Location for first safari/PG hunt

[549]

After a lot of reading here on AH, I’m thinking that Namibia would be a great choice for a first safari and PG hunt. Botswana might be an option also. I know that there are many pieces that need to be put together to make this trip happen, but I figure the biggest one is to decide on a destination first. I’m looking forward to sometime next year and I’m hoping that those of you who have BTDT can offer advice.

The game I’m interested in are Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Impala, Black Wildebeest and Red Hartebeest. The first three would likely be my “must haves”. I’m thinking of Burchell’s Zebra as I prefer the color pattern over the Hartmann’s, but that is not set in stone.

I wasn’t actually interested in Black Wildebeest or Zebra until reading hunt reports here. The Red Hartebeest intrigues me also, and I figure you must take an Impala if you go to Africa. I’m planning on at least 7 days but preferably a 10-day hunt. If it matters, I will want Euro mounts and flat skins when it comes to trophies.

As far as other interests, I would like a crack at a baboon, though I wouldn’t make a trophy from it. I’m really interested in Spotted Hyena, but it seems that they’re scarce in Namibia and very spendy to hunt. Maybe a better location for a future hunt? I’m surprised to find I have an interest in Giraffe, but I am not 100% on that yet and I don’t have room to display a skin anyways.

So, would Namibia work for what I want to do? What about Botswana? Cost is a consideration and while I’m willing to spend money to make this happen, if there is a sizable cost difference between the two locations or if one location is simply better for the game I’m interested in, that information could finalize the choice.

Thank you.

If this is the wrong subforum, Mods please move.

 

[Rare Breed]

I went on my first PG hunt with @GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS snd it was perfect at an incredible value in East Africa not where you are looking. 8 safaris later to 3 countries I would do the same thing

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Well, you are on the path to Paradise brother. The first step is to decide to go. For a first Safari (there will be more), It is hard to beat South Africa for the combination of affordability, variety, ease of access and overall probability of having a great first experience. Everything on your list is available in Limpopo and/or Free State and possibly also in Eastern Cape.

For my first Safari - I went with RDB Safaris in Limpopo only because a trusted friend had a great experience there and planned to return. I spent a year getting rifles ready, learning to shoot from sticks and gathering necessary gear. This process is a big part of the fun. Enjoy it. With you in SW Ohio, you are only 2hrs from me in central SE KY. There are lots of good outfitters but RDB is special. They have concessions in Limpopo, Free State, Namibia, and Botswana. Maybe others too. As I gain experience, I too think about more difficult locations like Botwana, Zimbabwe or Tanzania, but for the first taste, I would go with South Africa. If you want advice or just want to talk about Africa, feel free to reach out with a PM and I will let you know how to reach me.

 

[K-man]

First, Welcome!
Your list sounds great for most Namibian properties, I have been to Kowas and highly recommend them for your list. Giant property, new lodge and great food and P.H.'s I took my son for his first African adventure there a couple years ago, Took great trophies in all of the list you are asking for. Good luck with your trip planning!

 

[318AE]

I don’t think black wildebeest are indigenous to Namibia. I think they are a Karoo species.

Namibia is a great choice for a first safari. If you choose that, I recommend you stay with the native species endemic to that area - gemsbok, kudu, springbok, warthog, Hartman’s mountain zebra are all great choice for Namibia, depending on location.

If you want a hodge podge of Africa game from here and there, there are a number of ranches in the Texas Hill Country that can do that.

 

[Hunt anything]

You would have to look long and hard for black wildebeest in Botswana.

 

[wesheltonj]

If you are set on Namibia ARU is a top operator. A top operator in RSA try Kalahari Rangers in the Northern Cape.

 

[BRICKBURN]

.......

The game I’m interested in are Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Impala, Red Hartebeest, Giraffe.
..............

Namibia will have these species.

https://www.africahunting.com/threa...zondjahe-hunting-safaris-namibia.11161/page-3

 

[wildwilderness]

Sounds like you have done some of your homework I’d agree Namibia is a great place to start.

Botswana will be more expensive for sure. South Africa can be less expensive, though not always and can be a different experience depending on operations.

Exciting to plan a first safari to Africa! Hopefully not the last

 

[kpoynter]

Namibia is an Excellent first destination. Botswana is also excellent and a place like Tholo not only has your priority species but is very Economical. Don’t have Black Wildebeast but tons of Blue
Also the Best Kudu anywhere and Eland tracking
You might enjoy a “multi-area” hunt in Namibia to see some varied habitat. Jamy Traut is a great outfitter (and on here) and has numerous areas.
South Africa obviously has Many Many options

 

[Mekaniks]

Namibia for sure

 

[Andrew62]

I went on my first PG hunt with @GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS snd it was perfect at an incredible value in East Africa not where you are looking. 8 safaris later to 3 countries I would do the same thing

To the OP, your thought of Namibia is a good idea, if South Africa interests you at any point I agree with @Rare Breed, Game 4 Safaris is top notch, I took several nice plains game animals as well as buffalo hunting with them!

 

[Cucuy]

I’m a nerd scientist who overthinks/overanalyzes everything. My first safari this summer is in Namibia.

 

[fourfive8]

If you want to track and really hunt and willing to walk in sand then certainly Botswana, possibly Namibia. No hunting compares to tracking eland behind San trackers. If you’re more interested in shooting lots of animals then most anywhere especially if area offers cull hunt opportunities. I never understood the fascination with shooting primates, be they pests or not, so no help there.

 

[Hunt anything]

@fourfive8 , I was with you on the shooting primates thing for a long time. But as a former cattle farmer and some years losing up to 10% of calves to coyotes, they would be shot on sight. When hunting a ranch with goats and sheep and seeing remains of kids and lambs I changed my tune in ranch country. In wilderness areas I just live and let live.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I went on my first PG hunt with @GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS snd it was perfect at an incredible value in East Africa not where you are looking. 8 safaris later to 3 countries I would do the same thing

East Africa or the Eastern Cape of South Africa? There aren’t many East African hunts that are a “value” or affordable.

To the OP, Namibia is a great destination. Most of the species you named are endemic to Namibia in some form. You should have no issues getting your first 3 species + Impala and Harebeest. I personally would suggest a Hartman’s Zebra over a Burchell since you can only hunt them in Namibia and they offer a pretty unique hunt vs the more common Burchell or Plains Zebra. With regards to Hyena, I believe Namibia requires 14 Days on License for one (like leopard) but that could’ve also just been the outfitter I hunted with.

 

[coreydb]

Welcome aboard! Your ideas are exactly like mine with my first African hunt. You have sooooo many options before you, but to help you in narrowing down your selections, first consider the many outfitters who sponsor this site. They are from all over the African continent and can help you develop a package and location that best suits your pocketbook. That's what I did and I don't regret it to this day! Have fun shopping!

 

[Philip Glass]

After a lot of reading here on AH, I’m thinking that Namibia would be a great choice for a first safari and PG hunt. Botswana might be an option also. I know that there are many pieces that need to be put together to make this trip happen, but I figure the biggest one is to decide on a destination first. I’m looking forward to sometime next year and I’m hoping that those of you who have BTDT can offer advice.

The game I’m interested in are Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Impala, Black Wildebeest and Red Hartebeest. The first three would likely be my “must haves”. I’m thinking of Burchell’s Zebra as I prefer the color pattern over the Hartmann’s, but that is not set in stone.

I wasn’t actually interested in Black Wildebeest or Zebra until reading hunt reports here. The Red Hartebeest intrigues me also, and I figure you must take an Impala if you go to Africa. I’m planning on at least 7 days but preferably a 10-day hunt. If it matters, I will want Euro mounts and flat skins when it comes to trophies.

As far as other interests, I would like a crack at a baboon, though I wouldn’t make a trophy from it. I’m really interested in Spotted Hyena, but it seems that they’re scarce in Namibia and very spendy to hunt. Maybe a better location for a future hunt? I’m surprised to find I have an interest in Giraffe, but I am not 100% on that yet and I don’t have room to display a skin anyways.

So, would Namibia work for what I want to do? What about Botswana? Cost is a consideration and while I’m willing to spend money to make this happen, if there is a sizable cost difference between the two locations or if one location is simply better for the game I’m interested in, that information could finalize the choice.

Thank you.

If this is the wrong subforum, Mods please move.

You would have a wonderful time in Namibia. I would also add the Eastern Cape as a good destination for a first safari. You could actually hunt a Burchell's zebra with the Burchells!
Plan a 10 day hunt. It is worth it to add those few days

 

[Red Leg]

I took my son on our first ever African adventure in 08 to Namibia and would absolutely do it again. I have hunted there several times since with Nick Nolte and Jamy Traut. Both can put on a fabulous safari for you. Absolutely hunt a Hartman Zebra over a Burchel! Either looks great on the floor or a pedestal, and a Hartman is a far more demanding and interesting hunt. Finally, should you go to Namibia then for God’s sake hunt a kudu.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

To the OP - a couple of additional thoughts. Spotted Hyena are limited in many areas of the south. More common further north. Brown Hyena are available but are mostly nocturnal and less pack oriented. The Black Wildebeest is available in Free State and further south. They are native to the south central regions of South Africa south of Joburg like the Eastern Cape. When I was in Limpopo, there were only the various color phases of the Blue Wildebeest. The Black WB is not common in Namibia but may be found on certain concessions. Regardless of your chosen location, as others have already advised, I would stick to species that are common to the chosen location. It will provide more hunting opportunities and choice of trophies.

On my first Safari, I had my heart set on a Gemsbok. But I was hunting in Limpopo and they are not common up there. We hunted hard and did not see any for the first three days. On late day 3 on the way to another concession for a night hunt, we got a fleeting glimpse of one. On day four, we encountered a small herd of 3-4 and put on a stalk. Up hill in deep sand. After a couple miles, I was gassed and told the PH "No Mas". Later that day we bumped into a few and I finally got my shot on one. But in Namibia they are common. Limpopo had spectacular Giraffe, but those are not on my list. Great Eland, Kudo, Waterbuck, Blesbok, Sable and others.

Some have looked negatively on hunting Baboons? If you have ever seen a troop of them devastate a farmers orchards or snatch a human child or family pet from a village and bash the poor thing against a rock before eating it, you might change your tune. Baboons are clever, and ruthless and are not humans. While there are animals which I will not hunt for personal reasons, I will kill a Baboon anytime, anywhere I can.