Africa has gotten its hooks in me

62flint

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I went on my first african safari last july. Before that I really did not give a african safari much of a thought. I though of africa as a place out of rich for a commoner.
Well my daughter talked/tricked me into booking her a trip as a graduation present from college.
You see as a back story, ever since she was a little girl going to outdoor shows with me she would be fascinated with the displays and talk to the african outfitters there. Always saying she wanted a plains game hunt a Kudu and a sable.
So going into her senior year of college she jokingly says how about a african safari for a graduation trip? Me thinking I am smart tell her, you save up the trophy fee for your animals I will cover the rest..... Little did I know she would do it.
Well we book a south african safari with a outfitter I felt good about. A 11 day hunt with only sable and kudu picked out ( I had no idea what I wanted if anything) and a 4 day Kruger trip on the end with the my wife and other daughter. ( they flew over near the end of the hunt).
All I can say is africa is a magical place. The sights, smells, atmosphere. The outfitter (motsomi) worked really hard to make sure we had the best trip. And I can say it was the absolute best family vacation we have ever done any where.
I left africa wanting to go back, and go back I will. I will have a 375hh in my hands soon and am looking for another trip in 2025. Seeing the cape buffalo up close in kruger, I want one. A big old hard boss, split ear bull.
I look over this site daily getting information and dreaming,
Yeah Africa is addictive. My only regret is I did not go sooner.
 
Sounds like an amazing trip and glad you got to take the family.
My first trip was with a not so great outfitter but my last trip was with an outstanding outfitter and have booked him again for this July - it does get into your blood. I am excited for you to hunt buff - for me it’s one of the best hunting experiences, I am sure you will have an amazing time.
What rifle are you looking at?
 
Sounds like an amazing trip and glad you got to take the family.
My first trip was with a not so great outfitter but my last trip was with an outstanding outfitter and have booked him again for this July - it does get into your blood. I am excited for you to hunt buff - for me it’s one of the best hunting experiences, I am sure you will have an amazing time.
What rifle are you looking at?
Right now I am high bidder on a Winchester M70 Alaskan. Plan getting a M70 if this one doesnt pan out and topping it with a 2x-xx leupold , a mark5 with a fire dot reticle. I want a scope that would work on DG plus still work on plains game and NA game.
 
That’s awesome. Congrats to you and your daughter. The advise I would give people thinking about visiting and hunting Africa is go and go as soon as possible. For man people, myself included, it will change your life for the better. I went on my fist safari in 2009 as soon as I was able to make it work finically and have been back 4 other times over the years since. I’m also really looking forward to the next couple of years and the trips I have booked. Gives me something to work towards in all areas of my life to keep being able to have the resources, time and health to go back. I find it is a great motivator for me. Glad to hear your planning another trip, especially for buffalo.
 
It is awesome sharing an African safari with a child, I feel even more so with a daughter. Glad to here it was amazing. My story is very similar to yours, a buddy and I took our daughters to SA in 2018 after the girls graduated from university. He had a buffalo on his list and a half dozen PG. I just did PG and a day of birds. I haven’t made it back yet but the draw is growing stronger every day. Your description of a buffalo sounds exactly the same as mine. I would love to take one with my 416 Taylor.
 
At the risk of having my post deleted by a certain sorehead Africa hunting fanatic moderator, :D I will make a non-Africa suggestion. Once your daughter lands her first career position, reward her with a fly fishing trip to Alaska. A five to seven day float trip during the salmon run in August can be a helluva adventure. Then you both will have two addictions to deal with. If you ever decide to give it a go, drop me a PM. I admit, however, for me the Africa safari always seems to win out every year. But it is a close run thing.
 
Congratulations on a good trip with the family. I have done two trips with Motsomi, the most recent a buffalo hunt this past June. They would be a good option for you to look at doing your buffalo hunt. You can read my recent hunt report of that trip by searching Motsomi on AH. I also used my M70 375 HH on that hunt
 
You should be really proud of your daughter and nice job on raising her to appreciate the outdoors and accomplish goals! Hope you guys have many great trips together!
 

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