What to do when a Safari goes wrong?

Erny

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I am currently in route back from a Safari in Namibia. I grass I have to vent more that anything, so here goes....
I purchased a safari at auction last year with a large and reputable company in Namibia. Two weeks ago we started the safari. Everything went great except for our PH. hewas incredibly rude, condeinsening and constantly sarcastic. Not just to us to other hunters in camp, camp staff and especially to the other PHs. He would constant tell us how bored he was because he does this all the time and lives in Africa. Anytime we had cell reception he would pull the cruiser over and talk "business". I understand enough africaan that he was not talking business just girls, drinking etc.

My wife and I discussed it and we just decided to call our safafri short a couple of days just to get away from this PH. Everything else on the safari was fanatic and really enjoyed everyone's company except this one individual. Unfortunate this is te person I had to spend all my time with.

I did not complain since the hunt was a very generous donation from the safari company. I guess my question is should I have complained or just kept my mouth shut and just ended the safari?

We did give him a ridiculy low tip in our opinion, but the tracker Got a very large one, just to prove a point.
 
sorry that your trip wasn't what you hoped .
it seems that donation hunts aren't what the bargin price ,seems .(just what ive noticed )
don't blame you for the shabby tip , the tracker must of earned his ,tho ....
I rekon id inform the company , at the same time thanking them for their genorisity................
did take any nice trophies ?
sad that your wife had to endure this , too .hope if it was her first trip to Africa , it hasn't put her off .......
go home , get over the bitterness , and in 6 moinths start planning a return trip , somewhere else ............not one from the auction block ..........
 
Erny, sorry to hear about your PH. Not easy to comment without all the facts.....but if I was in your shoes, I would have immediately made contact with the outfitter/owner and let him know how you feel. People should know it doesn't matter whether it's a auction/donation or full price safari, you deserve to be treated the same. Namibian PH's are usually known to be good quality but I am hearing differently lately.

I agree with bluey, don't let it put you off Africa.
 
So sorry to hear this but auction hunt or full priced hunt makes no difference. I would have had a short directed talk with him and if that did not change how he was I would have talk with the owner to get me a new PH. Guys need to stop forgetting they are the ones who paid or paying for the trip. Short of trying to tell a PH to do something that could get someone hurt they should be listing to your wants and needs and making it happen with in reason.

Hope the next trip works out better for you.
 
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Agree with the others that a hunt is a hunt regardless of how it was obtained. You didn't purchase a reduced service hunt.

My advice would be that you either call the outfitter or write a cordial email explaining your concerns. Give specific examples as you did here and even more specific if you can.

Give the outfitter a chance to make it better for the next person. And even if nothing changes you'll know that you've done the right thing and given your feedback.
 
You were well within your rights to ask for a replacement PH. Nothing personal,just not a match made in heaven. There is a reason that the job description says "Professional" not just hunter,he clearly was not.
I have switched out PH's in 2 days because they don't "fit" the client or his expectations or mine for that matter. It's business,you paid for a service by a professional,nothing personal.

Sorry you had a crap PH, don't give up on hunting Africa,those types don't last long.
 
I agree with others. I made similar mistake in not telling the owner/outfitter about a problem with his guide on a white tail deer hunt in Illinois a few years back. Afterwards I exchanged emails about what had happened, but at that point he could not do anything about it. Now, if I have any issue, I raise it in a cordial manner and have found that they are resolved.

Would love to see some pics of the trophies you got!
 
It seems that more auction hunts lately are ending this way. It does not matter how the hunt is obtained and for what cost. This should not happen. You would have been well justified speaking to the outfitter directly while the hunt was taking place. This PH needs to be flushed if this is how he conducts himself with clients.
 
These type of things hinder the charity efforts of our community. This is not the first we've heard these kind of stories. If they advertised a crappy safari no one would bid. If the outfitter doesn't know he can't fix it. If you don't the charity efforts will suffer. You should receive what you purchased.
 
The squeaky wheel gets the grease...

Sorry to hear about this.
 
I am an easy going hunter.
However I draw the line with being rude, not doing their job etc. Personally I would have had a serious talk with the PH right away and probably asked(demanded) a new PH with who ever was in charge. I sure would not allow that to happen to my lady/daughter or other friends. What you paid or did not pay is not the question.
I had a pig hunt here in Calif, USA and had a like guide. It was a good thing I got my pig early the 1st day or I might have had to skin him out. I spoke with the owner/outfitter and explained that I paid for a hunt not some inconvenience to the guides other work on the ranch and expected him to treat us better especially since he expected a $50+ tip for 3 hours of his time. I received an apology from the owner and assurances it would not happen again to myself or others. The seemed to be truly glad I gave him the feedback even if it was not good. I also received a phone call from the guide with an apology. That surprised me but made me know the owner did talk to the guide.
 
It seems that more auction hunts lately are ending this way. It does not matter how the hunt is obtained and for what cost. This should not happen. You would have been well justified speaking to the outfitter directly while the hunt was taking place. This PH needs to be flushed if this is how he conducts himself with clients.

These type of things hinder the charity efforts of our community. This is not the first we've heard these kind of stories. If they advertised a crappy safari no one would bid. If the outfitter doesn't know he can't fix it. If you don't the charity efforts will suffer. You should receive what you purchased.

These comments bring a question to my mind. This should probably be for a different thread, but the question is this. Do charity hunts really have a higher rate of problems, or do we just here about them and focus on them more because of the charity aspect?

Non-charity hunts certainly have their fair share of issues too. I also wonder if a non-charity hunt is less likely to be reported as having a problem since we've been more likely to have done the outfitter research ourselves, making us less likely to report the problem.

No idea what the answer is.... just thought it was an interesting question.
 
Erny,

Sorry you didn't have a great time.

I probably would have talked to the PH by the end of the first day. If things didn't change on the second day I would have talked to the outfitter and demanded a new PH.

As has been said, it doesn't matter if the hunt was donated or not. A quality service is to be provided. Good job in giving him the reduced tip.

I look forward to a report and photos if you will provide it.

All the best.
 
................
I did not complain since the hunt was a very generous donation from the safari company. I guess my question is should I have complained or just kept my mouth shut and just ended the safari?
.......................
Sad news about your poor experience.

A donation hunt is another hunt and should be treated just the same. If you were not satisfied with the service of the PH you should speak about it right away.
Sorry you did not. I would certainly tell the Outfitter now so they might be able to act in the future and save this fellow from having to suffer through being bored and working in the industry.
 
Something else: Why did you even give him any tip. I would not have given him a cent. Then again I would have asked(demanded) a new PH right away.

He earned no tip. By tipping he feels he can do it more and still make money. Even if a lesser amount.
 
I am currently in route back from a Safari in Namibia. I grass I have to vent more that anything, so here goes....
I purchased a safari at auction last year with a large and reputable company in Namibia. Two weeks ago we started the safari. Everything went great except for our PH. hewas incredibly rude, condeinsening and constantly sarcastic. Not just to us to other hunters in camp, camp staff and especially to the other PHs. He would constant tell us how bored he was because he does this all the time and lives in Africa. Anytime we had cell reception he would pull the cruiser over and talk "business". I understand enough africaan that he was not talking business just girls, drinking etc.

My wife and I discussed it and we just decided to call our safafri short a couple of days just to get away from this PH. Everything else on the safari was fanatic and really enjoyed everyone's company except this one individual. Unfortunate this is te person I had to spend all my time with.

I did not complain since the hunt was a very generous donation from the safari company. I guess my question is should I have complained or just kept my mouth shut and just ended the safari?

We did give him a ridiculy low tip in our opinion, but the tracker Got a very large one, just to prove a point.
Tom it should be addressed and handled by the outfitter, you have every right to voice your feelings.

My best always
 
When its bad atmosphere to enjoy a guided hunt.
I would contact the safari operator and ask for an other PH .
It doesen't happen so rare.

And a breakoff - insurance is so important like a travel canellation -insurance .

Foxi
 
I would have spoken up, especially when he started with the phone calls. It doesn't matter how the hunt was obtained, it's still your hunt and your time.

OTOH it's a good reason to start planning your next hunt... you know to get the bad taste out of your mouth. :)
 
You really need to talk with the outfitter about this.
He needs to know about how your PH was and is.
 

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