First Timer What to Hunt Limpopo

I did my first safari in Limpopo in April, its a great place to get your feet wet so to speak and only having to drive to the outfitter helped with worry about a second flight.

That said, do a buffalo cow. I will do a Kudu on my next safari but the cow is still dangerous game and was actually cheaper.
 
Appreciate everyone's perspectives and advice. My parents recent went on a non-hunting safari to Kruger region, and definitely planning on a game drive or similar for a first trip as part of the overall experience as that is something my wife is also pretty keen on.

I'll be talking to the outfitter armed with some of the information here, but do plan to try and keep the focus on the species native to the area and seeing how things go from a pricing perspective. From my understanding predominantly is in the more southern to central parts of Limpopo, hence I'll likely be steering away from Gemsbok and similar in favor of targeting those in Namibia at a future date. The bushbuck might be something I focus on another trip, but we'll see what happens. Kudu are one of the species that I'd probably like to take a few different times (e.g. using a bow or in different terrain).

While Cape Buffalo are one of the species that I'd like to target someday, that is not on the cards this trip, and I'm not really interested in taking a cow.
 
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Don’t pass up anything big just because it’s not on your primary list. Be open to opportunities… “Well, Waterbuck was not on my list, so I passed - on a 30 plus inch”. You’ll likely go back to collect trophies you don’t take on the first trip.
 
NIGHTHAWK said:
Don’t pass up anything big just because it’s not on your primary list. Be open to opportunities… “Well, Waterbuck was not on my list, so I passed - on a 30 plus inch”. You’ll likely go back to collect trophies you don’t take on the first trip.
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Sound advice!!
 
NIGHTHAWK said:
Don’t pass up anything big just because it’s not on your primary list. Be open to opportunities… “Well, Waterbuck was not on my list, so I passed - on a 30 plus inch”. You’ll likely go back to collect trophies you don’t take on the first trip.
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Be ready for what the bush gives you is a wise approach.
 
NIGHTHAWK said:
Don’t pass up anything big just because it’s not on your primary list. Be open to opportunities… “Well, Waterbuck was not on my list, so I passed - on a 30 plus inch”. You’ll likely go back to collect trophies you don’t take on the first trip.
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Totally agree - though I'll draw the line on species that are Limpopo representative. I'm also not all about size. Waterbuck is funnily enough something on the opportunity it presents itself list (as it is endemic), but wasn't something I'd put in my top few. Part of the reasoning behind my question was to build this 'what else should I consider if the opportunity presents' list.
 
Update on this is appears they are sticking to their guns on the pricing. As such, I'm probably going to give the Kudu a miss unless it changes on the ground or a nice one presents itself, as its gone up further even for the smaller class and I'd struggle to justify that - its the level that I'd rather take another trip in Namibia/and/or East cape and focus on them. For this and a few other life reasons I'll stick to the Impala, Springbok and maybe a Bushbuck and leave it at that on top of the package unless an opportunity changes that. Kinda makes for a nice theme on smaller species.
 
Prices seem to be more negotiable once you’re on the ground, at least in my experience.
Bushbuck is a great hunt! If anything extra I would recommend it, but of course thats my opinion.
 
Hunt anything said:
Prices seem to be more negotiable once you’re on the ground, at least in my experience.
Bushbuck is a great hunt! If anything extra I would recommend it, but of course thats my opinion.
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I can attest to this. The price list we got and prices on the ground differed on the lower side. When you're there, it's time to make deals. I ended up getting a blue wildebeest for $300 less than advertised beforehand.

Also, depending which property you hunt, sometimes they might be willing to work a deal on animals they have in excess that in a sense, need to be culled. Decent animals as well. Guys from my group went back 2 years later and they were offering up gemsbok at cull pricing.
 
CloudySkies said:
Update on this is appears they are sticking to their guns on the pricing. As such, I'm probably going to give the Kudu a miss unless it changes on the ground or a nice one presents itself, as its gone up further even for the smaller class and I'd struggle to justify that - its the level that I'd rather take another trip in Namibia/and/or East cape and focus on them. For this and a few other life reasons I'll stick to the Impala, Springbok and maybe a Bushbuck and leave it at that on top of the package unless an opportunity changes that. Kinda makes for a nice theme on smaller species.
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So if you shoot a 55 inch kudu you owe the guy 6 grand. Fkn crazy

2,500 for an oryx…
Did you already buy flights? If not maybe just wash this trip. Re group and re coup and plan a trip with one of the excellent sponsors on here.

That is just my honest opinion, some may not agree and say to just go and do a “small hunt” but it’s your first safari. If you want a kudu you should hunt one…. But not with “Matwete”

If anything you will learn from this and have gained some insight into safari planning.
 
dchum said:
So if you shoot a 55 inch kudu you owe the guy 6 grand. Fkn crazy

2,500 for an oryx…
Did you already buy flights? If not maybe just wash this trip. Re group and re coup and plan a trip with one of the excellent sponsors on here.

That is just my honest opinion, some may not agree and say to just go and do a “small hunt” but it’s your first safari. If you want a kudu you should hunt one…. But not with “Matwete”

If anything you will learn from this and have gained some insight into safari planning.
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Haven't booked flights yet - so definitely a little less than enthused. Wife was planning to come with me and maybe hunt one or two of the smaller antelope and do a game drive, but part of me feels worried about surprise charges.

Yeah, a five day I'm aware of with good personal recommendations elsewhere is no limit size on Kudu, with a Gemsbok and a Springbuck, and even taking the loss from this I'd still be inside the pricing...lesson learned, should've just gone that route in the first place, or talked to a sponsor here.
 
CloudySkies said:
Haven't booked flights yet - so definitely a little less than enthused. Wife was planning to come with me and maybe hunt one or two of the smaller antelope and do a game drive, but part of me feels worried about surprise charges.

Yeah, a five day I'm aware of with good personal recommendations elsewhere is no limit size on Kudu, with a Gemsbok and a Springbuck, and even taking the loss from this I'd still be inside the pricing...lesson learned, should've just gone that route in the first place, or talked to a sponsor here.
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Definitely take your wife!

Don’t let this get you down or unmotivated! You are going to plan a great trip and will love it.

Everyone here wants you to have an amazing experience and love Africa as much as they do.
 
Oh, I'll clarify, not unmotivated by going to Africa, that won't go away, more whether if this hunt is the way I want to approach it or if I'd rather go on something that meets what I'd hope for.
 
I’ve walked away from an auction hunt, and gave 2K for it. Chapped my ass. Too expensive on additional trophy fees, and as it was for 4 hunters, greatly over estimated the number of friends I have. :cool:

Learned my lesson. Or did I? Bought an auction at SCI this year with Crusader. A very reputable operator, and I’ve hunted their areas before.
 
If I've read correctly it is just a 5 day trip. I would look hard at the pricelist and choose your budget. Go from there and make the decision if it is worth it. You already set for the night.

The Impala is a great trophy and the price is right. Also the blesbok is priced ok, as is the klipspringer. The rest is priced to high for my liking. Maybe the Vhaal Reebok is not.. I think you did ok then for a first trip budget and animal wise if choosing any from those.

Caveat is that I do not know how much you payed for the auction hunt.
 
CloudySkies said:
I'm about 1.3k in between the auction and a deposit.
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It’s never easy to leave money in the table. That’s not a number you couldn’t make up with another outfitter. Or if you have the luxury of time, go with this outfitter, hunt what you like, then extend your trip another 3-5 days and hunt with a different outfitter and take the remainder with them.

I often extend my trips so I can hunt different parts of the country I’m in. That sometimes includes other outfitters or their concessions.
 
CloudySkies said:
I'm about 1.3k in between the auction and a deposit.
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Just go. It is great deal for what you've got. Add an impala and blesbok and it is a fine first trip. Was I correct it was 5 days?

Also you'll not regret hunting the tiny antelopes. The trophy fees of the klippie and Reebok are not bad.
 
Several here have recommended that the Eastern Cape is less expensive for Kudu, but keep in mind that they have a different subspecies with smaller horns. They are beautifully colored, but can easily average 5-10 inches shorter than will the Southern Greater species in Limpopo.

You can always just hunt the package you purchased, and don't add any animals to it. Spend a few extra days with the wife doing tourist stuff, and plan a trip later to get the species that you really want.
 
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