Won a Safari

Ryan Wilson

AH senior member
Joined
Feb 14, 2015
Messages
74
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47
Location
Alabama
Media
7
Hunting reports
Africa
3
Hunted
Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Wyoming, Alberta Canada, South Africa
Just a small rant:

I recently bought a raffle ticket for $20 USD at a chance to win a hunt in Africa for (4) people and $500 towards trophy fees!!! Well, I won! So I thought. A few things that really bothers me about marketing in Africa.

1: Daily Fees
2: Trophy Fees
3: Airport Transport Fees
4: Gratuity

The hunt I won required me to pay $800 USD for transportation to and from JNB to Limpopo or fly to Polokwane.

The hunt was valued at $14,000 because the daily rate was estimated at $400 per person per day.

Trophy fees were the very highest fees I have ever seen in Africa. The cheapest animal (baboon) was almost $700 USD.

Gratuity, although not expected but IS expected, was advised around $1200 per person for the 7 days split amongst camp staff.

So, this hunt I won, wasn't a win at all. It was inflated, over priced and not nearly as affordable as most everyone sells on AH. To end the rant, if anyone is willing to give me an honest quote for a 7 day, 8 night safari please let me know. I have 3 guys willing to come to RSA for a bowhunt in 2020. Looking for plains game with good food, good hunting and good beer. Cheers
 
Sorry, but at least it only cost you $20! I’m sure a number of the AH sponsors will give you a much better quote!
Best of luck! You’re going to have a grand time having some buds along!
 
..........
So, this hunt I won, wasn't a win at all. It was inflated, over priced and not nearly as affordable as most everyone sells on AH. .............

I read the subject header and was expecting exactly this.

Devil is always in the details.
Read the details of any hunt before ever buying a ticket or bidding at an auction.

I am sure someone will help you get a reasonably priced hunt you will enjoy.
 
Hmm...
- Distance from Johannesburg to Polokwane: 317 kn (196 miles). Both ways for $800 means they are charging $2.04 per mile. Clear profit center. For comparison we offer a courtesy shuttle to / from East London or Port Elizabeth...
- $400 daily fee. For comparison we charge $260 to hunt 70 species on 120,000 private acres, half of them free range, from a four star lodge...
- $700 trophy fee for a baboon. For comparison we charge $150...
- Gratuity are appreciated IF you are satisfied with the service you receive. The rates suggested by Jerome on AH are quite appropriate. Nowhere near $1,200 for 7 days...

I don't know. Not passing judgement. But it seems that they better pick you up with a Rolls Royce, treat you like royalty at six star level, show you Baboon with skulls larger than Saber Tooth Tigers, etc. etc.

Thing is, there ain't no free lunch ;)

Keep faith, there are plenty of proper outfitters in South Africa who can give you incredible value for your money, all stated upfront in a written contract :)

Will be happy to quote you and write you a legally binding contract with everything specified down to the individual cent (except tipping, which is truly up to you, as it is when you go have a steak in town). Send me a PM please with the animals you guys want to hunt.

I was there 30 days ago. See the story at https://www.africahunting.com/threa...even-better-than-last-year.52376/#post-567622

See also a few other AH hunt reports on Huntershill:
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...faris-august-2018-plains-game-paradise.45017/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...n-to-the-east-cape-huntershill-safaris.42277/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-huntershill-safaris-10-days-of-awesome.31178/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...if-my-wife-kids-can-do-it-so-can-yours.23138/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...h-huntershill-safaris-in-the-east-cape.48626/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-back-from-the-east-cape.50657/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...aris-april-may-2019-plains-game-safari.50578/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...shill-safaris-for-another-awesome-hunt.50694/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...n-trip-to-huntershill-safaris-may-2019.50884/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-my-trip-to-huntershill-safaris.51264/#post-556333
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...lty-we-filled-every-animal-on-out-list.51393/

Good luck in your search. You are in the right place :)
 
Last edited:
Hmm...
- Distance from Johannesburg to Polokwane: 317 kn (196 miles). Both ways for $800 means they are charging $2.04 per mile. Clear profit center. For comparison we offer a courtesy shuttle to / from East London or Port Elizabeth...
- $400 daily fee. For comparison we charge $260 to hunt 70 species on 120,000 private acres, half of them free range, from a four star lodge...
- $700 trophy fee for a baboon. For comparison we charge $150...
- Gratuity are advised IF you are satisfied with the service you receive. The rates suggested by Jerome on AH are quite appropriate. Nowhere near $1,200 for 7 days...

I don't know. Not passing judgement. But it seems that they better pick you up with a Rolls Royce, treat you like royalty at six star level, show you Baboon with skulls larger than Saber Tooth Tigers, etc. etc.

Thing is, there ain't no free lunch ;)

Keep faith, there are plenty of proper outfitters in South Africa who can give you incredible value for your money, all stated upfront in a written contract :)

Will be happy to quote you and write you a legally binding contract with everything specified down to the individual cent (except tipping, which is truly up to you, as it is when you go have a steak in town). Send me a PM please with the animals you guys want to hunt.

See a few AH hunt reports on Huntershill:
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...faris-august-2018-plains-game-paradise.45017/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...n-to-the-east-cape-huntershill-safaris.42277/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-huntershill-safaris-10-days-of-awesome.31178/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...if-my-wife-kids-can-do-it-so-can-yours.23138/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...h-huntershill-safaris-in-the-east-cape.48626/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-back-from-the-east-cape.50657/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...aris-april-may-2019-plains-game-safari.50578/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...shill-safaris-for-another-awesome-hunt.50694/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...n-trip-to-huntershill-safaris-may-2019.50884/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-my-trip-to-huntershill-safaris.51264/#post-556333
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...lty-we-filled-every-animal-on-out-list.51393/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...even-better-than-last-year.52376/#post-567622

Good luck in your search. You are in the right place :)

Y'all treated me right last year!
emoji6.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Would love to give you a quote . Currently I have a 4 animal hunt you can see in Deals and Offers for $2999 per hunter 1x1 . PM me for further details
 
Do your research here and take time. Make sure you learn about the various types of outfits. Do you want a large operation or small operation? Lots of people in camp or just your group? Blind sitting or potentially stalking? Only bow or possibly some rifle shots? Etc...etc.

Those are just a few you may want to specify. Lots of great outfitters here to choose from who will give you the hunt you want as long as you are specific.
 
Just a small rant:

I recently bought a raffle ticket for $20 USD at a chance to win a hunt in Africa for (4) people and $500 towards trophy fees!!! Well, I won! So I thought. A few things that really bothers me about marketing in Africa.

1: Daily Fees
2: Trophy Fees
3: Airport Transport Fees
4: Gratuity

The hunt I won required me to pay $800 USD for transportation to and from JNB to Limpopo or fly to Polokwane.

The hunt was valued at $14,000 because the daily rate was estimated at $400 per person per day.

Trophy fees were the very highest fees I have ever seen in Africa. The cheapest animal (baboon) was almost $700 USD.

Gratuity, although not expected but IS expected, was advised around $1200 per person for the 7 days split amongst camp staff.

So, this hunt I won, wasn't a win at all. It was inflated, over priced and not nearly as affordable as most everyone sells on AH. To end the rant, if anyone is willing to give me an honest quote for a 7 day, 8 night safari please let me know. I have 3 guys willing to come to RSA for a bowhunt in 2020. Looking for plains game with good food, good hunting and good beer. Cheers
Hi Ryan, since 2011 we charge ZERO DAILY RATE for our Rifle Hunts in South Africa, FREE Airport Transfers from any airport in South Africa, we offer 50+ Species across South Africa, and also hunt private land in Botswana, as well as private land + consessions in Zambia & Zimbabwe.... I do notice you are bowhunters, please get in touch with me I am 100% sure we can do a mutually good deal with zero hidden costs and certainly zero silly add-ons!!!!
 
Sorry to hear you fell for a
Clear marketing plan
Some guys are just short sighted with their marketing
They looking for the one off hunt to make lots of money with no wors of mouth or a happy returning client!!!

Well at least you have free day fees....i guess
 
Yea I wouldn't be taking that hunt as I am sure you aren’t either. As others mention plenty of good deals here.
 
I'll ask, Who is the outfitter that provided this raffled hunt?

If no animals were included, what did the outfitter include in this hunt?

Is this hunt from a camp or a lodge?

How many and who is included in "camp staff" members?

Recommended/Expected gratuity?? $1200.00, USD or Rand? per hunter, for 7 days??? for camp staff?

I don't mind tipping, but $4800.00 USD for 7 days on a PG hunt in SA, I would have to ask the outfitters here on AH, but IMO that's a rather hefty tip divided by 4, 5, maybe 6 people behind the scene per se of the hunt.

Now that said, if what is meant by "camp staff" includes the PHs, trackers, maybe vehicle drivers, (1 x 1) and those actually taking care of camp duties, depending on how each hunters individual hunt went, maybe $1200.00 USD could be considered an appropriate.

Without more details about your won trip, I would consider:

A) use any round trip airfare from home to SA, forget about hunting any animals this hunter offers other than with a camera and used the money you saved to book a consecutive 7 day hunt with one of the outfitters here on AH.

OR

B) consider the $20.00 you spent on your winning ticket a donation, and checkout outfitters here on AH to book an African safari adventure.
 
I'll ask, Who is the outfitter that provided this raffled hunt?

If no animals were included, what did the outfitter include in this hunt?

Is this hunt from a camp or a lodge?

How many and who is included in "camp staff" members?

Recommended/Expected gratuity?? $1200.00, USD or Rand? per hunter, for 7 days??? for camp staff?

I don't mind tipping, but $4800.00 USD for 7 days on a PG hunt in SA, I would have to ask the outfitters here on AH, but IMO that's a rather hefty tip divided by 4, 5, maybe 6 people behind the scene per se of the hunt.

Now that said, if what is meant by "camp staff" includes the PHs, trackers, maybe vehicle drivers, (1 x 1) and those actually taking care of camp duties, depending on how each hunters individual hunt went, maybe $1200.00 USD could be considered an appropriate.

Without more details about your won trip, I would consider:

A) use any round trip airfare from home to SA, forget about hunting any animals this hunter offers other than with a camera and used the money you saved to book a consecutive 7 day hunt with one of the outfitters here on AH.

OR

B) consider the $20.00 you spent on your winning ticket a donation, and checkout outfitters here on AH to book an African safari adventure.

I'm not going to mention the outfitter publicly. Per the agent, lodging consists of a lodge, chalet and tent! You're guess is as good as mine what it'll be. The winning ticket included meals and lodging with a free Impala, blesbok or $500 towards trophy fees.

Once I won, I was emailed specifics that required us to fly to Polokwane or pay $800 for transport fee. Gratuity was highlighted and recommendations given for PH, tracker, skinner, cook, maid, etc.... Trophy fees for animals were sent to me. Like I mentioned, the prices were inflated to the point of double what I've paid in the past. There was a highlighted area that said prices could be negotiated once we arrived........bs........I'm not flying for 16 hours to negotiate pricing. I emailed the agent stating my case and he has yet to respond. I'm guessing he figured out this isn't my first rodeo with scammers in Africa. To put it onto perspective, if I shot a vervet monkey, porcupine, springhare and a guinea fowl, it would cost me a minimum of $1050 plus airfare, tips, taxidermy and shipping...
Add a sable to the vermin and its $12,550 plus......it's that ridiculous
 
I'll ask, Who is the outfitter that provided this raffled hunt?

If no animals were included, what did the outfitter include in this hunt?

Is this hunt from a camp or a lodge?

How many and who is included in "camp staff" members?

Recommended/Expected gratuity?? $1200.00, USD or Rand? per hunter, for 7 days??? for camp staff?

I don't mind tipping, but $4800.00 USD for 7 days on a PG hunt in SA, I would have to ask the outfitters here on AH, but IMO that's a rather hefty tip divided by 4, 5, maybe 6 people behind the scene per se of the hunt.

Now that said, if what is meant by "camp staff" includes the PHs, trackers, maybe vehicle drivers, (1 x 1) and those actually taking care of camp duties, depending on how each hunters individual hunt went, maybe $1200.00 USD could be considered an appropriate.

Without more details about your won trip, I would consider:

A) use any round trip airfare from home to SA, forget about hunting any animals this hunter offers other than with a camera and used the money you saved to book a consecutive 7 day hunt with one of the outfitters here on AH.

OR

B) consider the $20.00 you spent on your winning ticket a donation, and checkout outfitters here on AH to book an African safari adventure.

Option B!!!!
 
I'm not going to mention the outfitter publicly. Per the agent, lodging consists of a lodge, chalet and tent! You're guess is as good as mine what it'll be. The winning ticket included meals and lodging with a free Impala, blesbok or $500 towards trophy fees.

Once I won, I was emailed specifics that required us to fly to Polokwane or pay $800 for transport fee. Gratuity was highlighted and recommendations given for PH, tracker, skinner, cook, maid, etc.... Trophy fees for animals were sent to me. Like I mentioned, the prices were inflated to the point of double what I've paid in the past. There was a highlighted area that said prices could be negotiated once we arrived........bs........I'm not flying for 16 hours to negotiate pricing. I emailed the agent stating my case and he has yet to respond. I'm guessing he figured out this isn't my first rodeo with scammers in Africa. To put it onto perspective, if I shot a vervet monkey, porcupine, springhare and a guinea fowl, it would cost me a minimum of $1050 plus airfare, tips, taxidermy and shipping...
Add a sable to the vermin and its $12,550 plus......it's that ridiculous

IMO, This does seem to be a scam. Booking agent that doesn't want to mention (advertise) for an outfitter client??? That's a big neon red flag with flashing lights.

No covered airfare from home country to JNB; not sure of lodging; only covers domestic services and meals, all for only $14,000.00 for 4 people.

Negotiate a price upon arrival? Ding Ding Ding!

The prize is for 4 hunters and the outfitter is only offering 2 free medium PG animals or $500.00 towards 1? Ding Ding Ding!

If this was on the up and up the booking agent would be doing everything they could to get you booked and on your way.

Seems maybe the outfitter has a bad or shady reputation.

Per my OP, I would opt plan B, a $20.00 donation and choose a known reputable outfitter.
 
Just a small rant:

I recently bought a raffle ticket for $20 USD at a chance to win a hunt in Africa for (4) people and $500 towards trophy fees!!! Well, I won! So I thought. A few things that really bothers me about marketing in Africa.

1: Daily Fees
2: Trophy Fees
3: Airport Transport Fees
4: Gratuity

The hunt I won required me to pay $800 USD for transportation to and from JNB to Limpopo or fly to Polokwane.

The hunt was valued at $14,000 because the daily rate was estimated at $400 per person per day.

Trophy fees were the very highest fees I have ever seen in Africa. The cheapest animal (baboon) was almost $700 USD.

Gratuity, although not expected but IS expected, was advised around $1200 per person for the 7 days split amongst camp staff.

So, this hunt I won, wasn't a win at all. It was inflated, over priced and not nearly as affordable as most everyone sells on AH. To end the rant, if anyone is willing to give me an honest quote for a 7 day, 8 night safari please let me know. I have 3 guys willing to come to RSA for a bowhunt in 2020. Looking for plains game with good food, good hunting and good beer. Cheers

Hi Ryan
Sending you a quotation.
Kind regards
 
Well you are only out $20, at least you are smart enough to see the scam right away. I would feel pretty bad for someone who didn't know any better and fell for this.

Come join us on the AH group hunt, I think there is room for 3 on either of the dates. @BRICKBURN or @KMG Hunting Safaris could give you some details.
 

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