Stay focused and do it. Good on you for going for it so young.
I look forward to great stories and pictures.
Planning for Africa
- Thread starter casterpollox
- Start date
Stay focused and do it. Good on you for going for it so young.
I look forward to great stories and pictures.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I understand the logic of trying to pull this off a cheaply as possible, but consider spending just a little more and go for the 10-day hunt. You'll be glad of the extra time. Remember the day of arrival and the day of departure are probably lost hunting days particularly if you have a fly in gig, and some people don't do well for the first couple of days due to the time change/jet lag . . . thirty years of toilet training down the drain! Besides, a year after the hunt you won't remember how much extra it cost, you'll just think how glad you were for those extra few days. You also have a few more species of plains game that aren't available on the 7-day tag. In Tanzania 7 or 10-day hunts include buffalo, and the trophy fees when we went were $1100 for each one you took, 2 were allowed on the license, not sure what they cost now. I think the only reason you should limit yourself to 7 days is if you have very serious time constraints.
Here's what I have so far. Please tell me what you think and openly pick it apart. I would rather be a little embarrassed on here than forget something or completely phuck up all together.
I talked with an outfitter at HuntFest, here are the notes I took down.
7 days including kudu, impala, bushbuck, springbuck and blesbuck. 2 hunters with 1 guide for $2950 US each. I wanted to add a warthog and it was $300 for a male, $150 for female. Tax was included in the price. Pick up and drop off at the airport. Cull animals could be available depending on when you go and usually for very low rates compared to the other animals on their list. Non-trophy animals could also be available, again at lower that listed rates. (does anyone know how low?)
The only thing not covered was air fair and shipping back to Canada. dipping and packaging was $100 for each skull and hide. The skull ready to put on the wall as a european mount, the hide in salt ready for the taxidermist if I wanted a traditional mount. Then $100 per animal for shipping to my door. He also suggested $50 a day tip for my PH and $10 for kitchen staff and hunting help.
The cheapest flight I can find right now is $2500 round trip with three stops. One, unfortunately, is in the USA. I don't like this idea and will be searching for something else.
So, I get just under $9000 for my trip, right now. Not including the mandatory new rifle and scope and reloading gear.I will likely get just one thing mounted at the taxidermist, the nicest thing that I take, the rest will be euro's since I really like that look.
He said it was 80% open hunting and 20% high fence ranch land. We have the choice of 3 locations to stay at night, the main house, cabins and a tent camp that looks pretty awesome. We can stay in one the whole week, or pick and choose each night in advance, depending on what we are hunting that day to save on travel time the next morning.
I forgot to write this down but I think he said May through the start of September is the most popular but you might be able to get cheaper flights in March, April or end of September.
Anything I missed?
I would want to hunt more and different species than those, blesbok are like mule deer does, dumb and common.
I would look at a longer hunt with more species included, gemsbok is a must.
We hunted with these guys huntergame.co.za Nihan Engelbrecht is the PH and is a great guy, very good hunter.
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- Location
- London, Ontario
$140,000.00 for Black Rino.....HOLY ####!!!
Think about the idea of euro skull mounts for your trophies. Any other kind of taxidermy will cost a fortune, as well as taking up a ton of space in your home. The euro mounts are relatively cheap and compact, making it easier to start saving for your next trip...and there will have to be a next trip.
When flying to Africa, the best route, especially for a Canadian, is to go from Canada to Frankfurt, Germany. From there you can reach Windhoek (Namibia), South Africa, or other destinations in Africa. You want to avoid any flights that connect in the U.S., because the restrictions and regulations of the T.S.A. can make it very difficult to get through an American airport with guns.
Practice shooting offhand and (especially) off of shooting sticks/tripods. Practice as much as possible with your hunting guns, but even practice with a .22 is well worthwhile. Some guys will tell you not to bother bringing your own guns, just use a loaner or rental gun while in Africa. If you're on CGN, you want to use your own gun! It is worth the extra hassle to shoot the animal of your dreams with a gun that you have personally set up, and with ammo that you loaded yourself (if you handload). My gun came back with numerous nicks, dings and "character marks" which I will never repair...the gun itself is now a trophy!
Get a GOOD gun case. Pelican, Storm, whatever...but make sure it's quality. My Pelican case arrived back home after my hunt three days after I did, and from the looks of it was apparently dropped from the Space Shuttle in low earth orbit. Purely cosmetic damage...everything inside was in perfect shape.
I think that it's well worthwhile to use the services of a specialty hunting travel agent to arrange your flights. I used Kathi Klimes of Wild Travel and was completely satisfied with her services. Compared to the cost of the hunt, her very modest fee was a godsend, as she is well versed in all aspects of travel with guns.
Similarly, a good booking agent can help you find a hunt will which exactly match your wants and needs. I used Wendell Reich of Hunter's Quest Int'l, after trying to book my hunt myself and very nearly screwing things up beyond all hope. Wendell put together a hunt which I will remember vividly and fondly for all my days. Again, these guys know what they are doing.
The African Hunting sections of accuratereloading.com are a goldmine of information regarding Africa. Discounted hunts, hunt reports, and a ton of guys with lots of experience who are (mostly) very willing to share their knowledge for the asking.
My hunt (only one so far) was ten days in Botswana for plains game, then seven days in the Caprivi region of Namibia for cape buffalo. I just could not imagine going all the way to Africa, and then not hunting buffalo. I have never regretted the decision.
Above all, keep an open mind and roll with the punches. Nothing's ever perfect, but your trip will be one of the highest highlights of your life, guaranteed. Enjoy!
John
When flying to Africa, the best route, especially for a Canadian, is to go from Canada to Frankfurt, Germany. From there you can reach Windhoek (Namibia), South Africa, or other destinations in Africa. You want to avoid any flights that connect in the U.S., because the restrictions and regulations of the T.S.A. can make it very difficult to get through an American airport with guns.
Practice shooting offhand and (especially) off of shooting sticks/tripods. Practice as much as possible with your hunting guns, but even practice with a .22 is well worthwhile. Some guys will tell you not to bother bringing your own guns, just use a loaner or rental gun while in Africa. If you're on CGN, you want to use your own gun! It is worth the extra hassle to shoot the animal of your dreams with a gun that you have personally set up, and with ammo that you loaded yourself (if you handload). My gun came back with numerous nicks, dings and "character marks" which I will never repair...the gun itself is now a trophy!
Get a GOOD gun case. Pelican, Storm, whatever...but make sure it's quality. My Pelican case arrived back home after my hunt three days after I did, and from the looks of it was apparently dropped from the Space Shuttle in low earth orbit. Purely cosmetic damage...everything inside was in perfect shape.
I think that it's well worthwhile to use the services of a specialty hunting travel agent to arrange your flights. I used Kathi Klimes of Wild Travel and was completely satisfied with her services. Compared to the cost of the hunt, her very modest fee was a godsend, as she is well versed in all aspects of travel with guns.
Similarly, a good booking agent can help you find a hunt will which exactly match your wants and needs. I used Wendell Reich of Hunter's Quest Int'l, after trying to book my hunt myself and very nearly screwing things up beyond all hope. Wendell put together a hunt which I will remember vividly and fondly for all my days. Again, these guys know what they are doing.
The African Hunting sections of accuratereloading.com are a goldmine of information regarding Africa. Discounted hunts, hunt reports, and a ton of guys with lots of experience who are (mostly) very willing to share their knowledge for the asking.
My hunt (only one so far) was ten days in Botswana for plains game, then seven days in the Caprivi region of Namibia for cape buffalo. I just could not imagine going all the way to Africa, and then not hunting buffalo. I have never regretted the decision.
Above all, keep an open mind and roll with the punches. Nothing's ever perfect, but your trip will be one of the highest highlights of your life, guaranteed. Enjoy!
John
1GLOCKAHOLIC
Regular
- Location
- SW Ontario.
OUCH....I wonder what Dogleg paid for that Giraffe....
Now I can see the reason for your selection.
6,000 for a croc I bet you can drop off the wife and kids at Disney and shoot a lot of gaters in the everglades for that price.
I have to agree with the previous posters, not out of experience but logic, go for at least 10days.
Good luck with the planning,
Now I can see the reason for your selection.
6,000 for a croc I bet you can drop off the wife and kids at Disney and shoot a lot of gaters in the everglades for that price.
I have to agree with the previous posters, not out of experience but logic, go for at least 10days.
Good luck with the planning,
Pudelpointer
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lethbridge, Alberta
CP, from my research it appears that non-trophy/cull animals can be had for +-$35 a head, and if you want to take the skull / hides from these the cost is 1/3 of the standard trophy fee. So if you see a wonky horned gemsbok or such, that would normally be $600 trophy fee, for around $235.
I am making notes of some of the other info guys have presented...
I am making notes of some of the other info guys have presented...
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Interesting.... I would prefer one of those wonky looking animals any way. I love finding white tail and mule deer like that.
constructoman
New member
- Location
- Kitchener Ontario
Who was the outfitter that quoted you $2950.00 for 7 days and the 5 animals? What part of Africa are they located?
I completely agree. 31 hrs total travel time there with only one stop at Heathrow left both my wife and I feeling like hell by the time we got there. It took 2 days to get our systems sorted out. We took 11 days and it was what I'd consider the bare minimum. We even got some proper sleep at the Yotel at Heathrow but it was not enough.
Don't be afraid to splurge a little. Enjoy your trip and treat yourself right. Bring enough money to take an animal you may not have planned on. Leave no room for regret ("I shouldda taken that amazing kudu/gemsbuck/etc I saw") Cutting back is ok but cutting corners is not, IMHO. This is the trip of a lifetime!
My hunt report is here: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=423017
Jon at wolverine was on a hunt and may be worth contacting.At least check out his web site if you haven't already.
+1 on being prepared to take an animal you haven't bargained for. I was on a Yukon Grizz hunt and passed up on a caribou.Bad,bad ,decision.
Have a great time,and take lots of pictures!
+1 on being prepared to take an animal you haven't bargained for. I was on a Yukon Grizz hunt and passed up on a caribou.Bad,bad ,decision.
Have a great time,and take lots of pictures!
1) I think there is an SCI chapter in Sask,join up meet people and pick they're brains.
2)Get current references from prospective Ph's.
3)Read the fine print.
4)Bring extra money.
5)Have fun.
Peter Capsticks book Safari the Last Adventure is a pretty good primer for people interested in hunting Africa.
2)Get current references from prospective Ph's.
3)Read the fine print.
4)Bring extra money.
5)Have fun.
Peter Capsticks book Safari the Last Adventure is a pretty good primer for people interested in hunting Africa.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Out of respect for site sponsors like Wolverine, I won't post who the outfitter is but will gladly send you the name through a PM if anyone is interested. He was at HuntFest in Saskatoon and we had a good loooooongggg talk.
I'll look into SCI, thanks.
I'll look into SCI, thanks.
I've been to Zimbabwe twice with Roger Whittall Safaris. The first trip was strictly for plainsgame, and the second was for a Buffalo and some more plainsgame. Obviously these hunts and all the other associated things did tally up to a fair penny, but I really dont think of the price tag when I thumb through the photo album or look at the animals on my wall. Personally a week is not long enough, spend the extra bit of money and go for 10+ days.
I find alot of people I talk Africa with base their trips on taking "X" amount of animals in "X" amount of days. In my opinion, we as hunters should not focus on a "hitlist" of animals we want to take, but enjoy the scenery, culture, and the awesome experience Africa is in itself. If you do the research and pick the right outfit the animals will fall right into place with that plan, and generally speaking you will end up with one or two animals more than you thought you would.
One thing that sticks out in my mind that bites a lot of people is that there are alot of animals in Africa that only exist in certain countries. If you go on your proposed hunt and take your Kudu, Impala, bushbuck, springbok, and blesbok, yes you will have a phenomenal hunt, but did you want to take say a Gemsbok? If you really wanted one spend the extra money and take one... you are already there. The 500-1000 bucks for a gemsbok while you are already there is definately cheaper than going back to the same area to hunt one again.
Something else I must mention is that footwear is crucial. Buy good footwear, nothing can ruin a hunt better than blisters or a rolled ankle. I were Russell Moccasin Safari PHII's when I go. They are custom made to your foot and are available with different tread patterns. The crepe soles are the best as they are quiet and soft. There is nothing worse than hard soles when trying to be quiet.
For the most part you will have the luxury of a hunting vehicle to transport you around, but make no mistake you need to be in decent shape. I recall my last trip to Africa where we chased after a Giraffe for the better part of a morning and well into the afternoon. We put our best guess at 11Km from where we left the truck to where the giraffe hit the ground. Good boots and a bit of cardiovascular endurance will increase your chances. There is no worries about the guide being in shape so there is no reason you should not be as well. You have expectations in your guide, but they have expectations of you as well.
You need to keep up to his pace and shoot straight. Hunting in Africa is much unlike anything we have here in North America. if we shoot a whitetail here, it runs off and dies. Animals in africa, like buffalo, will bite back if you make poor shots. Not only do you risk injury on your part, but your trackers and guide are also at risk. I would argue that there is alot of hunters who go to Africa that do not fully understand what risks are involved.
PM me for more info if you like.
Tim
I find alot of people I talk Africa with base their trips on taking "X" amount of animals in "X" amount of days. In my opinion, we as hunters should not focus on a "hitlist" of animals we want to take, but enjoy the scenery, culture, and the awesome experience Africa is in itself. If you do the research and pick the right outfit the animals will fall right into place with that plan, and generally speaking you will end up with one or two animals more than you thought you would.
One thing that sticks out in my mind that bites a lot of people is that there are alot of animals in Africa that only exist in certain countries. If you go on your proposed hunt and take your Kudu, Impala, bushbuck, springbok, and blesbok, yes you will have a phenomenal hunt, but did you want to take say a Gemsbok? If you really wanted one spend the extra money and take one... you are already there. The 500-1000 bucks for a gemsbok while you are already there is definately cheaper than going back to the same area to hunt one again.
Something else I must mention is that footwear is crucial. Buy good footwear, nothing can ruin a hunt better than blisters or a rolled ankle. I were Russell Moccasin Safari PHII's when I go. They are custom made to your foot and are available with different tread patterns. The crepe soles are the best as they are quiet and soft. There is nothing worse than hard soles when trying to be quiet.
For the most part you will have the luxury of a hunting vehicle to transport you around, but make no mistake you need to be in decent shape. I recall my last trip to Africa where we chased after a Giraffe for the better part of a morning and well into the afternoon. We put our best guess at 11Km from where we left the truck to where the giraffe hit the ground. Good boots and a bit of cardiovascular endurance will increase your chances. There is no worries about the guide being in shape so there is no reason you should not be as well. You have expectations in your guide, but they have expectations of you as well.
You need to keep up to his pace and shoot straight. Hunting in Africa is much unlike anything we have here in North America. if we shoot a whitetail here, it runs off and dies. Animals in africa, like buffalo, will bite back if you make poor shots. Not only do you risk injury on your part, but your trackers and guide are also at risk. I would argue that there is alot of hunters who go to Africa that do not fully understand what risks are involved.
PM me for more info if you like.
Tim
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have a goal. I want to hunt Africa before I'm 30 and it looks like I'm on track to make it happen.
I've read just about every thread on this website from reloading to the pictures of successful hunts. In searching this info, I started thinking a sticky might be helpful. There is a lot of very good information on here but it's not exactly organized in anyway. It's very useful but time consuming to find. If not, then at least a thread talking about all of the basics that you need to consider while planning a trip.
So, with that said... what are some tips and tricks that you would like to pass along from your successful African trip? Plains or dangerous game, bow, muzzleloader or rifle. Doesn't matter.
What went well? What would you do different next time?
Of course, pictures are encouraged!
Thanks in advance
I did exactly what you're talking, I'm in my mid 20's and came back from Zimbabwe this April, after Cape Buffalo and some plains. Try looking to less frequented destinations, unless plains game makes you happy then South Africa is hard to beat. Check out Zimbabwe, Cameroon, even Uganda, and Namibia is a fantastic "steady" for plains game, solid, good country. When you're younger these hurdles don't seem as big, I know experienced African hunters much my senior who won't touch the areas I hunted with a ten foot pole. However, I had the hunt of my life, and would rather be on the rougher and wilder side. I had no desire to hit a South African ranch like all the Americans you meet in Jo'Burg. Zimbabwe gets a heavy recommendation from me, though it has a good few quirks if running with small operators. John Hipwell, Wolverine's owner and I believe I got his name right, had a bad experience in Zim, quite bad. I had a great one, along with many others. Do your homework, plan, and save. Trust me, you'll want to hunt Buffalo, I'd plan for that now. The whole reason for Africa is dangerous game for me, we have plenty of remarkable creatures here but don't have the real dangerous game.
See a forum called africahunting, indespensible.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Wrong. Mine just did. Finding the right one is key.
And yes, I'll have pics up soon. In the mean time.....
More to follow...
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I was waiting for BUM to chime in here. That is one ugly warthog... but a nice one at the same time.
Lots of good info on here. Exactly what I was looking for. I hit the bank this past week and have everything set for my savings. Auto withdrawl to make sure that the bare minumum is saved every pay check.
Consider this my first couple steps towards a trip of a life time........ a tingle just went down my spine and a grin upon my face.
Lots of good info on here. Exactly what I was looking for. I hit the bank this past week and have everything set for my savings. Auto withdrawl to make sure that the bare minumum is saved every pay check.
Consider this my first couple steps towards a trip of a life time........ a tingle just went down my spine and a grin upon my face.
