Hunt Budget realistic?

[Rare Breed]

The buffalo and kudu at $12000 is bare minimum. You can a deal here and there but I think 14k would be a more realistic number where you are not surprised

Depends where you go. You could go to Tsala and get a buff and kudu easily for that. I got a 43 3/8 bull buff this past July. So as you can see it is about shopping. In SA like the Tsala example very doable…if you go outside SA not doable at all

 

[Milo]

The following is a breakdown for my safari in April 2021. 7 hunting days, 6 animals.
Pretty much down to the penny including the donuts I sent the doctors office that rushed through my covid test. Only thing remaining is taxidermy shipment and clearing.

ACTUAL
Qatar - ANC to JNB	795.00
Cemair to BFN	78.00
Cemair to JNB	79.00
Buffalo	7900.00
Giraffe	1600.00
Blue Wildebeest	1400.00
Black Wildebeest	1200.00
Lechwe	2400.00
Cape kudu	3000.00
Extra day	200.00
Transit + meet and greet	500.00
Rifle rental	210.00
ammo to JOS	0.00
alcohol	0.00
Hunt total = 18410
Tip PH	1500.00
Tip Staff	650.00
misc travel	45.48
Covid test Africa	82.58
ammo to Super	60.00
Covid test Alaska Urgent Care	0.00
Quest covid Anchorage	0.00
Donuts Alaska	26.00
Lose on exchange	97.00
ATT Phone Qatar Air	100.39
ATT Phone Africa	80.00
Barnes bullets	74.00
Barnes shipping	8.45
Taxidermy - in Africa 50% down	2940.50
Taxidermy - in Africa balance	2940.50
Shipping	tbd
Trophy Clearance in ORD	tbd
Gas ORD to GRB	50.00
	28016.90

 

[CoElkHunter]

The following is a breakdown for my safari in April 2021. 7 hunting days, 6 animals.
Pretty much down to the penny including the donuts I sent the doctors office that rushed through my covid test. Only thing remaining is taxidermy shipment and clearing.

ACTUAL
Qatar - ANC to JNB	795.00
Cemair to BFN	78.00
Cemair to JNB	79.00
Buffalo	7900.00
Giraffe	1600.00
Blue Wildebeest	1400.00
Black Wildebeest	1200.00
Lechwe	2400.00
Cape kudu	3000.00
Extra day	200.00
Transit + meet and greet	500.00
Rifle rental	210.00
ammo to JOS	0.00
alcohol	0.00
Hunt total = 18410
Tip PH	1500.00
Tip Staff	650.00
misc travel	45.48
Covid test Africa	82.58
ammo to Super	60.00
Covid test Alaska Urgent Care	0.00
Quest covid Anchorage	0.00
Donuts Alaska	26.00
Lose on exchange	97.00
ATT Phone Qatar Air	100.39
ATT Phone Africa	80.00
Barnes bullets	74.00
Barnes shipping	8.45
Taxidermy - in Africa 50% down	2940.50
Taxidermy - in Africa balance	2940.50
Shipping	tbd
Trophy Clearance in ORD	tbd
Gas ORD to GRB	50.00
	28016.90

How did you manage to find such inexpensive airfare?

 

[MMAL]

A lot of great comments. A couple of additions: 1) just shipped a crate home to the states. The shipping was a lot higher than in the past. It was two boxes over 1,000 lbs but was a higher. 2) I see no money budgeted for “tours, gifts, souvenirs, extras”. Remember you are spending a ton of money now to go to a foreign country and with 10 days and two animals you will have some down time. See the country or do an excursion. Not sure where you will be in South Africa, but fishing, big 5 park, etc. 3) I know you are on a budget, everyone is, but have some more money for the animal you see that you have to have. When it comes to plains game I always seem to add more than I thought. 4). Buy a good camera or a go pro. I have been 5 times now and I find that I show short video clips to more people than pictures. Not of the shot per se but of area and animal encounters. My favorite thing to review these days.

 

[zip4644]

Alright, take a look at this. I've don't some looking based on todays cost of a safari and i think i have a realistic budget.

Keep in mind, i have a short List of animals. Very short. Im going after the two quintessential African animals. Buffalo Bull and a Kudu.

Here are my thoughts. Please chime in where you think i may be LOW or HIgh im my figures. What did I forget?

Total animal cost : $12000

Tips and gratuities : $1800

Airfare: $1500

Dip and Pack $800

Gun Permits $370

Import and Shipping of trophy's $2,000


Where am i wrong here?


Thanks in advance.

no Daily Rate?

 

[Hogpatrol]

Considering you are using Gracey, check on using Ripcord for travel and evacuation insurance. It's a combo package and can reimburse you if everything goes south and you can't go. AFAIK, Global Rescue doesn't cover trip insurance.
Other than that, your tips seem too generous. I figure the outfitter needs to pay his help, not me. YMMV.

 

[Shootist43]

I didn't see anything for "Medical Insurance" or "VAT." Cell Phone coverage was mentioned previously but not covered in your list. Depending on where you are hunting, some additional vaccinations may be recommended and or required like Hep. A & B. Given the current state of travel, I wouldn't even consider going it alone i.e. DIY. On both of my previous trips, Travel Express more than earned their keep. BTW this effort to identify all associated costs is the way to go. It will curtail if not preclude "surprises."

 

[Philip Glass]

So for the airfare, i did a search on Expedia. It came in at $1050. The flight from JoBerg to Polokwane was $250 Round trip.

My thought was thru a travel agent it would be a bit higher. (expected) Airline was united, delta or Luftansa.

Please don’t buy your flights on Expedia. There are many airlines that don’t carry guns. Your putting together a $20K safari so what is $300 to make 100% sure you don’t get screwed?
Is this a fenced SA buff hunt? Your hunt price is too low otherwise. Be careful.

 

[Philip Glass]

Considering you are using Gracey, check on using Ripcord for travel and evacuation insurance. It's a combo package and can reimburse you if everything goes south and you can't go. AFAIK, Global Rescue doesn't cover trip insurance.
Other than that, your tips seem too generous. I figure the outfitter needs to pay his help, not me. YMMV.

You can get an identical travel policy from Global Rescue. They both offer memberships and travel insurance. I’ve used both. I just bought Ripcord as it was a little cheaper.

 

[wesheltonj]

(1) Some credit cards offer medical evacuation, check if yours does before buying. (2) T-mobile has great international roaming, WiFi calls back to the States - free, Cell .25 minute, free texting and free 2G data. (3) Count on shipping to be higher than you expect.

 

[Joker12]

It has been a few years since I hunted S.A. and what I discovered was my total cost including taxidermy was about double what the cost quoted by the outfitter. Not inexpensive but worth every penny..

 

[375Fox]

Just because some discussion around cell phone plans. Download WhatsApp on your phone if you don’t have already. It’s primary messaging system in Africa. You can call/text your outfitter for free over WiFi. Have the people you want to talk with at home download it to their phones before you leave too then you can communicate during your trip.

 

[CJW]

I used WhatsApp while in Namibia and didn't purchase anything extra. Worked great while in camp and hotel in JoBurg but getting logged into the wifi in ORT was not to be for me.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Our 10 day Zimbabwe free roaming Buffalo & Kudu is $9,500 all inclusive less Covid $70.00 and tips. If in season Tiger fishing available at no extra charge.
Includes 1 night in Victoria Falls, Also includes pick up and return to Victoria Falls only.

 

[Rare Breed]

Well. ive got a quote from the outfitter of $9k for the Buff and $3000 for the kudu 53"-55"

If i have extra cash while im over there, i can ad an animal.

Kudu price strikes me as way too high

 

[Rare Breed]

Our 10 day Zimbabwe free roaming Buffalo & Kudu is $9,500 all inclusive less Covid $70.00 and tips. If in season Tiger fishing available at no extra charge.
Includes 1 night in Victoria Falls, Also includes pick up and return to Victoria Falls only.

This is what I’m talking about…this is an outstanding value from a great outfitter

 

[Bigugly]

Thanks guys! I woke up to 11 messages on my post this morning. Thank you for the feedback!
Just to address some points brought up.

1. I AM going to run my airfare thru a travel agent. 100% so need not worry there.
2. I currently have verizon on my cell phone.
3.Thank you for the suggestion of "Whatsapp" for my phone. I will add this to the "to do list"
4.I forgot to add Global Rescue. I will also check into Ripcord. i will add to my budget.
5. YES, i should have some extra cash on hand in case extra animals pop up( im certain they will)
6.I am applying for my passport next month. DOnt plan to travel until july of 2023.
7. Some have stated they think the price on the Kudu is high. Here is the quote:
Kudu; $2500
Kudu 53"-55" $3000
Kudu 55"-57" $3500
Kudu 57" + $4000

 

[TXhunter65]

The following is a breakdown for my safari in April 2021. 7 hunting days, 6 animals.
Pretty much down to the penny including the donuts I sent the doctors office that rushed through my covid test. Only thing remaining is taxidermy shipment and clearing.

ACTUAL
Qatar - ANC to JNB	795.00
Cemair to BFN	78.00
Cemair to JNB	79.00
Buffalo	7900.00
Giraffe	1600.00
Blue Wildebeest	1400.00
Black Wildebeest	1200.00
Lechwe	2400.00
Cape kudu	3000.00
Extra day	200.00
Transit + meet and greet	500.00
Rifle rental	210.00
ammo to JOS	0.00
alcohol	0.00
Hunt total = 18410
Tip PH	1500.00
Tip Staff	650.00
misc travel	45.48
Covid test Africa	82.58
ammo to Super	60.00
Covid test Alaska Urgent Care	0.00
Quest covid Anchorage	0.00
Donuts Alaska	26.00
Lose on exchange	97.00
ATT Phone Qatar Air	100.39
ATT Phone Africa	80.00
Barnes bullets	74.00
Barnes shipping	8.45
Taxidermy - in Africa 50% down	2940.50
Taxidermy - in Africa balance	2940.50
Shipping	tbd
Trophy Clearance in ORD	tbd
Gas ORD to GRB	50.00
	28016.90

How many donuts did you eat?

 

[MarkB]

Our 10 day Zimbabwe free roaming Buffalo & Kudu is $9,500 all inclusive less Covid $70.00 and tips. If in season Tiger fishing available at no extra charge.
Includes 1 night in Victoria Falls, Also includes pick up and return to Victoria Falls only.

Way to go. That's exactly what I was talking about, and in Zim.

MB

 

[TXhunter65]

This is something i need to look into- i have a call in to Trophy Shippers right now.

you can kill a few more animals for $800-$1,000.... all to fill out a few forms...its not that hard, especially when its only a few animals and none require permits.