Newbie Questions

[Keakakea]

Hi, long time lurker with a couple of beginner questions if you folks have answers.

My dad, brother and I are planning our first safari, most likely taking place in ‘27. We are more budget oriented than picky so it seems like plains game in South Africa or Namibia is the best fit.

1. Is camp often shared with other hunters or do outfits only take on one hunter or group at a time? I think we would prefer just us hunting.

Taxidermy and shipping to the US seems more daunting and expensive than we are willing to take on, especially on our first time. I’m fully expecting to catch the bug and be back another time. I’ve been debating whether to go with trophy hunting or a cull hunt, especially if I won’t be doing taxidermy. The one animal I wouldn’t mind going after a trophy would be a gemsbok as they have always been my favorite African animal.

2.For the folks that have done a cull hunt, have you enjoyed it, or would you recommend going for trophies?

Lots of outfitter mention 1x1 prices or 2x1 prices.

3. How does it work with 3 hunters? Are most camps not set up to deal with 3+ hunters?

To me, free range and a sense of wildness is important. I’m used to a wall tent in the wilderness and not 4-5 star accommodations.

4. I understand that’s part of what you’re paying for, but any recommendations on safaris where you are “roughing it” and hunting truly wild animals? I understand at our lower budget that might be less common.

Thanks for any help

 

[Field28]

Welcome aboard!

There will be outfitters posting on this thread shortly.

A lot of the places where you are going to be hunting packages that are reasonable you generally will be with other hunters at the lodge, that's not a bad thing, lots of comraderie to be had in the Boma! You will be very catered too, totally different from many hunting experiences here in the States.

Quite a few reputable places in Eastern Cape that will fit that bill. Frontier, KMG, Bowker, Elite to name a few.Others will chime in.

Don't overthink the high fence thing.
Many of these places have massive amounts of acres that you won't notice the fence, it won't feel canned.

I wouldn’t do a cull hunt personally.
A reputable outfit will put something affordable together for you, especially since there are three of you.

To help with the taxidermy costs, all three can split the shipment. If you want to keep the cost of the taxidermy down some, pick one or two of the animals you are proudest of from your hunt to shoulder mount and do the rest in Euro mounts. There are options for taxidermy here and over there, pros and cons for both.

The more rustic bush camp, wild Africa types are in Zim, Mozambique, Uganda etc. Yes, way more expensive. Maybe think about that on your return trip.


Go and get your feet wet, you will go back.
You're at the beginning of a great journey, the members of AH will be helpful in any way possible.

 

[375Fox]

There are lots of outfitters that only take one group at a time and lots that take multiple hunters in a camp. It’s something you need to discuss with your outfitter when booking and planning your hunt. 3 hunters on one truck is a lot. It could be done but again something you’d need to discuss when planning out your hunt before booking.

I think you have a misconception about African camps and lodges. They are not all 5 stars, but I’d class all as very comfortable. Outfitters book hunts and PHs hunt the majority of the year. It’s not a short season like North America. Because of this most camps are permanent to semi permanent. Even concession areas have running water and permanent cement slabs that tents are built on. All camps will have trained camp staff, trained cook, and daily laundry again because seasons are long, but also many people are looking for work unlike US. Enjoy it, it’s a a nice change from roughing it to come back to a good meal, shower, and bed every night. Wilderness areas/concessions with more primitive camps are actually more expensive to hunt than private land.

Unless your goal is shooting a lot, I wouldn’t book a cull hunt. I find selective trophy hunting a much better experience. 3 hunters per PH would be a lot for a trophy hunt but could be done with right expectations.

I’d recommend you look into Namibia. It’s very sparsely populated and a huge amount of space. I think it will give you the wild feel you are looking for even though it’s ranch land. Eastern cape South Africa is also a very good experience but South Africa has much more development.

This is most primitive camp I’ve stayed at in Africa. Spike camp for a couple days in NW Namibia.

 

[375Fox]

I’m surprised you didn’t get more responses what is the total budget you’re looking at per person?

 

[Andrew62]

I've taken a lot of hunting trips to Africa, this year I took 2 separate elephant hunts, next year I am booked to go do a cull hunt, which I've done a couple of other times. I thoroughly enjoy being in Africa, and to be honest, sometimes I enjoy the trigger time of a cull or management hunt as much as any other type of hunting.

To have your hunting dollars go further, book a hunt with an outfitter who can pick you up and take you straight to camp. If you hunt in the eastern cape for example, then you have the added expense of overnighting in JNB, then flying and paying the extra haulage fees for your rifle and ammo to be flown.

Don't be surprised if having animals mounted then sent home isn't as expensive as hunting them.

I personally have always hunted 1x1, if you're not hunting a lot of animals, then hunting 2x1 would save you a few bucks.

As to hunting behind a high fence, just go do it, sure, you'll see the fence from time to time, but the fence is there to protect the outfitters investment in the animals he has.

Being able to go to Africa with your Dad and brother will be a special time for all of you, book what you can afford and go have fun!!

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have done a mix of both trophy and cull in same hunt. Stretches the dollar farther and just as fun. I love hunting cull blue wildebeest, it’s a challange and very affordable. Some outfitters mix camps some don’t, you need to ask that. I have had 6 great trips with Bos en Dal Safaris they are a sponsor here.

 

[Keakakea]

I’m surprised you didn’t get more responses what is the total budget you’re looking at per person?

I think we’re looking at around 5k-7k per person. Bowker safaris has been one of the ones we are looking at, just due to easy to understand pricing and packages.

I also understand what a lot of folks are saying with just go and have fun. Just a lot of money to spend without overthinking it a little. I think the thing I’m overthinking the most is balancing number of animals with the experience. I’m fine with taking less animals and having “better” or more “authentic” experience vs the value proposition of more animals harvested. Not sure if my dad and brother feel the same. Like I said, overthinking and just trying to gauge how others have felt after their first safari.

I appreciate the responses and help, especially after lurking and researching the last couple years.