seattlesetters
AH veteran
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2009
- Messages
- 231
- Reaction score
- 99
I know there are lots of threads about which animals a first timer should consider and the requisite advice that goes along with those recommendations. When I heed the advice given by those with experience, I've always felt the most important nugget I've gleaned is that you need to pick an animal or two and then go to an area that provides good examples of those animals, then be prepared to take what the country gives you. Sound advice, IMHO.....
This thread is about something a little different.
What I'm looking for is advice from those with Africa experience on what some of the more challenging goals might be for a first safari. This could be anything from trying for a certain "Grand Slam" to perhaps even going for a rarer or more expensive animal than one would normally associate with a first safari.
For example, I feel going to an area that could provide a "Spiral-Horned Grand Slam" consisting of kudu, nyala, eland and bushbuck is very appealing and would perhaps add a bit of excitement and challenge to my hunt.
The same thing goes for perhaps going to an area for a few of the "normal" species sought on a first safari but adding in one of the more expensive, exclusive-type trophies that are more often pursued by those with more experience. For me, that would probably mean red or black lechwe, but for others it could also mean tssessebe, oribi, sitatunga, Chobe bushbuck, sable, roan, puku or waterbuck.
I'm hoping those with African experience can give some thoughts and suggestions on a "different" first safari that may take in some things not normally associated with the beginner. Perhaps you've been to Africa a few times and found you really like hunting a particular animal and you really wish you would've started out hunting that species. Or, maybe you've become enamored with a "tiny 10" or collecting several different subspecies or color phases of a certain animal, and think it might be a good way for a rookie to start out. Maybe there are some "Grand Slams" that you've considered trying for one a single hunt that came to mind as you hunted on a previous trip.
Let us know some different scenarios and/or "themes," if you will, that may be of interest to the novice. I think these suggestions could be put to good use for those of us planning or first (and subsequent!) safaris. Thanks!
This thread is about something a little different.
What I'm looking for is advice from those with Africa experience on what some of the more challenging goals might be for a first safari. This could be anything from trying for a certain "Grand Slam" to perhaps even going for a rarer or more expensive animal than one would normally associate with a first safari.
For example, I feel going to an area that could provide a "Spiral-Horned Grand Slam" consisting of kudu, nyala, eland and bushbuck is very appealing and would perhaps add a bit of excitement and challenge to my hunt.
The same thing goes for perhaps going to an area for a few of the "normal" species sought on a first safari but adding in one of the more expensive, exclusive-type trophies that are more often pursued by those with more experience. For me, that would probably mean red or black lechwe, but for others it could also mean tssessebe, oribi, sitatunga, Chobe bushbuck, sable, roan, puku or waterbuck.
I'm hoping those with African experience can give some thoughts and suggestions on a "different" first safari that may take in some things not normally associated with the beginner. Perhaps you've been to Africa a few times and found you really like hunting a particular animal and you really wish you would've started out hunting that species. Or, maybe you've become enamored with a "tiny 10" or collecting several different subspecies or color phases of a certain animal, and think it might be a good way for a rookie to start out. Maybe there are some "Grand Slams" that you've considered trying for one a single hunt that came to mind as you hunted on a previous trip.
Let us know some different scenarios and/or "themes," if you will, that may be of interest to the novice. I think these suggestions could be put to good use for those of us planning or first (and subsequent!) safaris. Thanks!