Planning for FIRST HUNTING SAFARI-- in 2012

Edelweiss, Welcome to AH and great to hear you are planning your hunt. My experience (one trip) is to find a good outfitter, look over the game that is available in his hunting area, make your list of preferred animals but listen to your PH when you are actually hunting. If a really good animal that isn't on your list comes along and he says you should take it, take it. I didn't do this and missed out on a really good mountain reedbuck, now I'm kicking myself. I also wouldn't try to do everything in one trip, it is great to just stop hunting for a few hours and enjoy the wonder of where you are. Good luck on your hunt, post the photos and report when you get back.

Hi EDEWEISS~ Welcome to AH! It looks like you are getting good advice from the members. Feel free to contact me if you want some assistance with travel arrangements. FYI - You will save yourself some dollars if you avoid a departure from the U.S. during June, July or early August as that is "high" season for airfare. Just that much more in your pocket for those "trophies"!

Enjoy the planning of your first safari!

WOW! Once again thanks for all the fast responses and PMs. I will be getting back to each of you. I hadnt thought about airfare "seasons", just one more thing to keep in mind.

Right now (subject to change), it looks like a buddy will be joining me. Im OK with us sharing a PH (I THINK). Its the first trip to Afrika for both of us; but hes a former Alaskan resident and has more hunting experience. Again for right now, Id like to add Leopard to the Plains game, and my buddy just wants to be there to video and photo that part. I could be convinced to put the Leopard on hold, if Im bite-ing off too much.

Weve talked about Namibia, Zimbabwe, and So Afrika and others; but havent fixated on any one spot, mainly from lack of specific knowledge about pros/cons of each area

If you are going to hunt leopard. Read the rules on hunting leopards in Namibia first. They can only be hunted with daylight and baits...for starters. There are some great plains game-leopard hunts available.

I'd rule out RSA...not saying can't be done...there are big leopard there. A lot of cons...can be pricey, because there are seperate properties...leopard jump property lines all the time, too many people to me.

There are a ton of hunt options in Zimbabwe. Night hunting....being a big plus to ensure better success. Plus sometimes buffalo, sable and other plains game can be had...granted the costs add up. But I think it's a very good option if you save your money.

Good luck on your hunt---I know how hard it is to choose & fine-tune the details...If you're hunting "old spots" you may find yourself spending many hours over a bait thereby getting less plains game hunting time...I may reccomend big cats for a future hunt (easier for now on the wallet, also!). My wife & I did a 5 day plainsgame hunt in Namibia last summer & visited friends in several African countries...we had a blast...so, a 7 day hunt plus sightseeing is very do-able...For ZEBRA, I'd reccomend Christi Liebenberg of Hatari Safaris in Namibia. He's a zebra guy & has plains & mountain zebra available, many nuances here, "shadow stripes" vs. bold black-n-white stripes, etc. You can see his site @ hatari.com.na He'll do custom hunts so don't feel obliged to follow his pkgs. exactly...Tell him Joe & Ruthie said "hi".

Hi, Edelweiss,

We can advise you on your trip to Africa should Namibia be your final destination.

We can also advise you on Taxidermy work as Osonjiva has his own Taxidermy.



And then last but not least we can advise you with regards to all your shipping details of your trophies.

I will mail you a pm with regards to prices etc. Feel free to contact me should you have any questions or would like references.

Wellcome to South Africa !!!

Hi Edelweiss

Congratulations for your decission... the first African EXPERIENCE is something unbelieveble, and you will NEVER regret it.

The options are huge, but maybe South Africa is a good country for your first african Safari (easy access, high level hunt, and plenty of species of antelopes to hunt). I will send you much more detailed information from Spitskop Safaris (.::Spitskop Safaris - the experience::.) in a PM.



Best regards
Jose

Hallo Edelweiss
Have you decided on a destination yet?
If you need any help please contact us
We have a good population of Burchell Zebra, Kudu, Eland, Red Hardebeest, Oryx, Blessbok, Duiker, Steenbuck,Giraffe and Warthog. Any other you would be intressed in we can obtain for you.
Please let me know. I will send you more information.
Kind regards Margie

Hallo Edelweiss
You really in for a very difficult task to decide with all the offers and info you received.
I do not envy you.
Good luck and greetings from sunny Namibia
Margie

Hi Edelweiss,
I have just completed my hunting trip to Africa. And like you twelve months ago I was faced with same dilemma as you. As Mike has stated earlier don't discount buffalo from your list of species. I can promise you buffalo hunting is very exciting and if it is in your means I would seriously consider it.

I split my hunt in two parts and in two different locations. First was a 7 day Buffalo hunt in the Omay South of Zimbabwe. And the second was 7 days plains game in Nicholson West and Beit Bridge in Southern Zimbabwe. My list of plains game was pretty small as my priority was the buff.

The finally tally was 1 Buff, 1 Bushbuck, 1 Eland, 1 Impala. I did also want Kudu but just simply ran out of time.

At least in Zim the best time of the year is a little dependent on what and where you are hunting. For example the area in the Omay I hunted the buff are not that water dependant as there seems to be a lot of natural spring that run all year.

You can pick up some good deals on late season hunts, however be prepared that it will be very hot.

On the topic of what rifles to take, there are about a million threads on the forum discussing the merits of various brands and calibres that guys take on safari. I found that having good optics is a must as you will almost certainly be shooting through some cover (Although not necesserelly far). Second, take whatever you can shoot accurately (Keeping in mind any legal minimum calibres). If you are going to hunt buff, your rifle should have open sights and detachable scope mounts (such EAW or Recknaigles). Warne, Leupold and other QD mounts are simply not suitable as they are to slow and not predictable in maintaining zero when re-attached.

If you are considering hunting Eland, Kudu, Buffalo be in the best physical condition that your age and health will allow. You will be following tracks (hopefully) and on some days that can be a few miles.

I found that the countries to consider hunting are pretty much determined by your budget. Depending on the species and the type of hunting you prefer (fenced game ranch or unfenced concession) will also have bearing on where to go. I stand to be corrected, but when I was doing my research Botswana and Tanzania are probably the most costly. For plains game only I would think Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe are good. If you add Buff to the list Zimbabwe would be my choice in affordability.

These are only my personal opinions and I don't proclaim to be an expert. Do your research as all have advised, speak to operators, and also have realistic expectations.

Most importantly enjoy the experience as you will only ever go on one first safari.

Not to repeat what the others have said, the following:
1. There is only ONE FIRST AFRICAN SAFARI...
2. Request for recent REFERENCES.
3. Compile a list of questions and ASK the same QUESTIONS to outfitters.
4. Ask WHY you as an Outfitter...
5. Be on the look out for HIDDEN COSTS.
Enjoy the planning process...it is part of your safari.