non hunter trying to plan a safari/hunt honeymoon for finance. help please!

[bnav]

Hi everyone!
I just happened to find this site and it's been quite helpful! I'm getting married next May and I was looking into an Africa safari. Well, my fiance is trying to see if we can figure out how to add some hunting in there as well. I'm not a hunter but he is. He is fine with something like a springbok, impala, duiker or steenbok and would be happy with 1 animal. He's fine with either bow or rifle.
My original plan was to go on a 5 day safari in Kenya and then hit the beach for a couple days. So now I'm back to square one with planning.

I'm looking for any advise any of you have with wives/girlfriends/others who have come along as non-hunters. I don't want to be bored sitting at the lodge while he's off hunting. I don't really want to go along with him just because I don't want to see something get shot. I know I'm on a hunters forum. I'm ok with him doing it but I just don't want to see it.

Do any of you have suggestions of places that can plan activites for non-hunters as well? We don't need anything super fancy. I really havn't looked into a safari/hunt honeymoon much at all yet! Are there places we could easily get to a few days for hunting then maybe do a safari after then a couple days at the beach? My ask might be really unrealsitic. Or take out the beach and just do a safari and then add on a few hunting days at the end?

Any help you could offer up would be soooo appreciated!!
Thank you!
Brandi

 

[Buff-Buster]

Hey Brandi! Welcome to AH! I'm sure you will get a lot of suggestion over the coming days from the crew. Actually, Africa is the perfect place for you guys honeymoon. There are a lot of senarios, but I would look at something out of Cape Town, You could do the wine tour, spend a few days on a beautiful beach, do a little hunting, etc... We have outfitters here that can help you out and I'm sure they will be responding. Good luck and congratulations!!!

 

[Mtgoat]

Brandi,
Welcome! If he isn't particular about what he shoots, he ought to be able to kill something in a single day. I would recommend that he find an outfitter that will let him rent/borrow a gun. As you can read on this site, transporting a gun can be a lot of hassle. Also, carrying it with you for the rest of the trip is going to be more trouble than it is worth.

Bored in camp? There is much more to see and do at a lodge than any beach. You can arrange for them to take you on an outing somewhere.

BTW - as you will soon figure out if you poke around on this site, odds are that this won't be your last trip to Africa.

 

[David K]

Hi. My wife and I just got back from hunting with Thwane Safaris Africa, Marius Barnard in SA. Neither one of us are furred animal hunters. In 10 days we took 17 animals including a very nice Cape Buffalo. My wife shot 11 animals including Sable and Eland. 5 star lodge, wonderful food and drink. Marius and family were wonderful. First class operation. A place were all your good dreams come true.

 

[JamesJ]

Hi Brandi,

Welcome to the forum, #1 you won't be able to do any hunting in Kenya, so you are going to have to travel to another country for the hunting portion. South Africa is a great destination as there are plenty of non hunting activities for you as while he is out.

I would suggest the eastern cape there is some great hunting nearby and you could take in the sights. wine tours, garden tours, penguin cruise, shopping, game parks, there is quite a bit to do. drop me an email and I'll be more than happy to help you arrange something.

 

[Patrick R]

Hi Brandi,

Welcome to the AH Forum. Hope someone can help you. PM send.

 

[svinejakt]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. I had a tour last year that involves everything you mention It was a 3 week trip and I guess the easiest for you is to take away the first week in Kenya, but I will in short terms explain our trip We where 2 couples. I organized everything on the trip so send me a pm if you have questions.

First we flew Norway-Kenya. Did a week safari with basecamp explorer. Was awesome. Saw 4 different parts of kenya and it rocked.
Then we flew to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. We got picked up by Marius Goosen of KMG Safaris. The guys hunted 3 days 2X1, we both got a warthog and an Impala. Had a blast. Every day except one we had lunch with our girls and dinner every night. Let me tell you, the food is excellent. There was different non-hunting activities. They elected for a day of safari and a day of shopping and lunch in Grahamstown. There are much more you could do off course. A day by the pool, spa etc.
If you dont go to Kenya first I would go direct from hunting this area to Welcome to Shamwari Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Did a safari there in 2010 and it was magical. This is a proper luxury place, won all the right awards. Its expensive, but what a place.
We went in to Port Elizabeth where we stayed 6 days. I have a lot of friends here. This was the relaxing beach and Braai (BBQ) part of the vacation. Stayed at our favourite guest house "47 guest house". They have 2 smaller game parks where you could go to pet baby tigers and lions. Its an experience
After that we flew to Cape Town for 5 days. Had 2 days in Franschoeck, wine country and gourmet capital of SA. 1,5 hours outside cape town. We finished in Cape Town. Tour of the city and ate at my favourite restaurant in the world, La Colombe. We had 2 half days at the beach as well, just wonderful

I think South Africa has no problems filling all your needs of your trip. Beach, safari and hunting is plentiful and there is so much more. Food and wine is also top notch. Good Luck and shoot me a pm if have questions

 

[bnav]

Thanks everyone for all the help!!!!! You all have been so helpful! I really hope we can make this trip work because I'm now getting really excited.

We've talked about it and pretty much we'd like to do something along these lines.
He wants to hunt 1 impala and then do a safari where we can be together and see lots of animals then back to Cape Town. We scratched trying to go to Kenya, which is fine, and just concentrate on South Africa as it will make logistics much easier. I'm now searching for an outfitter than can arrange a 1 or 2 day hunt and then take us on a Safari. That way he'll be happy he got his Impala and I'll be happy seeing all the wildlife then back to cape town and then home. Hope to do this in 10-12 days as the finance doesn't want to use up too much vacation time so he has time to take off for white tail in the fall. There's so many places and everywhere looks so wonderful!!

I just looked at Shamwari Game Reserve.. AMAZING! I just need to find a place that will do a 1 or 2 day Impala hunt. It's expensive but would love a couple days there.

I really do appreciate all the advise you've given me!!!!

 

[svinejakt]

I almost forgot, remember if you are going in may to South Africa, there may not be beach weather all the time. It is one of the colder months. We where there in may/june in 2010, the same time we went to Shamwari and had some of the coldest days I have experienced in SA. Great for viewing animals, not so great for beach time.
NB: Try to get 2 hunting days, rather than 1
Good luck!!

 

[bnav]

Thanks for that info about the colder weather! I'm fine not going to the beach. Just figured I'd do everything I can in case I never make it back to South Africa! We aren't big beach people since we like to do activities to stay busy. We'd rather kayak or hike or explore rather than lay on the beach but it can be enjoyable to relax for a couple days.

Right now I'm leaning towards trying to find a 3 night/2 day hunt then go to Shamwari and then Port Elizabeth or Cape Town for a couple days. Oh the options!

Thank you!!!!

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Brandi
Try Jon X Safari Rick and Carl Van Zyl, they border Shamwari, great company and place to be.

I opt for Cape Town, as it is more along the lines of what you would like to experience, than what PE is, but from Lalibela, a transfer to the Airport and then to Cape town can be very easily organised..

My best always

 

[Patrick R]

uhu-huh, and maybe snow...rather try the higher East Coast (Durban) in Winter...

I almost forgot, remember if you are going in may to South Africa, there may not be beach weather all the time. It is one of the colder months. We where there in may/june in 2010, the same time we went to Shamwari and had some of the coldest days I have experienced in SA. Great for viewing animals, not so great for beach time.
NB: Try to get 2 hunting days, rather than 1
Good luck!!

 

[Savage Hunter]

consider going to South Africa.
You can do 4-5 days in Kruger Park doing a photo safari or book a trip from J-berg to Victoria Falls and go on photo safari in a game park nearby and back, then there are tons of outfitters on here that you could likely book a 3 day hunt if time is an issue. Some of them have day spas and stuff for you to do at the lodge while he does a couple of days of hunting. also, you could consider doing some fishing on a charter boat.

 

[jepetto62]

Hi Brandi,

as everyone agrees SA may be your best bet. Or Namibia. may nice outfitters with great and luxurious property.
and, yes, beware of the cold weather, I have been there on occasions where it... snowed (exceptional but it happens). Generally you should be fine.
but if you want to do something relaxing at the end of your trip, look for Mauritius. It is a 2-3 hours flight (priced around 500$) and has the best (really the best) hotels/beach in the world at reasonable prices.
It is something I have done before (hunting ZIM, Namibia or SA), then take 3-5 days on a warm beach before flying back, very nice.

Good luck in your planning

 

[bnav]

Thanks everyone.

I am going to look into Kruger as well! If we don't end up going to Cape Town it's not a big deal. Honestly if we could do a short hunt then spend the rest of the time on a safari I'd be fine. We are super flexible and as long as he can get an Impala and I can see the big 5 and a bunch of animals we'll be happy. I'll keep looking around and see what I can find. Thank you!

 

[Stocky]

I have several hunts I bought on auction at our local Safari Club chapter that went for very low prices. I went on one of them in May and had the time of my life, have another one just like it. I'm talking $500 to $2000, for five days, up to two hunters and two guests each. A couple of them include several animals so they are a real bargain.

This would leave all for you to do is airfare, plus any extra animals you may wish to pay for. They all have activities for non-hunters (like Kruger Park Tours) that can be added, one of them has a spa on location, another has a spa right down the road a bit. They are an excellent way to get to Africa on a budget.

I can fax the paperwork to you so you can check them out and decide if you like.

 

[Bos en Dal SAFARIS]

Hi Brandi for some real close encounters with the Big 5 have a look at Madikwe game reserve, they offer some really nice safaris with oppertunity for some very good photo's.
They me be a bit on the expensive side but it is really worth it.

Good luck on your planning

Best Regards

 

[Code4]

Hello bnav,

In 2008 I took my wife and teenage family to RSA and Zim (self drive in a private car from Joburg to Cape Town to Vic Falls and return) for 6 weeks. I hunted with my son for 10 days and my wife and two daughters had to amuse themselves . The rest of the time we did the tourist trail.

Yes, if it is all hunting you will get bored but your (future) husband is a lucky man to have you understand his passion.

I would highly recommend Cape Town as a must see. I'd recommend staying on the Atlantic seaboard and not in the CBD. Hire a car and driver very cheaply for a day and visit the wineries.

If it is May, depending on your budget, consider Mozambique or Namibia as both have some magnificent coastal romantic hideaways.

Compared to Hwange in Zim, Kruger can be a little 'commercial' if you are into true wilderness. In RSA some of the private games reserves have fantastic lodges, facilities and game to watch. This will tie in with your husband's day of hunting (He will be up before dawn so you won't miss him much). You have a day off around a pool reading or have the owner take you into town for some curio shopping without your husband dragging along behind you.

Africa for a honeymoon ? If it is straight after the ceremony you may very well be run down so factor in some rest time at the start. Fantastic idea you will love it.

 

[bnav]

This is what I'm thinking. ... although I'm sure I'll change my mind a million times and I want to check out Namibia too still.
Fly to Port Elizabeth and stay at Haaspoort Bushcamp Game Reserve Karoo Bush Camp Accommodation Steytlerville
and do a 2 day hunt with Karoo Wild Safaris for an Impala During your plains game hunt
Stay at Haaspoort Bushcamp for a couple days and go to Addo National Park and Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve

After 4 days leave and fly to Johannesburg and go to Kruger National Park and stay at Naledi for 4 days. Naledi Private Game Reserve South Africa: Luxury Safari Lodge Accommodation - Kruger Park

Then fly back home.

 

[Code4]

Perfect. Nice choices.

If you spend two days at Karoo Wild Safaris let him take a second animal if he gets an impala early.

The Karoo and The Lowveldt in Naledi are two different eco-systems so you will see two different side of Africa. I have a soft spot for the lowveldt. It SCREAMS wild Africa.