Top 10 Beginner African Plains Game

Velo Dog said:

Hi Steve,

I cannot speak for the others who are posting within this hunting forum.
They might just be advertising ?
But personally, I post in this one because I’m trying to steal everyone’s children and force them to work in my shoe factory, hidden deep within the jungles of New Guinea.

My best,
Paul.

Click to expand...

You took one sentence from a longer post. That's fine. These forums purpose is for people to draw from other experience. Mine is, why limit yourselves to only those who advertise on an internet forum? I've had exactly one bad safari. It was a discounted Tanzania safari that I found on another hunting forum. My bad.

Booking agents, good ones, separate the good from the bad.

I stand by my post.

steve ahrenberg said:

You took one sentence from a longer post. That's fine. These forums purpose is for people to draw from other experience. Mine is, why limit yourselves to only those who advertise on an internet forum? I've had exactly one bad safari. It was a discounted Tanzania safari that I found on another hunting forum. My bad.

Booking agents, good ones, separate the good from the bad.

I stand by my post.

Click to expand...

Hi again Steve,

I agree with you 100% that a perspective client should not limit themself to one advertising source when searching for just the right safari company.
That is just good solid advice.

I only quoted two sentences of yours because their contents made it seem like you were inferring clients should only select a safari company that only advertises through a third party / agent.
It read as if safari companies that post in hunting forums are somehow not up to speed with those who advertise through a booking agent.

The one bad experience I had was doing that and I got stung.
I don’t feel it was due to them advertising through a booking agent (Cabela’s).
I feel it was due to my failure to do a thorough background investigation of the safari company itself (“Burchell Safaris”).

There are sadly a few crooks everywhere, advertising in all manner of media and methods, including in hunting forums, magazines and / or the occasional sub-standard booking agent.
A thorough background check is the acid test for safari companies, PHs, booking agents and all.

IMO, clients could do worse than to also look for a good sense of humor in any safari company as well.
However, if my joke about the shoe factory offended you, I apologize.
A couple people thought it was funny.

Cheers,
Paul.

Velo Dog said:

Hi again Steve,

I agree with you 100% that a perspective client should not limit themself to one advertising source when searching for just the right safari company.
That is just good solid advice.

I only quoted two sentences of yours because their contents made it seem like you were inferring clients should only select a safari company that only advertises through a third party / agent.

The one bad experience I had was doing that and I got stung.
I don’t feel it was due to them advertising through a booking agent (Cabela’s).
I feel it was due to my failure to do a thorough background investigation of the safari company (“Burchell Safaris”).

There are sadly a few crooks everywhere, advertising in all manner of media and methods, including in hunting forums, magazines and / or the occasional sub-standard booking agent.
A thorough background check is the acid test for safari companies, PHs, booking agents and all.

IMO, clients could do worse than to also look for a good sense of humor in any safari company as well.
However, if my joke about the shoe factory offended you, I apologize.

Cheers,
Paul.

Click to expand...

Hi Paul
Nope not offended in the least. Just a discussion.

My first comment was about not limiting your hunting universe, it evolved a bit into the booking agent thing. Point about booking agents, reputable ones, they have your interests as their prime focus. There are hordes of charlatans posing as booking agent for "a buddy" in order to gain favor and be compensated by free or discounted hunts. I have found one that has, by his actions, not his words, proven himself time and time again. If you look back, I have never once mentioned his name or company.

My reason for posting on AH and my ONLY reason is to hopefully keep folks from making the same mistakes, along their path that I have. I believe that to be the purest of intent on these hunting forums.

I will never be offended by simply engaging in a courteous discussion, even when disagreement is the outcome.

Regards,

Steve

I'm just seeing this six years after originally posted, but two comments and one question:
(C1) I'm hoping to go to Namibia in 2026 or 2027. Based on a mix of cost & interest, my primary four are Oryx, Springbok, Impala & Zebra and then adding in if/as available Kudu, Blesbok & Warthog.
(C2) I def get your point about the value of elk in the freezer vs not bringing any meat back from Africa. I just look at is as an opportunity to hunt those other game animals; bring back some skins, antlers, etc; and the satisfaction of generally contributing to the conservation of these critters and their habitats as well as providing high quality protein to the local population.
(Q1) So what did you decide - elk or Africa...have you hunted Africa yet...Elk or Africa, what did you get?

My first trip to Namibia included Oryx, Kudu, Impala and Warthog, came home with additional Kudu, Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest and another Warthog

An older post but an interesting one. Not sure where you will get drawn for elk 4 times in a row. and the only way you will get 4 elk hunts for 20K is a self guided DYI option. Most guided quality elk hunts at 7Kish and a elk shoulder mount is 1250-1750 depending on the taxidermist.

For the africa 10, if it going to be only one safari vs several in your lifetime. what would I recommend you hunt? Noting that my list will cost a bit more due to adding the sable or roan options. but would still be less than the 4 guided elk option.

One and done plains game option

South Africa
Kudu, Impala, blue wildebeest, zebra, Warthog, sable, steenbok, honey badger, caracal, gemsbok.

Namibia
Kudu, impala, warthog, red hartebeest, gemsbok, roan, steenbok, blue wildebeest, jackal, sprinbok

2 or more safari's
mix and match above. and include some of the Dangerous 7 to get the 11-20 list