Well, It's Time to Go Back...

Gents (and Ladies),

It's been three years since my first safari and the itch to go back has finally become more than I can stand. It is time to start planning a return to Africa, and I am seeking your advice on planning a plains game hunt for summer of 2028. I am looking for recommendations on outfitters, country, etc. This trip will be a special one because (unless he backs out) I will be joined by one of my greatest mentors/heroes, my uncle Terry. He is a retired Marine colonel, enjoyer of high end Browning shotguns and good bourbon. He has never hunted Africa and it is my goal to make sure he has the time of his life. There are a few parameters I should lay out for your consideration:

• He will be ~73yrs old, but he is very fit and active, albeit a little broken down (last year we hiked 20 miles on the Appalachian Trail together, but he was definitely hurting for a while after). That being said, I don't want to force him to track for several miles through dense brush, even though I know he would.
  • Spot and stalk is still preferable, but within reason.
  • Semi-Open terrain with some topography would be best. I.e., Eastern Cape RSA, etc.... Open to other suggestions here.
  • **He is also very hard of hearing, so a patient PH with good communication skills is a must.
• Ideally we would like a small camp environment. Bonus points if we can have the camp to ourselves, but not a deal-breaker to share with a few others. No large, crowded, communal camps please.
  • Comfortable accommodations/good food would be nice.
• No current insight into his desired species, I can update on that later. But my top priorities are Eland and Red Hartebeest. Sub-priorities would be Red Lechwe, Gemsbok, maybe Black Wildebeest/Zebra.
  • Not looking for package deals necessarily, would prefer day rate/trophy fee situation that allows for flexibility.

That's all I can think of right now, if I forgot anything please let me know. I'm really looking forward to hearing your feedback and suggestions. Please feel free to reach out and/or comment if there are questions/clarifications required.

Thank you!

you may want to look at our North Limpopo area, I know its not east camp but all else fills the gaps you are wanting.
Please reach out to me. info@spearsafaris.com

Spear Safaris said:

you may want to look at our North Limpopo area, I know its not east camp but all else fills the gaps you are wanting.
Please reach out to me. info@spearsafaris.com

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Thank you sir, I will send you an email this evening.

Good day, Sir!
We meet all your criteria as normal practice. You'll stay exclusively at our camp in the Molopo, Kalahari, North West Province. You're welcome to look at our website or contact me directly. We are a family outfit and will be happy to host you!
www.executivehuntafrica.com
Best regards
Johan

EXECUTIVE HUNT AFRICA said:

Good day, Sir!
We meet all your criteria as normal practice. You'll stay exclusively at our camp in the Molopo, Kalahari, North West Province. You're welcome to look at our website or contact me directly. We are a family outfit and will be happy to host you!
www.executivehuntafrica.com
Best regards
Johan

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Thank you sir, will send inquiry email today.

hay sir

i have sent you a DM

you are welcome to email me for any further info, or if you have some questions or queries

we can certainly satisfy all your requirements as listed above

would love to host you guys

regards

Good day Sir, sound like our camp, hunting area and PH are exactly what you are describing in your post. With Bos & Dal Safaris you never share camp with other hunting groups, we have had many AH members through our camp that can attest to our PH's caracter.

Please send me a DM, whatsapp or email if you would like to discuss our operation as one of your options.

My personal best

Hello Arty0802
We will also be a good match for what you are looking for.
Big area, lots of game, level ground, easy walking, pick up in Johannesburg, small groups in camp, private property, all the species you mentioned.
Lodge is in the middle of the hunting area so no long drives every morning to get to a specific concession.
Start hunting from the lodge every morning.
If you need more info just drop me an e-mail (dksafaris@gmail.com)

Sincerely
Hans de Klerk

Arty0802 said:

Gents (and Ladies),

It's been three years since my first safari and the itch to go back has finally become more than I can stand. It is time to start planning a return to Africa, and I am seeking your advice on planning a plains game hunt for summer of 2028. I am looking for recommendations on outfitters, country, etc. This trip will be a special one because (unless he backs out) I will be joined by one of my greatest mentors/heroes, my uncle Terry. He is a retired Marine colonel, enjoyer of high end Browning shotguns and good bourbon. He has never hunted Africa and it is my goal to make sure he has the time of his life. There are a few parameters I should lay out for your consideration:

• He will be ~73yrs old, but he is very fit and active, albeit a little broken down (last year we hiked 20 miles on the Appalachian Trail together, but he was definitely hurting for a while after). That being said, I don't want to force him to track for several miles through dense brush, even though I know he would.
  • Spot and stalk is still preferable, but within reason.
  • Semi-Open terrain with some topography would be best. I.e., Eastern Cape RSA, etc.... Open to other suggestions here.
  • **He is also very hard of hearing, so a patient PH with good communication skills is a must.
• Ideally we would like a small camp environment. Bonus points if we can have the camp to ourselves, but not a deal-breaker to share with a few others. No large, crowded, communal camps please.
  • Comfortable accommodations/good food would be nice.
• No current insight into hisdesired species, I can update on that later. But my top priorities are Eland and Red Hartebeest. Sub-priorities would be Red Lechwe, Gemsbok, maybe Black Wildebeest/Zebra.
  • Not looking for package deals necessarily, would prefer day rate/trophy fee situation that allows for flexibility.

That's all I can think of right now, if I forgot anything please let me know. I'm really looking forward to hearing your feedback and suggestions. Please feel free to reach out and/or comment if there are questions/clarifications required.

Thank you!

Click to expand...

This sounds like a fantastic trip to plan, especially with your uncle joining you for his first African safari.

At 73 and still capable of hiking 20 miles, I would not be too worried about his ability, but I agree completely with your approach. A good PH should adapt the hunt to the hunter. You can still have a proper spot-and-stalk experience without turning every day into a marathon through thick bush. Good communication and patience will also be very important given his hearing.

I’m a PH/outfitter in South Africa, and the type of safari you describe is actually very close to how I prefer to hunt: small and personal, flexible rather than forcing hunters into a fixed package, and enough time to enjoy the hunt instead of chasing a checklist. We also prefer having one group in camp at a time, which may suit what you are looking for.

Eland and red hartebeest are both excellent priorities for a return trip. Once you have a better idea of what your uncle would like to hunt, I’d be happy to give you an honest opinion on which areas and species combinations would make the most sense rather than trying to sell you something that does not fit.

You have plenty of time before 2028, which is a good thing. I would first choose the style of safari and PH you want, and then build the species list around that. For a trip like this, the experience with your uncle will probably matter far more than squeezing one extra animal into the schedule.

I hope he doesn’t back out it sounds like the kind of safari the two of you will talk about for many years.

Thank you all for taking the time to reach out. We are currently booking our hunt for 2028, but I will keep your inquiries in mind for future hunts. Thanks again!