Get experience first? Or, hunt dangerous game right away?

You’re planning your first safari. Which route did/would you take on your journey?

  • Go on a plains game hunt first. Get experience with the game and take a few choice trophies.

    Votes: 33 35.9%

  • Go “all in”. Take choice plains game trophies at the same time as the bush provide

    Votes: 59 64.1%
  • Total voters
    92
Betterinthebush

Betterinthebush

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Two schools of thought. I’ve got my opinion, but I’m very interested in reading others perspectives.
 
Betterinthebush said:
Two schools of thought. I’ve got my opinion, but I’m very interested in reading others perspectives.
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I am for PG first, DG later.

Every time a new discovery.
Every next trip to Africa, a step up.
New things to discover

Unless you want full bag safari, all in, one and done. And never to return to Africa again.

I did not know much about Africa on my first trip.
As I learnt more of Africa each time, I gradually seasoned for a buffalo hunt. This came after realisation that DG hunt is entirely new level.

I bought a dg rifle, and started planning.

I think that with more knowledge, more experience, and better perception of Africa, that DG hunt you will enjoy more, rather then on a first trip when you still dont have all bearings.

Some people go for buffalo first.
That is also fine.
So, it is personal choice.
I described my way if that can help.
 
I guess I did a combo of both.
I booked a plains game hunt in the EC for March of '24, but before I finalized travel arrangements, I decided as long as I was there, I may as well hunt more. So I found a discounted two cow buffalo hunt in Limpopo. Flew from EC to Limpopo and had a second great experience on the same trip.

Loved it all so much that during the Summer if '24 I found a great deal on tuskless in Zim for early December. Had an amazing time taking a tuskless and a great buffalo bull and befriending a PH who I enjoy hunting with.

I was back 3 times in '25 for both plains game, another buff and a bull elephant.

Fall of this year I am headed back to Zim for what started out as a croc and hippo hunt, but recently added buff and tuskless to the bag, as once again, I am already there. For a reasonable trophy fee and small upgrade in daily rate, I get lots more hunting.

So I guess to stay in the theme of this pole, do what makes you happy. But be sure to prepare adequately for whatever you choose to chase. This site is a wealth of information and knowledge to assist you in your endeavors. Use it.
 
My main goal on my first hunt was buffalo, (2014) nothing else would’ve satisfied me at the time. I shot my bull on the first day of the hunt after stalking into the middle of a herd of around 200. Sable, warthog, nyala, bushbuck, Lichtenstein hartebeest and reedbuck later that itch still hasn’t been fully scratched. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

Of course at the time that was going to be “just go and get it out of my system”. Five trips later and it’s still not “out of my system”. I never knew Africa would have such a profound impact on my hunting life.
Just my 2cents.
 
I feel a guy has to explore how you view African Safari in your life....life is long, and money is in short supply for a lot of people, including myself. I like seeing different countries and different species and plan on a total of 6-8 safaris in my life. BUT, I can see how some people view it as a single epic experience, and I understand it being viewed that way. I think your mindset is an extremely individual thing, and I get how a 21-30 full bag 1 and done could satisfy a lot of guys. In 30 days over there with the right PH you could hunt and shoot more big game than a lifetime of hunting in North America.
 
I really don’t think it matters. The PH’s job is to help you be successful. He’s going to do that whether it’s a kudu or a buffalo regardless how much experience you have. However, on my first several safaris PG was more important to me than DG. If I was given a choice of a kudu or a buffalo, I’d have chosen kudu. It’s also a cheaper learning curve than dangerous game.
 
My vote split it to 50/50, I believe you are ready to hunt what you are ready to hunt.

My first African hunt was Zimbabwe for Tuskless and ended up getting a monster Chobe Bushbuck and Impala also.

I am a bit odd though, I'd been to Australia twice before going to Africa.
 
Hunting DG requires a steady hand and knowledge of the animal(s) character and natural instincts for self defense. There's reasons for the "Dangerous" in dangerous game animals. Keeping your wits about you is crucial when hunting DG animals. How many hunters have been killed this year to date? That should answer the question posed in this string.
 
I did a buff and plains game hunt (springbuck, warthog, impala) for my first hunt with the buff being the focus. The reason for hunting a buff on my first safari instead of say taking 5 or 6 plains game animals to the same value of one buff was because I thought I’d regret not hunting a buffalo if I’m never able to afford or have the opportunity to return to Africa again!

I’m very glad I made the choice that I did as I hunted a beautiful bull and had a fantastic experience!
And I certainly plan to return in the future for kudu and bushbuck!
IMG_9686.jpeg
 
Muntjacer23 said:
I did a buff and plains game hunt (springbuck, warthog, impala) for my first hunt with the buff being the focus. The reason for hunting a buff on my first safari instead of say taking 5 or 6 plains game animals to the same value of one buff was because I thought I’d regret not hunting a buffalo if I’m never able to afford or have the opportunity to return to Africa again!

I’m very glad I made the choice that I did as I hunted a beautiful bull and had a fantastic experience!
And I certainly plan to return in the future for kudu and bushbuck!
View attachment 772815
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Beautiful Cape!
 
I did PG first, then DG. I think that is the way to go.
If you hunt PG in RSA or Namibia, it is very tame. PG in Zim is a different type hunt as is DG.
Depends on what a person wants, if you are into "wack and stack", then do PG first, get that out of your system and checklist, then go for DG as that is not wack and stack outside of RSA
 
I'm not a collector like some guys. I don't really have an interest in a 10+ plains game animal safari. I want the experience of being in the bush and tracking animals. That's why I've waited to do Africa until I could afford to do it the way I wanted.

My first trip is one month away, 10 days for buffalo in Zimbabwe with CMS, I also have a sable tag and depending on time I could see myself shooting and impala or warthog if the opportunity is there. Safari 2 is booked for 2028 -- 14 days for elephant and buffalo in the same area.

So my short answer is do whatever calls to you.
 
There are several PHs out there that will be happy to take your ($ and) first DG for you, if not properly prepared. PG first, or at least, with proper prep and equipment (as stated above, and that includes knowing the animal's behavior and angles to vitals) book a longer safari and collect some DG towards the end. If you've had some interesting brown bear experiences, I'd say you're ready (but your cartridge likely requires an upgrade!) I did 3 safaris in different countries, for PG but learning all about DG and PH options in the different regions, then went back to specific areas with specific PHs several times for DG and some bonus PG on the side (and the bonus PG was sometimes bait, camp or village meat collection-All good fun!) It's a budgetary thing for some, too, but my rationale quickly became "the more trophies collected per trip is far cheaper than even more trips!" (PHs tend to agree whole-heartedly with this train of thought.) LOL This pic was my first day in Zim nearly 20 years ago...We went out and collected bait for another hunter's leopard. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. Among many others, we completed the spiral horned slam in one trip. About 20+ animals (including camp/village/bait meat-impala, zebra, etc.) And then you learn that some PG weigh 750-3,500 lb and using more gun (PH handed me his 375 and 416 at some points-for wildebeest, L. eland, giraffe) is a very good thing!
 

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Every time I go Mule Deer Hunting, I'm hoping for an Elk. Every time I'm out quail hunting, I'm hoping for a rooster Pheasant. Same with ducks, I'm thrilled when a goose flies over. I hunted buffalo on my first safari and killed a nice bull on my first afternoon there. Going back in 3 weeks and Buffalo is my main animal along with Hippo and crocodile. The bigger the game the better.
 
Other than getting me a little acclimatized to the African environment, I am not sure how much hunting PG prepares me for hunting say Cape Buffalo, than hunting deer, moose, bear etc at home.
 
RLD said:
Other than getting me a little acclimatized to the African environment, I am not sure how much hunting PG prepares me for hunting say Cape Buffalo, than hunting deer, moose, bear etc at home.
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I really don’t think hunting PG prepares you for DG in any way. Same as hunting South Africa doesn’t prepare you for Zimbabwe. They are completely different hunts. The only value I see is selecting the best outfitters and PHs for more expensive hunts once you have a better understanding of what you want. I generally think I’ve improved on every hunt I’ve booked because I knew more what I was looking for and equally important what I wasn’t. There are a lot of DG hunts advertised on this forum I wouldn’t remotely consider.
 
coreydb said:
Hunting DG requires a steady hand and knowledge of the animal(s) character and natural instincts for self defense. There's reasons for the "Dangerous" in dangerous game animals. Keeping your wits about you is crucial when hunting DG animals. How many hunters have been killed this year to date? That should answer the question posed in this string.
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The most notable hunter that got killed this year was hunting PG with a shotgun when they ran into a group of cow elephants with calves.

Now, I don't know the details, in Zimbabwe in DG country the PH always has a stopping rifle, not sure if his PH did. After I was done with elephant and buffalo and switched to my .300 RUM, for PG, from my .500 my PH still carried his .470. Heck, we came across lion tracks, heard elephants in the bush etc., so it was the right thing to do.
 
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