1st trip-How did you decide?

[jb1069]

Still in the planning stages for my 1st time going to Africa. What I would like to know is what was important to you on making your decisions on which outfitter to go with. Each time I think I am narrowing it down I come across another outfitter that looks just as good or better than the previous ones. I am planning a plains game safari with Gemsbok, Wildebeest, Zebra, Warthog, and Impala being the animals I am interested in at this time. The things that are important to me so far.

1. Sustainable animals (I do not want a put and take hunt)
2. Straight up honesty (No bait and switch)
3. A PH that is willing to get in close (I would rather hunt in closer than be expected to take 300 to 400 yard shots)
4. Enough property that the fences do not come in to play.
5. Fair Pricing

Please add things that were or are still important to when planning.
Thanks

 

[rookhawk]

I make decisions inversely to how many do. I start with what is infinite perfection, then I identify what compromises I will make to achieve the maximum amount of the attributes of infinite perfection within my constraints. I'd suggest you do that same mental exercise. This is a hypothetical example, yours may be different:

1. Sustainable animals (I do not want a put and take hunt)
Best in the world is Tanzania. (maybe for 28 days and $125,000)

2. Straight up honesty (No bait and switch)
Understanding how the operator and PH are compensated and where are there incentives? Do they make more if you kill more?

3. A PH that is willing to get in close (I would rather hunt in closer than be expected to take 300 to 400 yard shots)
Sounds like you want to be there when there is some cover to lots of cover. Ideal "some cover" is June-July, but its also usually a lot more expensive. April-May is cheaper and the cover is heavy, October-November is light cover and cheaper yet.


4. Enough property that the fences do not come in to play.
Big concessions and low/no fences.

5. Fair Pricing

Fair pricing sort of kicks out the free range aspects of Tanzania. Less expensive would be Zim, Zam, Bots, Moz, and Namib.

As I rank-rate those, for me I found Zim to be the ideal compromise between RSA prices and Tanz quality. Zim has its own problems though, mainly logistics are inconvenient and hunts are longer than RSA. Zim gets close to RSA prices per-day if you hunt on longer hunts of 14-21 days, but there is nothing that can beat the prices of RSA high-fence operators for 5-7 day hunts.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

It was 1974. My former Commanding Officer (Brigadier General Mahmudul Hassan of the East Bengal Regiment) & I remained close personal friends after the Indo-Pak war. He was already an avid big game hunter, while I was just beginning to step into big game hunting (exclusively being an ardent wing shooter until then). He saw an ad on an issue of “Outdoor Life” which advertised guided mixed bag Safaris in Rift Valley of Kenya. A gentleman by the name of Joseph Cheffings ran the entire operation, back in those days.

The General wanted to bag a rhinoceros & since his own children were quite indifferent towards hunting, offered me to accompany him. He actually sponsored that entire first Safari of mine. I readily accepted his offer, and the rest is history.

Anyway, to answer your questions:
Any of the South African provinces will be quite fairly priced for the sportsman on a budget. Namibia & Zimbabwe offer excellent bargains too. Tanzania is the ideal Safari location and hunting there feels like genuinely being able to experience Africa at it’s wildest (provided that money is no object, since it’s extremely costly). Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe offers a great compromise between fair pricing & being able to experience wild Africa at it’s finest.

 

[migrabill]

I have several friends (about 5) that all went to South Africa and used the same outfitter (Van Wjke Safaris). Solely based on their recommendation, I went with them. And... I am not sorry I did. Trophy animals, amazing lodge, delicious food, and even better human beings. Truly can't think of one thing I didn't like. When it came time at the end of the week to figure out the bill, he even passed on some savings to me from prices we had already agreed on! And I got that amazing SCI Gold Red Hartebeest in my profile pic.

 

[jb1069]

migrabill,
Thanks a lot! Now I have another one I have I have to look into. Lol

Seriously, Thank you and everyone else that has replied. Jb

 

[375Fox]

I think north central Namibia or Eastern cape South Africa is the ideal first PG safari. I’d tell you to pick a region then narrow down outfitters. My first safari was decided for me. We hunted Namibia. I’ve since hunted South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, and Cameroon, but Namibia still ranks as my favorite. I find the hunting outfitters in Namibia are less competitive because there is more land to hunt and larger farms. Namibia still has a huge amount of space. Most Namibian outfitters have a high fenced base then a lot of surrounding low fence land for different native species. I compare that to Limpopo where there are a huge number of PHs and outfitters of varying quality. The demand for hunting properties and hunting clients is very high, so I see a lot of dishonesty in advertising particularly with the phrase “self sustaining” and exaggerating the size of properties to attract clients because they are all offering a nearly identical hunt. I find it much more difficult to go wrong with Namibia. It’s more honest to me and their professional hunting organization enforces standards on its members. Things I’d ask now to differentiate hunting outfitters would be
1. How many hunters they take per year and at same time.
2. How many PHs they employ and how long those PHs have worked for them.
3. How long they’ve hunted the farms they’d be taking you to and how many other outfitters hunt the same farms.
4. The outfitter owning his own property can be good or bad. In some cases it provides a lot of flexibility. In some cases it’s an incentive to over hunt one property.
5. Talk with references. Don’t ask basic questions if they recommend the hunt. Ask questions about the hunting, the lodging, the PHs, the food, anything and look for consistency in answers from all the references. Ask them how many other safaris they’ve been on and where. Everyone enjoys their first safari even if it could have been a lot better.

 

[Greffdog]

I have only done 1 safari in 2023 and it’s the only guided hunt I have ever done. I had been to South Africa multiple times previously and had done a photo safari in Tanzania prior to my hunt.

For me and my wife, the first trip to a country generally tells us if we enjoy it and how we would do things next time. This way we aren’t focused on doing or seeing everything on a trip. We treat some trips as just scouting for the future to keep it relaxed. I treated my safari this way as well. Instead of spending $20k+ to get every animal on my wishlist before understanding how things work and knowing if I would want to do it again, I was under $10k at the end of my hunt. I only shot 2 animals, so per animal I did pay a premium. My decision was to dip my toes in before investing heavily into something I don’t know a lot about.

That’s some context for my opinions and answers below.

For your questions:

1. Sustainable animals (I do not want a put and take hunt) - I was concerned with this and through talking to people, researching AH and elsewhere I decided on Zim.

2. Straight up honesty (No bait and switch) - I talked to other people who used my operator and read multiple hunting reports on AH.

3. A PH that is willing to get in close (I would rather hunt in closer than be expected to take 300 to 400 yard shots) - I used a camp gun and I never took a shot over 200 yards.

4. Enough property that the fences do not come in to play. - I didn’t understand how concessions work in Zim, I never saw fences hunting but I also didn’t understand I was hunting a leased block of an entire conservancy. Fortunately my lack of understanding didn’t result in negative experience.

5. Fair Pricing - I had a budget and worked within that to guide my options.

I will also say, I had good luck messaging members of AH privately and then talking to them directly.

 

[375Fox]

I also don’t know of any PHs that want to take 300-400 yard shots. That’s a function of the area more than the PH. Some areas will have longer average shots than others. For example, the Karoo in south Africa will have a lot longer average shots than areas with thick brush like Zimbabwe.

 

[Rare Breed]

I make decisions inversely to how many do. I start with what is infinite perfection, then I identify what compromises I will make to achieve the maximum amount of the attributes of infinite perfection within my constraints. I'd suggest you do that same mental exercise. This is a hypothetical example, yours may be different:

1. Sustainable animals (I do not want a put and take hunt)
Best in the world is Tanzania. (maybe for 28 days and $125,000)

2. Straight up honesty (No bait and switch)
Understanding how the operator and PH are compensated and where are there incentives? Do they make more if you kill more?

3. A PH that is willing to get in close (I would rather hunt in closer than be expected to take 300 to 400 yard shots)
Sounds like you want to be there when there is some cover to lots of cover. Ideal "some cover" is June-July, but its also usually a lot more expensive. April-May is cheaper and the cover is heavy, October-November is light cover and cheaper yet.


4. Enough property that the fences do not come in to play.
Big concessions and low/no fences.

5. Fair Pricing

Fair pricing sort of kicks out the free range aspects of Tanzania. Less expensive would be Zim, Zam, Bots, Moz, and Namib.

As I rank-rate those, for me I found Zim to be the ideal compromise between RSA prices and Tanz quality. Zim has its own problems though, mainly logistics are inconvenient and hunts are longer than RSA. Zim gets close to RSA prices per-day if you hunt on longer hunts of 14-21 days, but there is nothing that can beat the prices of RSA high-fence operators for 5-7 day hunts.

You named good starting points. The key thing you have not identified is budget. You mentioned fences and I liked how you framed it. If it is your first hunt I would do SA especially if you are bringing a spouse. A great start would be my first hunt with @Game4Africa. They can easily match what you have laid out taking 5-6 representative animals for $5-$6,000. If budget is no problem then depending on DG or PG Tanzania, Zim or Zambia are great choices. Again given it is your first hunt I would do the SA PG hunt then expand from there

 

[3chunter]

regardless of what some say. You can do an east cape hunt for 10 days with 8 animals. Free range on 100,000 acres with little to low fences with a very good outfit with sustainable herds for about $1000 per animal.
If you mounting your animals and shipping and dip and pack then That’s gonna double the cost.
I’m not including airfare here.

If I wanted to do this hunt and mount everything then I would have about $18,000-$20,000 in it including airfare, tips, shipping.

My first trip I ran across a great deal with a great outfit that I had done research on for a while. Got 15 animals and my hunt with airfare was about $14,500 back in 2022.
My taxidermy and shipping bill were more than my hunt though by a few thousand but I had all my back skins done and spared no expense on the taxidermy.

 

[JimP]

I did it all wrong.

A person who I only knew from a hunting forum herd me ask another member if they had thought about hunting Africa when he was complaining that he didn't draw any tags for our fall hunts. He sent me a message saying that he had a hunt scheduled for the following year and asked if I was interested in going. I asked him to send me some information so that I could check it out. This was 9 months before the hunt.

I contacted the outfitter and sent him a deposit. I then met him at a Sportsman's show in Denver in January. I asked him about signing a contract and he said that he didn't need one if I didn't. Afterwards I questioned my thinking but forged on.

Since I was retired I became the subject matter expert on the flights, firearm importation, and everything else concerning the hunt. With a internet search I found this forum, and thanks to the members most of my questions were answered. However no one here had heard of the outfitter or his company . I still forged onward.

I talked with Lori at Travel Express and she straightened me out as far as what airlines to stay away from. Jennifer caught a schedule change and saved us on that problem, and in the end things went as smooth as could be possible.

My one problem was that I didn't find my #1 target, a warthog. We saw plenty just none worth shooting.

In the end I would look for a outfitter who could get me into my targeted animals. Tell the outfitter exactly what you expect and how you want to hunt. I'm pretty sure that unless it is the outfitter himself you won't meet or talk to your PH until you are picked up at the airport. My last hunt I told the office manager that I was old and slow but was willing to put in the work and time and she matched me perfectly. My first hunt my PH couldn't of been a better match for me. We got along like two old time friends.

So good luck on your search and hunt. You couldn't go wrong with any of the sponsors on the site here or some that others might mention.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

Just over a decade or so ago, I joined this forum and asked similar questions looking for my first African safari. My list of expectations was quite similar to yours.

After much research, I chose Namibia and it certainly ticked all the boxes. In particular, I hunted with Kowas Adventure Safaris and had an outstanding experience.

I've now done 6 Safaris in various areas of Africa, which have all been very good. But it's certainly on my bucket list to re-visit Namibia once again

 

[375er]

I will also vote for Namibia. Fabulous country, nice people, HUGE hunting areas. Planning another trip in 2026.

 

[Philip Glass]

Still in the planning stages for my 1st time going to Africa. What I would like to know is what was important to you on making your decisions on which outfitter to go with. Each time I think I am narrowing it down I come across another outfitter that looks just as good or better than the previous ones. I am planning a plains game safari with Gemsbok, Wildebeest, Zebra, Warthog, and Impala being the animals I am interested in at this time. The things that are important to me so far.

1. Sustainable animals (I do not want a put and take hunt)
2. Straight up honesty (No bait and switch)
3. A PH that is willing to get in close (I would rather hunt in closer than be expected to take 300 to 400 yard shots)
4. Enough property that the fences do not come in to play.
5. Fair Pricing

Please add things that were or are still important to when planning.
Thanks

Make a comprehensive list of questions and then attend SCI in Nashville in February. You will have much confidence in your decision this way.

 

[glblanchard]

Ask friends or family that have hunted Africa. Attend hunting shows, lots of outfitters to talk to. You will start to figure out how everything works. Like others have said, what animals you want to hunt, most importantly, what's your budget.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I knew going in that whomever I finally decided on it would require an investment of time, money and trust on my part. I wanted my wife to come along with me. I wanted an immersive experience in the country and culture. And, I wanted the man I hired to sincerely listen to my objectives and be enthusiastic about his ability to deliver.

All the years of research pointed me to Namibia for my first safari. I had contacted three outfitters. All three were supremely qualified and had impeccable references. One, however, completely stood out.

While calling his references I had an amazing conversation with one gentleman in particular that sealed the deal. This man went on the exact safari that the outfitter sent us in his proposal. He gave me some very detailed information on what to expect and why I would be wise to contract with Anton and Wanda. Lastly he (a very experienced African hunter) told me how jealous he was of me and that he is working on plans for a return trip.

I’ve talked several times with Anton and text with him routinely. We haven’t met in person, yet we already address one another as “friend”.

That’s why I decided to contract with Anton and Wanda Esterhuizen of Estreux Safaris.

Edit to add; Communication is vital for success. Articulate clearly to operators your priorities and expect clear answers in return during the interview process. Good communication figures highly in my decision making process.

 

[fourfive8]

I started to seriously think about Africa after retirement. Before retirement and while still working, I ran into a fellow from Zambia at a university here. He was in the US studying as part of his government job in Zambia. Very likable and pleasant sort. We spent lot of time talking about conservation and hunting in Zambia.

After retirement, I asked around and ended up on a large, free range concession hunting buffalo with a well known outfitter on the Luangwa River in Zambia. I normally hunt by myself, have for the last 66 years or so Booked this trip solo. Had a great hunt and really enjoyed visiting with the locals. Would not trade that experience for anything. Have hunted several African countries since, but there will only be one first time to anywhere. That first time to Africa did not disappoint. But as many have correctly pointed out, difficult to go on any trip with nagging worries left at home. Always good idea to sort those out before going. When ready, book your trip for a couple of weeks, relax and let things happen.

 

[RichD]

My first hunt to Africa was an easy call. A friend from the gun club called me to check my interest in a trip to Botswana. Very good package at an incredible price. Six of us at first, but a month before leaving, one hunter and his son had to cancel due to health concerns. My 3 partners had hunted worldwide together several times. My wife encouraged me to go saying "get it out of your system". Little did she know. The basic package included bull and cow elands, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, and zebra. While there, I added a kudu and warthog. Next trip is this September to SA, 8 critters on the list.

 

[Hunt anything]

Foolishly I thought my first trip would be my only trip. I wanted a Cape buffalo in wild Africa and then I would pick my plains game from what was available in what ever area I chose.
I contacted outfitters in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. I was leaning towards Botswana but was glad I didn’t decide to go there because they closed hunting when I was planning to go.
I finally settled on Mozambiques Zambezi delta and had a trip of a lifetime. My first animal was the long dreamed of buffalo followed by sable, warthog, reedbuck, nyala, bushbuck and last light of the last day a Lichtenstein hartebeest.