Hunting Private Land: Botswana vs RSA

Patrick R

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Let's say the following:

1. Both areas has the same acres land.
2. The environment is the same.
3. Both areas have the same species to hunt.
4. Will you fly in lets say to Sir Seretse Khama in Gaborone then travel 3 hours to the hunting area or drive in from OR Tambo for 5-6 hours seeing a bit of both countries?

Will you choose which area to hunt and why?
 
Hunting Botswana would be a good trip I think if all things are equal. I think I would fly into Tambo and do the ride to see the country!
When are you thinking of going?
 
Botswana, remote, less hunted I bet and in a weird way, there like a wild romance with Botswana.
 
I would love to hunt a different country in southern Africa, but if everything was equal, and knowing that SA has infrastructure and roads, as well as access to hospitals in most places, I would stick with SA. I'm saying this not knowing about Botswana's infrastructure and access to hospitals, but if all conditions, game, land were the same...SA.
 
Also meant to add that going to a different country for me is high on the list, but part of going to new countries is to see different topography, a few different species, different cultures, etc.
 
As far as the taxidermy, there's only one game in town to deal with in Botswana. In RSA you can choose from many and check references. I'd stick with RSA.
 
Hunting Botswana would be a good trip I think if all things are equal. I think I would fly into Tambo and do the ride to see the country!
When are you thinking of going?

2017
 
As far as the taxidermy, there's only one game in town to deal with in Botswana. In RSA you can choose from many and check references. I'd stick with RSA.

Yes, that is true, but she does dip and pack to SA and then clients can choose their preferred taxidermist SA...
 
I would love to hunt a different country in southern Africa, but if everything was equal, and knowing that SA has infrastructure and roads, as well as access to hospitals in most places, I would stick with SA. I'm saying this not knowing about Botswana's infrastructure and access to hospitals, but if all conditions, game, land were the same...SA.

Botswana has infrastructure and a road/s, probably not the best hospitals in certain areas, but they have...
 
As far as the taxidermy, there's only one game in town to deal with in Botswana. ...............

This is a VERY important factor if you are planning on bringing back any trophies.


Yes, that is true, but she does dip and pack to SA and then clients can choose their preferred taxidermist SA...

You still have to pay the Botswana monopoly rate and then the RSA import fees, vet cert INTO RSA and then the re-export from RSA.
 
Let's say the following:

1. Both areas has the same acres land.
2. The environment is the same.
3. Both areas have the same species to hunt.
4. Will you fly in lets say to Sir Seretse Khama in Gaborone then travel 3 hours to the hunting area or drive in from OR Tambo for 5-6 hours seeing a bit of both countries?

Will you choose which area to hunt and why?


I like to see the countryside. However, if you have just flown in and got off a plane at 5PM you are not going to see anything from the JNB drive.
If you stay over night you can see the countryside.
Flying into Gaborone also adds that extra bonus of flight cancellations/missed bags/changing airlines, etc.

It sounds like you need to toss a coin on the hunting side of things.
 
I am tempted to do a Namibia & Botswana combo hunt in the future. Take a look at the attached brochure. I don't know anything about either of these outfitters, but it looks interesting.

Fly to Windhoek, drive to one and then the other. Fairly straightforward and simple logistics.
 

Attachments

  • Botswana-Namibia Combo Hunt.pdf
    2.8 MB · Views: 180
I have thought about hunting there. But right now I would do Namibia first I believe because of wanting a mtn zebra. I think I would take the drive from jo berg also to see the site. The taxidermy is one of the worries for me also. It would be so nice if you could take your animals out with you when you drive back to SA.

I know there is some nice places to hunt there and some good prices. The animals seem to be top notch also but not as many choices as you get back in SA.

Patrick you looking at doing some of your business with bushwack safaris over there now.
 
I've never hunted in Africa but as a place to visit I'd plump for Botswana every time.

Scrummy
 
Yes, that is true, but she does dip and pack to SA and then clients can choose their preferred taxidermist SA...

This is a VERY important factor if you are planning on bringing back any trophies.




You still have to pay the Botswana monopoly rate and then the RSA import fees, vet cert INTO RSA and then the re-export from RSA.


Patrick mentions flying into Gaborone and driving 3 hours. If you are that close to the RSA border, why doesn't the PH/Outfitter just coordinate with a vet at the border to get the certificate and drive the trophies back to RSA and use a taxidermist in RSA.

That way you don't need to deal with the Botswana monopoly.

My outfitter did this for me while hunting in Botswana.

As to the original question. We live in a beautiful and amazing world. Do we shortchange ourselves if we don't take advantage of every opportunity to see as much of it as is possible?
 
........... If you are that close to the RSA border, why doesn't the PH/Outfitter just coordinate with a vet at the border to get the certificate and drive the trophies back to RSA and use a taxidermist in RSA.

That way you don't need to deal with the Botswana monopoly.

My outfitter did this for me while hunting in Botswana.
..........

It does depend where you are hunting in Botswana for sure.

That little option you outline needs a detailed PM to me Wheels. Thx.
 
It does depend where you are hunting in Botswana for sure.

That little option you outline needs a detailed PM to me Wheels. Thx.


PM sent.
 
I am tempted to do a Namibia & Botswana combo hunt in the future. Take a look at the attached brochure. I don't know anything about either of these outfitters, but it looks interesting.

Fly to Windhoek, drive to one and then the other. Fairly straightforward and simple logistics.

375Ruger Fan,


Have the same idea in mind...
 
Patrick mentions flying into Gaborone and driving 3 hours. If you are that close to the RSA border, why doesn't the PH/Outfitter just coordinate with a vet at the border to get the certificate and drive the trophies back to RSA and use a taxidermist in RSA.

That way you don't need to deal with the Botswana monopoly.

My outfitter did this for me while hunting in Botswana.

As to the original question. We live in a beautiful and amazing world. Do we shortchange ourselves if we don't take advantage of every opportunity to see as much of it as is possible?


Wheels,

about 80% done on all the negotiations, perhaps I can...but customs (Botswana & SA) really take their time if you don't have 'the right stamps / bribe / company' (who you know) in your favor...I know if they see Debbie's paperwork it's take 15-20min...not...13 hours...
 
I have thought about hunting there. But right now I would do Namibia first I believe because of wanting a mtn zebra. I think I would take the drive from jo berg also to see the site. The taxidermy is one of the worries for me also. It would be so nice if you could take your animals out with you when you drive back to SA.

I know there is some nice places to hunt there and some good prices. The animals seem to be top notch also but not as many choices as you get back in SA.

Patrick you looking at doing some of your business with bushwack safaris over there now.

Bill,

1. Species...yes, not as much as SA
2. Prices...not always the cheapest, animals might be, but day fees not
3. Business...yes, 375 Ruger Fan already have the answer...It might work or not, I basically operate daily on the Botswana Border...
 

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