In need for recommendations for South African outfitters

Sir, please feel to either PM or email me directly at info@huntsafaris.co.za

Here you can find a collection of reports from AH members, who has hunted with us over the years:

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/kmg-hunting-safaris-hunt-reports-the-compendium.30094/

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

BRICKBURN said:

@Red Leg , how did you find and select Jack Atcheson as an agent?

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Recommendation from and acquaintance - plus a lot of the of the older generation in the literature used Jack Sr who pretty much created the business model of "hunting consultant." I also booked my first African hunt in 2006, and I am not sure the internet existed then.

BRICKBURN said:

Not intended.... The humor did not translate. Some days I miss the target.

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Sigh. No, I meant the OP.

I took my 3rd Safaris with Motsomi Safaris last year and was best by far. Everything was excellent. You can contact them at Info@motsomi.com

Red Leg, You and I are on the same page here. While we might look at websites, we don't hunt them.

Red Leg said:

I have known any number of great outfitters who were clueless about creating a great website. It is one of the last of my considerations.

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A great website would be my last consideration as well.

+1 for KMG. You will be impressed

Shootist43 said:

Red Leg, You and I are on the same page here. While we might look at websites, we don't hunt them.

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I would agree with this in general.. .But when I do look, I like to have updated prices. Otherwise it gets frustrating and seems an exercise in futility. Not to say that websites and prices are what make may decisions.

And the several hunts I have in mind for the future, are either with people I have become friends with on here, or Outfitters I've met at a show and just decided I wanted to hunt with them.

LostinTexas_45 said:

I have a few in mind but I wouldn't mind having a couple of suggestions. The ones I have in mind are Stanley Pieterse safaris, Ash adventures, and Marvel Africa hunting safaris.

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How soon are you going? Are you going alone or with family? What is your budget? If you are going alone and have any budget to speak of, that is pretty impressive for a 17 year old... but you probably need to hit at least 18 before you can do this legally, and even then I'm not sure of the RSA rules as far as a minimum age to bring firearms into the country.

Perhaps @KMG Hunting Safaris or @Spear Safaris can answer some minimum age questions.

ActionBob said:

How soon are you going? Are you going alone or with family? What is your budget? If you are going alone and have any budget to speak of, that is pretty impressive for a 17 year old... but you probably need to hit at least 18 before you can do this legally, and even then I'm not sure of the RSA rules as far as a minimum age to bring firearms into the country.

Perhaps @KMG Hunting Safaris or @Spear Safaris can answer some minimum age questions.

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I am going with a friend of the same age. We are planning on going in about a year and a half. Unfortunately we won’t be old enough to import our own rifles. So we will have to settle with a rented rifle. We are planing on bagging AT MOST 5 animals. We are on a tight (ish) budget.
Because of the fact that we will have to wait until we are old enough to go on our own we are still in the planning stage and we are flexible on outfitters/countries.

Hi Lost in Texas_45, I am in Texas too. I. just returned from RSA and had a great time with 3S Safaris. See their recent posts and speak to Kent another Texan. He may have what your looking for. I am working on a trip report now hope to have it done over the weekend.

LostinTexas_45 said:

I am going with a friend of the same age. We are planning on going in about a year and a half. Unfortunately we won’t be old enough to import our own rifles. So we will have to settle with a rented rifle. We are planing on bagging AT MOST 5 animals. We are on a tight (ish) budget.
Because of the fact that we will have to wait until we are old enough to go on our own we are still in the planning stage and we are flexible on outfitters/countries.

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Good for you not waiting and making your dreams come true.

I would tell you to Look at Paw Print Safaris for the best bang for your buck. I will be going back for my 4th trip this july. Great area with good game numbers and great quality of animals.

LostinTexas_45 said:

I am going with a friend of the same age. We are planning on going in about a year and a half. Unfortunately we won’t be old enough to import our own rifles. So we will have to settle with a rented rifle. We are planing on bagging AT MOST 5 animals. We are on a tight (ish) budget.
Because of the fact that we will have to wait until we are old enough to go on our own we are still in the planning stage and we are flexible on outfitters/countries.

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Well good for you guys! Being young, presumably tough hardy lads, and from Texas you should be somewhat accustomed to the heat... you might consider watching for and/or negotiating for a late or early season deal.

It can get very hot, but hunting can still be good, especially if you are willing to get up early and then also hunt up to last light. And outfitters end up with extra critters/quota they want or need to take off at the end of the year. Or just want to get started early and may be willing to earn a bit less but at least be earning something.

That is part of what I thought I should tell you.

What I want to tell you is if you want a lifetime of hunting, and especially if that includes many exotic and potentially expensive places... you best get started on your way to becoming the next Shockey or Boddington... Or figure out how to invest and become independently wealthy Unless you are doing it the really old fashioned way, and inheriting it....

Haha I guess you could say that we are “tough hardy lads”. And if we keep up this hunting lifestyle one of us might wind up being the next Shockley! And no we have no financial help from any of our parents. We became “tough hardy lads” by working for the jingle in our pockets. And even though we do work we will still be on a budget for this hunt. So we aren’t exactly going on a hunt for any of the Dangerous 7.

ActionBob said:

Well good for you guys! Being young, presumably tough hardy lads, and from Texas you should be somewhat accustomed to the heat... you might consider watching for and/or negotiating for a late or early season deal.

It can get very hot, but hunting can still be good, especially if you are willing to get up early and then also hunt up to last light. And outfitters end up with extra critters/quota they want or need to take off at the end of the year. Or just want to get started early and may be willing to earn a bit less but at least be earning something.

That is part of what I thought I should tell you.

What I want to tell you is if you want a lifetime of hunting, and especially if that includes many exotic and potentially expensive places... you best get started on your way to becoming the next Shockey or Boddington... Or figure out how to invest and become independently wealthy Unless you are doing it the really old fashioned way, and inheriting it....

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LostinTexas_45 said:

And no we have no financial help from any of our parents. We became “tough hardy lads” by working for the jingle in our pockets. And even though we do work we will still be on a budget for this hunt.

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That's a very good thing. You will have more potential to truly be successful because you are working for it and doing it yourselves

Welcome to the site! I for one am glad to have you

Hope you and your friend do lots of research. Ever thought of attending DSC? Can you get or make the time to attend for a couple days? What part of of the Republic are you from?

Game 4 Africa Safaris would be my recommendation.

KMG Safaris.

Welcome to AH. I see you're getting started early on the African addiction!

To echo @ActionBob definitely look for late season deals. Scroll through some of the deals from past years on this site to get a flavor for what you might be able to get.
https://www.africahunting.com/community/deals-offers.105/

Also consider cull animals. Many outfitters here offer these type of hunts. You can probably negotiate to hunt one or two trophies and then a bunch of cull animals.

rinehart0050 said:

Also consider cull animals. Many outfitters here offer these type of hunts. You can probably negotiate to hunt one or two trophies and then a bunch of cull animals.

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I've seen deals in the past where you can cull so.ething line 10 of a,species and elect to keep one for a trophy. But it was limited on time to force you to really cull, and not allowed any real big trophies. However you could expect to get a fine representative of the species. Also expect to pay a reasonable handling fee.

Add me to the list of KMG fans!
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-incredible-experience-with-kmg-safaris.39792/

First observation- since I take it you are beginning to plan your first Africa safari... RSA is not the only country in Africa that has quality hunting opportunities. It may seem that way simply because of the density and number of outfitters there competing in a tough market.

Yes, I kind of agree that it's nice to see quality outfitters' websites. However, you have to know that even shady operators can have slick websites. I also do not depend very much on TV or hunt media personalities for advice or recommendations as many are provided VIP services or special treatment for advertising value and/or are otherwise schmoozed by certain outfitters. Their experiences may not translate over for "ordinary Joe" hunters. However, reputable consultants like Atcheson's can be very helpful. I do look carefully at websites but I have also learned to use my gut when contacting outfitters independently and studying their material, I check as many different sources/reviews as possible and study "between the lines". I've also discovered that there are many, many great outfitters who use little if any aggressive advertising because.... guess why... they don't have to ( word of mouth and repeat customers keeps them busy). Plus, after all is said and done, what one person may view as a great hunt area or experience or service would not necessarily be great for me or someone else... and vice versa.