First Safari - What would you do different?

[NIGHTHAWK]

Frank just bought a shoulder mount boar for $75!

 

[dschimmel]

Had the good fortune to go on my first hunting safari over the holidays in RSA/Eastern Cape. Blessed throughout the whole experience - outfitter, animals, shot placement, being welcomed as family over holidays, etc.

Some small things I'd be more aware of next time:

Not letting myself feel rushed after collecting the animal. As a first timer, it can be overwhelming. It all happens fast...cleaning the animal up and positioning for pictures, skinners arrive, etc.... I'd take more time relishing the moment, having grace with the animal in our own way, and taking more pictures then just the "trophy moment." I realized at one point that those moments never come back because time moves on.

In the same vein...being more specific and meticulous about the desired cuts from the skinners and the taxidermy specs I want from them. Being my first Africa hunt, and overwhelmed at times from the whole experience, I sometimes made assumptions that the skinners and PH knew what I wanted from our conversations, but I didn't follow up to be 100% sure. Now.,.I find out my black springbuck backskin didn't make it to the taxidermist, for example. My fault...and lesson learned.

Third... I'd make my kids pay their own way to hunt!!! Just kidding. They can't (yet). But while I might be broke now, the experience and memories from our hunt will last a lifetime. Definitely worth every cent.

 

[Dparr]

Great topic. I’ve been on 4 great African safaris and have 3 currently booked. The thing I would change about the first one may be impossible to do without the perspective of multiple safaris but one should try. Enjoy every moment. You’ve done the research, you’ve paid the money to be in good hands. Put your trust in your PH and the program he has put together. Just focus on being in the moment, making time slow down and relishing every second. This is what you worked so hard for and these are the experiences you will think about every day thereafter.

 

[Dparr]

I am new to the site. Signed up a bit ago but only recently started to really pay attention to the wealth of information available here. I am trying to make notes and retain as much useful information as possible for my 2027 trip.

One thing I keep reading is that people keep saying dont get taxidermy . This I just cannot wrap my head around. I am hoping to get a few shoulder mounts, skull mounts, rug, and maybe even a full body mount if I can get a nice Nyala. I just couldnt imagine not having some trophies. More than likely I will end up saying...well I should have listened to them. But for now I must have a few African trophies.

Get the taxidermy. I enjoy mine every day

 

[Belk]

1.What was your first Safari experience like?
It was very good but not great like the second safari.
Traveled to different concessions in different provinces. Great to see but cut hunting time down. Did not like the concession hopping. Outfitter promised he would personally guide us, Nope! but we got one good PH and one PH for hire. They tired their best and we got representative plains game animals.
I requested a new PH after day 4 as I was not satisfied with his "wash, rinse, & repeat" hunting style.
We were not seeing game with his methods and the other PH was producing quality and quantity for my hunting buddy. It worked out as the PH for hire adapted and the other PH co-guided and we killed the target animals.

2.What would you do different?
I would ask more specific questions on where and how we would be hunting. As well I was not aware of the travel days and that we would be hunting concessions they were unfamiliar with. They couldn't tell us which concessions we would be hunting, only ones we would possibly hunt.

3.What would you recommend for the first time safari planner?
Ask lots of specific questions and relay your "dream" safari expectations and if the outfitter can provide those type hunts. Such as I want to spot & stalk hunting and track them.