Question about non-hunting wives on DG safaris

I did a PG hunt (my first safari) in Namibia in 2008. My wife accompanied me and enjoyed it immensely. She was with me in the field most days, but we spent the vast majority of our day in the vehicle, and when we did leave the vehicle for a short stalk, she waited in the truck for us to return.

I am now planning my next safari, this time principally for Cape buffalo and likely to Zim. I'm not sure how things will work with my wife this time around, however. Neither of us want her to stay back in camp all day, nor would we want her to remain in the truck by herself for hours while we stalk buff (I just don't believe it's safe). However, she's not a hunter, so she's not used to moving with stealth, and she'd be another human to be seen, heard or smelled by our quarry. I'm also not certain how some PHs would feel.

Any actual experience in this area that can be shared would be greatly appreciated.

My wife has been on three of my four trips. She has spent 42 hunting days in Zim, Mozambique, and Tanzania and has been on nearly every stalk and walk I have been on including folllow ups on a half dozen buffalo.

As we get closer to the animal she will stay back at times but never lose sight of us. Having her on the hunt has never been a problem.

I missed us hunting together on the one hunt that she was not there.

I took my wife on two DG hunts and one PG hunt thus far. The PG hunt was fine--no problems. The first DG hunt she went on was for another Cape Buff (Zim) and while there were no incidents, we were in the midst of a herd of Buff in thick jess at a very close distance, which she found unnerving. On another occasion, while on a plateau scouting for buff spoor, we had our egress blocked by two groups of elephant as we attempted to descend the plateau we were on. On a Rhino hunt (SA) the following year, the Rhino got entirely too close to her for comfort.

As a result, she elected not to come on the elephant/buff hunt the year following the Rhino hunt and declined a month long Big Four hunt earlier this year. I went on those two alone and while I missed her, was relieved not to have to worry about her safety whilst hunting. She agreed it was simply too dangerous for her to accompany me on any more DG hunts.

My suggestion is that you go on your hunt alone and following the hunt, meet your wife in Capetown and take her on a tour of the beautiful wine country along route 62. She will have a far better time and won't be in any danger. You can store your rifles in a hotel safe or at a police station until you are ready to come home. There are many beautiful places in southern Africa you can visit together without exposing her to the risk of a DG hunt.

As a final comment, I took a nice lion this May in Matetsi Unit 3 before moving to Chirisa to hunt other game. While in Chirisa, a couple was bird hunting in Matetsi Unit 5. A buff came boiling out of the adjacent thicket and gored both of them badly, requiring medivac. They call it dangerous game hunting for a reason and neither you nor your PH can protect your wife from all eventualities.

Thanks for the input, Rigby. I just don't know that the accounting department will approve such a big ticket solo trip.

On my recent trip to Zimbabwe for buff my wife did same as Mike has described above, again with no problem. At other times she would also stay with the vehicle and man the radio with the second tracker. I guess it also depends on if your wife is happy to walk long distances at times. My wife was also in charge of the camera and video so this gave her something to do as we tracked buffalo.

Mate of mine took his finance with him on our safari this year. Didn't work out all that great for her. Must be prepared and understand that Game will die.

I have read alot of reports where basicly someone (Govt. game scout or asst. tracker) is but in charge of the observer. They stay back with them when it gets tight or backs them up if things go badly.

Sometimes my wife lets me go with her when she hunts.....

firehuntfish said:

Sometimes my wife lets me go with her when she hunts.....

Click to expand...

That's way too funny not to comment (lmao)!!!

I took my wife on a PG hunt in Namibia in 2006. My wife did exactly what yours did, stayed in the truck most of the time. She had a great time, we saw some wonderful areas, took some great trophies and made some good friends. My wife passed on the invatation to travel back to Namibia this year on a Buffalo/Leopard/ PG safari. She hates snakes, I told her she wouldn's see any...but you know how that goes. We saw 3 snakes in 2006 and 6 this year.

My two oldest kids age 16 and 14 went with me this year. They hunted most days, came along on all the stalks and got to see many Buffalo. They did not hunt with me the day I shot my bull. The PH was very supportive of having the kids along they just didn't like the boat ride through the swamp to acess our hunting area. Too many Hippo's and a 45 min. boat ride home in the dark. I was able to take a great bull 44.5" X 16", it would have been great to share that moment with them.

I think that if your wife wants to go, can walk long distances, and isn't afaid of snakes you should take her. I did several stalks on Eland with the kid's. Those animals are very spooky and the size of our group didn't seem to be a problem. I would recommend Eden Wildlife Trust and PH Dries Alberts, he will take good care of both of you.

Thanks for the input, guys.

A friends wife goes along on all Dg hunts with him and enjoys her time. She just stays back from the stalks. Rides in the Bakkie. She is also capable of entertaining herself with journals, photography and sketching.
So, you gauge your bride and her attitude and sensibilities.
Good luck with your hunt.

Thanks, Brick.

My wife has been on three DG safaris and has been involved in six buffalo hunts as well as three leopards and elephant. She loves it. I think your wife will as well.

Your PH will make or break your 2 on 1 safari. A lot of the Operators / camps will also do 'special' activities for the ladies in camp...moonlight bush dinners, send them out with a Learner PH to do some photographic work...the girls can have a lot of fun on a safari too! I always enjoyed having family groups on a hunt! The kid(s), wife and all get to shoot at least something if money permits! It's fun teaching them african bushcraft too! Find out who your PH will be and correspond with him beforehand and 'sus out' the situation. Good luck!

I don't have any experience in Africa in a game hunting situation but I do take my wonderful young woman on many "dangerous" trips. She goes shark fishing with me at night when we are in South Texas; making long boat runs in the dark through the bays and gulf...not to mention the sharks. She goes into some pretty serious bush with me on foot for big hogs up on my place that borders the Red River. She loves to be out there, she knows the risk she is taking upon herself, she keeps her cool, and she has total confidence in her ability and also knows that I will make sure she is taken care of. Before we do anything like this together I always take time to explain what the situation is or could turn in to. We go over what she should do if something does go wrong. She walks into these places knowing that I would never leave her hanging and would take the "hit" in her place if I had to. She shoots well and can use her head in tight situations and is wonderful at getting the hell out of the way when it's something she can't handle. My only opinion is that you inform your wife to the best of your ability and prepare her for what she will be doing. She is your woman and your responsibility. I wish you and her best of luck on upcoming hunts and adventures together.

Cheers,
Jake