is south africa the best

Place for me to be looking for myself and sons first hunt in africa.I am getting lots of good info so thought I would get some more ideas from the people on here.Looking for just plains game.Thanks

Billc

Hi, I am not from South Africa, I am From namibia. As you might know, we/me, have been living in the South African Shadow for many years, and still, many people does not know Namibia(former south West Africa)
I am a PH, here, can I help you.?

Regards
Louw

It's a fantastic area for your first hunt, Namibia is also a great destination when considering family. Make sure you research your outfitter. For South Africa I went with Cruiser Safaris, great group of people and Cruiser Bob will ensure every detail is covered.
Thanks!

Finding what is "best" is hard because it is not just the country, it is the individual place you are going and few people have been to enough places to declare one the best.

That said, I went last summer with my wife and son to Namibia, and it was wonderful. A very pleasant direct flight is available from Frankfurt to Windhoek, very pleasant people at the airport, good roads, etc. I went to Reveille. (Reveille Hunting Ranch) The PH is the owner's son and he was simply wonderful with my son, who was 8 at the time. I cannot say enough good things about him or the experience we had there. My son was crying in the airport on departure saying "I miss my professional hunter".

Bill,
My wife and I also went on my first safari this past september and decided on Namibia. It was an amazing experience and I hunted with Botha Jansen the same PH bert the turtle went with. I have already promised to take my oldest son when he turns 10 I will also be taking his younger brother who will be just 6 at that time. We will go back with same outfitter as I now know him well and feel he would be great with kids. My next safari is booked for 2012 in Moz. , but I will eventually get to South Africa and hunt with some of the RSA PH's from this board. Good luck choosing your PH and good luck hunting. Africa gets in your veins my wife thought she would get her fill in one trip now she is signed up for a buff.
P.S. I the only experience I have with RSA is the Jo'burg airport, but it was a nightmare when compared with Windhoek.
Dustin

I remember the list of animals, that you wanted and would recommend South Africa, you might have to visit more than one province...but it will fit all your needs.

If you where going more than once, I'd recommend Namibia first...and then whatever animals you didn't get on that trip...then go to RSA. The reason I say this, is the trophy fees are generally cheaper in Namibia....especially if you hunt in the southern half of Namibia. Springbok, eland, red hartebeest, kudu, gemsbok are pretty reasonable. The Hartemann's Zebra is very beautiful!

But RSA has reasonable rates for bushbuck, nyala and waterbuck. And they have all the game you want.

I think you would be better off with RSA is you aren't sure if you'll come back.

I say once in a lifetime but am sure I will want to go back.I plan on taking my boy hunting every year.Just may do some red stag and game in new zealand.Maybe other places for bear moose and deer to.Started him elk hunting and doing that again this year.So one never knows what could happen.The animals I have on my list are the ones I want the most.Plus there is only so much room in the house to put two guys trophts.lol

One thing I'd recommend with taking your son is to give yourself a day or two or more at the front end devoted to touring. It's a long ways across the pond and will take a few days to acclimate to the time change. Being well rested and adjusted to the time change before you start those long days of hunting will make those days that much better.

Also giving yourself that time may allow for your rifles to catch up to you if by chance they don't arrive with you. This may be of particular importance to your son if he hasn't yet grown to a size to handle an adult sized rifle.

Hi Bill
This is always a very good idea add two or if you can 3 days to the trip take your son to Kruger national park i recommend 3 nights in park he will enjoy the park very much and we can do it for you in different ways and very cheap.
Johan

Originally Posted by hunting

Hi Bill
This is always a very good idea add two or if you can 3 days to the trip take your son to Kruger national park i recommend 3 nights in park he will enjoy the park very much and we can do it for you in different ways and very cheap.
Johan

My wife and I stayed at the Tremisana Lodge for a few days to tour Kruger and the surrounding game preserves. A good choice for keeping the budget down and there's a troop of Vervet monkeys that have made the trees on the lodge grounds their home.

Namibia has some great PG options.
Now you can do a great wild Safaris for P/G in Mozambique. Certainly worth looking into if you want that remote Safari atmosphere in areas with no fences and often Dangerous game.

My first trip was in Namibia in May 2008 with Kobus Honibull of Africa Thirstland Safaris - I would definitely recommend him for a family venture.

I think you will very much enjoy South Africa. A great variety of game to pursue and the prices are extremely competitive right now.

BillC

RSA and Namibia are great destinations and we offer high quality good value for you money plains game hunts in both countries. Personally I've had great hunts in both countries. The hunts can be high fenced or totally free range. Lodges are usually super comfy and the hunting very good. You might want to also consider Zimbabwe and Mozambique for a plains game only safari. These countries can offer you a classic safari experience where you are hunting your plains game in an area that has the Big 4 or 5. Prices are about the same as good quality plains game hunts in RSA or Namibia and offer a total expereince that can't be matched on any ranch hunt.

If you'd like further details please do not hesitate to contact me anytime.

Mark Young

So far twice to South Africa (northern Limpopo) for PG and in both cases it was a sucess.
Thats in regards of game taken, but also lodging, weather, nature, pepole, service and food.


For me coming out of the high north, the abundance of different game was a mere shock (a positive one).
It was high fenced, but areas was big and did give lots of oportunities for great .

I can recoment South Africa from what I have seen and experienced.

I am familiar with both countries (RSA & Namibia) and both countries offers great and unique hunting environments. RSA still offers the most huntable species available...

80% of our Clientele is return business to South Africa enough said

South africa and Namibia are very good places to start hunting in africa. Both are nice countrys