Thoughts on type of camps

[Lex Strauss SAFARIS]

I want to get some feedback on what guys would like in a camp and if a tent camp would be what some want. I know some like the standard SA outfitter camps the typical 3 to 5 star camps

I have seen plenty of guys say they do not always want fancy. Would a tent camp like you typically get in zim or moz be something guys would like in SA. Would still be a nice clean camp but a more roughing style look and feel.

So lets hear what are ah members would like.

 

[Albert GRANT]

Tent camps would be great to get more of that classic Africa feel, but only in the right setting. No one is going to want to pull off a road and right into camp or be neighboring some town or village. It would need to be isolated enough to not have man made noises- especially at night. Additionally, as much as many would say they would be fine with a cot and a bug net, I think it would need to be a nice setup with quality tents/furniture etc. After a long day in the field, people are going to want comfort once they are actually there and in it.

 

[CRowe]

Now this is coming from a guy that hasn’t been to Africa yet. But if it cut a decent amount of the price off I would definitely be up for it. Hell I’d bring my own shelter and sleep on the ground if the price is right. That’s how I do it all across the country here in the US.

 

[Albert GRANT]

Now this is coming from a guy that hasn’t been to Africa yet. But if it cut a decent amount of the price off I would definitely be up for it. Hell I’d bring my own shelter and sleep on the ground if the price is right. That’s how I do it all across the country here in the US.

I think you will find it won't change the price at all. They are just looking to offer a wider range of options to fit the clients tastes.

 

[lockingblock]

A truly authentic old school safari camp would be awesome. It would have to be authentic…not simply tents off a highway or similar. A lot of guys want the Ruark experience…but mostly see the resort experience in brochures.

 

[Sika98k]

Something like this maybe ? This was a camp I stayed in last year in Namibia. Each tent had its own ablution block at the back.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I'm with @Albert GRANT, and I believe he stated it very well, although for myself, if I committed to a tent camp, I am totally OK with some level of lacking more refined elements. Otherwise just go with something like one already finds around RSA.

I've only been once. I loved the accommodations. First class all the way - 5 stars in my book. (@GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS) I am taking my daughter there in June, and I love knowing the accommodations will contribute to her first African experience.

I'd love to experience Africa in a tent - a true wilderness feel, with no electricity or connection needed. I do a lot of remote camping in Alaska that is truly wilderness hunting. However, as Albert articulated, it'd have to be the right setting. In my mind it'd have to be an immense property. Just putting up tents and a more primitive camp in the middle of 20K high fenced acres (for example) would feel... like a facade.

Just my two cents. I applaud you for seeking out input on looking for more options though.

 

[CRowe]

What am I missing? If there’s not daily laundry, chef cooked meals, bed being made, etc, all the stuff that goes in to the fancy camps why wouldn’t it be cheaper?

Or is all that stuff included and we’re just kind of playing pretend and going to sleep in a fancy tent at night?

Im asking sincerely. I’m trying to learn about all this stuff.

I think there’s a lot of DIY guys here in the states that don’t give Africa a chance because of three things, in this order.
1: They don’t want to be guided
2: They don’t want to stay in fancy place
3: They don’t want to be waited on and catered to.

Personally I’m just going to except those things and do it and it makes it to where my wife can come and hopefully love it, so I get it and it certainly has its place and obviously that’s how most people want it.

I wish there was an option to take the whole lodge part out of the equation, I’d be all over that. For example, if I could show up with everything but water and I mean everything, my bow, food, clothes, shelter, stove, all of it. If that took a 10 day plains game hunt from $8500 to $5500 I think you have guys fighting over it.
Maybe this option exists and I just haven’t found it? Maybe theres not that much money to be saved? Am I crazy or just uneducated?

 

[DLSJR]

I’ve spent over 100 nights on various African hunts and every single night we slept under canvas. So you know my preference by far. But I also like to hunt in large wild areas so those kinds of places go well with tents.

 

[Trail Rated]

I wish there was an option to take the whole lodge part out of the equation, I’d be all over that.

Me too. If/when I go on safari, it will be to hunt game that I can’t hunt here and to get an experience, not to prove how wealthy and pampered I am. I can stay in a fancy lodge anywhere. On safari I’d prefer that time and resources go to the hunt.

 

[Albert GRANT]

Me too. If/when I go on safari, it will be to hunt game that I can’t hunt here and to get an experience, not to prove how wealthy and pampered I am. I can stay in a fancy lodge anywhere.

There are lots of outfits you can go with that have comfortable accomodations that aren't big, fancy lodges nor do they have a bunch of staff to chase you around. That's how I did it and the PH/Owner let me know he was there anytime I wanted to hang out, but left me to my privacy anytime I wanted. We ended up hitting it off and became like best friends and therefor spent a lot of time together, but anytime I wanted to skype my family or rest, he was fine with me going off on my own. It was not only a great hunt but an amazing experience in Africa outside of the hunt. Do not let the TV shows put you off of Africa- it doesn't all have to be glitz and glam. If you do enough searching around you will easily be able to find something that suits all your needs except hunting alone- you will be required to have a PH. When you do end up going I'd highly suggest booking extra days to do non hunting stuff like going to the parks or game reserves.

 

[Hogpatrol]

My 2¢. This may be an age oriented decision. In my 70's, the days of me crapping in an outhouse, sleeping in a bunk or on a cot with bugs and a dirt floor are over. I don't need a chocolate on my pillow, a swimming pool and four star accommodations, just a comfortable bed and decent bathroom/shower. Others MMV.

 

[Andrew62]

Of my 16 trips to Africa I have experienced everything from tented camps, which I totally love, to pretty nice accommodations, which I have also enjoyed. Just this past week my elephant hunt for this fall was moved by the outfitter to next spring, so I have spent a lot of time looking for a plains game hunt for this fall. I have decided to take a cull hunt which includes 5 blue wildebeest, 5 impalas, 6 days of hunting and accommodations, pickup and return to the airport in JNB, all for 4500.00. I cannot go to Wyoming and hunt one antelope for under 3500.00 to 4000.00 on a guided hunt. African plains game hunting is the cheapest hunting you will ever find. And, I will admit, the days of me going on a hunt for 7-10 days in North America where there are no showers, no clothes being washed, sleeping in a bunkhouse with others are over!! Give me Africa all day every day!!

 

[Lex Strauss SAFARIS]

This is to find out what guys want so we can give them what they are looking for .Would be just another camp set up away from main lodge to give a more wild feel to a hunt. All the service would still be there as needed.

 

[Just Gina]

Want a woman’s opinion?
I knew you did!
I stayed in resort type accommodations in SA my first trip. Second and third trips were in a tent. I require a lot of clean drinking water, privacy, a shower, and a toilet that is not a bucket or an outhouse.
In Tanzania I stayed in a tent for 21 days. The camp was amazing and far, far better than my stay in a tent in Zim.
I could not care less about gourmet food or a chef really. All I want are green vegetables whether fresh or canned green beans (seriously). Coffee!! Lots and lots of coffee!!
I agree with those who said a comfortable bed. If there is not laundry service, I have plenty of clothes. I can pack extra.
I look forward to hearing everyone’s opinions! Great question, thanks for asking it!

 

[Lex Strauss SAFARIS]

What am I missing? If there’s not daily laundry, chef cooked meals, bed being made, etc, all the stuff that goes in to the fancy camps why wouldn’t it be cheaper?

Or is all that stuff included and we’re just kind of playing pretend and going to sleep in a fancy tent at night?

Im asking sincerely. I’m trying to learn about all this stuff.

I think there’s a lot of DIY guys here in the states that don’t give Africa a chance because of three things, in this order.
1: They don’t want to be guided
2: They don’t want to stay in fancy place
3: They don’t want to be waited on and catered to.

Personally I’m just going to except those things and do it and it makes it to where my wife can come and hopefully love it, so I get it and it certainly has its place and obviously that’s how most people want it.

I wish there was an option to take the whole lodge part out of the equation, I’d be all over that. For example, if I could show up with everything but water and I mean everything, my bow, food, clothes, shelter, stove, all of it. If that took a 10 day plains game hunt from $8500 to $5500 I think you have guys fighting over it.
Maybe this option exists and I just haven’t found it? Maybe theres not that much money to be saved? Am I crazy or just uneducated?

There is many option in africa but by law not any that does not come with a ph or guide. The fancy place is what I am trying to fined out what guys will like if not the nice lodge most have in SA.

The catered to is just standard service on a safari but if someone wanted more space or left alone in camp all they need to do is ask. Your paying for service but if you wish for less that can be done but only to a point.

 

[Just Gina]

My 2¢. This may be an age oriented decision. In my 70's, the days of me crapping in an outhouse, sleeping in a bunk or on a cot with bugs and a dirt floor are over. I don't need a chocolate on my pillow, a swimming pool and four star accommodations, just a comfortable bed and decent bathroom/shower. Others MMV.

 

[Lex Strauss SAFARIS]

Want a woman’s opinion?
I knew you did!
I stayed in resort type accommodations in SA my first trip. Second and third trips were in a tent. I require a lot of clean drinking water, privacy, a shower, and a toilet that is not a bucket or an outhouse.
In Tanzania I stayed in a tent for 21 days. The camp was amazing and far, far better than my stay in a tent in Zim.
I could not care less about gourmet food or a chef really. All I want are green vegetables whether fresh or canned green beans (seriously). Coffee!! Lots and lots of coffee!!
I agree with those who said a comfortable bed. If there is not laundry service, I have plenty of clothes. I can pack extra.
I look forward to hearing everyone’s opinions! Great question, thanks for asking it!

I want all opinions and should of said hunters not guys in my start of this subject.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

My first safari was to Namibia in 2007. The outfitter had a central thatch roof lodge and then several tents arranged around the lodge. The tents I referred to as "Safari Suites" as they were extremely nice wall tents with multiple flys over them. The floor was concrete or bricks, and a large rug. Real furniture inside with electric lights. The back of the tent was sort of led to a bathroom, built with cinder block walls with a flush commode on one side and a shower and sink on the other. The most comfortable tent I've ever slept in! Loved it!

 

[CRowe]

There is many option in africa but by law not any that does not come with a ph or guide. The fancy place is what I am trying to fined out what guys will like if not the nice lodge most have in SA.

The catered to is just standard service on a safari but if someone wanted more space or left alone in camp all they need to do is ask. Your paying for service but if you wish for less that can be done but only to a point.

Yes sir, I understand the guide/PH is required by law and there’s no getting around that. I guess what I was trying to say is that I think there’s a fair amount of people that would like the most stripped down self sufficient African experience they can legally get. Myself included. As long as the price was fairly adjusted for it.