Odd Question

[Darrel Morris]

As a new member I have been reading a lot on here and have come to realise that my dream of visiting Africa isn't as far out of reach as I had thought. My issue is that I'm not really interested in trophies. I want the traditional safari experience. Time spent out in the remote African bush, exploring and photographing animals and shooting a couple of animals for food. I guess, you could say that I want to experience wild Africa, but without the need for bringing home any trophies. I just don't personally have a place for them. Is this something that can be done? Or are most outfitters only doing trophy hunts? I know there are companies that specialise in photo safaris, but I don't want to sit in a bus with 59 people trying to take pictures through a window. I want to be on the ground out in the bush for the full experience.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Certainly it can be done.
You do not have to bring anything home if you don't want to.

 

[UKHunter]

How remote do you want it? That can really dictate where you go.

Africa's population has come a long way since the traditional safaris of old.

 

[CAustin]

You just pick an outfitter on here and tell them what you want to do. I suspect it can be done and booked rather quickly!

 

[Rolf_T]

Consider a cull hunt/nontrophy hunt with some of the outfitters represented here on AH. Pricing is way better if you do not want a trophy animal, and the experience is similar and the hunt not necessary easy

 

[ActionBob]

Simple, book an elephant and lion hunt in Zimbabwe or Mozambique... USFWS won't let you bring those trophies home anyway

Will definitely be remote and not have a crowded bus to deal with

 

[Hank2211]

Like ActionBob, I would highly recommend Zimbabwe. Look at safaris on national parks lands - and make it clear to the outfitter what you want to eat what you kill. I've done it, and while we also are lots of other stuff, we also ate well on what I shot. Mthese safaris are in large, unfenced areas. Prices are reasonable.

Moz can be similar but in my experience is more expensive. I'd rate Zim higher for the first timer.

 

[Royal27]

What you want can certainly be done. Part of what you need to decide is what does "wild" mean to you and how remote you want to be. Because of your first statement about it not being as far out of reach as you thought I'm going to assume you're on a relatively tight budget, as most of us are.

So based on that a good plan might be the Eastern Cape. You could do a cull hunt and then visit places like Add Elephant National Park, or Shamwari. While not "wild old Africa" it is amazing none the less.

Now if price doesn't matter and you really want remote then listen to @ActionBob .

 

[cpr0312]

I have seen on a few Namibian outfitters sites where they offer cull hunts where the game is non exportable, and the hunt is was less than normal. Not sure if you would consider Namibia, but it is certainly possible

 

[Divernhunter]

We hunted the eastern cape. Another father/daughter were in camp also. He only took a few cull animals and they took lots of photos. They took only photos home and a couple of porcupine quills.
They then went sightseeing for several weeks. The outfitter actually let him shoot a couple of trophy animals at the cull price. The outfitter took them to the elephant park and the Cheetah research/breeding place to tour them.
We went to the Cheetah place also. It was great. We also arrived several days early and went to Cape Town and did sightseeing including a big 5 photo trip that was excellent.

The place we hunted and where we stayed you could not see another manmade object from our home base area. We also could hunt all day(spot and stalk) without seeing a fence....even though the place was high fenced.

I am going back in 2017 and plan to hunt 10-12 days and sightsee for a couple of weeks.-----If the outfitter/PH will let me stay I might stay for 6 months

 

[gizmo]

Like has been mentioned a Zimbabwe tuskless ele hunt may be right up your alley. Often comparable to a pg hunt, excellent experience, and no worry if figuring out what to do with what you shot. Meat goes to villages and Gov't keeps trophy parts. Win win

 

[Royal27]

Meat goes to villages and Gov't keeps trophy parts. Win win

Attitude like this and no wonder your nickname is Hillary....

 

[gizmo]

Attitude like this and no wonder your nickname is Hillary....

 

[siml]

There are definitely ways to do your trip. September, we always have to shoot a bunch of animals for the govt.

 

[Sand Rat]

Attitude like this and no wonder your nickname is Hillary....

Silly rabbit Hillary is a girls name.................the proper nickname would be uncle Bernie.

 

[Darrel Morris]

To be honest, I haven't given this a lot of thought. I really never considered it as possible until now. I like the idea of a cull hunt. I would be most interested in Botswana or Zimbabwe...I think. For now I have a divorce to get through, but I will definitely be looking at options and beginning to plan this dream adventure.

 

[enysse]

Just stay positive, the right hunt is out there for you. Keep the dream alive. A divorce is hard thing to get through.

 

[Bruce]

It is VERY possible and approaching a lot of outfitters on this site will get you various options to chose from.

 

[Alexandro Faria]

Hi,

As a new member I have been reading a lot on here and have come to realise that my dream of visiting Africa isn't as far out of reach as I had thought. My issue is that I'm not really interested in trophies. I want the traditional safari experience. Time spent out in the remote African bush, exploring and photographing animals and shooting a couple of animals for food. I guess, you could say that I want to experience wild Africa, but without the need for bringing home any trophies. I just don't personally have a place for them. Is this something that can be done? Or are most outfitters only doing trophy hunts? I know there are companies that specialise in photo safaris, but I don't want to sit in a bus with 59 people trying to take pictures through a window. I want to be on the ground out in the bush for the full experience.

Definitely a possibility. Have a look at a camp called Tanda Tula in Timbavati. Amazing people and beautiful wildlife. Not sure on the hunting, but definitely an option. Best of luck. Ps, huge respect for the non trophy part. Most people get caught up in the pursuit for these majestic trophies and loose out on the real experience.