How Do Y'all Pay for these Safaris?

[Hogpatrol]

We are living the same life, I have two children under 4. We cut the cord two years ago, save almost $100 by using a Roku and basic apps. We change to the best insurance, we set to save allot this year. I eat leftovers all week. I love your advice, it's always about saving. We are good at that, just have to find a way to make more money.

Working stiff, I didn't hunt Africa until I was 66, mainly because I wasn't aware of the opportunity as it now exists. The value far and away exceeds hunting anywhere else in the world, including the U.S.

 

[Shootist43]

Fallow Jaeger, when most of us were your age all we could do was dream about hunting Africa. If you check out our posts you'll find out that the vast majority of us are "seasoned citizens" as Rush call us. We worked hard, we saved, put kids through college, bought houses and vehicles that we could afford, I've never been to Hawaii or on a cruise. I was 73 when I went on my first safari, 75 on my second. Good Lord willing 77 on my next one.

 

[Von S.]

Sidejobs are the fastest way to get there.

Paint houses, build decks, and the like. The most can be made by cleaning out houses where you keep everything. Amazing what you can find....like coin collections, guns, jewelry, rare furniture, motorcycles, and even cars.

Though too old and busted up now to be doing it , if you got talent you can have people pay you good money to haul away gold coins.

 

[tay50]

Try to get a kitchen pass from the wife to go on your first safari by yourself or with a friend, the money you will save by not buying 3 extra airline tickets for the wife and kids would just about pay for a 7 day safari. So from where I fly out of Detroit, a round trip ticket to JoBerg is at least $1500 dollars, not taking the wife and kids is a savings of $4500 dollars, do the math from your airport. Also book a year and a half or two years out, break it down into different pay segments, the deposit, about 9 months out from the hunt dates buy your plane ticket, then final payment. Also use your banking provider to save money through vacation savings club or christmas club, next thing you know your standing in Africa over your first animal dealing with the rush of emotions that come with being there. I have been to Africa 3 times this way. Go now you won't regret it.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Lots of good advice already given. I see my adult children dealing with these same issues, as I did too when I was younger. It's all about budgeting and priorities. It amazes me how many middle income youngsters hire someone to mow their lawn. I was helping one of my kids move earlier this year and one of their new neighbors came over to introduce themselves and mentioned they had a good lawn service that only charged $40. I thought to myself, hell, I'll come mow your lawn for $40! Driving cars for a long time and taking care of the easy maintenance items, like several others have mentioned, is probably the single biggest budget saver.

 

[jduckhunter]

I know it's not for everyone but for years I worked 2 and 3 jobs, one full time and 1 or 2 part time and the whole time I was doing that I was running around gathering scrap metal to run to the junk yard. Heck that even turned into a part time job, when the owner of the scrap yard saw how willing I was to work for extra cash. I was hired to cook at a local VFW for a few months on weekends until they could find a full time cook, I ended up working there for 7 years. They must have really liked my cooking. The money added up pretty quickly and I was able to hunt all over North America, Africa and even New Zealand. But then hereditary heart disease caught up to me and my doctors advised me to slow things down a bit, so I only worked 2 jobs for a few years before retiring 2 years ago. Now I supplement my income by being the outside caretaker at my local sportsmen's club, that includes mowing grass, plowing snow, general light maintenance and keeping the outdoor ranges in good shape. Now I have a good excuse to go to the club every day and my other half doesn't complain about it any more. My advice to you is to keep dreaming and you will find a way to get it done.

 

[Spooksar]

Worked my butt off for 35 years 50-60 hours a week, invested money got a bit lucky with it. Now retired and living the good life.

 

[meigsbucks]

I wanted to hunt Cape buffalo ever since I was 15 years old. In 1993, I got divorced and basically had to start over at age 37. I set two goals; go on safari by age 55 and retire by 60. I met both by saving, investing and making choices.
By the way, I wasn’t some executive with a high six or seven figure salary. I was a shipping and warehouse manager for a soft drink manufacturer and I retired at age 59. I just turned 62 in November.
Between age 21 and 37, I went on at least one hunt somewhere, every year. I cut those out for the most part. I hunted deer locally and only went on two guided hunts. Then in 2012, I booked a safari to Zimbabwe. I took safari number two, to Namibia, this year.
The main thing is, as Nike says: “Just do it”. You never know what the future will bring. In 2014, I got sick with Gillian-Barre Syndrome and had to learn to walk again. 2014 and 2015 were lost years as far as hunting goes. Fortunately I’ve done well enough that I could hunt again.

 

[Mike70560]

A lot of people have asked me ho I could afford to go to Africa, some of them were sitting in there brand new F250 King Ranch Edition 4WD Diesel pickup pulling their $60,000 bass boat. They did not grasp the concept I built my own boat, bought a good used motor, and drive my trucks until they will go no more. I guess it is about priorities.

In regards to making enough money, I took a leap, found some good partners, and started my own business. That was my avenue to make enough money, especially when we sold the business. I had no kids at home and had to put in a ton of hours to make it work, but it paid off in the long run.

 

[putter97127]

My wife and I have a saying, It's not about trailer you show up with, it's about the horse you unload. My daughter has been into horses since s very young age and has been very successful. Hunting in Africa is much the same.... Expensive and time consuming. Make trade offs to make it work. Drive the absolute minimum, live simple. Only spend money on the important things and only on things that are important to you and your family. So we drive an old rusted out junker and have a small house...we save our money for more important things like good horses, nice rifles, and great memories.

 

[Gemsbok Gangsta]

Union electrician—teach on the side and have a few pieces of equipment for movin dirt. My Grandpa taught me how to run equipment and weld. All the side work I can handle!!!

 

[npm352]

I love reading these... it is nice to know other people can relate when the guy in his third brand new truck in six years can't understanding how I can afford to hunt Africa...saying "I really want to go someday when I can save the money." And when they make fun of my car for being so old and held together with duct tape...

 

[npm352]

How I "afford" hunts....

 

[LivingTheDream]

I think one thing that should be mentioned is passive income. If you can have money working for you, it makes it easier to accumulate more money and pay down debt. Even something small as dividend paying stocks can make a difference. Rental properties are a bit riskier and require more capital but can work out very nicely with the right circumstances.

You can also set up a government bond buying program where ever paycheck a certain amount goes to buying bonds, though it is a low interest rate you are still saving.

Even if you did a side job and did a 50/50 split, hunting fund and investing for passive income, I'm sure you would be surprised how quickly it can all add up. That should also make your wife happy.

 

[FallowJaeger]

Y'all are amazing and so supportive. I'm glad to see that lots of the things I'm already doing will have a pay off. I showed my wife this thread and she really enjoyed reading everyone's advice. I think one way I'm going to help is to give up my membership in local hunting clubs. I haven't had a good whitetail deer season the last few years, I think the hunting pressure is to much. I will just go back to WMA/National Forest Public Land hunting. That will be harder hunting but that money I spent on hunt clubs will now be better served saving up for Africa. She also got me to commit to no longer drinking soda. I may start a side business. I teach and coach in HS, so I spend 10 months of the year pretty busy. I use to do power washing in the summer, guess I need to start that up again. Keep up the great advice, everyone has really inspired me to buckle down in spending, and save, save, save.

 

[1dirthawker]

my suggestion is,

1. open a separate bank account. 2. put some seed money in there, does not have to be a large amount. 3. keep saving 4. wait for a kind of deal you want, you WILL find a great deal here.

 

[JimP]

I didn't read through all the replies but here is my answer.

I worked for 40 years and with every paycheck I purchased a US Savings Bond. They started out as a $25 one and the last 25 or so years I was buying a $100 bond every pay check. Now these bonds only cost 50% of their face value and I figured that they were my hunting trip savings. Now I also got divorced over 30 years ago and never remarried but it did cost me a tidy sum. But after that it was full speed ahead. I worked all the overtime that I could also all the holidays that I could. I bought a older home and had it paid off in 15 years. In the end I ended up with a nice tidy sum in the bank along with a great retirement fund. I took a buyout when I retired and invested it and I can now live very comfortable off of the annuities that I get off of it.

So between the savings bonds which are still maturing and what I have saved I can do pretty much as I want. I do have to watch it since my first trip to Africa did cost quite a bit but most of it was back here in the US for the mounts. I have also been on 4 other outfitted hunts since I retired at the ripe old age of 55.

Now you are in a different mode. You have a wife and kids so you really need to watch what you spend. I suggest that you find a financial advisor and then you and your wife go into and visit with them. Tell them where you want to be in XX amount of years and what you like doing. They will set you on the path to success. Now as for hunting you might have to suffer a bit. Save a few buck out of each paycheck if you can and put it into a hunting fund. But then there are always emergency that pop up when you are responsible for other people like kids.

Good luck on whatever you do.

 

[Rimbaud]

I dream of going on a Hunting Safari to South Africa or Namibia. My concern is how do members of this forum pay for their trips? I believe many of you are very success in your business and careers, you have put in the work over the years to be able to afford to take hunting trips. I also see families going on Safari, I just would like to know if anyone has tips or suggestions on how to save, or make money on the side.

My wife and I both work, we have two young children. We work hard, paid off our student debts, paid cash for our cars, and our mortgage payment is very low. I can't justify to my spouse going to Africa if the house isn't paid off. She is very supportive of my hunting hobby, and she would love to go back to Africa (she has been all over for Africa for her work but is in a different role now, she doesn't travel anymore) but is concerned about how we can pay for a Safari.

I know this is a random question. Any advice or in general advice would be appreciated.

You and your wife seem to be on the right financial track. Congratulations for having the proper financial priorities and for being in agreement w your spouse about those priorities. Three ideas to get you to Africa, or anywhere else you want to go. First, get a credit card that offers reward points that can be redeemed for travel. I like Amex, but maybe you can find others w/o expensive membership fees. Use the card to cover bills, etc., and pay off the balance each month. If you can do that, you will take care of airfare quickly. Secondly, save every single $1 bill that you get. If you pay for lunch w a $20, and you get back 10 $1 bills, put those singles into an envelope. When you get $100, take the money to the bank and swap the singles for a $100 bill. If you want to really challenge yourself, save all bills that are $5 and less. If you use this savings tip, I promise you will have loads of vacation money. Thirdly, contact your bank and see if they have a feature that lets you round up purchases and roll the roll-up amount into a savings account. If you buy something for $1.98, 2 cents goes to savings. If you spend $30.02, 98 cents goes to savings. I doubt you will even miss the money if you use those savings strategies. Good luck.

 

[VonJager]

I dream of going on a Hunting Safari to South Africa or Namibia. My concern is how do members of this forum pay for their trips? I believe many of you are very success in your business and careers, you have put in the work over the years to be able to afford to take hunting trips. I also see families going on Safari, I just would like to know if anyone has tips or suggestions on how to save, or make money on the side.

My wife and I both work, we have two young children. We work hard, paid off our student debts, paid cash for our cars, and our mortgage payment is very low. I can't justify to my spouse going to Africa if the house isn't paid off. She is very supportive of my hunting hobby, and she would love to go back to Africa (she has been all over for Africa for her work but is in a different role now, she doesn't travel anymore) but is concerned about how we can pay for a Safari.

I know this is a random question. Any advice or in general advice would be appreciated.

My house and cars are not paid off. Rather than paying them off, I choose to enjoy the super low interest rates and go hunting. Life is too short to not go.

 

[wesheltonj]

I will give a couple other pieces of advice. First, loyalty is an 1/8 of 1%, move your money where it will make you the most interest. I check Bankrate.com weekly for the best rates. Second as others have stated, get a Airline points earning card and pay it off every month. If I was to start all over with a card, I would get Alaska Air credit card. They have great partners to earn and redeem flights on. The one I use is BA, as BA allows you household your miles. The BA redemptions are poor in Coach with their surcharges, but for upgrades and Business class, it's good. I generally use my BA miles on AA to avoid those surcharges. But to Africa you have to pay those on BA surcharges if you use BA. However, if you collect Alaska Miles no such surcharges on a BA flight to Africa at least for now. I also use an AMEX card, but that's mainly for lounge access, if your saving up that's an unnecessary expense.