I know this sounds like a crazy idea but has anyone ever traveled to Africa from North America or Europe by sea to do a hunt?
The container shipping company that I worked for until few years ago, had options for passengers to travel on modern container vessels.
Such cargo ship, is not what it once was.
Today, large container carriers generally have swimming pool, TV room, video library, internet connections, bar (or at least slop chest where various drinks could be obtained), etc
Usually access to the bridge and watch keeping officer is allowed (unlike most of passenger cruisers), which can give very different insight to travel by sea to an individual, when familirized with bridge equipment, gmdss, radars, electornic charts, etc.
On cargo ship, there is no crew dedicated for baby-sitting of passengers. So, it means that a pax will need to organise his life and routine on board in a different way. Ships facilities, such as swimming pool, tv room can be used, etc.. but as the crew is busy with their on board duties, pax is expected to be more proactive in his own entertainment, while the crew can always be asked to assist if necessary.
Also, it is worth mentioning, I do not remember there was any luggage allowance, or limit. 50 kg, or 100 kg, no problem which is a benefit when compared to air travel. However, a reasonable luggage weight is expected.
Travel across the ocean will take 7 to 12 days, depending of the line and speed. Average economical speed of a container vessel is 15 to 18 kts, while max speed may go up to 24 knots. So travel days must be also verified with the operator, especially if the hunt is booked to start on defined and specific date.
Cargo ship Passanger should develop a bit different expectations then when compared to travel on a cruiser. Thats what I wanted to say.
Price of such travel, if I remember correctly, was cca 100 usd per person per day.
The problem may be to travel with rifles, as some companies or flags do not allow fire arms on board, and this has to be verified in advance. In that case other possibilities may be considered, such as sending the rifles by air directly to the outfitter, or renting the rifles in the camp.
Generally speaking, such travel by sea is possible, but it is also much more time consuming, and it also brings a new perspective to travel for hunting in Africa. It is very specific.