Has anyone here hunted Africa “Backwards”?

My first hunt of my life was in South Africa, 5 months after I took up archery as a sport. I did 5 days of spot and stalk on Cape buffalo with some PG mixed in. Got my Cape buffalo the last full hunting day.

Next safari was for elephant in Zim (but I was denied a bow permit and had to use a rifle, which bothered me for years). Following safari was for lion.

My line of thinking, since I wanted them all, was to start on the big ticket items and harder hunts. Perhaps half the PG will just happen on random opportunities or in the left over time after the big one is down. Still have 2 DG to get and 6 more PG to complete my 29. I have not yet shot a duiker or a warthog, if you can believe it, in 8 safaris.
 
I did a several PG safaris before I hunted buffalo. I’m glad I did, but I don’t see the need to do PG hunts before DG if DG are what you really want. Before my first safari if I was offered kudu or buffalo I know I would have chose kudu, so maybe my thinking is different. I didn’t hunt Africa backwards (if that’s a phrase now) but I would say I’m going in reverse. I go mainly to experience hunting new areas. That often means hunting DG to get the best full experience, but I don’t think I’m missing anything only hunting PG. PG interest me more than DG does. If a concession area offers a full bag of plains game I’d rather do that and watch buffalo and elephant than hunt them. I’m particularly excited for the variety of PG Uganda has.
 
Although I hunted an impala early on, my first serious hunt per se was for a buffalo bull. It was something special because there was so much prepararion for it: buying a 375 H&H, practicing, getting fit, wearing in my Courteneys.
Nothing since has been diminished by doing the buff first, in fact I think it has enhanced it all. Researching what PG you are going after, it's habits, habitat, shot placement, getting a rifle if you don't already own one.
 
First safari in Tanzania 2009 was an area called Rifiji near the Selous. First animal on the first drive out of camp was a Cape Buffalo with a Army/Navy 450 3 1/4!! Second animal was a big bull hippo that wandered right up to us when getting pics of the buff!! So 2 of the big 5 completed by 7:30 am on the first day of a 21 day event! I like the "chefs choice" element of the full bag. Never know what or where you might encounter DG or PG, but is all on license. Good Times!!
 
Northern Shooter said:
When I generally think of those planning their first hunt in Africa, it’s likely for a mixed bag plains game hunt someone in the southern Cape.

Did anyone here buck that trend and start with Dangerous Game on their first hunt? I imagine if so, buffalo would likely be the most common choice.

Say you had the funds for elephant, would you recommend someone hunt elephant in their first safari or would that “ruin” the idea of Africa for subsequent follow up hunts?

Curious to hear from those that targeted dangerous game first, did the plains game still have the same appeal to you? Did you end up hunting them afterwards?
Click to expand...
I hunted and took a buffalo bull and cow also tuskless elephant, impala and warthog. 100 percent success with Chifuti Safaris in Zimbabwe.
 
Yes double buff in Tanzania first trip. I dint do a plainsgame trip until my 7th trip.
 
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