First Post – Planning Our First African Safari

[GARLAND HUNTING SAFARIS]

Hello everyone,

My name is Kalvin. I’m 34 years old and grew up hunting in Oklahoma and Arkansas. I’ve been bowhunting for as long as I was strong enough to pull a bow back, and hunting in general has always been a big part of my life.

A good buddy of mine, Colby, and I are starting to plan our first African hunting trip, and we’re hoping to do something pretty special. We want to surprise our fathers for Father’s Day with their first African hunting safari.

One important consideration is my dad’s age and mobility. He still very much wants to hunt, but walking long distances is tough for him now. Because of that, we’re interested in a hunt that is more focused on sitting waterholes or blinds rather than spot-and-stalk. There’s also a good chance my dad may need to use a crossbow instead of a vertical bow, so we want to take that into account when choosing an outfitter and country.

We also want to avoid high fence operations. We understand fencing can vary by country and property size, but we are more interested in larger, more open concessions rather than small high fence farms.

I have several beginner questions and would really appreciate advice from those with experience:

Is it too late to realistically plan something for late summer this year, or should we be looking further out?

The SCI convention is coming up next month. Is that show worth attending for first-time African hunters, or would we be better off waiting until we’re more educated and know exactly what we’re looking for?

We don’t have a specific species list in mind. Our goal is simply to hunt a variety of animals, from small to medium game, and possibly one larger animal if the budget allows.

I’m on a fairly tight budget since I’ll be paying for both myself and my father. I’ve read that getting trophies back home can sometimes be nearly as expensive as the hunt itself.

Is it significantly cheaper to ship skull + horns and leave the hide?

If not, would it make more sense to focus on high-quality photos and have those printed and displayed instead?

From a cost and success standpoint, is it generally better to book a package hunt or go with a daily rate and pay per animal?

If we book a 2x1 hunt, are we realistically less likely to harvest as many animals compared to 1x1?

I also wanted to ask about bringing a non-hunting spouse. If I were to bring my wife along, does that typically add significant cost? Are there usually activities or accommodations that keep a non-hunting spouse entertained during the week, or does that vary widely by outfitter?

There is also a chance that Colby’s younger brother may join us. If we end up booking 4–5 hunters total, are group discounts or reduced daily rates commonly offered?

Lastly, as complete first-timers to Africa, what questions am I not asking yet? What are the common mistakes or things people wish they had thought through before booking their first safari?

Taking into consideration our budget, preferred style of hunting, and what we’re hoping to get out of this experience, which countries would be at the top of your list to recommend and why? I’m leaning towards SA or Namibia currently.

We’re trying to approach this the right way and learn as much as possible before committing. Any advice, recommendations, or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Kalvin

Good day sir , We are happy to

Hello everyone,

My name is Kalvin. I’m 34 years old and grew up hunting in Oklahoma and Arkansas. I’ve been bowhunting for as long as I was strong enough to pull a bow back, and hunting in general has always been a big part of my life.

A good buddy of mine, Colby, and I are starting to plan our first African hunting trip, and we’re hoping to do something pretty special. We want to surprise our fathers for Father’s Day with their first African hunting safari.

One important consideration is my dad’s age and mobility. He still very much wants to hunt, but walking long distances is tough for him now. Because of that, we’re interested in a hunt that is more focused on sitting waterholes or blinds rather than spot-and-stalk. There’s also a good chance my dad may need to use a crossbow instead of a vertical bow, so we want to take that into account when choosing an outfitter and country.

We also want to avoid high fence operations. We understand fencing can vary by country and property size, but we are more interested in larger, more open concessions rather than small high fence farms.

I have several beginner questions and would really appreciate advice from those with experience:

Is it too late to realistically plan something for late summer this year, or should we be looking further out?

The SCI convention is coming up next month. Is that show worth attending for first-time African hunters, or would we be better off waiting until we’re more educated and know exactly what we’re looking for?

We don’t have a specific species list in mind. Our goal is simply to hunt a variety of animals, from small to medium game, and possibly one larger animal if the budget allows.

I’m on a fairly tight budget since I’ll be paying for both myself and my father. I’ve read that getting trophies back home can sometimes be nearly as expensive as the hunt itself.

Is it significantly cheaper to ship skull + horns and leave the hide?

If not, would it make more sense to focus on high-quality photos and have those printed and displayed instead?

From a cost and success standpoint, is it generally better to book a package hunt or go with a daily rate and pay per animal?

If we book a 2x1 hunt, are we realistically less likely to harvest as many animals compared to 1x1?

I also wanted to ask about bringing a non-hunting spouse. If I were to bring my wife along, does that typically add significant cost? Are there usually activities or accommodations that keep a non-hunting spouse entertained during the week, or does that vary widely by outfitter?

There is also a chance that Colby’s younger brother may join us. If we end up booking 4–5 hunters total, are group discounts or reduced daily rates commonly offered?

Lastly, as complete first-timers to Africa, what questions am I not asking yet? What are the common mistakes or things people wish they had thought through before booking their first safari?

Taking into consideration our budget, preferred style of hunting, and what we’re hoping to get out of this experience, which countries would be at the top of your list to recommend and why? I’m leaning towards SA or Namibia currently.

We’re trying to approach this the right way and learn as much as possible before committing. Any advice, recommendations, or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Kalvin

Hi Kalvin I have sent you a DM

 

[Spear Safaris]

Kalvin, check out www.spearsafaris.com, I have also sent you a DM.
Cheers
Ernest

 

[Kalahari Safari NAMIBIA]

Hello everyone,

My name is Kalvin. I’m 34 years old and grew up hunting in Oklahoma and Arkansas. I’ve been bowhunting for as long as I was strong enough to pull a bow back, and hunting in general has always been a big part of my life.

A good buddy of mine, Colby, and I are starting to plan our first African hunting trip, and we’re hoping to do something pretty special. We want to surprise our fathers for Father’s Day with their first African hunting safari.

One important consideration is my dad’s age and mobility. He still very much wants to hunt, but walking long distances is tough for him now. Because of that, we’re interested in a hunt that is more focused on sitting waterholes or blinds rather than spot-and-stalk. There’s also a good chance my dad may need to use a crossbow instead of a vertical bow, so we want to take that into account when choosing an outfitter and country.

We also want to avoid high fence operations. We understand fencing can vary by country and property size, but we are more interested in larger, more open concessions rather than small high fence farms.

I have several beginner questions and would really appreciate advice from those with experience:

Is it too late to realistically plan something for late summer this year, or should we be looking further out?

The SCI convention is coming up next month. Is that show worth attending for first-time African hunters, or would we be better off waiting until we’re more educated and know exactly what we’re looking for?

We don’t have a specific species list in mind. Our goal is simply to hunt a variety of animals, from small to medium game, and possibly one larger animal if the budget allows.

I’m on a fairly tight budget since I’ll be paying for both myself and my father. I’ve read that getting trophies back home can sometimes be nearly as expensive as the hunt itself.

Is it significantly cheaper to ship skull + horns and leave the hide?

If not, would it make more sense to focus on high-quality photos and have those printed and displayed instead?

From a cost and success standpoint, is it generally better to book a package hunt or go with a daily rate and pay per animal?

If we book a 2x1 hunt, are we realistically less likely to harvest as many animals compared to 1x1?

I also wanted to ask about bringing a non-hunting spouse. If I were to bring my wife along, does that typically add significant cost? Are there usually activities or accommodations that keep a non-hunting spouse entertained during the week, or does that vary widely by outfitter?

There is also a chance that Colby’s younger brother may join us. If we end up booking 4–5 hunters total, are group discounts or reduced daily rates commonly offered?

Lastly, as complete first-timers to Africa, what questions am I not asking yet? What are the common mistakes or things people wish they had thought through before booking their first safari?

Taking into consideration our budget, preferred style of hunting, and what we’re hoping to get out of this experience, which countries would be at the top of your list to recommend and why? I’m leaning towards SA or Namibia currently.

We’re trying to approach this the right way and learn as much as possible before committing. Any advice, recommendations, or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Kalvin

Kalvin- what a special gesture! I can just imagine your dads’ reactions on Father’s Day! At Kalahari Safari we focus on hunting experiences like you pictured. We would love the opportunity to work with you in making this a reality. We are heading to the US and will be at the Houston Convention and the DSC show in Atlanta. I
Will also gladly give you a call to answer all
Questions you may have. Should you require more information about us at Kalahari Safari ( Namibia), send me a direct message with your phone number and I will give you a call during the week. Janneman Brand

 

[skydiver386]

Welcome to Africa Hunting.

Let me be the first to invite you to the SCI Convention and our Africa Hunting.com dinner and get together Friday evening. This website is a great source of information and you can make friends that share your interests.

Like most of us, you are working within a budget and want to get the most for your money. Besides the cost of your flights, each outfitter will charge a daily rate. Depending on area, daily rates can be as low as $250 in the Limpopo region of South Africa, to well over $1,000 for a premium area like the Caprivi strip of Namibia.

A huge amount of your cost will depend on the species you hunt. Warthogs can be as little as $250, and Impala $400, while Sable are often $5,000 and Cape Buffalo often start at $12,000.

If you attend the SCI or DSC conventions, outfitters will usually have brochures with photos of the Lodge, the types of game available and a price list for daily rate, trophy fees, gun rental, cost of side trips, etc.

One of the best bits of advice I can offer is to check out the website sponsors here on Africa Hunting. These are some of the best in the business and dozens of members here have hunted with them. They are very proud of the reputation they've built here and members usually mention them by name in their hunt reports.

Hope to see you at SCI. Good luck and good hunting.

 

[Tintin]

Welcome Kalvin.

What an exciting journey to be taking your first steps on.

To quote R C Ruark ...

At its worst, a safari is the greatest adventure that can happen to a man in his bemused and muddled age.

At its best, a safari is a venture into magic, an experience so rare and fine as to be almost too good for the people who enjoy it.

 

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

Hi we would love an opportunity to qoute for this hunt, I have traveled through your area last week we could have met up but maybe next year,

please give me a call on +27788128664 I will be available on WhatsApp or my American number that will work until Wednesday when I leave out of Atlanta for Johannesburg 7206956481

Regards

Henry

 

[Mountaineer]

If you are on a tight budget I would suggest playing the airline rewards credit card game (if you are extremely financially disciplined). Elimination of flight costs ($10,000 for my family) has allowed us to take several trips now. Flights and things associated with taxidermy is normally more than a plains game package. Good luck with your planning!

 

[375Fox]

There is still plenty of time to find a hunt this year. Peak travel season ends in August. September is equally good for hunting but outfitters usually have a little more flexibility in schedule. Also plane tickets get a little cheaper. Shipping back only skulls is a little cheaper. It’s less weight and less dip and pack cost, but a large component of bringing trophies home is clearing them through customs/usda/usf&w etc that’s basically a fixed cost. Warthog, bushpig, baboon can add to the import cost because swine and primates receive more scrutiny. Keep in mind that leaving trophies isn’t free. It’s still cheaper than shipping home, but you’ll be charged 15% VAT in South Africa and Namibia on trophies that are not exported. The big shows are great, but if you are on a tight budget I think you’ll find what you want here without spending the money to attend shows, book a hotel, eat and drink, and other expenses. It adds up quick. Make a hunt wanted post and I think you’ll find an offer that interests you. I’d recommend Namibia for a first safari. I think it’s difficult to go wrong. Water is also much more limited there, so better success at water sources. South Africa can be great, but a lot more ways to go wrong. I’d look into outfitters there much more thoroughly especially in Limpopo near Johannesburg. I disagree with some common practices that occur there.

 

[UMLILO SAFARIS]

Welcome on AH.... Fenced Areas hunts in South Africa can provide the best hunts of your life, dont get fooled by false or fake info from folks who oppose it, simply cause there are wayyyyy more folk that will tell you otherwise!.... Good luck and enjoy the whole process and ultimately your safari!

 

[375Fox]

Welcome on AH.... Fenced Areas hunts in South Africa can provide the best hunts of your life, dont get fooled by false or fake info from folks who oppose it, simply cause there are wayyyyy more folk that will tell you otherwise!.... Good luck and enjoy the whole process and ultimately your safari!

I’d be much more concerned about outfitters spreading false and fake info for marketing purposes. Competition is high. Every outfitter wants clients even if it takes stretching the truth in some cases. Fenced areas can provide the best hunts. They can also provide trophies you won’t be proud of several years later once you learn more. Everyone enjoys their first and second African hunts even if they learn later it could have been greatly improved if they knew better.

 

[KEMP AFRICAN SAFARIS]

Dm sent

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Hello everyone,

My name is Kalvin. I’m 34 years old and grew up hunting in Oklahoma and Arkansas. I’ve been bowhunting for as long as I was strong enough to pull a bow back, and hunting in general has always been a big part of my life.

A good buddy of mine, Colby, and I are starting to plan our first African hunting trip, and we’re hoping to do something pretty special. We want to surprise our fathers for Father’s Day with their first African hunting safari.

One important consideration is my dad’s age and mobility. He still very much wants to hunt, but walking long distances is tough for him now. Because of that, we’re interested in a hunt that is more focused on sitting waterholes or blinds rather than spot-and-stalk. There’s also a good chance my dad may need to use a crossbow instead of a vertical bow, so we want to take that into account when choosing an outfitter and country.

We also want to avoid high fence operations. We understand fencing can vary by country and property size, but we are more interested in larger, more open concessions rather than small high fence farms.

I have several beginner questions and would really appreciate advice from those with experience:

Is it too late to realistically plan something for late summer this year, or should we be looking further out?

The SCI convention is coming up next month. Is that show worth attending for first-time African hunters, or would we be better off waiting until we’re more educated and know exactly what we’re looking for?

We don’t have a specific species list in mind. Our goal is simply to hunt a variety of animals, from small to medium game, and possibly one larger animal if the budget allows.

I’m on a fairly tight budget since I’ll be paying for both myself and my father. I’ve read that getting trophies back home can sometimes be nearly as expensive as the hunt itself.

Is it significantly cheaper to ship skull + horns and leave the hide?

If not, would it make more sense to focus on high-quality photos and have those printed and displayed instead?

From a cost and success standpoint, is it generally better to book a package hunt or go with a daily rate and pay per animal?

If we book a 2x1 hunt, are we realistically less likely to harvest as many animals compared to 1x1?

I also wanted to ask about bringing a non-hunting spouse. If I were to bring my wife along, does that typically add significant cost? Are there usually activities or accommodations that keep a non-hunting spouse entertained during the week, or does that vary widely by outfitter?

There is also a chance that Colby’s younger brother may join us. If we end up booking 4–5 hunters total, are group discounts or reduced daily rates commonly offered?

Lastly, as complete first-timers to Africa, what questions am I not asking yet? What are the common mistakes or things people wish they had thought through before booking their first safari?

Taking into consideration our budget, preferred style of hunting, and what we’re hoping to get out of this experience, which countries would be at the top of your list to recommend and why? I’m leaning towards SA or Namibia currently.

We’re trying to approach this the right way and learn as much as possible before committing. Any advice, recommendations, or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Kalvin

Welcome to the forum Kalvin! Good on you and your buddy for taking your fathers. No, you're not too late to book a hunt this summer, but that said it's show season and preferred dates are filling up and will continue to do so as the show season progresses.

@JKO HUNTING SAFARIS has a larger property in the Free State of RSA that I think would suit you well. There is an exterior fence, but the some 60,000 plus acres inside that fence do not have interior fences.

Observers usually incur a bit more cost but typically 1/2 of a hunter. With 4 hunters it seems in your group, I think we'll make that even less. The hostess of this property is a most gracious young lady who also is quite an accomplished horseman that if you're wife is interested a horseback ride can be arranged. She's really great at taking care of non-hunting wives.

I would encourage you to take in SCI. The more you learn, the more you know and that will be a great learning opportunity for you and your friend. If you do decide to attend the convention, please look us up, I'd love to speak to you about your hunt plans.

 

[LIMPOPO NORTH SAFARIS]

Hello everyone,

My name is Kalvin. I’m 34 years old and grew up hunting in Oklahoma and Arkansas. I’ve been bowhunting for as long as I was strong enough to pull a bow back, and hunting in general has always been a big part of my life.

A good buddy of mine, Colby, and I are starting to plan our first African hunting trip, and we’re hoping to do something pretty special. We want to surprise our fathers for Father’s Day with their first African hunting safari.

One important consideration is my dad’s age and mobility. He still very much wants to hunt, but walking long distances is tough for him now. Because of that, we’re interested in a hunt that is more focused on sitting waterholes or blinds rather than spot-and-stalk. There’s also a good chance my dad may need to use a crossbow instead of a vertical bow, so we want to take that into account when choosing an outfitter and country.

We also want to avoid high fence operations. We understand fencing can vary by country and property size, but we are more interested in larger, more open concessions rather than small high fence farms.

I have several beginner questions and would really appreciate advice from those with experience:

Is it too late to realistically plan something for late summer this year, or should we be looking further out?

The SCI convention is coming up next month. Is that show worth attending for first-time African hunters, or would we be better off waiting until we’re more educated and know exactly what we’re looking for?

We don’t have a specific species list in mind. Our goal is simply to hunt a variety of animals, from small to medium game, and possibly one larger animal if the budget allows.

I’m on a fairly tight budget since I’ll be paying for both myself and my father. I’ve read that getting trophies back home can sometimes be nearly as expensive as the hunt itself.

Is it significantly cheaper to ship skull + horns and leave the hide?

If not, would it make more sense to focus on high-quality photos and have those printed and displayed instead?

From a cost and success standpoint, is it generally better to book a package hunt or go with a daily rate and pay per animal?

If we book a 2x1 hunt, are we realistically less likely to harvest as many animals compared to 1x1?

I also wanted to ask about bringing a non-hunting spouse. If I were to bring my wife along, does that typically add significant cost? Are there usually activities or accommodations that keep a non-hunting spouse entertained during the week, or does that vary widely by outfitter?

There is also a chance that Colby’s younger brother may join us. If we end up booking 4–5 hunters total, are group discounts or reduced daily rates commonly offered?

Lastly, as complete first-timers to Africa, what questions am I not asking yet? What are the common mistakes or things people wish they had thought through before booking their first safari?

Taking into consideration our budget, preferred style of hunting, and what we’re hoping to get out of this experience, which countries would be at the top of your list to recommend and why? I’m leaning towards SA or Namibia currently.

We’re trying to approach this the right way and learn as much as possible before committing. Any advice, recommendations, or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Kalvin

Dear Kalvin Welcome the AH first of.

We have the perfect bow area that would suite you expectations just right ill send you a DM.

Regards
Sampie

 

[bowfishoholic]

My husband has some input. Bowhunting, it is important to go to a bowhunting area. The animals are much calmer. Many Outfitters have set apart bowhunt areas.
Low fenced areas are quite difficult to hunt and are more costly in the long run.
With a group, a good outfitter will help plan and should give you somewhat of a discount/package.
Also with airlines, you need solid bow cases, SKB or Plano. SKB is a bit better, but more costly. My plano made 4 trips, but came home with a broken molded foot, everything was still intact inside. It would do another trip, no problem, but my husband switched to a crossbow last year, so I am taking his old SKB. Some airlines charge extra for sports equipment, mainly Turkish and Ethiopean, mybe SAA. https://www.airline-baggage-fees.com/sports/archery-equipment-bow-and-arrow/
This site helped me to find my best options with my bow cases.
I assume you will be flying economy, so pay attention to baggage limits. There are flights straight over and some that have layovers. Going through England, you have to do extra paperwork, but really isn't a big deal. Our first trip was economy, 17 hour straight shot on South African Air. It was a very long flight, especially in economy. I just booked our tickets for August and have seen some pretty good rates for economy, although we are retired and opt for a more premium seat now. Right now tickets are around $1000 +/-, prices go up and down all the time. I have seen them as low as $700 recently. Sometimes a travel agent will get you a better deal. Just remember that with archery equipment the extra charge is each way, if they charge extra. August and September are the best months for Bowhunts. We had a couple of times that we went in early September, but opted for August this time, since we are taking more difficult to find animals. I will post more pointers later.
You can check out safari outfitters on YouTube and social media. We just got internet out here and my husband types in bowhunt South Africa and entertains himself all evening.

 

[MPETI SAFARIS OUTFITTER]

Hello Kalvin,

Thanks for your message! Mpeti Safaris offers relaxed first-time hunts with blinds/waterholes, quality plains game, and family-friendly options. Happy to discuss your plans on a quick WhatsApp call.

Have sent you a direct message!

 

[bowfishoholic]

Welcome Kalvin.

What an exciting journey to be taking your first steps on.

To quote R C Ruark ...

At its worst, a safari is the greatest adventure that can happen to a man in his bemused and muddled age.

At its best, a safari is a venture into magic, an experience so rare and fine as to be almost too good for the people who enjoy it.

After our first safari, my husband swore he wasn't going to make that flight again. 2 weeks later he realized how relaxed he was in South Africa and we were already planning another hunt for 2 years later. Wish we had researched a bit better. Our first PH was an excellent bowhunting guide, but he now lives in the states. Our next outfitter was nice, but the PH wasn't very knowledgeable in archery. We went to a bowhunt concession and the animals were pretty calm, but after our PH got finished trying to bowhunt like rifle hunting, you couldn't find an animal anywhere. The outfitter made it up on our next trip and we had a wonderful time, but he passed away. That is when we found Bos en Dal Safaris, which was as good as it gets in all ways. Prices was great with a high quality hunt.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Well, we are pretty much neighbors. Just live across the border in Missouri. We are getting ready for our 5th African hunt in August. We have taken everything with bows and arrows except a Black Wildebeest, only because they don't move around much out of the plains. I am 65 and my hubby will be 70 this year.
Our first trip, we went with a couple that was rifle hunting. We actually took more animals than they did, and got a lot closer to them. With the right PH 2x1 is just as good as 1x1. We usually both take our bows, and shoot what we want to. Sometimes we go out for my animal, but my husband sees something he wants to shoot.

We have been to some great Safaris, but ran into Bos en Dal Safaris 2 years ago and wish we would have gone with them every time. Their property goes forever. All types of terrain. I went a year ago in September, just before I had a hip replacement. They drove us right to the blinds and went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable. I took 2 springboks on this trip. My hip was so bad that I couldn't even wear my hunting boots, so I hunted in my bedroom slippers and orthotic sandals.
I had some great trips out with Yolanda, Gerrit's wife and her mother, who is the fantastic cook there. We did a mall day, coffee and shopped. They took me on a private safari taking pictures, while my husband was hunting. The whole family took you in as their own family.
Rikus was our guide. He was very patient and took great care of us. Excellent bowhunting guide. That does make a difference, as one of our past trips had a guide that was not familiar with bowhunting.
We did 3 day trips, Pilansburg, the Elephant Sanctuary and a Big Cat Refuge.

We have taken pics and had them printed and enlarged, done photo frames of our safaris and have had the Taxidermy done in South Africa, never had a problem ourselves. I would have to say thst the taxidermy work in South Africa is as good, if not better than the US. It pretty much is a washout on price if you want things mounted. You can opt to have things dip and packed, but you still have to jump through some hoops with the government.
Feel free to pm us if you have questions. You can even come up to visit and shoot some 3Ds at our place.

I also highly recommend Bos en Dal for your first safari, I have done 6 trips with Gerrit and crew.
I have spent over 90 days in their camp and taken over 60 animals with them.
Please reach out to me if you want more information on them

 

[BryceM]

Welcome! Most often, I hunt with a PH in Namibia that lives on a high-fence operation in the Kalahari. The place is enormous, many miles in each direction and even with the high fence, many animals come and go. We usually spend about half of each hunt in central Namibia in no-fence areas and the other half on his ranch. It’s the best of both worlds. Send me a PM if something like that interests you. They only do a few hunts a year and really cater to people looking to have a great hunt with dad, a kid, your spouse……. They aim to please and the trophy quality has been OUTSTANDING.

Many no-fence operations don’t have set bowhunting blinds or accommodations. Most likely you’ll find a bit of resistance to the idea of trying that. Setting up a ground blind at a waterhole can work, but it can also complicate actually getting a good number of animals in one trip.

Talk to lots of folks. Tell them what you actually want to do, and see what they can arrange. Most outfitters and PHs will move mountains to make it a good trip.

 

[Mountaineer]

I have seen some blinds for bow hunting on Phillip’s place (Khomas Highlands in Namibia). It’s free range and I have hunted there many times. He is a sponsor here.

 

[Shootist43]

Kalvinc, Welcome aboard. Congrats on taking your respective Dads. I took both of my boys to Africa in 2016. That was just my first trip. I've been back twice since then. I'm in similar or worse physical condition that your father. Just let your outfitter know and they will work with you. Yes I hunted from either a blind or the back of the truck. but for me it was the closest I was ever going to get to quote "hunting in Africa." My last hunt was in 2024, while in camp I was ushered around in a wheelchair. If you want more specifics send me a Personal Message with your phone number and I'll call you back.