Ideas for a destination trip?

[csmcclain]

Just started a new job and found out that after four years, you get a full month of sabbatical with an extra stipend for travel. I was with my last company for over six years, so it’s definitely possible that I end up here this long.

I’m trying to plan a trip for then that’s 14-22ish days long to give myself something to work towards. Ideas I have include:

• Safari in Mozambique, Tanzania, etc.
• DIY backpack hunt through New Zealand
• Archery elk/deer/bear combo hunt out West
• Amazon River fishing safari

Pros/cons of safari: would require slightly more saving, meaning that my trips between now and then would need to be much more affordable, potentially mean that I would not be able to go to Africa for 3.5 years (which seems lame). Then again, it would be an awesome experience to get a real safari.

Pros/cons of NZ: New place, beautiful scenery, and new animals, but would be fully solo unless I could find some local Kiwi to meet up with.

Pros/cons of archery: We go every year with a rifle, so it would be more of the same, just at a different time of the year. It would also be extremely cheap, meaning I could definitely fit good destination hunts in between now and then.

Pros/cons of Amazon: Never been, and the only Amazonian and fish I’ve ever caught with a peacock bass in South Florida. That being said, there’s no guns which knocks it down a peg.

I have a son who would be 7 to 8 at that time, so it would be neat if he and my wife could potentially join me for part of it, but I’m not sure my wife would care either way.

Any thoughts? Other experiences I should consider?

 

[Scott CWO]

Mozambique or Tanzania without question! This is Africa Hunting after all!

I would be happy to have a conversation about options I’ve done in both countries. Too much info to type.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

Option #1. Easy choice for me. And kudos for landing somewhere with that benefit.

 

[wesheltonj]

My suggestion is none of the above. It would be to go to Central and/or Eastern Europe. Very reasonable, great accommodations, excellent food but expensive drinks, wonderful sights.

If you really want African safari, you have lots of choices. Reasonable priced South Africa and Namibia. Medium priced Zimbabwe and Mozambique. More pricey Zambia. Top end price Tanzania and Uganda. Outrageous prices, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

 

[csmcclain]

My suggestion is none of the above. It would be to go to Central and/or Eastern Europe. Very reasonable, great accommodations, excellent food but expensive drinks, wonderful sights.

If you really want African safari, you have lots of choices. Reasonable priced South Africa and Namibia. Medium priced Zimbabwe and Mozambique. More pricey Zambia. Top end price Tanzania and Uganda. Outrageous prices, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Yeah, I’m looking into some options for Europe next year or the following with the wife, and we’ve done South Africa twice with a third trip for this year. Cameroon, Ethiopia, and the like are completely out, but I’ve been looking into various options outside of RSA.

 

[wesheltonj]

Yeah, I’m looking into some options for Europe next year or the following with the wife, and we’ve done South Africa twice with a third trip for this year. Cameroon, Ethiopia, and the like are completely out, but I’ve been looking into various options outside of RSA.

Might I suggest, contacting @spike.t for a reasonably priced Zambia hunt.

 

[PeteG]

Just started a new job and found out that after four years, you get a full month of sabbatical with an extra stipend for travel. I was with my last company for over six years, so it’s definitely possible that I end up here this long.

I’m trying to plan a trip for then that’s 14-22ish days long to give myself something to work towards. Ideas I have include:

• Safari in Mozambique, Tanzania, etc.
• DIY backpack hunt through New Zealand
• Archery elk/deer/bear combo hunt out West
• Amazon River fishing safari

Pros/cons of safari: would require slightly more saving, meaning that my trips between now and then would need to be much more affordable, potentially mean that I would not be able to go to Africa for 3.5 years (which seems lame). Then again, it would be an awesome experience to get a real safari.

Pros/cons of NZ: New place, beautiful scenery, and new animals, but would be fully solo unless I could find some local Kiwi to meet up with.

Pros/cons of archery: We go every year with a rifle, so it would be more of the same, just at a different time of the year. It would also be extremely cheap, meaning I could definitely fit good destination hunts in between now and then.

Pros/cons of Amazon: Never been, and the only Amazonian and fish I’ve ever caught with a peacock bass in South Florida. That being said, there’s no guns which knocks it down a peg.

I have a son who would be 7 to 8 at that time, so it would be neat if he and my wife could potentially join me for part of it, but I’m not sure my wife would care either way.

Any thoughts? Other experiences I should consider?

1. how about 3days head to Bangweulu Wetlands for the hunting black lechwe and sightseeing notably the shoebill stork

2. then 10days hunting in zambia for buff+plains game hunt either luangwa valley of kafue national park

3. 3-4days Zambezi river tiger fishing near the Mpata Gorge.
its in a game management area and borders south luangwa national park, so sightseeing, fishing and general family fun.

4. 3-4 days in livingstone for the victoria falls and surrounding activities.
see the falls, visit the national park see some rhino, do a side day trip to chobe in botswana for the wildlife which can be done from most hotels in livingstone. river tours, microlight trips, bungee jumping and gorge swing if youre feeling the need for a bit of a rush.

 

[Luminous Ham]

I have done Ngorongoro/Serengeti and Zanzibar. Kenya parks and beach. And Namibia/Okavango with a few days of hunting at the end. With kids. Self-drive with roof tent. Let me know if you want details. We can also chat if you prefer.

 

[UKHunter]

Do a short hunt in Europe and get used to the time zone, then head somewhere in Africa?

 

[Throwback]

Factor in your age in the sense you may want to reach for one of those adventures that will be a non-starter later in life such as that DIY backpack hunt.

Personally, any adventure that burns powder will win me over quicker than fishing.

If your wife and/or son have a preference I would factor that in to. My son loves fishing (and hunting) so that has driven us to work some fishing in I would not normally do.

Tanzania safari would be my choice from what you listed.

Again, just me, doing something with your son would be the driver for me as later in life it may not be an option for both of you to run off to some part of the globe together. Cheers

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

That’s an awesome perk to your job! TZ would be it for me

 

[codofish]

Just started a new job and found out that after four years, you get a full month of sabbatical with an extra stipend for travel. I was with my last company for over six years, so it’s definitely possible that I end up here this long.

I’m trying to plan a trip for then that’s 14-22ish days long to give myself something to work towards. Ideas I have include:

• Safari in Mozambique, Tanzania, etc.
• DIY backpack hunt through New Zealand
• Archery elk/deer/bear combo hunt out West
• Amazon River fishing safari

Pros/cons of safari: would require slightly more saving, meaning that my trips between now and then would need to be much more affordable, potentially mean that I would not be able to go to Africa for 3.5 years (which seems lame). Then again, it would be an awesome experience to get a real safari.

Pros/cons of NZ: New place, beautiful scenery, and new animals, but would be fully solo unless I could find some local Kiwi to meet up with.

Pros/cons of archery: We go every year with a rifle, so it would be more of the same, just at a different time of the year. It would also be extremely cheap, meaning I could definitely fit good destination hunts in between now and then.

Pros/cons of Amazon: Never been, and the only Amazonian and fish I’ve ever caught with a peacock bass in South Florida. That being said, there’s no guns which knocks it down a peg.

I have a son who would be 7 to 8 at that time, so it would be neat if he and my wife could potentially join me for part of it, but I’m not sure my wife would care either way.

Any thoughts? Other experiences I should consider?

Why not use a hunting guide in New Zealand? I am hunting with one now and he is great.

 

[csmcclain]

Why not use a hunting guide in New Zealand? I am hunting with one now and he is great.

It would really depend upon the outfit. For that trip, it would have to be free range only.

Part of me would really want the freedom of wandering through the South Island though.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I would hunt NZ for Chamois and Tahr for 3-4 days with a guide. Then continue on for the remainder of the time; fishing, hiking, adventure stuff… Rent a camper van to see the remainder of both islands.

Or do a Spain trip with a similar plan.

I’m doing a Spain hunt to include a Formula 1 race package and Canary Islands for 3 days of fishing. With some sights during the hunt.

 

[Rimbaud]

Depending on the time of year, Transylvania. The hunting is phenomenal. Everything about the region is worth experiencing. It’s authentic at time when so many places around the world are suffering from globish, which is to say one place is much like every other place. I was there in late Oct/Nov and remain enamored by the place and the people. In the next decade or so, the place will be discovered and everything that you can experience today will be diluted. The people who live there like to say they are 100 years behind the rest of Europe. I found real hunters when I was there, and a love the wild places and wild things.

 

[Waldo2382]

Although it’s not hunting, fishing in Gabon in Sette Cama is on my short list. There is also the chance to see gorillas and surfing hippos.

 

['68boy]

I think Throwback hit it on the head. Concentrate on the father/son aspect of whatever trip you choose and when you’re old and in a rocking chair you will look back on this trip as one of your life highlights. What about taking him to Disney world for part then on to hunting someplace? Sounds mundane but at his age it’s a good match. You could take him to their Aficaland or whatever it’s called to wet his whistle, then on to real Africa. Just a thought outside the box. Lord please forgive me for even entertaining the thought that there are other things in life than hunting!!!!

 

[csmcclain]

I think Throwback hit it on the head. Concentrate on the father/son aspect of whatever trip you choose and when you’re old and in a rocking chair you will look back on this trip as one of your life highlights. What about taking him to Disney world for part then on to hunting someplace? Sounds mundane but at his age it’s a good match. You could take him to their Aficaland or whatever it’s called to wet his whistle, then on to real Africa. Just a thought outside the box. Lord please forgive me for even entertaining the thought that there are other things in life than hunting!!!!

Totally understand what you’re saying. He gets a shocking amount of experiences with my wife and I, and we have plenty more planned. Heck, even just in the past year, he’s been to Disney World and Spain, and we’re taking him to France and Monaco in a couple months. Next year will probably be Italy. Once he’s about that age, I’m buying a wall tent and temporarily retiring from hard mountain hunting to focus on taking him and camping more than hunting itself.

Just looking for something where I can kill the better half of a month in the field as I really won’t have another option to do such a long trip after that for as long as I can tell. Would love to bring him and my wife for at least part of it, but she’s usually ready to head home after a week or so.

But this is also all theoretical for the next year or two.

 

['68boy]

WHERE DO I APPLY TO BE YOUR SON??!!!?

 

[fourfive8]

Mozambique or Tanzania without question! This is Africa Hunting after all!

I would be happy to have a conversation about options I’ve done in both countries. Too much info to type.

I’ll echo @Scott CWO about Africa. And in addition to Mozambique and Tanzania, add Zambia and Botswana to your list of possibilities.