Anyone with a reccomendation for SA plains game hunt?

[johnnyblues]

Hi Guys, I am trying to plan my first safari to SA, I thought I had an outfitter picked out but I received a disturbing private message on them, so now I am not sure anymore. I need to stay on budget while having the opportunity at nice game. I want to hunt bush buck,nyala,waterbuck,kudu,blackwildbeest and impala. I am really torn about the fence thing but I guess if the area is large 15-20,000 acres or better I may have to get past this. I am looking for members who have personally hunted with the outfit. Thanks.

 

[enysse]

CT Safaris, KMG Hunting Safaris, Huntershill Safari and Blaauwkrantz Safaris are good. Blaauwkrantz safari doesn't advertise on here but are well known, the Rudman family has been in operation since 1978, lots of kudu and game.

There are plenty of people that can vouch for these operations. I had never heard of Crusador Safari until last week, but obviously some on here did and contacted you.

 

[johnnyblues]

Yes, they offered advise in a private setting. A couple of his clients were very satisfied but this fellow had alot to say. Pretty much scared me. I just wrote to huntershill, see what they have to say.

 

[Rob404]

Give CT Safaris a Holler

 

[BnC 04]

Look into HartzView, we have been there so if you have any specific questions feel free to fire them at me via PM or on the forum.

 

[johnnyblues]

Anyone hunt with Induna Safaris?

 

[tommo42]

Hi, I have hunted twice with wildhorizon.co.za in the eastern cape and had a great time on both occasions, just returned on friday had two kudu biggest was 55 inch ,duiker, warthog,bushbuck,baboon and 46 inch gemsbok.there a really good set up and you will be well looked after, planning the next trip already,kind regards graeme

 

[firehuntfish]

I'm sure you will get recommendations for lots of excellent outfitters that can accommodate your needs. Many are represented here on the AH.com forum..

For a first African experience, I can highly recommend Limcroma Safaris. My wife and I have hunted with them twice before, and going for our 3rd Limcroma hunt this August. They far exceed your game list & concession size requirements.... First class operation in every way. PM me if you would like more details about our experiences with them.

 

[enysse]

I'd second Limcroma Safaris and would add Cruiser Safaris to the list too. I have read there hunt reports, everyone has a good hunt. There are few members that can vouch for them.

 

[Shakey]

I would also recommend Limcroma Safaris. Hannes will treat you right and you will have a great time. Took the entire family there on our first safari, including my daughter who was 4 at the time.

 

[Patrick R]

Hi Guys, I am trying to plan my first safari to SA, I thought I had an outfitter picked out but I received a disturbing private message on them, so now I am not sure anymore. I need to stay on budget while having the opportunity at nice game. I want to hunt bush buck,nyala,waterbuck,kudu,blackwildbeest and impala. I am really torn about the fence thing but I guess if the area is large 15-20,000 acres or better I may have to get past this. I am looking for members who have personally hunted with the outfit. Thanks.

15-20 000acres (6000-8000ha hunting farms)- Not many of them in RSA...I can offer you a 3000 acres with a fence, all species available...:whoo:

 

[greyfox]

Johnny blues,
No I have not HUNTED with Induna, however all their references that I spoke to have nothing but great comments, and many of his clients are repeat customers.
It was a toss up between Induna and KMG, and I let my son decide, so it's KMG!!! Honestly, I'd love to get over there and meet Kelvin while I'm in country.
I doubt there's a nickle worth of difference, people speak very highlky of both operations, and unfortunately I can only hunt with one.

Good Luck, when are you looking at going? I am July 8-10, my son and daughter in law will meet me there. I am really looking forward to it!

 

[johnnyblues]

Hello I am actually planning to hunt in 2015 I am waiting to get a call from Induna and I just got an email from Kmg safaris. I want to speak to both guys and then make a decision.

 

[greyfox]

Alot of the fun is in the planning!!!
Good Luck!! Have a great time.

I believe Marius is out on a hunt, I got a message from him a cople of days ago and he mentioned he'd be back out hunting for a week or so...

 

[BRICKBURN]

Yes, they offered advise in a private setting. A couple of his clients were very satisfied but this fellow had alot to say. Pretty much scared me. .......

hmmm. Is there a public report that shares this information that scared you?

 

[johnnyblues]

No this gentleman hunted with them last year. He is a veteran African hunter (10 trips) I will share with you what he said. Firstly he said Andrew one of the owners was supposed to guide him, several days before the hunt he got a cll from Andrew saying another PH would guide him, the client said he got along fine with the new Ph. Once there he was pressured to shoot more animals by the second owner Chris, when he refused Chris stopped speaking to him for the rest of the safari. Said he felt like a cash cow. This is not what I want to go thru. I have spoken to Induna safaris and I am waiting for a call from KMG safaris. Induna has 20,000 hectares which is about 49,000 acres of land to hunt. I want to see what KMG has in land. KMG was recommended by several folks here.

 

[enysse]

Well you have right to be disturbed, same thing happen to me last time in Africa. The Ph got 20% of every animal I killed, so guess what was on his mind every second of the hunt? Yep, don't like that kind of stuff either.

 

[johnnyblues]

Pretty much closed the door for me. I guess I will have to get passed the fence thing...I am waiting to talk to Induna safaris and KMG. They are calling me today. I will pick one of them

 

[firehuntfish]

Well you have right to be disturbed, same thing happen to me last time in Africa. The Ph got 20% of every animal I killed, so guess what was on his mind every second of the hunt? Yep, don't like that kind of stuff either.

Enysse,
It's a common practice that PHs are compensated in part, by a percentage of trophy animals taken. That, in and of itself, I don't have a problem with per se... However, If you have a PH or Outfitter that is driven by the money as opposed to dedicating themselves to the clients' overall experience, you have a problem. I also had a similar negative experience during my first safari with a PH trying to pressure us into taking an animal we had no interest in taking. I shut that down immediately....

I hate to sound like a broken record, but it's so important to check references and then check some more. Additionally, it's equally important to establish open communication with the outfitter before and during the hunt.

 

[Upton O. Good]

I'm glad you're doing your research and getting some help prior to your first hunt. My experience on my first trip to SA was not what I expected, it was much better. I was given opportunity to take some excellent plains game animals and declined. The PH was a bit surprised when I said "no" but that wasn't because he was out the money, he had put me onto a really good red hartebeest and a really good mountain reedbuck. An hour later after I came to my senses, I realized I should have listened to him. The "you better shoot that" has two sides and the hunter has the final say in whether the shot is taken or not. I took a nice hartebeest later but I can still see that mountain reedbuck walking away over the ridge.

Let you PH know exactly what you want and he'll try his best to deliver. And as for the "fence" thing, you'll be surprised how hard it is to get the shot you're going to get, most of them 150 yards or closer. I crawled, slid, and creeped many many yards trying to get within that range, had a number of busted stalks. And I never saw the fence. It was all great fun.