Self-Guided Hunts In Africa

Reaper

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Does anyone know of any unguided hunts for plains game in Africa?
By Self Guided, i mean where the outfitter/land owner, etc, takes you to a concession and releases to your own devices? He might provide assistance on game recovery and other logistics - but essentially the hunter would be on his own in the field.

I ask because, hunting has always been a solitary pursuit for me. While I enjoy the company of the PH, the satisfaction I get upon harvesting an animal which I have been led to by a PH/guide does not rival what which I receive from locating the animal, planing the stock and executing the shot all by myself.

Is this even a possibility in Africa for non DG?

Thanks for your input!
 
There was a thread about 1-2 weeks back where a 1st time Africa hunter was concerned bc he was told the PH planned to let them sit by themsleves when hunting. Seems the consenus from most people in the know was that it was not allowed, for sure sounded illegal in SA, altho some places would let you do it. I briefly looked but couldnt find the thread. Maybe someone will find it for you.
 
Cam Greig offers unguided hunts in Cameroon.
 
Cam Greig offers unguided hunts in Cameroon.

Thank you Mike, I have looked into Cam. However, it seems that to Cam, "unguided" simply means without a white PH. You still have trackers with you, etc..(who I imagine take over the role of the PH and do act as defacto guides).
 
Does anyone know of any unguided hunts for plains game in Africa?
By Self Guided, i mean where the outfitter/land owner, etc, takes you to a concession and releases to your own devices? He might provide assistance on game recovery and other logistics - but essentially the hunter would be on his own in the field.
Thanks for your input!

By Law, a PH must be with you at all times whilst hunting in SA.
 
While I feel your statement grossly mischaracterizes Cam's hunts, everybody is entitled to his opinion.
 
They are trackers only and do not act as a PH, it is an unguided hunt and cameroon is the only place left in Africa to do this
 
I understand the sentiment of being able to be in control of your hunt.

I had similar sentiments before I arrived in Africa for the first time. I did not want to be the trigger man and have someone point to an animal and say shoot. I wanted to be part of the hunt.
To that end, I spent 10 days in a PH course and passed. I studied tracking, animal ID, Trophy judging, etc.
This allowed me to have informed discussions with my PH's. My GPS, with local maps, helped me to discuss the stalks.

There are PH's that are much better at including you in the planning and others that turn you in to a trigger man. Have a discussion with the PH about what you are wanting out of your hunt and most will endeavour to make it happen.

I doubt there is anyone that will let you loose completely on your own as their liability is too high.


Can you imagine letting someone loose (a foreigner) on your property that comes from a country that does not have venomous insects, snakes or poisonous plants and see if they come back at the end of the day?
 
Well said Wayne!
I understand the desire but the danger to the uninformed is GREAT!
So what does one do when he walks up on a Lion? We did exactly that on my elephant hunt. Let me tell you we were luck being in a truck and the pride having just eaten.
image.jpg

This guy thought we could be his after dinner snack.
 
I actually enjoyed the time with my PH on my hunt. We quickly became friends and during the off time we conversed about just about everything. During the hunt both of us were out there spotting and looking at animals, never once did he just say "shoot". He explained to me what to look for in a trophy animal before the stock began and how to tell the difference between male and female and when the shot came about we were side by side.
 
By Law, a PH must be with you at all times whilst hunting in SA.

I understand this. This is why I did not restrict my query to South Africa - but the whole of Africa (hence the title of the thread). Thanks for your imput.

While I feel your statement grossly mischaracterizes Cam's hunts, everybody is entitled to his opinion.

It's not at all my intention to characterize anyone. This is simply what I gleaned from his website:

"You will have a camp manager who will take care of all the everyday details and run your trip for you. Some of the staff speak enough English for you to get along well. A skinner will skin, clean and salt your capes.
You will have at least two trackers assigned to you who know the area intimately. You will have a cook in camp. You have porters to carry everything that you do not want to carry yourself.
I think you can see it is a fully outfitted program with your success in mind.
The only real thing that you will be missing, if you have done a number of Africa trips, will be the presence of a professional hunter who is white."


If I have misunderstood, I would be most happy to be "set straight", if you have the time. Thanks in advance.

Can you imagine letting someone loose (a foreigner) on your property that comes from a country that does not have venomous insects, snakes or poisonous plants and see if they come back at the end of the day?

Well said Wayne!
I understand the desire but the danger to the uninformed is GREAT!
So what does one do when he walks up on a Lion? We did exactly that on my elephant hunt. Let me tell you we were luck being in a truck and the pride having just eaten.
View attachment 57139
This guy thought we could be his after dinner snack.

True! But is there any better way to test yourself against nature and to prove to yourself that you do indeed belong at the top of this planet's food chain?

I actually enjoyed the time with my PH on my hunt. We quickly became friends and during the off time we conversed about just about everything. During the hunt both of us were out there spotting and looking at animals, never once did he just say "shoot". He explained to me what to look for in a trophy animal before the stock began and how to tell the difference between male and female and when the shot came about we were side by side.
I agree. I find my PH to be an extremely enjoyable and knowledgeable person. And yes, he does his best to include include me in the hunt process. However due to the difference in skill and experience level between us, he does end up spotting the game or the track much quicker than me. Also due to his knowledge of the terrain, stalks are of course also planned and led by him.
Of course this makes complete sense. But it does subtract from the value of hunt and trophy, at least for me it does.
 
.....................
True! But is there any better way to test yourself against nature and to prove to yourself that you do indeed belong at the top of this planet's food chain? .........

If there were no consequences for the other folks involved I don't think anyone would care. (Land owner, PH, Outfitter, Nature Conservation, the Industry)
These guys are a little worried that you may not pass the test and the
Unknown.jpeg


Easiest way is just buy a huge chunk of land in SA and they can't stop you from hunting on it.
 
Reaper make no mistake you are in control of your hunt on the unguided hunt and if its adventure you seek then unguided buffalo takes some beating..please note you have no back-up rifle when you are there either...it is the exact hunt that you seek so look forward to the report!
 
Thank you Mike, I have looked into Cam. However, it seems that to Cam, "unguided" simply means without a white PH. You still have trackers with you, etc..(who I imagine take over the role of the PH and do act as defacto guides).

I can't tell from your information, but to contemplate this, I am sure that you have some experience hunting or simply visiting some of the more remote corners of the world? Hunting the backside of Cameroon means mounting a bit of an expedition just to get where you are going. And though I am sure your tracking skills are excellent, staying on a bongo or Lord Derby for six-hours or so is no mean feat. And of course with the later, you literally will have a ton of dead animal to process out in the middle of nowhere in equatorial heat. You are going to need a fairly extensive investment in equipment, supplies, and staff. That is hard to put together without an outfitter or extensive local knowledge and contacts. I believe Environ could give you some meaningful and informed advice.

I have never hunted Switzerland, but I have hunted Austria and Germany (extensively), and other than shooting, know of no experience there which would prepare me for a true wilderness hunt on the African continent. Staying at a lodge in the RSA and walking out alone to go hunting would be something that could be done by an inexperienced visiting hunter were it not illegal. Those game farms are relatively controlled environments, and were you there in the winter, on a PG concession, a lone inexperienced (with Africa) hunter likely wouldn't get in too much trouble. But no one offers that hunt because they can't. Brickburn has it correct. Buy a property or an interest in one. I know two people who have shared interests in game ranches - one in Namibia and the other in the RSA. Both hunt with a tracker and a driver while there, but act as their own "PH".
 
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Thank you Mike, I have looked into Cam. However, it seems that to Cam, "unguided" simply means without a white PH. You still have trackers with you, etc..(who I imagine take over the role of the PH and do act as defacto guides).

It seems as though the Cameroon or Congo hunts or not "adventurous" enough because you feel you would have a de facto PH.

First of all there is a big difference between trackers and a PH, especially in areas where dangerous game is present. I am sure if you want the tracker to stay at the camp and you wonder off on your own he would probably happily comply. Red Leg touched on a good bit of what I was going to say. There is no comparing a game ranch in Limpopo to a Cameroon or Congo hunt, much less one without a PH.

If you are truly interested in having a hunting experience on your own in some of the most difficult conditions around, contact Cam. He is in Cameroon and is able to check emails about every third day. I spoke to him yesterday and he will return to the States in about 10 days.

If you want some info, PM me and I will send you links to several hunts done in Cameroon.

I am planning to hunt Congo with Cam in June. He will be in camp with me, the logistics in Congo are such that he will not send a client alone. It will take five days of flying, driving, canoeing, and walking just to arrive in the hunting area from Brazzaville and then we will set up camp. It will be a quite interesting experience, but I guarantee you I will have a tracker with me everyday. Forest buffalo is my main species and even after 11 cape buffalo I am a little nervous hunting without a PH in Africa for the first time.
 
It seems as though the Cameroon or Congo hunts or not "adventurous" enough because you feel you would have a de facto PH.

First of all there is a big difference between trackers and a PH, especially in areas where dangerous game is present. I am sure if you want the tracker to stay at the camp and you wonder off on your own he would probably happily comply. Red Leg touched on a good bit of what I was going to say. There is no comparing a game ranch in Limpopo to a Cameroon or Congo hunt, much less one without a PH.

If you are truly interested in having a hunting experience on your own in some of the most difficult conditions around, contact Cam. He is in Cameroon and is able to check emails about every third day. I spoke to him yesterday and he will return to the States in about 10 days.

If you want some info, PM me and I will send you links to several hunts done in Cameroon.

I am planning to hunt Congo with Cam in June. He will be in camp with me, the logistics in Congo are such that he will not send a client alone. It will take five days of flying, driving, canoeing, and walking just to arrive in the hunting area from Brazzaville and then we will set up camp. It will be a quite interesting experience, but I guarantee you I will have a tracker with me everyday. Forest buffalo is my main species and even after 11 cape buffalo I am a little nervous hunting without a PH in Africa for the first time.
Sounds like a great hunt and experience Mike. Some of that swamp ought to feel a little bit like home! :) Bring along plenty of antibiotics.
 
Mike, I lived for a little under a year on the other side of the Congo river (DRC). Spent a fair amount of time out on patrol .... the terrain can be very challenging at times to say the least. Often thought about heading back in hunting mode vice work. Really looking forward to your report!
 
Can't hunt in RSA with out a PH if you're a foreigner. Not sure about other countries, but I'm quite sure the same applies. Would be really disappointed if people could just come and blast indiscriminately.
 

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