Booked for 2018

I finally finalized my plans and booked the flight! It's my 50th birthday celebration trip. I want to thank all the sponsors on here that I flat wore out sending emails to and everyone was always quick to respond and thorough in their responses. I was also absolutely torn inside out with potentially leaving my previous outfitter/PH who has always done everything I asked for and more. This will be my 4th trip across the pond and I was specifically looking to see some different areas and wanted to check out the Kalahari. It was an agonizing past 6 months in deciding.
So I accomplished both !! I will be doing a split trip- first half with AAA Serapa and the second half with my old friend John Henry Keyser with Greatland Safari.

Animals of interest: Of course while in the Kalahari one must hunt springbok. I'm interested in a common and black. Giant sand dwelling eland and gembsbok, the manic black wildebeest and the crown jewel- a huge, black shiny sable!

If I blank in the Kalahari, I always have chances at the eland and sable in the Limpopo along with klipspringer, bushpig, impala and John Henry always has a few 58'+ kudu lurking in the Waterberg Mtns.

I'll be hunting the last week of June and first week of July. My previous trips have always been late July/early August. We also booked with Emirates as Delta has flat gotten stupid with their prices. With my work schedule, I had to leave and arrive certain dates that apparently Delta believes are worth twice the money Emirates can get you there on. I have a Delta Am Ex credit card for just the reason of trying to get enough points to get a ticket, but with them going up to 300,000 points and higher each year, I'll also be ditching my points credit card soon!

I promise to do a detailed write up for each leg of my trip.

sounds like a nice trip you have planned and I know you had a hard time with picking for the trip. I hope you have a great trip and get some great animals.

buck wild said:

Animals of interest: Of course while in the Kalahari one must hunt springbok. I'm interested in a common and black. Giant sand dwelling eland and gembsbok, the manic black wildebeest and the crown jewel- a huge, black shiny sable!

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If he wasn't taken in the last year or so, there's one very nice eland there that I wish you luck with. Sneaky bugger that gave us the slip a couple of times. You'll find plenty of all the animals on your Serapa list. Look forward to your report!

Oh and I think once you've flown Emirates, you'll want to again in the future. Layovers and overall flight times having to go through Dubai can result in longer journeys. But in my opinion more than made up for in the fares and the service you get.

Good Luck! The Kalahari is on my bucket list too. Agree with you on Delta. When you can get there for half the price they charge, something's wrong and forget about getting the seat you paid for and reserved six months in advance.

Awesome...congrats and we look forward to the report!

Wish you the best !

You will enjoy the Kalahari

Forgot to add you will enjoy the Kalahari!! Lots of chances at some great springbok and gemsbok!!

Congrats of the milestone celebration trip. Hope you bag everything!

Enjoy.

Bring that note book along for the hunt report.

All the best on your trip. I bet you will have a great time

My best

Sounds like it's going to be a great trip,congratulations!

Congrats!

Congrats

Fantastic, can’t wait to see your report..Kalahari is a definite on my hit list for springbok. Lots of pictures please.

Enjoy the planning process...and creating memories...to cherish for a lifetime.
Happy planning, happy hunting and straight shooting.

Leaving DFW or IAH? I hope you bought a business class ticket. Coach is ok, but the restrooms get trashed out fairly fast. If you are a BA or AA miles collector, you might want to also consider Qatar too.

If you decide to ditch that Delta Amex Card. I would suggest that you get an Amex Platinum card. Annual fee is very pricey, but some good benefits if you can use them. $200 a year airline credit for incidentals (some folks get Airline gift cards); Amex lounge at DFW and IAH; Priority Pass (lounge access in Dubai and JNB); reimbursement for Global Entry ($100); no Forex Fee; SPG, Marriott & Hilton Gold status; and discounts on airfare Premium Eco and up.

I have hunted the Kalahari in the Northern Cape, you might want to head to the coast and practice hiking in the blow sand for a few miles to be prepared.

We are looking forward on having you in camp my friend.... Looking forward to a great safari!

Can’t go wrong with AAA Serapa. Looking forward to your photos and report.

Sounds like a great trip!

I flew Emirate last year and I personally didn't think there was much difference between them and others except the flight attendants were better looking! Much more of a hassle taking weapons for me with Emirates!! Just booked our tickets with Delta for this year for July and return in Aug. round trip from Missoula Montana to Joburg for $ 1417 that's about $400 cheaper than I could fly emirates and less travel time!