Plains game hunt costs

truenorth1

AH member
Joined
Jan 22, 2016
Messages
15
Reaction score
8
Hunting reports
Africa
1
Hey everyone,

I'm new to the site and have never been to africa, there seems to be a ton of information on here. I was looking into a simple plains game hunt. I would like to get some advice on these 4 species hunts that seem to be a dime a dozen on the net. They all seem to have a kudu, blue wildebeest, impala, and a warthog or a jackal. They range in price from 3500-7000 with those trophy fees included. I'm not sure what each includes but I'd like to get a good idea of what a hunt like this would cost? What are some hidden fees and costs that arise? What dipping and shipping would cost? Airfare? Taxidermy? If anyone could point me on to a reputable outfitter/area it would be appreciated....thanks in advance
 
Welcome to the AH site and good luck with the coming hunt in RSA!
I am local RSA resident so not able to answer your queries on the costs for a USA hunter... there are PLENTY capable hunters on this forum that will ably assist you.
 
go on any web site, look under the trophy fees. the daily rate is posted.
Airfare depends on where you are located.
PM sent
 
Welcome to AH!

Read a lot, talk to sponsors here, and above all check references. Sometimes there is a good reason for price difference (quality of outfit and animals) and sometimes there isn't.

I will also commend you for thinking about the entire package including shipping and taxidermy now. Many don't and it quite often costs them both in money and heartache.
 
truenorth1,

I like to look at all costs and put together a spreadsheet for each of my adventures. Here are some of the things that I include (for both me and Ann)

Hunter Daily Fee 10 days $ 400 $ 4,000
Spouse Observer Daily Fee 10 days $ 150 $ 1,500
Air Fare US to Joberg / Windhoek $ 4,200
2 days Touring Kruger, Etosha, (hotel, gifts, etc.) $ 1,500
Hotel Before & After (Windhoek or Joberg, etc.) $ 400
Air Fare Road transfer to camp round trip $ 750
Insurance Trip cancellation, emergency extraction $ 1,222
Kudu $ 1,200
Warthog $ 450
Zebra $ 750
Impala $ 500
Dip & Pack, deliver to local expediter/taxidermist $ 750
Shipping from Africa to US $ 1,500
Import Specialist Fees handling USFWS $ 500
Tips Percent of day rates and trophy fees 10% $ 8,400 $ 840
Kudu Shoulder $ 1,200
Warthog European $ 250
Zebra Rug $ 1,200
Impala European $ 250
Kudu / Impala Tan Hides $ 700
Shipping $ 500

TOTAL $24,162

I think this covers most of the items that are 'related' to a hunt, travel, and taxidermy. If you PM me I can send you the spreadsheet to use as different outfits have various charges for daily rates and trophy fees. If it's just you, then that reduces a couple grand that I include for Ann traveling with me.

John
 
Great starting place from Rob and you can certain cut taxidermy and some other costs, or you can spend more.

Two other comments as I think about it.
  1. Package deals are great fro first timers, but make sure that there is a "refund" amount should you not chose to shoot a particular animal. It takes the pressure off, trust me (note: your "refund" will be something less than full list price in all probability).
  2. Have budget available for that unexpected animal you fall in love with, or for when you realze that both PH and tracker jaws have dropped at an animal not on your list. Take what Africa offers! She may not ever give it again...
 
John has given you some good numbers to start with. Taxidermy can be done in the US or in RSA. Advantages both ways. Just have to decide what works best for you. Lots of great outfitters to work with on this site. Might look at hunt reports as a good starting point. Once you choose your outfitter then ask who like to use for dip and ship. Then research them. Make your own choices.cthe dip and ship should be able to provide a quote based on your animals. Same with your import agent and taxidermist. Good luck. Bruce
 
I just did my first trip to Africa in May of 2015. You pay once for airfare and the hunting, then you pay the same amount or more the "second time" for dip & pack, shipping, import fees, and taxidermy. I spent a lot of time on this website researching what I wanted to do. I also recommend attending one of the winter conventions (Dallas Safari Club, Houston Safari Club or SCI in Las Vegas).
I ended up selecting a plains game hunt through Cabela's Outdoor Adventures. They booked the travel and outfitter for me. I highly recommend the Cabela's service. Frank Cole was the consultant I worked with. As I was making my first trip to Africa, I wanted to have the details handled by someone that knows what they are doing.
I selected the Taxidermy company (and their import partner) on my own. My trophies just arrived at the taxidermist this month. So you can plan on making the travel and hunting payment one year and the taxidermy payment the next year.

Once I get my taxidermy paid for, then I will be saving up the funds for my second trip! I'm planning on Cape Buffalo for this next trip to Africa. I am hooked!

Have fun!
Joel
 
@truenorth1

Below are our current specials, however, we can custom build you a package to meet your needs...

2016-Package-US$.jpg
 
Truenorth,
You are about to undertake part of the fun of hunting Africa, which is planning the adventure! As suggested above look through this site and then look over web sites of sponsors! Decide where you want to hunt and what you want to hunt. Then ask for quotes from two or three outfitters.
When you have the quotes start finding out about the outfitters! People on thus site will gladly share their hunts with you.
Your best bet is to have voice to voice conversations with people who have hunted with an outfitter. Write down your questions in advance and seek to understand the way things work on your desired hunt.
Feel free to PM me if you would like to ask questions vs typing them out!
Someone once offered the same help to me and I don't mind returning the favor!
 
Also, I used a meet and greet service in Joberg for my first time traveling internationally with firearms. That was well worth the investment as it made it less stressful and very smooth through customs and on to our overnight hotel in Joberg.
 
So much depends on area with some animals and airfare depends a lot on time you pick to go. A cape kudu can be 900 to 1500 in the east cape and a greater kudu can be 1800 to 6500 plus in the many areas. Airfare from jan 1 to say june 1 can run 800 to 1200 with it going up to 1800 to 2400 from june 2 till end of aug then slowing coming back down in sept to dec.

I think a package offer can be a great way for a first timer to go. Just go in ready to hunt those animals first and try to stay away from chasing other animals because you want or the ph wants. If your going in with a set budget stick to it and enjoy the hunt you planned. Africa could give you a chance at an animal not in your budget and nothing much you can do. Take a picture and enjoy that you got to see it when there.

Normally on a package hunt you will focus on the bigger animals first and you will take those animals.That is as long as you make the shots and the weather is good.On your list on a 7 day hunt you will get your kudu,blue and impala with the jackal being the animal that would be focused on last unless it just happens to run in front of you.

If a budget is not a big deal then do hunt on day rate and trophy fee as you take animals. Pick a hunt based on your wants and needs. That goes from the hunt it self right down to the taxidermy. A typical 4 or 5 animal 7 day package all in can vary with airfare,taxidermy in the range of 10,000 to 15,000.

Feel free to email me or pm me here and I will give you my contact if you would like to chat.
 
Start reading the offers on AH and read some hunt reports. That will tell you a lot about the potential hunt you are after.

................... If you PM me I can send you the spreadsheet to use as different outfits have various charges for daily rates and trophy fees. .........

This is about the best method to start sorting the data. Since someone is willing to share the previously built tool you should take it.

After that you are going to have to choose the geography you want to see.

Then start asking the Outfits questions and see if you get along. Check references.

Have fun.

Welcome to AH.
 
I did forget one point that I use to pick a place to go to also. I go a lot of with gut feeling on how I feel about the outfitter. There is no one who will be able to tell you if you will be happy with your pick better then yourself. I have hunted with 3 outfits that were all with in a year or two of being in business and had great hunts. I never checked or ask for a references from any of them. Think about what a reference is and then decide if that is all it is cracked up to be. Pretty sure no one is giving you someone who had a bad hunt with them to talk with a new client.

It can be a part of doing your research but use it for what it is and that is a selling point people use to help sell themseleves by using happy hunters. Talk direct with the outfitter and base your picks on who you feel the best about.
 
Welcome to AH !
 
I went on my first safari Aug 2015. I did 2 years worth of research and talked to others who have gone to Africa and booking agents. Here would be my advice which was given to me my various smarter people than I.

1) First, decide the top 5-10 animals you want to hunt. Mine in order were kudu, Oryx, impala, Red Hartebeast, springbok, Steenbok.

2) Find out where you can hunt those animals in one place. I wanted to hunt free range animals (no game fence) so I was advised that Namibia was my best option for my top two and a couple others. After talking to others who have hunted Namibia, they convinced me the hunt mountain zebra. So, my wish list turned into Kudu, Oryx, Zebra, Springbok, Steenbok.

3) After that, it was find an outfitter that offered the kind of hunt I was looking for, for the animals I wanted. Talk to lots of references!

4) Then it was relatively simple, trophy fees+daily rate+air+ taxidermy+extras (Rifle rental, transport costs, tips, etc).

5) Then find out what you can afford.
By doing all that, I did the math and got an estimate for my hunt. In the end, my hunt was about $700 under my estimate. I came home with everything but the steenbok and had one of the best times of my life.

As was said before, you'll likely want to go back as soon as you start unpacking your dusty African hunting gear, so be warned.....
 
You haven't said if you want to gun hunt or bow hunt.
when you decide on your adventure try and hunt at least 10 days where 14 is better, time flies when you are in Africa. Forrest
 
truenorth1,

I like to look at all costs and put together a spreadsheet for each of my adventures. Here are some of the things that I include (for both me and Ann)

Hunter Daily Fee 10 days $ 400 $ 4,000
Spouse Observer Daily Fee 10 days $ 150 $ 1,500
Air Fare US to Joberg / Windhoek $ 4,200
2 days Touring Kruger, Etosha, (hotel, gifts, etc.) $ 1,500
Hotel Before & After (Windhoek or Joberg, etc.) $ 400
Air Fare Road transfer to camp round trip $ 750
Insurance Trip cancellation, emergency extraction $ 1,222
Kudu $ 1,200
Warthog $ 450
Zebra $ 750
Impala $ 500
Dip & Pack, deliver to local expediter/taxidermist $ 750
Shipping from Africa to US $ 1,500
Import Specialist Fees handling USFWS $ 500
Tips Percent of day rates and trophy fees 10% $ 8,400 $ 840
Kudu Shoulder $ 1,200
Warthog European $ 250
Zebra Rug $ 1,200
Impala European $ 250
Kudu / Impala Tan Hides $ 700
Shipping $ 500

TOTAL $24,162

I think this covers most of the items that are 'related' to a hunt, travel, and taxidermy. If you PM me I can send you the spreadsheet to use as different outfits have various charges for daily rates and trophy fees. If it's just you, then that reduces a couple grand that I include for Ann traveling with me.

John




I worked off John's (thanks for the start!) numbers and my spreadsheet as a comparison. I used the Safari Planning Guide - http://www.africahunting.com/community/safari-planning-guide/ to cut some costs … make sure you read the ENTIRE section, not just the new threads. DON’T TRUST ONE PERSON’S OPINIONS … least of all me ... read and re-read the planning guide!

My daughter and I hunted 6 days and did 7 days of self-drive tours along the Garden Route. I attempted to place my items in linear flow to when I spent them.

Air Fare US to Port Elizabeth (for 2) - $3800
6 day Spiral Slam Package, included Eastern Cape Kudu, nyala, and bushbuck -$6866
Extra kudu - $900
Rifle hire + bullets - $200
Daughter room and board - $1200
Tours (Addo/Scotia, elephant ride, cheetah farm- $250
Tips - $800
7 day Garden Route (includes car, lodging, activities … everything!) - $1330
Taxidermy, Two wall pedestal Kudu, wall pedestal nyala, shoulder bushbuck, and a backskin for nyla - $2700
Freight - $1250

ALL-IN for two weeks in South Africa with 6 days of hunting and full Afican taxidermy on my wall in rural East Texas- $18,096

I saved on taxidermy, clearing my trophies myself, planning so I didn't have extra hotel or charter flights, doing the driving and staying at “local” national parks and hostels … AND MOST IMPORTANTLY …sticking to my plan. I knew which animals I was going to shoot and passed up several “gold medal” animals that could have easily doubled the cost of my hunt and of my taxidermy. You will have to decide what you are comfortable with.

I ended up spending less than I budgeted because I got particularly good freight rate due to a lower fuel rates and didn't have to pay for US customs clearance due to an error by Freight Forward.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Forum statistics

Threads
53,635
Messages
1,131,662
Members
92,723
Latest member
edwardsrailcarcom00
 

 

 

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Early morning Impala hunt, previous link was wrong video

Headshot on jackal this morning

Mature Eland Bull taken in Tanzania, at 100 yards, with 375 H&H, 300gr, Federal Premium Expanding bullet.

20231012_145809~2.jpg
 
Top