What is the best country for a first time hunting safari?

Bill is rite about going to South Africa after you have been hunting some of the wilder spots. I went back after hunting Mozambique and the ????? what ever you want to call it was gone and I havent been back since.

Dick

I guess I should add that to be fair my first two trips to Africa were to South Africa. I had a great time in every way. In fact the first year I dont remember even bumping into a fence. I shot a bunch of really nice trophies both times. Great lodges, food, PH's, pictures and memories to last for ever. But go there or Namibia first not last.

Dick

I certainly agree that South Africa has some huge ranches and they are not high fenced..I have/had hunts So. Africa on 200,000 acres and know of a 500,000 acre ranch both with 3 strand barbwire fencing. Today I still book on the 200,000 acre ranch.

Much of So. Africa is high fenced and some of the high fenced ranches are certainly large enough to be fair chase such as the Seleti that is about a 100,000 acres of thick bush..Some are high fenced to keep the elephants and/or poachers out btw..

You have to judge each location on its own merits..What I see is some folks with one hunt behind them and they believe the whole country is what their hunt was that is an assumption and a mistake on their part..

Some of Zimbabwe is also high fenced, mostly co-ops of ranches that have gone together to form huge hunting concessions and some of them are fenced. Most of Zimbabwe is not.

Zambia is partially fenced also as is Namibia..

Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique, are not fenced, at least not that I know of.

I am not of the school that a high fence has anything to do with fair chase if the land parcel is large enough and it is a subject that is mostly the meat of the less experienced hunters, non hunters and idealist. 75,000 acres of thick African bush is an awesome hunt and you could easily get lost in it and never be found.

Ian
I hear you, but unfortunately too many stories have reached the ears of hunters afar. I am licensed PH in Zimbabwe(1992) and Tanzania(2001), I will never guide in SA for the very reason I have no passion for a fence, and unfortunately a drive in any direction from OT International has more fence than one cares to look at. N. Limpopo Prov is just boxed in.
Sorry, when you have hunted the plains of Longido, the swamps of the Moyowosi or even the thick sands of the Matetsi/Pandamatenga forest, lots of big game, the smell of buffalo and elephant in the morning air. No way can a 1000 hectares in SA with a luxury camp compare. The best way to dispell the romance of Hemingway's "Green hills" is to take the N1 Toll road north to Warmbaths...... It just don't cut it. South Africa has some really beautifull scenery, has some wonderful people and lovely weather, but a first time to Africa it is not, unless of course the hunter has not a care for the tradition of safari and what it was, the Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi, the porters, the tented camps under big flat top accacia, the herds of a thousand Topi......etc
no offense, but ......my point of view. Peter

Here we go again!!

Pieter

I can surely understand your point in the mater having hunted in Zambia's Luangwa valley myself and yes it is really great to be out there.

Pieter do you think that hunting fenced game farms is any less of a challenge than hunting big open area's now in saying this I am talking about hunting a farm of 2000 heaters +?

You might be sadly mistaken my friend hunting plains game on a fenced property is very much a challenge talk to some clients and it will not take you long to hear that he returned without his kudu or a priority animal. Things are just as tough on a fenced game farm as it is in a open area you hunt certain species in certain habitat's example Roan you will find in the hills in Zambia's Luangwa valley or at the salt pans you put a good stalk on the animal and if fortune smiles on you the shot is taken. This is the same thing in South Africa.

My take on the matter is simple hunt Africa it is a beautiful continent full of diversity ,hunt every specie in its native habitat should you be fortunate enough to have to money to do so. There is no best country to hunt in Africa go and experience them all their people and diversity. Never judge a book by its cover you might find it a lot tougher than you trough.

Cheers Louis

Louis,

I did not read Peter's post as saying the hunting itself is less of a challenge in SA. I have shot animals in South Texas behind fences on some rather large ranches and at times the hunting could be difficult.

I responded to this thread back in April with Tanzania as my choice. For twelve days we lived like Robert and Virginia Ruark. From our tented camp we watched elephants, buffalo, and plainsgame in the river. We listened to lions, hippo, crocs, and hyenas at night. There were no phones, no people other than the camp staff. It was like stepping back in time. And the hunting iself was not too bad.

Nothing wrong with SA, but it looks like in essence I agree with Peter, my vote still goes to the Selous.

Mike I agree with both you and Peter I loved waking up in the mornings next to the Luangwa it is something that well all need to experience as hunters unfortunately it does cost a lot of money and not everyone can afford to do it all the time.

Mike I am just tired of people jugging the fact that we have fences it takes a lot of hard work to keep the place going and it would be nice if someone can say good things based on experiences from hunting in that country.

Sorry Mike I am not picking a fight but the fence thing is just getting really old for me. Each person is entitled to his own opinion but it is only relevant if you have done it.

You are 100% correct to say that it felt like you were traveling back in time those places are truly special and it makes one really appreciate the finer things in life.

Africa as a whole weather you hunt in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, CAR or Tanzania is diverse and beautiful I will never want to travel on a different continent I love experiencing the different cultures, habitat and species it is all great just to sit back and take the moment in wherever you might find yourself at that time.

The bottom line is each country presents a certain challenge in its self and we should accept the things we cannot change for the best and work on matters that could ruin hunting for everyone in Africa.

Cheers Louis

Peter Waddelow said:

Ian
I hear you, but unfortunately too many stories have reached the ears of hunters afar. I am licensed PH in Zimbabwe(1992) and Tanzania(2001), I will never guide in SA for the very reason I have no passion for a fence, and unfortunately a drive in any direction from OT International has more fence than one cares to look at. N. Limpopo Prov is just boxed in.
Sorry, when you have hunted the plains of Longido, the swamps of the Moyowosi or even the thick sands of the Matetsi/Pandamatenga forest, lots of big game, the smell of buffalo and elephant in the morning air. No way can a 1000 hectares in SA with a luxury camp compare. The best way to dispell the romance of Hemingway's "Green hills" is to take the N1 Toll road north to Warmbaths...... It just don't cut it. South Africa has some really beautifull scenery, has some wonderful people and lovely weather, but a first time to Africa it is not, unless of course the hunter has not a care for the tradition of safari and what it was, the Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi, the porters, the tented camps under big flat top accacia, the herds of a thousand Topi......etc
no offense, but ......my point of view. Peter

Click to expand...

So what your saying is unless I spend $25,000 to hunt in Tanzania,Botswana,or Zambia.....I shouldn't bother to hunt in Africa?

Now I have spent the equivilent of several plains game and sight seeing trips....BUT what I should have done,according to you,was just gone once.

Hmmmm...one trip for a couple of animals,OR the three countries and 66 days I've done....

Sorry I'm not living up to your standards...

Dinsdale

PS; There are unfenced,tented hunts in Namibia too...and they are affordable to just regular guy's like me.

Thankfully for all of us there are EXCELLENT hunts available in Africa for the entry level hunter that saves for a lifetime all the way up to a big five hunt in Tanzania and all along the way there are many good and some bad outfitters and areas.

The thing that is important is that we have the opportunity to realize our dreams and experience what is possible to us as hunters at every price level.

I do not enjoy hunters who consider themselves better because they have had more good fortune or opportunity than other hunters. I like to think that whatever African hunting experience we are fortunate enough to have, if it was a good one it is a good thing, whether it was fenced or unfenced, a first time plains game hunt or a Lion hunt. We are all the same, hunters who dream of hunting in Africa.

Well said Jerome....and way more polite than what I am thinkin'


Dinsdale

Dinsdale,

The question was "what is the best country for a first time hunting safari?" There was nothing pertaining to cost.

I thought Tanzania was heaven on earth, until I went to Zim.

Having spent only 30 days in Africa on two safaris I am sorry I am not living up to your standards of 66 days.

As far as a regular guy: high school education and a welder by trade.


Louis,

Without the operators in SA investing in the future, much of your country's wildlife would be decimated like huge areas in Zim. My hat is off to you and your peers for the risk you take.

Jerome,

I try to convince friends to hunt in Africa, whatever country, SA, Namibia, Zim. Just go with a good operator and you will never forget the experience.

Mike70560 said:

Dinsdale,

The question was "what is the best country for a first time hunting safari?" There was nothing pertaining to cost.

I thought Tanzania was heaven on earth, until I went to Zim.

Having spent only 30 days in Africa on two safaris I am sorry I am not living up to your standards of 66 days.

As far as a regular guy: high school education and a welder by trade.


Louis,

Without the operators in SA investing in the future, much of your country's wildlife would be decimated like huge areas in Zim. My hat is off to you and your peers for the risk you take.

Jerome,

I try to convince friends to hunt in Africa, whatever country, SA, Namibia, Zim. Just go with a good operator and you will never forget the experience.

Click to expand...

Also why I quoted a specific post and NOT yours.....

Then if that's the case...Why start small...Full Bag Tanzania 21 days MGM lion,100 pounder,et al

Then Namibia for the second safari,free ranging Black Rhino....

Dinsdale

"First timers"

Fellow hunters.

Were to go first time to Africa ( or any other foreign hunting places) ? I believe it is very important to decide country, after you decided : Budget, what period in the year, how long time can I spend in Africa, what animals do I wanna look for, your physical status, your health and your travel experience. All these questions answered and you have to start finding the correct outfitter/hunting-company. Only one way, REFERENCES. When this is done, you will have your first and for YOU correct African country.

Canned hunts in RSA? There are a few in any country I suspect..Most of So. Africa is fenced but that does not make for a canned hunt. All hunts have boundries be it a river, Mt. Range or fence. Lots of good fenced ranches and fair chase hunts to be in So. Africa.

I look at the size of the property and that determines if its canned hunting. I have several fenced ranches that I book for that have 100,000 or more acres under fence and its total bushveld, and you can hunt for days and not see one of the many elephant on that property..

The choice boils down to what you are comfortable with, go with that, but leave pre concieved ideas at home.

What is the best country for a first time hunting safari?

I'm coming to this discussion quite late but I think this is sort of a timeless subject. I assume that lots of folks after their first safari would recommend to others to do what they did if they had a good experience which is the norm rather than the exception on most first safaris. It's like picking a car. If you really like what you've bought and had zero trouble with it why would you not recommend it to your friends. The drawack to that thinking is that you may not have picked the best country or the best value for the dollar. Note I did not say least expensive.

Ok! So smartass tell us what you'd pick. If I wanted to keep my budget down but wanted to have that "Classic" safari experience or as near to that as possible I 'd pick a PG hunt on one of the huge Conservancies in Zimbabwe. For about the price of a good quality RSA or Namibian hunt you can hunt PG where all the Big 5 are found in abundance as well as 95% the indigenous species of the country. The game is plentiful, of excellent trophy quality and the accommodations are universal excellent.

Zimbabwe is a very easy country to reach from RSA, customs etc is a breeze, no country offers a higher level of overall professionalism for your safari and the people are very friendly and happy to see you. There's no reason not not consider Zim.

Mark

Mark H. Young said:

What is the best country for a first time hunting safari?

I'm coming to this discussion quite late but I think this is sort of a timeless subject. I assume that lots of folks after their first safari would recommend to others to do what they did if they had a good experience which is the norm rather than the exception on most first safaris. It's like picking a car. If you really like what you've bought and had zero trouble with it why would you not recommend it to your friends. The drawack to that thinking is that you may not have picked the best country or the best value for the dollar. Note I did not say least expensive.

Ok! So smartass tell us what you'd pick. If I wanted to keep my budget down but wanted to have that "Classic" safari experience or as near to that as possible I 'd pick a PG hunt on one of the huge Conservancies in Zimbabwe. For about the price of a good quality RSA or Namibian hunt you can hunt PG where all the Big 5 are found in abundance as well as 95% the indigenous species of the country. The game is plentiful, of excellent trophy quality and the accommodations are universal excellent.

Zimbabwe is a very easy country to reach from RSA, customs etc is a breeze, no country offers a higher level of overall professionalism for your safari and the people are very friendly and happy to see you. There's no reason not not consider Zim.

Mark

Click to expand...

I would recommend South Africa, especially the Eastern Cape, abundant game, excellent pricing and huge diversity of species to shoot, anybody who would love a great safari feel free to contact me

Mark H. Young said:

If I wanted to keep my budget down but wanted to have that "Classic" safari experience or as near to that as possible I 'd pick a PG hunt on one of the huge Conservancies in Zimbabwe. For about the price of a good quality RSA or Namibian hunt you can hunt PG where all the Big 5 are found in abundance as well as 95% the indigenous species of the country. The game is plentiful, of excellent trophy quality and the accommodations are universal excellent.

Zimbabwe is a very easy country to reach from RSA, customs etc is a breeze, no country offers a higher level of overall professionalism for your safari and the people are very friendly and happy to see you. There's no reason not not consider Zim.

Mark

Click to expand...

@Mark H. Young,

If I understand well what you are saying:
the most economic PG hunts which incorporates real free range hunting of various PG could be found in Zim conservancies?

Even more economic then in Namibian and South African?

I must say I am a bit surprised, as i follow the subject of pricing for some time ever since I joined the forum, but I have not seen any Zimbabwe comparable offers for PG to majority of packages in Nam, or RSA?

Also, for various Zimbabwe hunt offers it is mostly high dollar offers for big 4, much less on ordinary PG. Elephant, buffalo are indeed cheaper then elsewhere, but I have not catch so much on PG.

Am I wrong, or I just haven't look in right direction?

As newbie I am experienced newbie researcher, as African hunter so far only one hunt, PG in Namibia. (better theoretician then practical hunter)

So I will explain my way of choosing the country to hunt, based on my vast research experience, being happy with my first choice and experience of one PG hunt in Namibia as it fulfilled more then my expectations:

When thinking more deeply to this question, it is not so simple answer. And it is very individual.

When doing my first researches in the beggining I came down to two choices: Namibia and South Africa.
Main factor is budget for me, no other territorial or country preferences.
So if hunter is budget minded, in fact there are only two choices, as everything else is more expensive. (Nanm and RSA)

I also think that first time hunter in Africa will not target specific species like mountain nyala (only in Ethiopia) or Bongo, (available only in 2-3 countries ). First time hunter will target something of top 10 PG species.
And also would like to see as much as possible.

First time African hunter will want politically and generally stable country for security reasons. (in this respect some countries could be problematic, CAR comes to my mind)

First time African hunter will want as much as possible optional species to hunt (biodiversity criteria - again),
and if hunting on budget will not want to have minimum days requirement for hunt, which increases the cost sometimes over practical requirement. (my personal view, only)

So that was my way of thinking.

First, to research on biodiversity criteria I went to first pages of African countries of this forum, and regarding biodiversity i came to this list:

The formula: No of Big 5 to hunt + all other PG = total huntable species.

South Africa: 6 + 57 = 63 huntable species
Namibia: 6 + 49 = 55 species
Ethiopia: 3 + 48 = 51 species
Zambia: 4 + 41 = 45 species
Tanzania: 4 + 40 = 44 species
Zimbabwe: 4 + 35 = 39 species
Botswana: 4 + 29 = 33 species
Cameroon: 4 + 28 = 32 species
Mozambique; 4 + 27 = 31 species
Central African Republic; 4 + 23 = 27 species
Benin: 2 + 15 = 17 species
Burkina Faso: 2 + 13 = 15 species

Biodiversity to me means following: Richness of different habitats that support different wild life.
Consequentially it may indicate more politically stable country, because local wars and insurgencies, etc... are very erosive to habitat and species, also could mean possible poaching problem (extinction of some species), less or none anti poaching, less policing, more gangs (less security in other words) etc....
Many species to hunt, also could indicate that locally the wildlife is taken care off, (local hunting infrastructure better) etc...

So biodiversity and number of hunt able species may indicate number of various positive factors.
I would not say that as a general rule, but at least as a solid indication where to look for first choice, plus my wish to see as much as possible.

So, considering number of species, no specific targeted species to hunt, except general PG (something of top 10) and having budget in mind it comes to two first choices:

South Africa, and Namibia, most biodiverse. Most economic with healthy competition of local outfitters.

RSA will have maybe a bit more fences, and possible more certain success of a hunt, but Nambia possibly a bit more free ranging, and less certainty of success due to that reason.
(For first time hunter, fence or no fence question will determine the first choice of this two)

Day fees: Namibia a bit more economic, then RSA.
Between the two there is no wrong choice.

Ethiopia, we just recently had excellent hunt report from a member, but reading others as well, like Boddington books, etc... Ethiopia is the country to go mainly for mountain Nyala, and whatever else is possible available or on local menu.
It is expensive, fees, taxes, and required minimum number of days in booking to cover, so it takes it out of choice for first time hunter.
I could be wrong, but Ethiopia I will consider for mountain nyala only, as primary motivation.

Zambia:
Going down to my own biodiversity table, and considering that on this forum have not been too much reporting of Zambia, there was not so much of PG packages offered that i found, so probably there is some reason to it. So I this country was not considering.
I am not saying its not good, just that I have not found much offers to consider. It is not so much advertised.

Next by biodiversity is Tanzania. Tanzania is what Kenya once was, east African hunting, at least to me, at least to my research and all I have read in various Africana books. Grant and Thompson gazzele and gereneuk would be my dream hunt. Unfortunately I was not able to find offer for my budget. I can also say, to be honest, various gazelles that mainly appeal to me, are actually specialized hunt, so not ordinary PG hunt, so I will as a first time hunter pass Tanzania, and keep it mind for future hunts. (Thomson and Grant - wait for me!)

Zimbawe: the cheapest elephant and buffalo, but the problem is that ele and buff are part of most of packages. Like buffalo plus PG.
So, if hunting only PG, plus daily fees on higher level, then it could be expensive.

I had no offers to support this thesis, but unless I go for buf, I will let pass Zim.
I believe deeply and sincerely Zim is beautiful country, no fences,free roaming beasts and free range.
For buff I will consider seriously when the time comes. But I will let myself evolve till reaching a hunter level for buff. Zim will ewait for me, till the time for buff comes.

So going down by (my) biodivesity criteria, budget, options, and packages I covered the top 4 of the multiple choice of the given list of this thread.

I believe that final choice would be for first time hunter either Namibia or South Africa.
All others are great, but are also too complicated from my perspective, and more costly.

For the rest of the countries on my biodiversity list, I would say that they are the countries to go for specialized hunt on some species, or specialized hunt such as self guided hunt (Cameroun). So not for african hunting beginner.

In closing for first time african hunter, I would say like this out of 4 top options:
1. Namibia, less fences, cheaper day rate
2. South Africa,
3. Zimbabwe
4. Tanzania

Other countries - for specialized specific species hunt.

Finally I will attached a study conducted by CIC on pricing in african countries, which I found very helpful for the first time researcher.
The study is 10 years old, and prices might have changed but it is very indicative even by today standards, nonetheless.

Not so sure that data should be used for a decision. I think it is too far outdated to be used.

Personally, for a first time hunter, first question would be species. Being a first timer to Africa doesn’t necessarily indicate an inexperienced hunter so I think the question of species is important.

Second question would be whether the hunter would like amenities such as a built up lodge on a game ranch or would you be happy with a tented camp or thatch camp in a wilderness area. This would indicate either Namibia or rsa for the former and the latter would bring Zambia, moz, tanz or zim into the mix.

Third, does the hunter want to hunt the wilderness of Africa such as many old books would have us dreaming about? If so, I would take nam and rsa off the list.

Then look at it the $$ involved and try keep it a secret from the missus...

I'm on the fence a little. My first hunt was in Namibia. I hunted with 2 different outfits on the same trip. My vote leaned to the south Africa side as its just a bit easier for a first time hunter to get into sometimes. less travel days for an American anyway. Depending on where you hunt your less likly to have an overnight stay on both ends. Plus more variety of game. That being said I somehow feel that Namibia is more Africa, Than say the limpopo. Hard for me to put into words I guess. The cape of south africa kinda gives me the same feeling though.
In the cape the hunting was harder behind a fence than in Namibia with no fence. This is my experience anyway. But all the places I have hunted behind a fence were very large. I only hunted 4 times in Africa and at 5 places, so I'm no expert. I would return to every place I have hunted except the second place I hunted in Namibia on my first trip. The owner was a complete well----how do I put this ---prick !