That's what I thought going in to my first trip last August in Limpopo. I just booked my second into Namibia for June of 2019. It is an addiction!
MAdcox, could you spare a little advice for my first safari?
I’m overwhelmed with the choices available.No problem,
But this has become my favorite topic to discuss, so you can just stop reading when you get past "a little advice."
My hunt was a group hunt my Uncle purchased at DSC so the where was set, but I really enjoyed the Limpopo area. I was worried about the high-fence thing being raised in Oklahoma where high-fence means 1000 acres with pre-set blinds and pen raised deer, elk, or buffalo. Not my deal. But the properties we hunted where very large (15K to 35K acres) and the animals where raised there not released. Koos was very adamant about hunting wild animals. He had some areas with released Sable and Roan but he doesn't hunt them until they have been several generations on the property. I would make sure and ask any outfitters you talk to about size of properties and if the animals are released or raised there. It will be two very different hunts depending on these two things.
Your animal list looks great to me but don't be too rigid on it. The hunt my Uncle purchased included warthog, impala, and blue wildebeest. I have always wanted a kudu and gemsbok, so I knew I would add those two. But my budget was tight so I didn't even look at other animals on the pricelist. I never dreamed of taking any of the tiny antelopes so didn't even look into them. I saw Steenbok every day of my hunt and truly regret not taking one now. I also would probably not have picked blue wildebeest on my own and it was definitely one of the more enjoyable hunts. Be open to targets of opportunity. On the other hand know your budget because you are going to see things you have only seen in magazines that might not interest you until you see it on the hoof. It would be very easy to get carried away. As I said earlier in this thread, don't count on this being your only trip. You can leave some things for next time. Like my Eland ( @billc ).
I think you should do at least 7 days (mine was 5 and just too short).
Your PH will probably tell you this, but know matter what level of hunter you are, on your first trip to Africa- Listen to the PH. He knows his animals trophy quality, aging, etc. The first day out we got on a herd of 15 to 20 Wildebeest and Jors put me on the sticks and told me to get on the 2nd animal from the right and be ready when he was clear for a shot. There were several cows behind him so I was waiting for the shot but noticed the bull to the far right was much bigger. WIDE and heavy horned. I mentioned this and, in a very polite matter-of-fact way, he said "yes, stay on the bull 2nd from the right." We never got a shot and the wind switched and off they went. After the moment passed he asked if I noticed the brownish, buff coloring in the bull I said was huge. I said I had and thought it was pretty cool looking. He explained that was the sign of a young bull not even breeding age yet (along with no boss). He said he will be a monster but has to mature to be a trophy. Something I never knew about Wildebeest.
The thing to do right now is have a ball getting ready. Shoot off sticks- a lot. Walk and try and do it in river sand. That is what most of Limpopo felt like. I don't know if you are going with anyone else, but one of the best parts of my hunt was getting together with the guys I was going with shooting, laughing, watching Tracks Across Africa or Trailing the Hunters Moon. I think we spent at least two weekends a month together the 6 months before we left. Great times and great memories made prepping for the hunt as well as the actual week we were there.
Hope that wasn't too long winded, but you asked me to talk about my new favorite subject, so....
Hope it helps some, feel free to pm on any other details or anybody on this site. They all have way more experience than me.
Enjoy your trip and planning,
Mickey
Thanks MickeyNo problem,
But this has become my favorite topic to discuss, so you can just stop reading when you get past "a little advice."
My hunt was a group hunt my Uncle purchased at DSC so the where was set, but I really enjoyed the Limpopo area. I was worried about the high-fence thing being raised in Oklahoma where high-fence means 1000 acres with pre-set blinds and pen raised deer, elk, or buffalo. Not my deal. But the properties we hunted where very large (15K to 35K acres) and the animals where raised there not released. Koos was very adamant about hunting wild animals. He had some areas with released Sable and Roan but he doesn't hunt them until they have been several generations on the property. I would make sure and ask any outfitters you talk to about size of properties and if the animals are released or raised there. It will be two very different hunts depending on these two things.
Your animal list looks great to me but don't be too rigid on it. The hunt my Uncle purchased included warthog, impala, and blue wildebeest. I have always wanted a kudu and gemsbok, so I knew I would add those two. But my budget was tight so I didn't even look at other animals on the pricelist. I never dreamed of taking any of the tiny antelopes so didn't even look into them. I saw Steenbok every day of my hunt and truly regret not taking one now. I also would probably not have picked blue wildebeest on my own and it was definitely one of the more enjoyable hunts. Be open to targets of opportunity. On the other hand know your budget because you are going to see things you have only seen in magazines that might not interest you until you see it on the hoof. It would be very easy to get carried away. As I said earlier in this thread, don't count on this being your only trip. You can leave some things for next time. Like my Eland ( @billc ).
I think you should do at least 7 days (mine was 5 and just too short).
Your PH will probably tell you this, but know matter what level of hunter you are, on your first trip to Africa- Listen to the PH. He knows his animals trophy quality, aging, etc. The first day out we got on a herd of 15 to 20 Wildebeest and Jors put me on the sticks and told me to get on the 2nd animal from the right and be ready when he was clear for a shot. There were several cows behind him so I was waiting for the shot but noticed the bull to the far right was much bigger. WIDE and heavy horned. I mentioned this and, in a very polite matter-of-fact way, he said "yes, stay on the bull 2nd from the right." We never got a shot and the wind switched and off they went. After the moment passed he asked if I noticed the brownish, buff coloring in the bull I said was huge. I said I had and thought it was pretty cool looking. He explained that was the sign of a young bull not even breeding age yet (along with no boss). He said he will be a monster but has to mature to be a trophy. Something I never knew about Wildebeest.
The thing to do right now is have a ball getting ready. Shoot off sticks- a lot. Walk and try and do it in river sand. That is what most of Limpopo felt like. I don't know if you are going with anyone else, but one of the best parts of my hunt was getting together with the guys I was going with shooting, laughing, watching Tracks Across Africa or Trailing the Hunters Moon. I think we spent at least two weekends a month together the 6 months before we left. Great times and great memories made prepping for the hunt as well as the actual week we were there.
Hope that wasn't too long winded, but you asked me to talk about my new favorite subject, so....
Hope it helps some, feel free to pm on any other details or anybody on this site. They all have way more experience than me.
Enjoy your trip and planning,
Mickey
