Well the deposit is paid but

without getting too personal I’ll tell you a little back ground. I grew up poor, like poverty poor, six of us in a trailer. Not a nice big double wide either but 12x60 foot trailer with wheels. In fact I never lived in a house without wheels until I was late 20s. I work hard now, one kid through college paid for and the other on a full ride baseball scholarship. Me and the wife have traveled around some but nothing in the cost of a safari. I don’t have bills really, drive a 30 year old Toyota Landcruiser that I maintain and own a house with a minimal payment. I know I should be excited that we (the wife and I) are going on safari.

Nothing huge a few animals and some river fishing for tiger fish but my trailer park brain can’t get over spending that much money. We have it, but growing up there was no “extra” money, every dollar went to something that was needed. This traveling and vacation lifestyle is new to me and I’m still having a hard time thinking that I don’t need to pay some one or pay for something. Don’t get me wrong we are going and we will have a great time and experience things we’ve never seen but it’s gonna take some getting used to for me.

Anybody else ever have these feelings?

You have obviously worked hard and should enjoy the fruits of your labor with your bride.
It's not frivolous, its a life experience that you earned.

You made it, enjoy it.

Yes!

You aren't alone.

That said, you've done the right things it sounds like. Meaning you can afford it and it won't hurt you financially. So.... Enjoy! If you have to stress about the money spent do it after the Safari. That's what I do.

My cousin summed it up well. He said something like "I know if I go I won't ever regret it, but if I don't go I will always regret it.* We were talking about the expense when he said this. His point was that no one can take the experience away from you after the fact and that having some extra money in the bank at the end of the day doesn't add to a lifetime experience.

BRICKBURN said:

a life experience

Click to expand...

Royal27 said:

a lifetime experience

Click to expand...

I was typing when Wayne posted and didn't see what he wrote until after I posted.

The theme above, that's why we do this.

Thanks men. I know it will be awesome and maybe after the fact it will be easier to accept. Having never been there you don’t really know what you are paying for but I’ve never heard anyone say they wouldn’t do it again once they’ve been.

Its impossible not to have second thoughts when spending this much money. There are those who can take it in their stride, but for me it is a dedicated idea to take money away from something else. There is always that uncomfortable guilt. Safaris are not an impulse buy for sure! I have to work for it, but I feel good about that. Gives me a reason to get up and go to work in the morning lol. That fear keeps us careful. Nothing to feel badly about. My 2 cents anyways.

Have fun!

@cmc,

I'd say you earned it, but I can also identify with how you feel. So it was for me on my first safari, and now I've been four times.

I'm confident as Royal says, you will not regret it in the end, enjoy!

I had the same feelings. My lifetime dream was always to hunt Alaska or Canada haven't done it. Africa was a better bargain and then got bitten by the African bug and have been there three times plus once to New Zealand. I guess I'm to cheap to go North.

cmc said:

without getting too personal I’ll tell you a little back ground. I grew up poor, like poverty poor, six of us in a trailer. Not a nice big double wide either but 12x60 foot trailer with wheels. In fact I never lived in a house without wheels until I was late 20s. I work hard now, one kid through college paid for and the other on a full ride baseball scholarship. Me and the wife have traveled around some but nothing in the cost of a safari. I don’t have bills really, drive a 30 year old Toyota Landcruiser that I maintain and own a house with a minimal payment. I know I should be excited that we (the wife and I) are going on safari.

Nothing huge a few animals and some river fishing for tiger fish but my trailer park brain can’t get over spending that much money. We have it, but growing up there was no “extra” money, every dollar went to something that was needed. This traveling and vacation lifestyle is new to me and I’m still having a hard time thinking that I don’t need to pay some one or pay for something. Don’t get me wrong we are going and we will have a great time and experience things we’ve never seen but it’s gonna take some getting used to for me.

Anybody else ever have these feelings?

Click to expand...

I scrimped and saved for four years before booking my hunt, and I am still saving to finish up my taxidermy. The way I look at it is that even if I wind up broke and living in a cardboard box, I'll have memories and stories of hunting Africa, and nobody can ever take that away from me! You are going to have a great time. Like the others have said...you've done the work, enjoy the adventure. It's totally worth it!

You have worked hard and provided for your family, pulling yourself up to a level that you probably thought was out of your reach. Think of all the sacrifices that you have made to achieve this, reward yourself and your wife. Doing this trip will be good for your soul and you will be thankful that you made the journey.
Best wishes,
Cody

PHOENIX PHIL said:

@cmc,

I'd say you earned it, but I can also identify with how you feel. So it was for me on my first safari, and now I've been four times.

I'm confident as Royal says, you will not regret it in the end, enjoy!

Click to expand...

+1 here and with what everyone else said! Enjoy the fruits of your hard work and enjoy life!

We have all been there brother! It is big number but it is why we work, money does you no good unless you enjoy it. Enjoy your trip, you have earned it!

Once you start your first stalk, nothing else in the world will matter!

Bullthrower338 said:

You have worked hard and provided for your family, pulling yourself up to a level that you probably thought was out reach

Click to expand...

yes sir that level wasn’t even a dream but you know as a kid I never thought there was anything outside of what we had and we were happy and as I got older I’m like wait a damn minute.

"All men die. Few men truly live". (attributed to William Wallace). Africa is part of truly living. Go for it. One never knows when his or her health will only allow them to sit in front of a TV all day long.

For me, sitting in the back of the classroom in tenth grade reading Field & Stream stories about Africa, I swore I'd hunt there before I died. It took another 50 years but I finally made it. Sixth trip coming up this April. Money? There ain't no Brink's trucks in funeral processions.

Hogpatrol said:

"All men die. Few men truly live". (attributed to William Wallace). Africa is part of truly living. Go for it. One never knows when his or her health will only allow them to sit in front of a TV all day long.

Click to expand...

And that is exactly why I will go again

Cmc, your second thoughts are common to most of us. The biggest concern being "is it worth it?" There are always alternatives or options as to where we can spend our hard earned money. I can tell you this I postponed my bucket list Elk hunt for one good reason or another for almost 30 years. Then I found out that I could hunt Africa for the same money and more than probably harvest 6 animals where as the possibility of bagging an Elk was iffy. Hunting Africa is like no other hunting you've ever experienced. You and the Mrs. are going to have the time of your lives. On the flight back home I'd almost bet that your wife will be talking about your next trip. My oldest son and I will be going on our second African safari in July.

I grew up in a mobile home and poor too. Long story short dad went into a partnership and the "ranching" business didn't work out. He wound up buying the partners out when they had the original debt almost paid. Paid my own college and married with kids before I finished my education. So I was close to 50 before I started going on overseas hunts. Even now I usually save 2 yrs between hunts.
I discovered that I could go to Africa for less than Alaska or about the same as a guided elk hunt here in the states and take 5 animals instead of just 1. Africa just gets in the blood. It's a good value for the most part (as long as you get a good outfitter). Sure the $ could go elsewhere. $ can always go somewhere else. A couple of things to remember.
1) you can't take your money with you from this earth
2) one of the few things you can take are your experiences. What you learn.
Africa will provide experiences that you will get nowhere else.
Don't be like my dad. He would of loved to of gone and never did.... now it's too late. He physically can't do it so he lives vicariously through me. Let go and enjoy. The bug bites us and we usually go back more than once. Spend a little extra time touring and see some of the special things and places that Africa offers.
Bruce

Gee, no regrets so far. Those you do take to the grave.

CMC as a fellow "grew up in a 5 room trailer" guy I know where you come from. But think of it this way, there never is a perfect time for most of us, there is always something that the money could be more sensibly spent on. But there is one thing that is worth more than money. Being the guy that was bold enough to go. You will talk to dozens of people who will say, "I wanted to go but...". You went, and unless something totally unusual happens, you will have an amazing time and endless stories. Accept it, plan and have an amazing time, welcome to the club!

HI, I am getting ready to do my 2nd safari. Let me say this your health is more important than anything. My health was very bad and I booked my first safari. I booked it because I was afraid I would not have another chance to go. I had a great time and was well taken care of (thanks Kubusi). There were a few day were I had to crawl from bed to breakfast but it was my dream. I guess my point is take the time to enjoy life it is to short and can change in a few moments.