Africa is a drug

I'm told here & on other forums that Africa is a drug. That I'll be planning my next trip before I get on the plane to come home. etc. etc.

Ok so what is it when you plan your next trip BEFORE you make the first???

I bought a 10 day 4 hunter auction at the local SCI banquet on Saturday and I have not been there yet!!! I'm going in Aug of 2009 & with my sons in August 2010!

It will only get worse Karamojo, it starts out with plains game and then it's on to the hard stuff (big five). Its easier to just give in than to fight it and you did the right thing by purchasing the second hunt. I promise to quit all the time and then I think, well one more won't hurt and here I go again. I may regret it later but for now I can't seem to make a day without thinking about Africa.

I also think about Africa EVERY day. I've read everything I can get my hands on. only 146 days until my first hunt, ( but who's counting but me).

I think about it more than girls when I was 15. My sons are now infected as is my wife. WHAT A DISEASE!

By the second trip I should have at least 2 maybe 3 of the big 5...I make NO promises to quit yet. My taxi-guy should LOVE ME.

Maybe I should change my screen name to Woody

Karamojo Bill, I might find this post to be more humorous if I didn't feel the same way. I can't get back as often as I'd like and think about Africa all the time when I am not there. I have recently been reviewing a bunch of big bore hunting videos of African hunting safaris and it makes me really miss the sights, the sounds, the smells, the hunting... I got it really bad.

Karamojo Bill... you got it good and even though there is no cure, they say Gin & Tonic helps a great deal with the pain. Cold beers also help when dehydration sets-in. Cheers!

Oh, all of you boys are so funny! I really am entertained by some of the posts and threads on this site and this is one of them.... Bill you do have it bad, I thought I was bad, but you officially surpass me with that comment about thinking about your safari more than girls at 15. Is it possible that you just can't recall how obsessed you were with girls at 15? And Jaustins' comment about starting with plains game and moving to the hard stuff... I'm not sure but would that make Ryan out to be the dealer in this addiction or at least some sort of enabler. And to Ryan the G & T's don't really seem to be working for me anymore.

I would not do too well as a dealer so I just went right down the chain and became a grower... I would not make a profit as a dealer and cannot afford to be an end-user so the only viable option is to live where the product grows most of the year : ) Happy Days!

When the G & T effect weakens, increase the quantity of gin. When that also starts weakening in effect, use in turn with Rusty Nails (two parts scotch/one part drambuie on the rocks). If symptoms persist, just surrender to addiction and supplement with the suggested pain-killers anyway! CHEERS!

Well, I think that hopefully all the drugs in the world would be like Africa.

Oscar.

Personally I find a good single malt scotch helps to dull the pain......my selection could have something to do with my oatmeal savage ancestry.

I am working on a cure for the Africa Bug............I hear the lottery draw tonight is a big one so I bought some tickets and am keeping my fingers crossed.

I began planning my second trip while I was still in the Selous on my first trip. In 342 days my wife and I leave for Zim to hunt elephants, not that I am counting. I am now an Africa addict.

I began planning my 2nd hunt to Africa half way through my first. It is one big addiction but it has to be much healthier than many addictions! I think of Africa every day & await my 3rd Safari. I haven't graduated to the hard stuff yet as I can easily do 2-3 hunts on the plains game yet to make a dandy collection!
I can think of much worse stuff to think about than Africa, It only keeps me focused & nose to the grind stone to get back there ASAP!

Africa is definitely a drug. I think about Africa all the time to get through the work day here in America. My hunting in the U.S. has been going down hill. Too many regualtions! Too many people. Too much government! Try finding a mature animal to hunt in the U.S. cheaply. Kudu, red hartebeest and zebra are so addicting and cheap to hunt compared to elk in the U.S. The gemsbok is better than any antelope we have in the U.S. I love Africa....she is definitely a mistress to me .

Safari Chick, after reading your post about 15 year old Bill and girls, I got to thinking, perhaps he just didn't know the right girls.

Went on first trip in 2007, I think my problem started well before that. I confess I am an Africa Addict and need help. What is worse I think my wife is also an addict but she won't admit it. Our second trip (RSA) is less than six months away. My nerves are already frayed, sweaty palms, desire to shoot my rifle every waking hour, visiting too many internet Africa forums, emailing my ph, travel agent weekly, seeing Leopards in my sleep etc etc. Our third trip is already planned for Namibia, in 2012 our 25th anniversary and looks like we will be there for 3-4 weeks.
My name is EJ and yes I am an addict.

this thread is absolutely entertaining, I laugh every time I return to read the new posts here! Wow, hunt of a lifetime, you do have it bad AND live with another addict, I'm pretty sure that means there is no hope for either of you. I have personally been following Shallom's perscription... more gin in my G & T, when that no longer works I will move the the rusty nails, although I'm not sure I will be able to palate it, I may substitute for Tequila...

I hope to get a shot of the drug this year or next!!

Better sooner than later.

Originally Posted by jaustin

Safari Chick, after reading your post about 15 year old Bill and girls, I got to thinking, perhaps he just didn't know the right girls.

OK, It's clear that you need some history here. My folks divorced when I was 11. Mom & I moved to the Oregon coast in to a area the the nearest stoplight was 25 miles away. One TV channel that was snowy, little radio, party lines on the phone....internet???? No such thing.

Mom would go to the "Big city" a couple times per month to get her hair done. I'd go to the coin-op laundry and start a few machines, then go to the local library. There I discovered the hunting section & read EVERYTHING there was to read on all hunting but especially Africa. TR Roosevelt, Karamojo Bell, Hunter, Ruark, Patterson, & Capstick were my entertainment & "friends".

Fast forward to college. I went to a teacher's college where the ratio of males to females was about 3:1. I did OK with "the Right ones". In fact, I cut a pretty wide swath at times.

Now at 15, I'd only had a couple of years to develop the desire for girls. BUT, I've had 40+ years to develop the desire for the Dark Continent.

Shallom, I can't take gin....Safari Chick....tequilla, NEVER again. I'm dangerous as a wounded leopard on that stuff. But, gve me a 1/5th of GOOD Irish wiskey and I'll just dream all night about DG charges...which is better than what I dreamed about @ 15

Karamojo Bill... if you really want some dreams, take a dose of Lariam and you might even dream you are at the Pearly Gates! Many guests have had some amazing experiences with that malaria drug. Some people have dreamt being 15 years old all over again : ) Cheers,

I wonder if anyone is as obsessed with Africa as i am,in fact my wife thinks i'm not right inthe head.I live in north west England and have never been to Africa and i don't think i ever will so i am trying to bring Africa to my home.I have pictures of African animals on the walls of my living room and African plants in my garden.I have a couple of pen pals in Africa and i am always hoping to find more.I have always been interested in hunting after we kids used to listen to our uncle telling us stories of hunting elephant,rhino buffalo and lion in Kenya and Tanzania during the golden era of hunting.

Bazz

I see you have hunted Sweden...

Kenya is your favorite African country...however not a very good one for hunting right now..

Is there anything available for you to have a go at in England?

Maybe you need to find a spot in Africa and see if the Wife would like to go along to take pictures...while you try a short one or two animal safari.

While Tanzania is a great country and many British visit the place.

I would suggest one of the other country to introduce your wife to Africa...You could check with Marius, Louis, Phillipe, and some of the other outfitters or PH's on the forum...

Make a goal and set money aside for the trip...make it happen...