Advice/input on archery safari country of choice

[bow_hunter44]

I am currently in the planning stage of an African archery safari for the summer of 2014 - the realization of a dream I have had for 30 years or so As the story goes, I had an acquaintance cancel his honeymoon to Africa due to a feeling of insecurity on his most recent hunt there. So I began an investigation of the 'safest' place in Africa to hunt. The result of that search was 1) Botswana and 2) Zambia. The next rattle out of the box I found information that the government of both Botswana and Zambia have banned sport hunting as of Jan. 1, 2014! Sheesh, talk about timing - Murphy must be laughing 'till his sides ache. Not long after that I found this forum....

So, if y'all with experience in hunting Africa (specifically bow hunting) would be so kind as to help me out with the selection of a country to hunt. I will be taking my wife, and she has a fairly well developed sense of 'feeling' undercurrents (if that makes sense). I certainly don't want her to feel ill at ease during the trip nor do I want to feel ill at ease on perhaps the only African adventure I ever have. The quarry will be typical plains game (kudu, impala, warthog, wildebeest...). I prefer to hunt from a blind as I tend to scare critters away when still hunting And, of course political stability (relatively speaking) is a significant concern.

Thanks in advance for your input and have a groovy day

 

[enysse]

Welcome to AH! Botswana, Namibia, and RSA are all safe and bowhunter friendly and affordable. A lot of options! TOM represents some excellent outfitters.

 

[TOM]

44,

We have a LOT in common friend. You have some great options in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. Botswana and Zambia are NOT closing, only closed on public lands. There are still lots of great safari areas to hunt in both countries.

 

[BRICKBURN]

By the way, welcome to AH.

So where did you get the information about Botswana and Zambia being safer or safest?

I am intrigued.

 

[bow_hunter44]

By the way, welcome to AH.

So where did you get the information about Botswana and Zambia being safer or safest?

I am intrigued.

Google. I found a comparison by country with several categories, one of which was safety. In terms of safety, Botswana was rated the highest (5/5) and Zambia was rated the second highest (4.5/5).

 

[enysse]

I'm going to tell the honest truth, Africa is safe as long as you have common sense. If you follow an experienced hunting consultants advice it is very easy to travel. And I always felt super safe out of the city, but then again I'm a country boy.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I'll give you some Statistics from the United Nations to help you out.

United Nations Surveys on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems


Definition: 'Assault' means physical attack against the body of another person resulting in serious bodily injury; excluding indecent/sexual assault; threats and slapping/punching. 'Assault' leading to death should also be excluded.


Rates per 100,000 populations.

Scotland 1655.1

Botswana 869.8

United States 294.9



Better watch out for the Scottish.

 

[enysse]

It's the kilt!

 

[Bobpuckett]

Welcome to AH Bow_hunter44! Glad you found us, as long as your booking with a good Outfitter with good refferences you'll have little or know problems at all from the time you are recieved by you outfitter until the time you leave them you will have an escort with you either your PH or a rep taking you on a shopping spree. Just relax and enjoy.

 

[Bobpuckett]

It's the kilt!

Hey when that blue ribon between the legs is getting cold in the winter you've got to do something to keep warm. :laughing:

 

[bow_hunter44]

Thanks for the all the replies. The quest for the 'safest' country is mostly motivated for the wife. It took me about 10 years to convince her to agree to make the trip. I really want her to enjoy it

On a side note, I think if I were wearing a kilt in an Idaho winter, my propensity toward hostility would go through the roof!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thanks for the all the replies. The quest for the 'safest' country is mostly motivated for the wife. It took me about 10 years to convince her to agree to make the trip. I really want her to enjoy it
....

Glad you got the humour in the stats.

While in your PH's/Outfitters care its his job to keep you safe. Any reputable operation will assure this to the best of their ability.

If she is a country girl, keep her in the country during your trip. (as much as possible)

Skip taking her to C.A.R right now.
Skip the township tours.
Road safety in Africa should not be taken lightly.

Make sure she will be able to see some mega fauna during the trip.
Pet critters on the farms are often a hit. Lions, Cheetahs, etc.


A great example of a family trip.
http://www.africahunting.com/south-africa-hunting-reports/10581-kmg-safari-family-hunt-2013-a.html


Good luck.

 

[bow_hunter44]

Glad you got the humour in the stats.

While in your PH's/Outfitters care its his job to keep you safe. Any reputable operation will assure this to the best of their ability.

If she is a country girl, keep her in the country during your trip. (as much as possible)

Skip taking her to C.A.R right now.
Skip the township tours.
Road safety in Africa should not be taken lightly.

Make sure she will be able to see some mega fauna during the trip.
Pet critters on the farms are often a hit. Lions, Cheetahs, etc.


A great example of a family trip.
http://www.africahunting.com/south-africa-hunting-reports/10581-kmg-safari-family-hunt-2013-a.html


Good luck.

The humor of statistics is fairly straightforward. As I it, the understand the levels of deception go like this:

lies

dam* lies

statistics



Thanks again for the input. I haven't even chosen an outfitter yet, however that this dream may really happen caused me to not sleep last night!

By the way, my wife if from Montreal. However, I have gotten her fairly countrified. An example thereof; we are currently in the process of buying a house - in my wife's description of the current owners she said, "they are rednecks, just like us!"

 

[BRICKBURN]

.....

Thanks again for the input. I haven't even chosen an outfitter yet, however that this dream may really happen caused me to not sleep last night!

By the way, my wife if from Montreal. However, I have gotten her fairly countrified. An example thereof; we are currently in the process of buying a house - in my wife's description of the current owners she said, "they are rednecks, just like us!"

She'll do just fine in Africa. If you are that excited now, you are going to love it.

Look around here you will find some great outfitters.

 

[mudslinger]

I would look at South Africa. If you want a true "Bowhunting" outfitter only, look no further than Harry Nel and African Arrow Safaris in the Limpopo region of RSA. I have hunted with them 3 times and have had nothing short of live long wonderful hunting experienceS. I can get you more info if you would like along with pics of all the critters we have killed on our safaris. 5 star outiftter in every aspect.

 

[Balabala Boy]

Hi Bowhunter,
I can recommend Rosslyn Safaris in Zimbabwe.They are fully equiped for bow hunters and your wife would be very comnfortable,they have all the plains game you would like to hunt.
On the down side the Zim Parks bow permit is now $1500
Regards,
Balabala Boy

 

[bow_hunter44]

Thanks for the replies. They are greatly appreciated

 

[Upepo]

I have been going in and out of Africa for almost 20 years. I do not guide hunts, but have taken many clients on wildlife trips and humantarian work. One of the comments on this thread said the following ...

"I'm going to tell the honest truth, Africa is safe as long as you have common sense. If you follow an experienced hunting consultants advice it is very easy to travel. And I always felt super safe out of the city, but then again I'm a country boy. "

that was an excellent piece of advice!

if you do southern Africa, for goodness sake pop over to the corner of Zimbabwe and see Victoria Falls. It would be a real shame to miss that spot - it lives up to its reputation as one of the original Great Wonders of the World.

good luck to you,
Upepo

 

[Glferman]

South Africa my friend. Make sure that you are hunting with an outfitter that caters to bowhunters. There are many such outfitters in SA. Limpopo is a great region with lots of animals. Go in their winter (our summer) as it is dry and the waterhole blinds will be very productive during the hot parts of the day.

 

[Dlove]

I just got back from Mozambique with my wife. It was by far the best hunt/vacation we have ever had. We felt extremely safe the entire trip and WOW what a beautiful country.