brushmore
AH fanatic
I just returned from a fantastic visit to Tootabi Hunting Safaris. I will do a full hunting report with pictures but I first wanted to give a quick review of my daughter's and I experiences. Last summer I started on my quest to fulfill a lifelong dream to go on an African Safari. Until I found ah.com my expectations where that this would be several years down the road because of costs. But I found some really good deals here and I realized I had just enough money to maybe do this sooner than later! I found one such deal here with Tootabi and to be honest, it seemed way to good to be true. I sent an inquiry and right away Loodt called me. On the phone he seemed like a great guy. I read every thread here on Tootabi and spoke with references but the clincher that made me decide to go with Tootabi was a personal conversation I had with Royal27 (Thanks Royal!). After that I at least knew that Loodt was legit but I still expected a "budget" experience which was OK with me.
Now that I have been there I can't imagine a better experience me and my daughter than what I had for a first timer in Africa. Yes, I know that I am experiencing the first timer to Africa euphoria but I just wanted to let people know you that just because you see a "cheap hunt" listed here doesn't always mean you get a cheap experience. It was far from that to me. The accommodations at the main lodge are top notch. You would have to be a bit pedantic to complain about anything with the stay there. Much of the hunting I did was near by on the family's farm. I am not sure of the sizes but all the places seemed big enough to get lost in for awhile. I know I really enjoyed it. The hunts, my PH, the staff, Loodt and his family certainly exceeded even the most optimistic expectations that I had.
Speaking of family, one thing that Tootabi advertises is that they will treat you like family. This is no marketing slogan, they really do! Naturally, I can't wait to get back to Africa but not just for the hunting but to visit my new "relatives" in South Africa!
I promise that I will have a full hunt report with pictures later. In the meantime, I need to find my luggage (I have my rifle thankfully!). I won't be giving a review of JFK and Jet Blue. There is no way I could do that with out massive amounts of profanity.
Now that I have been there I can't imagine a better experience me and my daughter than what I had for a first timer in Africa. Yes, I know that I am experiencing the first timer to Africa euphoria but I just wanted to let people know you that just because you see a "cheap hunt" listed here doesn't always mean you get a cheap experience. It was far from that to me. The accommodations at the main lodge are top notch. You would have to be a bit pedantic to complain about anything with the stay there. Much of the hunting I did was near by on the family's farm. I am not sure of the sizes but all the places seemed big enough to get lost in for awhile. I know I really enjoyed it. The hunts, my PH, the staff, Loodt and his family certainly exceeded even the most optimistic expectations that I had.
Speaking of family, one thing that Tootabi advertises is that they will treat you like family. This is no marketing slogan, they really do! Naturally, I can't wait to get back to Africa but not just for the hunting but to visit my new "relatives" in South Africa!
I promise that I will have a full hunt report with pictures later. In the meantime, I need to find my luggage (I have my rifle thankfully!). I won't be giving a review of JFK and Jet Blue. There is no way I could do that with out massive amounts of profanity.
