Africa...when will you be priced out??

Shakka said:

Wow! I am so sorry to hear that, that is terrible

I figured that as a resident you would be able to hunt and fish

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Look, don’t get me wrong, I still get into the bush, I still go fishing, I still enjoy living here in Zim and getting to do the things you can only do here. It’s just I don’t get to do them as often as we used to. But I’m in process of saving up right now for an epic trip to cross lake Kariba now in June. So yes, I do still do the fun stuff.

The only thing that I can’t really afford to do is hunt.

375Fox said:

I get tired of the whining about pricing. Hunts are unaffordable but many seem to have to problem buying a new vehicle every other year. I paid $1500-$2000 for round trip economy tickets 10 years ago and that’s what I still pay today. There were some great deals just out of covid when people were hesitant to travel, but comparing those prices to now isn’t a fair comparison. Most standard hunting countries you can shop for shipping quotes if you’d like. My most recent shipment from Tanzania was $1700. Not everything needs to get mounted or even shipped home. Choose a broker with a bonded warehouse to limit storage fees once it arrives in US. Choose an hunting area you can drive rather than charter. Not everyone needs to shoot a lion or a trophy elephant. If someone really wants to hunt Africa there are plenty of options to make it happen. When someone decides it’s unaffordable they stop looking even when options are right in front of them.

My concern is North American hunting. The costs increase every year. My first sheep hunt (with caribou included) was $11,500 in 2005. That same hunt in same area would be $67,000 now. The low cost hunts continue increasing as well. Whitetail deer hunts with 40%-70% success rates start at $5000-$6000. Even aoudad sheep hunts in west Texas (where they are supposedly a nuisance) start around the $7000 mark. Africa is still a deal for the experience and amount of hunting you get. Hunting on quotas and long seasons also provides an opportunity for end of season deals that aren’t possible with the North American model.

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You are spot on. Over the past winter I spent a great deal of time looking up guided pronghorn hunts, the cheapest I could find was 3200 plus I'd have to pay for a hotel room, meals, then to get the best chance of drawing a tag that was over 800.00, plus flights. it appeared I would be spending upwards of 6000 all-in for one pronghorn. This summer I am doing a 6 day management hunt in South Africa that includes 6 blue wildebeest and 2 zebras for 4850.00, personally, I find that a great value!

Also, it is hard to imagine a Dall sheep hunt is about the same amount of money as a bongo hunt!!

Altitude sickness said:

As Russ says. When the baby boomers are gone. The industry will slow and prices will correct to the market.

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I really don’t think we will ever see a price correction in Africa, maybe a plateau. The hunting areas outside private land in South Africa and Namibia are disappearing too fast. Zimbabwe would be a good case example. The hunting is mostly pushed to the edges of country now.

My opinion is it's a supply and demand issue. When it gets too expensive and people quit going, the prices will drop. There will always be some who don't care about the cost and will go anyway, but safari companies need all types of customers to survive in business. Look at what sable pricing has done in the last ten years. Whatever the market will bear.

As far as pricing me out---->SOON-It is getting ridiculous, but when compared to any other vacation, not really. Fly to Italy and stay for a 10 day vacation, eat out every day, drink wine, go on paid tours, lodging, airfare, as a couple that will cost 15k easily. Its all getting expensive fellas. It is 100% a complete luxury to be able to hunt in Africa, especially the wilderness areas. When the Wealthy Boomers die off, everything is going to change, including how many PH's will survive that change. There will always be an elite group where money doesn't matter, sadly, I am not one of them, nor will I ever be. Its supply and demand, those shit bag governments in Africa have figured out they can just keep charging more until demand stops, which it will someday.

I gave up on guided wilderness hunts in North America a long time ago, glad I got my fill during the 90's and early 2000's. IMO, all the western states and Alaska, have ruined hunting for American citizens....you practically need a statistics degree to even figure out how to get a tag. Makes me laugh listening to guys at shows talking about how they went through this or that for so many years trying to get the tag of a lifetime......not supposed to be this way guys. The system is broken, or perhaps maybe there is no system that would really work.

I will always find a way to hunt Africa and Europe. I drive a 21 year old truck and live in a duplex i own so rent from other side helps alot with my mortgage payment. The wife is very tired of the duplex living and we are looking for a house and that will change up my hunt spending a lot. I don't drink coffee so no starbucks bills.
Every extra dollar i can find gos to hunting, and regardless what the hunt it is, how relaxed or extreme, the moment of stepping in camp makes all the other small joys i missed out on by being 'cheap' worth it.

uplander01 said:

As far as pricing me out---->SOON-It is getting ridiculous, but when compared to any other vacation, not really. Fly to Italy and stay for a 10 day vacation, eat out every day, drink wine, go on paid tours, lodging, airfare, as a couple that will cost 15k easily. Its all getting expensive fellas. It is 100% a complete luxury to be able to hunt in Africa, especially the wilderness areas. When the Wealthy Boomers die off, everything is going to change, including how many PH's will survive that change. There will always be an elite group where money doesn't matter, sadly, I am not one of them, nor will I ever be. Its supply and demand, those shit bag governments in Africa have figured out they can just keep charging more until demand stops, which it will someday.

I gave up on guided wilderness hunts in North America a long time ago, glad I got my fill during the 90's and early 2000's. IMO, all the western states and Alaska, have ruined hunting for American citizens....you practically need a statistics degree to even figure out how to get a tag. Makes me laugh listening to guys at shows talking about how they went through this or that for so many years trying to get the tag of a lifetime......not supposed to be this way guys. The system is broken, or perhaps maybe there is no system that would really work.

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This is true. For any vacation I budget $1000 a day plus the airfare. Luckily I have lots of miles and almost never pay the airfare. But the $1000 a day can go up pretty quick depending on location and activity.

Shakka said:

I never thought that I would ever think this way, but my Safari days might me coming to a close. It's getting to the point where I can't afford it anymore.

Airfare has almost doubled in the last 5? years. The prices that outfitters are charging, outside of RSA and Namibia have skyrocketed.
For example, I shot a Leopard in Zambia 5 years ago for $20,000 total, and now the same PH is charging $40,000. And that's before baits, tips, govt fees, then dip and pack, shipping, customs broker, etc. Then once the cat is home, you are looking at $5,000 or so to get it mounted. I just can't do it anymore

And that's not even taking into account Tanzania, with $2,000+ daily rates, rip-off Govt fee's, astronomical air charter, etc.

And then there are the specialized hunts in Cameroon, Ethiopia, etc which are on yet another level. A friend of mine shot a Bongo in Cameroon last year, and he just got his shipping quote to the USA.....$12,000!! Just for shipping.

I am just wondering what you guys think about this issue and have you thought of not going any longer

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You have named the most expensive countries in Africa! Zim, Moz, Namibia, SA still provide incredible value opportunities. To site just one a bull elephant non exportable with @Tokoloshe Safaris for $12500

5 PG including a kudu for just $5,000 with @GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS in SA incredible value!

The Hunts themselves can still be in reach, what I hate is the ridiculous airfare, taxidermy shipping, etc. I am also a bit chapped asking around some operators I know that its not common to cut US hunters a break on the cost while expecting big tips? I personally think its unfair to expect American clients to pay the same as European clients knowing full well they dont support the tipping culture as we do.
I feel taken for granted in that and we need to start calling out the hypocrisy and pushing back a bit respectfully. My 2 cents.

Rare Breed said:

5 PG including a kudu for just $5,000 with @GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS in SA incredible value!

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Rare Breed is right; there are still some bargains to be found especially for plains game hunts. I go in September and I think the cost is very reasonable and even comparable to previous 3 hunts.

It seems like the biggest increases are with the big 5 and dangerous game. I am shipping less and doing less taxidermy, but I am still going.

Ericedwinbates said:

The Hunts themselves can still be in reach, what I hate is the ridiculous airfare, taxidermy shipping, etc. I am also a bit chapped asking around some operators I know that its not common to cut US hunters a break on the cost while expecting big tips? I personally think its unfair to expect American clients to pay the same as European clients knowing full well they dont support the tipping culture as we do.
I feel taken for granted in that and we need to start calling out the hypocrisy and pushing back a bit respectfully. My 2 cents.

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At Tokoloshe Safaris we really try to cater for your budget but unfortunately our prices in zim are ridiculous due to government adding 15,5% tax to daily fees and our fuel price has gone up to $2.20 a litre .
We also loose 30% to government to our local currency and the bank rate and the black market rate are different so as an operator we have to love what we do to keep our heads above water

It is hard to compare things and experiences apples to apples. A quality free-range elk hunt is hard to compare to a high fence ranch hunt in South Africa. Free-range hunts are always more expensive no matter the location.

Baby Boomers are a large group now retired (in the USA).

They're on a timer of a decade (or maybe two) to enjoy what is left of their lives.

I suspect prices will continue to rise.

I’ve shifted my focus away from Africa and more toward Europe and North America. Honestly, I’m just not mad enough at the buffalo anymore to justify the expense, and have no idea what I’d do with another buffalo! I have hunts planned in Portugal, Romania, Arizona and North Dakota. I really have never done much guided hunting outside of Africa and Europe. All of my Alaskan hunts have been unguided. North Dakota are unguided bird hunts on friends farms.

I never thought Africa was obtainable. It was something the wealthy got to do for themselves or outdoor celebrities got the trip paid for to make a big advertisement for some company. But now I’ll be going on my first safari next year at 28. I’m going all in on this one, and hopefully am able to continue to go. My main concern over pricing is the growing anti-hunting sentiment in America. With all of the knowledge in the world in people’s pockets, they are still incapable of understanding how conservation works. They would rather ban hunting to “save wildlife” until the wildlife becomes inconvenient for a Starbucks or a target, then concrete replaces habitat. After Africa my next big trip will hopefully be to hunt the caribou migration, and I’ll try to go on as many hunts as I can while we still have the ability to do so

This is basically what I have said before, as I saw it happening in Africa and North America it’s the reason I switched off from it. I was just born too damned late to be an average joe and travel the world hunting some of these dream animals.

There is an another thing people don’t seem to consider, increasing prices is a form of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Probably a North American issue more than Africa but if you’re pricing people out they’ll just walk away from hunting. Your hunting numbers are already going down from what I’ve read. What’s the tipping point where you just don’t have enough numbers of people supporting hunting? Apathy comes before anger.
I remember on the meateater podcast a few years back they interviewed an Alaskan guide, Buck someone? He said he was copping flak from other local outfitters for not increasing his prices. He said “why? I’m making good money” “yeah but you’re making us all look bad”’. He then did increase them.

Australia is probably a bit unique, we definitely suffered from that trajectory. As urban populations grew and outpaced rural growth, hunter numbers were down which made hunting a barbaric faux pas. Hunting opportunities have in recent years expended over multiple states which has lead to a boom in hunter numbers. It’s a pretty clear indication that availability and accessibility of hunting opportunities is directly correlated to hunter numbers and therefore support.

Some folks can afford a hunt whatever the price and don’t care beyond that, some I’m sure like the exclusivity of a hunt that’s out of reach of most people. Either way, I don’t think it bodes well for those in the womb of time, as Roosevelt would put. If we genuinely want hunting to continue for future generations we’re going about it the wrong way.

P.s. probably not my most eloquent reply I’m a little distracted, wife is working and I’m trying to organise 4 small kids by myself this morning.

I would edit this to add that there are great hunts to be had. I’m very excited to travel to the states and do a self guided WY elk and mule deer hunt. I’ve also been building antelope points.
NZ offers great diy opportunities.
One of my dreams is to hunt a sheep of some kind, that will cost a bit but a self guided auodad hunt in TX might be how that happens.
I know an Aussie that did a self guided hunt in central Africa a decade or so ago, I don’t believe that’s available anymore. That would have been awesome.

I still think it's the best value out there. It's hard to add the increase in air travel to it as that is outside the control of the hunting industry. Like other's have mention, I control the costs by limited taxidermy. Do mostly skull mounts and I am happy with it. I have a few painted to to mix it up.

JPbowhunter said:

There is an another thing people don’t seem to consider, increasing prices is a form of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Probably a North American issue more than Africa but if you’re pricing people out they’ll just walk away from hunting. Your hunting numbers are already going down from what I’ve read. What’s the tipping point where you just don’t have enough numbers of people supporting hunting? Apathy comes before anger.
I remember on the meateater podcast a few years back they interviewed an Alaskan guide, Buck someone? He said he was copping flak from other local outfitters for not increasing his prices. He said “why? I’m making good money” “yeah but you’re making us all look bad”’. He then did increase them.

Australia is probably a bit unique, we definitely suffered from that trajectory. As urban populations grew and outpaced rural growth, hunter numbers were down which made hunting a barbaric faux pas. Hunting opportunities have in recent years expended over multiple states which has lead to a boom in hunter numbers. It’s a pretty clear indication that availability and accessibility of hunting opportunities is directly correlated to hunter numbers and therefore support.

Some folks can afford a hunt whatever the price and don’t care beyond that, some I’m sure like the exclusivity of a hunt that’s out of reach of most people. Either way, I don’t think it bodes well for those in the womb of time, as Roosevelt would put. If we genuinely want hunting to continue for future generations we’re going about it the wrong way.

P.s. probably not my most eloquent reply I’m a little distracted, wife is working and I’m trying to organise 4 small kids by myself this morning.

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The cost of guided hunts and access to local hunting are two very different issues. There shouldn’t be a hunter anywhere in North America now that doesn’t have access to some form of hunting within a two hour drive just for the cost of a state hunting license. For me to hunt 2 deer, Turkey, small game the cost is $27 a year. For a non-resident it’ll be slightly over $100. In this area, permission is still easy to obtain, but there is also no shortage of public land. Access to local sportsman club for a quality shooting range is $40 per year.