Well the deposit is paid but

Like others have mentioned, Not all that wander to Africa are well off. I grew up on an orchard the last of 8 kids, it was not a easy time for any of us ; despite the herculean efforts of my parents. I started working pretty much full time at 13. But with a lot of hard work, long hours and luck my wife and I have done ok. We have traveled to Africa three times for the pleasure of all that it has to offer. Even our first short trip when we were saving for our home was amazing; and worth every hard earned penny we spent. My point is it's never easy to justify a expenditure of your hard earned cash with out some soul searching on what else the monies could be used for. And the list is always long. But even when times have been tough neither my wife or I have regretted our decision to spend some money on our sanity away time. I suspect you will be of similar thoughts after your experience.
All the best
Pat

@Beretta391, Have seen the same thing. "I'll wait until I retire" and then health goes south before that. You are a lucky and blessed man to have a wife who enjoys those sports and has good health.

On Monday I went in to have a Retina reattached in my right eye, I've enjoyed my trips to Africa and elsewhere and will continue to as long as I can. I will eventually be blind in that eye, it's a given, but at the end of the day the decision is to enjoy myself while I can or worry if I'll have money when I'm 80. I'd much rather sit back then with memories then regrets. Live your life to the fullest you never know when you won't be able to.

I think a lot of it come's down to priorities. Like many have said there is always something else you could use the money for. Many folk's have a lot more money than some but are to cheap to go or don't have enough desire to make the sacrifice's. Some of those people may not want to start the addiction. If this is your dream and you have made the effort to go, your definitely on the right track. By the time you get on the plane to go home your be planning the next trip. I personally think that like a lot of things in life you get what you pay for, and for me a safari is worth every last cent.

You're going to die one day. Probably a lot sooner than you wanted.

My Dad died at 64.5 always planning to do some big stuff, but never did.

My wife and I planned out years ago all the things we'd do after retirement.
We are 55 yrs old. She developed a lot of health issues 5 years ago that turned out to be MS (she was diagnosed 3 yrs ago).
But, 5 years ago we decided to spend our "after retirement vacation fund" now.
Every 2 years we do something big on our bucket list.
Some folks I know want to chastise me about how I spend my money, I tell them to butt out.
We may not have the health or money later to do these things and you don't get "do-overs" on life.

Save for retirement, but do the bucket list asap.

Yep, you simply can't get time back. Too often I'm reminded of how mortal we all are as a friend or acquaintance, my age or younger, passes. What a sinking feeling it is- ugh. Right now I know several people still living who, in the past, talked about and dreamed about going somewhere or doing something but hesitated because there was always "a reason" in the way- money, time, work... something. Right now those same people are, to the person, truly not able to go- usually medical problems for them or their spouses that really does prevent them from doing anything. They will die having never lived those dreams.

I have been to Africa and SE Asia several times now- my dream. I can say without a doubt, going to those places because of reassessing and committing to MY priorities has been the best decision I ever made. Looking back, if I would have had to go into debt to live it, it would have been worth every penny. "I never did it or I never could justify it or I put it off until it was too late"- those can all be considered an awfully long time!

You cant take it with you! Money that is. Its true, you cant. So about the only thing we can take with us, is memories. Go and make some great ones!

Well the saying that the armoured car won't follow the hearsh pretty much sums it up.

Hey man, I wasn't as unfortunate as you growing up with the lack of money and all but what I will tell you is I wanted to hunt a Buffalo all my life since I was a kid and finally went last fall. Me and my wife will have memories that will last the rest of my time here and having no regret is now a way of life for me.
I almost lost my life in 2000 and now live my life with a different set of values, beliefs and passion. I once read that you can always make more money but you can't make more time...... and isn't that the truth.
Make the most of your trip and enjoy it with all your heart.

Absolutely I worry about spending that kind of cash! I am stressing more now that my hunt is 7 months away than I did when I booked it in March...especially since I did my first check on flight prices! I worry about unexpected expenditures that could pop up. I worry about how things will be stretched tight once the hunt is over and the D&P and shipping bills are still coming. I don't have a high paying job, so have been saving four years since my first safari.

HOWEVER...the life experiences and living my dreams balance the scale. I have too many friends that say that they wish they could go or would have gone. I did. And am going back.

Don't stress it, put it on the credit card (within reason), and enjoy yourself. Life is too short and time is precious. Life gives us unexpected twists, live your dream.

I have sold alot of stuff on Craigslist to pay for hunts or tip money or flights. I have also put a couple grand on credit cards from time to time when I had some good opportunities...then I just work like hell to pay them off. The stories of hunting stuff are way cooler than the stories about paying off your credit cards.

I know exactly what you’re saying. I never thought I would be able to afford it despite dreaming about it for most of my life.
I was taken on my first trip this summer by an incredibly generous Uncle who wanted his family to experience it with him. I scrimped and saved to add some big wishlist animals to the hunt and couldn’t wait to go.
Short of it is, that as great as I thought it would be- it was better. I am now planning a return trip right now. The money is still intimidating, but the experience is well worth it. I have started looking at everything I do in the light of “how quick could I get back to Africa if I don’t do that.” Or “that’s a nice rifle, but it could also be an Eland.”
Enjoy the trip and enjoy the hard work and smart decisions you have made to allow it.

@cmc Do not regret or have second thoughts about the decision to go. As others have said, you will want to go back as soon as you are headed to the airport to return home. It took me a bottle of wine at the DSC Auction in 2011 and becoming the high bidder to go on our first safari. Once sober the next day there was a lot of oh crap what did I just do. Well, I would never change it. We've now gone to Zimbabwe, New Zealand and Mozambique. Ann was all in - that really helped a lot. I now find myself looking to retire this year. Changing my mindset from savings to now spending those savings is a real adjustment. I've had health scares as others and realize I can keep working and have more money or stop working and have time / experiences with Ann. I think you can tell what my choice is. Enjoy the planning, take lots of pictures and hug your wife every day! John

My Dad always told me that his job was to raise a self sufficient man, and that's my goal with my son. As for your upbringing, it sounds like it was a great gift, and whatever the challenges you have faced - and it sounds like there were many - you are a man who now stands on his own two feet. Your history is something to be cherished - it taught you to be prudent, responsible and respectful of what you do have. It crafted you into the man you are today. Now, you've made a decision to take this trip. Take a moment to reflect at how far you have come, be grateful for this opportunity, and then go and enjoy every moment of it - you obviously earned it. You're paying back yourself for years of hard work.

This has been a very motivational thread!

Our memories help define who we are, not so much money in the bank. I take every opportunity to seek out the next experience or adventure for my wife and I.

Go, live, and never look back with any regret!

flat8 said:

My Dad always told me that his job was to raise a self sufficient man, and that's my goal with my son. As for your upbringing, it sounds like it was a great gift, and whatever the challenges you have faced - and it sounds like there were many - you are a man who now stands on his own two feet. Your history is something to be cherished - it taught you to be prudent, responsible and respectful of what you do have. It crafted you into the man you are today. Now, you've made a decision to take this trip. Take a moment to reflect at how far you have come, be grateful for this opportunity, and then go and enjoy every moment of it - you obviously earned it. You're paying back yourself for years of hard work.

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I wouldn’t trade a minute of it now, but back then I couldn’t see how any of it could ever be good. Thank you.

Scott Slough said:

I think a MUCH wiser man said..."neither a borrower or lender be"...I have only borrowed money for a house, car, and education. I would NEVER advocate borrowing money to hunt.

The OP doesn't need to borrow...he needs to give himself permission to enjoy to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

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Scott, my point was not to influence the OP to borrow money, but rather the difference if you will in money and time. Money can be made up or replaced, time can not. My father in law is lying in a hospital bed now dying from stage 4 cancer in his lungs, liver, and back. He no longer has the time to do the things he wanted to do, but rather went when he was able to make the trips. That was my point brother.

cmc said:

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.

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I'm in a somewhat similar position to you; we've worked really hard and put our family in a great position financially, but sometimes I feel guilty about the expense of hunting in general and my upcoming safari (even though I have plenty of money for it). I didn't grow up poor, but a good portion of my upbringing was by folks that experienced the Great Depression and they didn't waste anything, and didn't spend much on luxuries. That's where my guilt comes from. My wife was brought up the same way.

Conversely, saving every dollar possible and not allowing yourself some "luxury" is a pretty bleak existence from my experience. The key in my opinion, and from what I've learned from others is: "everything in moderation"; spend some, save some, donate some. It sounds like you are taking your safari in moderation, not to extremes.

One other point I didn't see mentioned: You are also showing your kids a graceful way of transitioning to a lifestyle of more means. Not over the top excess all at once (like the folks that win the lottery, blow money on anything/everything and are broke 5 years later), but a moderated approach, spending money on something you love to do (hunting/fishing), but in an expanded capacity that will expose you to people and places and things that will change and broaden your perspective on the world. You are investing in yourself and furthering a hobby/dream/interest. I think that's a great "luxury" expense, and that's how I'd want my kids to spend money on themselves when their time comes.

You'll still own the wealth your earned. You're simply exchanging currency for experiences and memories.

blacks said:

You'll still own the wealth your earned. You're simply exchanging currency for experiences and memories.

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I love this!