our 12 days there I was the only hunter in 750,000 acres of pristine African wilderness specifically set aside for world-class hunting.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I was born in South Africa, lived there for 44 years before moving to Canada 14 years ago. It's a GREAT place to hunt - period. And very affordable compared to guided hunts in North America.
I try and go back to hunt every year or at least every 2 years, and I used to fly there with Lufthansa, then with Air Canada and Lufthansa, until Lufthansa decided to charge EUR350 each way to carry a firearm. I now fly exclusively with KLM, as the layover from Calgary is only 2 hours.
As for permits, the Canadian export and re-import permits take a mere week - not months. I applied for my permits for my trip in June 2026 on 23 September, and permit was issued 2 October. And for KLM, it's an easy form to get permission from the Dutch Govt to transit through Amsterdam.
I do my own South African temporary license application which I fill out beforehand, and at the SAPS office in Johannesburg airport, it takes about 30 minutes to get my temp gun license. All easy peasy - and best part, KLM doesn't charge fees for transporting firearms. The gun case makes up one of your 2 pieces of luggage.
I'm very fortunate that I pay "local" animal prices when hunting, and we do self-catering so it works out VERY cheap. And I sell all the meat to a friend who owns a very large butchery, so I get back more than half the cost of each animal.
Anyway, enjoy your safari - African hunting is an experience you'll find no other place on earth. From the sunrises to the sunsets, to the camp fires at night. And the sounds of the bush.... can't ever get it out of my system. I'll keep going back until I'm too old to travel. LOL
Cheers
Robbie
I try and go back to hunt every year or at least every 2 years, and I used to fly there with Lufthansa, then with Air Canada and Lufthansa, until Lufthansa decided to charge EUR350 each way to carry a firearm. I now fly exclusively with KLM, as the layover from Calgary is only 2 hours.
As for permits, the Canadian export and re-import permits take a mere week - not months. I applied for my permits for my trip in June 2026 on 23 September, and permit was issued 2 October. And for KLM, it's an easy form to get permission from the Dutch Govt to transit through Amsterdam.
I do my own South African temporary license application which I fill out beforehand, and at the SAPS office in Johannesburg airport, it takes about 30 minutes to get my temp gun license. All easy peasy - and best part, KLM doesn't charge fees for transporting firearms. The gun case makes up one of your 2 pieces of luggage.
I'm very fortunate that I pay "local" animal prices when hunting, and we do self-catering so it works out VERY cheap. And I sell all the meat to a friend who owns a very large butchery, so I get back more than half the cost of each animal.
Anyway, enjoy your safari - African hunting is an experience you'll find no other place on earth. From the sunrises to the sunsets, to the camp fires at night. And the sounds of the bush.... can't ever get it out of my system. I'll keep going back until I'm too old to travel. LOL
Cheers
Robbie
chocol8thunda
Regular
Inhave family in Zim. Was there this past February. Would love to go hunting there. Could you, if time permits, post somenlinks to where you're going, what your hunting, rifle, ammo etc. Zim is a beautiful country once you get out of Harare. My family isnfrom Mutare. The Vumba mountains are really cool. Happy hunting.
if you transfer from Air Canada (Star Alliance) to Lufthansa, you only pay the firearm fee once on the return trip... but I agree, $350 is a kick in the knackers. Unfortunately Lufthansa is the best option to many African destinations.
chocol8thunda
Regular
What rifle and ammo do you take with you? I'm curious, as Inhave a 308, but understand that is probably not powerful enough.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
On my last trip with Lufthansa (June 2022), I got dinged EUR350 for the Frankfurt to JNB leg, and another EUR350 for the flight from JNB to Frankfurt. And not $350 - but EUR350 each way. My flight cost was CA$1007 total and the firearms fee ended up at CA$1022. The firearms fee was $15 more than my airfare. I was SO mad I vowed never to use Lufthansa again. KLM is MUCH quicker and much better for fees. Just my experience.
I normally take a 7x64 and a 375H&H but one of my close friends back home, has hunted many kudu and eland with a 308. He shot a 62” and a 63” kudu bull and a 39” eland bull with that same 308, shooting 200gr hand loads.
I don’t like this guy. He has been very critical of the “colonialist hunters” who went to Africa, saw a species for the first time then started blasting away. He has now become the very thing he criticized so heavily. He has in past also referred to the 375 H&H as an artillery weapon. Get this guy outta here
