Location for first safari/PG hunt

[Mountaineer]

I think you would love Namibia. Lots of open space, lots of game, and safe. I have hunted with Khomas Highland Safaris several times and always leave planning my next trip. I have also hunted with Jamy Taunt. They are also top notch. Good luck and enjoy the planning.

 

[549]

Thanks everyone with the suggestions. The East Cape did pique my interest a bit also when researching.

Another question is just how much you can tailor a package to meet your desires. I see many hunt packages that have a variety of animals listed, but that often only include one or two species that I actually want. With the exception of Cape Buff hunt sometime in the future, what I listed pretty much describes my interests.

I have no desire for Springbok, Blesbok, Warthog, any of the Tiny 10, any type of "kitty", and no, not even Eland, Kudu, or Nyala. I don't want to pay for a package that includes them, not take them, and have to pay extra to add on something I do want. I assume if the desired game is available, any outfitter will accomodate you?

 

[Rem280]

I chose KMG for my first safari and got a Black Wildebeest there. Highly recommend! Marius and crew are amazing. Tell Marius what you are looking for and I guarantee he will make it happen!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Thanks everyone with the suggestions. The East Cape did pique my interest a bit also when researching.

Another question is just how much you can tailor a package to meet your desires. I see many hunt packages that have a variety of animals listed, but that often only include one or two species that I actually want. With the exception of Cape Buff hunt sometime in the future, what I listed pretty much describes my interests.

I have no desire for Springbok, Blesbok, Warthog, any of the Tiny 10, any type of "kitty", and no, not even Eland, Kudu, or Nyala. I don't want to pay for a package that includes them, not take them, and have to pay extra to add on something I do want. I assume if the desired game is available, any outfitter will accomodate you?

You can ask your desired Outfitter/PH to build you a package of just the animals you desire OR you can go A La Carte; meaning pay the day rates and then pay trophy’s fees for what you shoot.

I think packages are common for the first or second timer who’s someone looking to experience Africa but doesn’t have specific goals. It’s also really only a South Africa/Namibia type thing. Once you’ve been a time or two or you’re hunting somewhere with certain quotas you’ll likely go A La Carte so you can hunt a primary/secondary animal and whatever the bush gives you.

Having been on several safaris, I’ve done both packages and A La Carte. I’ve used a package in South Africa that included a handful of animals to basically cover day rates targeting my primary or secondary animal off the trophy fee list using the included animals as opportunities/bonuses. Communicate with the Outfitter/PH and they’ll build you the hunt you want/desire.

 

[Hunt anything]

The only pkg hunt I’ve booked was a buffalo pkg in Mozambique. It saved a few hundred bucks off of booking it straight day rate, license fee, trophy fee and rifle import fee. On my other 4 safaris I’ve gone in with certain animal in mind but nothing set in stone except a klipspringer in 2021 due to their somewhat special habitat and a bushpig due to needing to be baited. There is one antelope I will always hunt if in an area with them is the bushbuck.
With this I’ve gotten a decent variety of critters with only a couple of repeats, 3 bushbuck and 2 common reedbuck which I love to hunt as well.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Personally, the next time I go I plan on taking whatever comes along (while being more selective about trophy quality) and not stick to a predetermined list. Meaning if I come across a good endemic animal I’m not going to pass it up like last time. I don’t mean that I plan on pursuing certain measurements but it would make it more interesting. Probably had to do with the time of year I went but it was not hard hunting. Lists are very constricting

 

[375Fox]

I’d recommend you go to Namibia or Eastern Cape South Africa, but I’d tell you to choose an area then choose the species you want to hunt there based on the animals that are endemic and do well in that particular region. I’d recommend against Limpopo. It’s too commercialized for me. I think the Namibia or eastern cape give a much better experience and larger properties.

 

[375Fox]

I have no desire for Springbok, Blesbok, Warthog, any of the Tiny 10, any type of "kitty", and no, not even Eland, Kudu, or Nyala. I don't want to pay for a package that includes them, not take them, and have to pay extra to add on something I do want. I assume if the desired game is available, any outfitter will accomodate you?

I don’t think any hunter has ever gone to Africa the first time and not had their original list change. Tell outfitters what you’d like but leave some budget to be flexible. I think you’d have to look hard to find someone who wouldn’t be impressed with a trophy kudu.

 

[mark-hunter]

My first target, on first safari was KUDU!

 

[fourfive8]

@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.

I haven’t got a clue about comparing shooting primates with shooting coyotes or prairie dogs or cattle ranching? For a more first-hand opinion about the wisdom of that thinking, might ask the Idaho ex-game commissioner.

 

[Hunt anything]

I haven’t got a clue about comparing shooting primates with shooting coyotes or prairie dogs or cattle ranching? For a more first-hand opinion about the wisdom of that thinking, might ask the Idaho ex-game commissioner.

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I was just comparing coyotes and baboons can be devastating to livestock production especially when the young are being dropped.
Not game predation, they all have a place in nature and have developed protections over generations domestic livestock not so much.