Elephant / Leopard Hunting Safari

I am looking at an Elephant and Leopard hunt combination. I have it narrowed down pretty well. Has anyone ever used Lew Harris Safaris, Chifuti Safaris, Luxury Hunts, Red Ivory Safaris, or Bullet Safaris?? If so, which one and how was your experience??

tgkkj4,

Is there a particular country you are interested in hunting? What is your expectation on the weight of the ivory?

Keep in mind Luxury Hunts and Bullet Safaris are booking agents. I would ask very specific information about what outfitter they are using in Africa before making my decision. If they will not commit to an outfitter, PH, and the exact area, go elsewhere.

I do not know Lew Harris, however he is a South African operating in Gwai (Zimbabwe). If you are a US citizen I would check the legalities of importing the trophies from Gwaii as it is stolen property. In the hunting community there is much disdain for any operator hunting in the Gwai area. Definitely proceed with caution if hunting in the Gwai.

Tgkkj4,
We have a great area in Zimbabwe for Elephant and Leopard on the Zambezi river near Chirundu. Email Theo.Verster@TDKSafaris.com for more info.

Originally Posted by Mike70560

tgkkj4,

Is there a particular country you are interested in hunting? What is your expectation on the weight of the ivory?

Keep in mind Luxury Hunts and Bullet Safaris are booking agents. I would ask very specific information about what outfitter they are using in Africa before making my decision. If they will not commit to an outfitter, PH, and the exact area, go elsewhere.

I do not know Lew Harris, however he is a South African operating in Gwai (Zimbabwe). If you are a US citizen I would check the legalities of importing the trophies from Gwaii as it is stolen property. In the hunting community there is much disdain for any operator hunting in the Gwai area. Definitely proceed with caution if hunting in the Gwai.

Awesome points Mike.

Mike,

Thanks for the information. I am looking for something in the 35-50 lb range. I am aware that Luxury hunts with Jeff Martinell is a booking agent, but I didn't know that with Bullet Safari's.

Can you explain a little more about the law and stolen property from Zimbabwe. Every outfitter I have talked with about Elephant and Leopard have recommended Zimbabwe, saying we would see more animals there and be able to keep the prices somewhat affordable.

They also have importable prices, versus not importable?? The information they are giving me is that with the CITES permit for both Leopard and Elephant I can import both??

I have talked to outfitters from Zim, SA, Botswana, Caprivi Strip, and Mozabique.

Thanks

What kinda price range are you looking at if your in the USA the ivory from Mozambique is not exportable to the US I sent you a PM

I had heard that Lew Harris Safaris, got busted a while back for doing illegal hunts in Zimbabwe. Not to stir the pot. I would look for a licensed Zimbabwe PH.

Thanks for all of the input. This is one of thoe trips of a lifetime for us. We have been to Namibia and hunted plains a game, and that was a great trip. Now that we are looking at dangerous game, the cost is alot more. We just don't want to make a mistake and go with the wrong outfitter, and get the shaft in the end. I have had this happen on a Caribou hunt in Canada. This is alost more money though.

Originally Posted by tgkkj4

Thanks for all of the input. This is one of thoe trips of a lifetime for us. We have been to Namibia and hunted plains a game, and that was a great trip. Now that we are looking at dangerous game, the cost is alot more. We just don't want to make a mistake and go with the wrong outfitter, and get the shaft in the end. I have had this happen on a Caribou hunt in Canada. This is alost more money though.

tg,

I can't offer you any advice on who to go with for a DG hunt. I haven't done a DG hunt yet. But I plan to someday, just when that will be has yet to be decided. In the meantime I pretty much sponge up all the reports I can and keep mental notes of who consistently seem to always provide a good experience. Below is a list of those that I would start with. I can't say there has never been a bad report on any of these, but I haven't read any. These guys just always seem to have glowing reports. Are they necessarily the cheapest? Probably not, but as someone told me a cheap safari can turn into a very expensive walk in the bush.

1. Chifuti Safaris
2. HHK Safaris
3. Martin Pieters Safaris
4. Charlton McCallum Safaris (Buzz Charlton seems to be an absolute elephant nut btw)
5. Mokore Safaris
6. Zambezi Hunters

Good luck with your planning and stay active here on AH. I'd like to know how things go for you and hear about your experiences.

Thanks, and will do!!

I would have to second Martin Pieters safaris. I was looking for a leopard/buffalo/croc hunt this year. I met with him at the sci show In Las Vegas and was very impressed with his team and professionalism. I was a half a day away from booking with him when I caught wind of a place in southern zimbabwe where I could hunt leopard with hounds which was my dream hunt. I booked with that outfit instead. I'm still hoping to hunt with Martin Pieters in the future but that will have to wait for now. I'm thinking perhaps to do a buffalo and leopard hunt with him next year and possibly a lioness if he gets those on quota.

tg,
I would second the caution on the Gwai district. My first hunt was there with Lion's Den and Thys DeFries Their entire family holdings (over a century) were stolen in 20 minutes.
I can recommend Jamy Traut Safaris in Namibia for your DG hunt. He is a true professional and knows his DG. and Namibia is a great place to hunt as you know. I'm returning there in April for a second time with Jamy. Do yourself a favor and check him out.

You've been given some good advice here. ONLY book with a registered Zimbabwe Outfitter, period.

Zambezi Hunters, Martin Peters, Mokore, CMS, Chifuti, Brent Hein, Pete Barnard, to name a few.

Originally Posted by safari-lawyer

You've been given some good advice here. ONLY book with a registered Zimbabwe Outfitter, period. .....

Please pay attention to this point and save yourself a headache.

Tjkkj4,
I hunted in Martin Pieters area last year and can tell you he runs a great operation. Certainly for ele and buff it is great. Since we here in Australia can not import leopard I have not really looked to much at hunting them so am not sure how many they take. But from what I know a good leopard area is one that is remote and has very little human habitation. The method on how you want to hunt your leopard may determine where you go. I certainly think that Zim is probably one of the more affordable countries to hunt DG in some true free range areas.

Use a trusted booking agent like Cabela's if you pick up problems you have someone to fall back on and help resolve any issues. They will give you all the info you need.

Cabelas, Mike I believe that you have given objective advise, thanks

My best always.

Mike and tgkkj4,

Hello, my name is Nathan Askew and I am the owner of Bullet Safaris as well as a licensed professional hunter. My reply is a little late but it is important to me to set the record straight and to have accurate information on the internet about my company.

The comment made by Mike that 'Bullet Safaris is a booking agent' is not correct and actually very far from the truth. I am a licensed PH and personally conduct many of my companies safaris every year. In addition I have multiple licensed PH's that work for me; they are also are very capable and excellent professional hunters. I am very involved in every safari and have many years of dangerous game experience and operating in multiple countries in Africa. We offer as good of a hunt as anyone on the continent and our knowledge, passion for the sport and personal service is unmatched.

Other than that the information contributed in this thread seems to be good advise to any client. To my knowledge the other companies mentioned are also top notch safari operators.

In the end I recommend that a client understand that it is most important to know who your PH is and his capabilities - he is the one in control of your safari when you are on the ground and will make the most difference at the end of the day. Good PH's seldom work for average companies. Make sure you know enough about your PH as possible and be confident in his ability to guide you, his work ethic, that you will enjoy hunting with him, and you will enjoy his company around the campfire. After all a safari is not just a hunt in an area with a company - it is truly a trip of a lifetime and a good PH will make the most of your experience in Africa.

Originally Posted by bulletsafaris

Mike and tgkkj4,

Hello, my name is Nathan Askew and I am the owner of Bullet Safaris as well as a licensed professional hunter. My reply is a little late but it is important to me to set the record straight and to have accurate information on the internet about my company.

The comment made by Mike that 'Bullet Safaris is a booking agent' is not correct and actually very far from the truth. I am a licensed PH and personally conduct many of my companies safaris every year. In addition I have multiple licensed PH's that work for me; they are also are very capable and excellent professional hunters. I am very involved in every safari and have many years of dangerous game experience and operating in multiple countries in Africa. We offer as good of a hunt as anyone on the continent and our knowledge, passion for the sport and personal service is unmatched.

Other than that the information contributed in this thread seems to be good advise to any client. To my knowledge the other companies mentioned are also top notch safari operators.

In the end I recommend that a client understand that it is most important to know who your PH is and his capabilities - he is the one in control of your safari when you are on the ground and will make the most difference at the end of the day. Good PH's seldom work for average companies. Make sure you know enough about your PH as possible and be confident in his ability to guide you, his work ethic, that you will enjoy hunting with him, and you will enjoy his company around the campfire. After all a safari is not just a hunt in an area with a company - it is truly a trip of a lifetime and a good PH will make the most of your experience in Africa.

Welcome to AH Nathan! Thanks for filling in the blanks. If you have a website please list it so others can check it out.

Originally Posted by bulletsafaris

Mike and tgkkj4,

Hello, my name is Nathan Askew and I am the owner of Bullet Safaris as well as a licensed professional hunter. My reply is a little late but it is important to me to set the record straight and to have accurate information on the internet about my company.

The comment made by Mike that 'Bullet Safaris is a booking agent' is not correct and actually very far from the truth. I am a licensed PH and personally conduct many of my companies safaris every year. In addition I have multiple licensed PH's that work for me; they are also are very capable and excellent professional hunters. I am very involved in every safari and have many years of dangerous game experience and operating in multiple countries in Africa. We offer as good of a hunt as anyone on the continent and our knowledge, passion for the sport and personal service is unmatched.

Other than that the information contributed in this thread seems to be good advise to any client. To my knowledge the other companies mentioned are also top notch safari operators.

In the end I recommend that a client understand that it is most important to know who your PH is and his capabilities - he is the one in control of your safari when you are on the ground and will make the most difference at the end of the day. Good PH's seldom work for average companies. Make sure you know enough about your PH as possible and be confident in his ability to guide you, his work ethic, that you will enjoy hunting with him, and you will enjoy his company around the campfire. After all a safari is not just a hunt in an area with a company - it is truly a trip of a lifetime and a good PH will make the most of your experience in Africa.

Better late than never.
Welcome to AH.

Nathan are you a licensed PH in Zimbabwe?
Where does Bullet Safaris operate out of?

Thanks for your reply.