What cost in African Safaris is sustainable?

[JimP]

My one and only PG Safari (10 day/12 animals) in RSA in 2022 was $6400. With airfare (baggage class), gun permit, extra fee from the travel agent for guns, oversized baggage fee for the gun case, medical/evac insurance, TIPS for the PH, tracker and lodge staff, etc., etc., ALL in was $12K. Taxidermy done in RSA and shipping was another $6K+. So, $18K+. Everything adds up. I’m not complaining because I had a great experience and I feel the total costs were well worth it compared to ANY guided all inclusive hunt for any ONE animal anywhere else in North America and probably Worldwide. But prices continue to go up and I’m not sure I’ll partake again.

@CoElkHunter we're still waiting on that hunt report

 

[Rare Breed]

Frontier, I will look. In the Cape or Namibia?

@Philip Glass is correct. However you have to make sure you are happy with the animals in their package. Look at their price sheet outside their packages…fairly high from my experience on costs in SA so if you want add ons or swap outs based on opportunities you see better get their view point before it happens

 

[Inkgardener]

Perfect example, go to @game4africa right now and see their package hunt at $5,000 for a kudu, black or blue wildebeest, zebra, impala and spring bok...add a Gemsbok you still come in less than $7,000 for all with a fantastic experience...it was my very first safari and is to this day still an incredible experience!!! To this day, I have not found a better value for the money which is why I struggle to pay more in SA. Now when you talk about Zim, Moz, Zambia, Tanzania, you are in a whole new ball game and a different type of hunt, so country matters greatly in your survey.

This is what I need! I need to plan it and go. I have been stalling long enough. Where do you fly into to go here?

 

[Rare Breed]

This is what I need! I need to plan it and go. I have been stalling long enough. Where do you fly into to go here?

Fly into JNB. I overnight at city lodge since I don’t want to leave the airport and buffet food and bar are awesome all for $150. In the morning fly airlink to Port Elizabeth where they are waiting to pick you up 1.5 hours to lodge. Air cost in total back to your home today $2100-$2500 all in.

 

[CoElkHunter]

@CoElkHunter we're still waiting on that hunt report

Too late now. It’s past the three year AH hunt report statutory limit according to Brickburn. LOL

 

[DaleGribble82]

A lot of people are "afraid" to go to Africa, simple as that. That's the only thing I can figure. Not necessarily the safety aspect, but they probably think it's a hard process to get there. The reality of it is, it's really not that hard. RSA was essentially like any other international travel for me. I know people have their feelings on the style of hunting there, but it really is the best gateway into African hunting with Namibia maybe being second.

The only two differences in terms of process was properly packing/securing/papering the firearms, and then the permitting process for the gun in RSA. And that is easily remedied with $150 permitting assistance.

Other than that? Get on a plane and go. Any good outfitter will pick you up and treat you well from the time you meet them at the airport till you head back there to go home.

I briefly entertained maybe doing a blackbuck hunt in TX and when I saw $6000 trophy fee I immediately canned that idea.

$6,000 for a blackbuck is insane. We did ours with Infinity Outfitters in Menard for $3,500.

 

[Inkgardener]

Fly into JNB. I overnight at city lodge since I don’t want to leave the airport and buffet food and bar are awesome all for $150. In the morning fly airlink to Port Elizabeth where they are waiting to pick you up 1.5 hours to lodge. Air cost in total back to your home today $2100-$2500 all in.

Wow, airfare has gone up more than expected in the past six months. Just for my wife to come along and sit in the camp adds $2500-3500 just in airfare, and I'm not sure she would be interested in just sitting there.

For the wife and I, the scenic (48 hour) Doha route is $4200ish plus the flight from JNB to PLZ would be taxing on one's mentality. ATL to JNB is $6300 using Delta, but 20ish hours. I haven't even figured the JNB to PLZ trip yet.

These prices cut into the under $10k trip significantly when you add up everything else, and I'm of course not counting trophies.

Does anyone else have much luck leaving the wife at home?

 

[JimP]

Wow, airfare has gone up more than expected in the past six months. Just for my wife to come along and sit in the camp adds $2500-3500 just in airfare, and I'm not sure she would be interested in just sitting there.

For the wife and I, the scenic (48 hour) Doha route is $4200ish plus the flight from JNB to PLZ would be taxing on one's mentality. ATL to JNB is $6300 using Delta, but 20ish hours. I haven't even figured the JNB to PLZ trip yet.

These prices cut into the under $10k trip significantly when you add up everything else, and I'm of course not counting trophies.

Does anyone else have much luck leaving the wife at

Getting to South Africa is not cheap if you are sitting up in the front of the plane, but once you get there you will find that it's worth it.

As for your Mrs, check with your outfitter to see what they have for her to do.

Sounds like you are trying to do your airfare yourself, I'd recommend a travel agent that is experienced in getting you there and back. Just recently there was a problem with cancelations. I'd recommend Travel Express and Rifle Permits for pre approved rifle permits

 

[CoElkHunter]

Wow, airfare has gone up more than expected in the past six months. Just for my wife to come along and sit in the camp adds $2500-3500 just in airfare, and I'm not sure she would be interested in just sitting there.

For the wife and I, the scenic (48 hour) Doha route is $4200ish plus the flight from JNB to PLZ would be taxing on one's mentality. ATL to JNB is $6300 using Delta, but 20ish hours. I haven't even figured the JNB to PLZ trip yet.

These prices cut into the under $10k trip significantly when you add up everything else, and I'm of course not counting trophies.

Does anyone else have much luck leaving the wife at home?

I think the OP’s question and costs only included the Safari itself. You can almost double the price of the Safari with airfare and all of the other add ons for the true cost of the entire “trip”. At least that was my experience.

 

[Inkgardener]

Getting to South Africa is not cheap if you are sitting up in the front of the plane, but once you get there you will find that it's worth it.

As for your Mrs, check with your outfitter to see what they have for her to do.

Sounds like you are trying to do your airfare yourself, I'd recommend a travel agent that is experienced in getting you there and back. Just recently there was a problem with cancelations. I'd recommend Travel Express and Rifle Permits for pre approved rifle permits

Thanks! I was just getting a baseline of airfare. I will definitely use Travel Express and Rifle Permits.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Thanks! I was just getting a baseline of airfare. I will definitely use Travel Express and Rifle Permits.

Certain days for departure and times of the year play in to air fares. You can save money if you're flexible.

 

[Safari Dave]

You can easily do what you want for under $10K (excluding airfare and taxidermy) in Limpopo RSA, if you shop around.

You won't even have to skimp on accommodations.

 

[D-Orcutt]

Africa is still a budget hunt compared to Alaskan hunt, I’m doing the opposite and planning on retiring to Alaska so I can hunt there cheaper.

 

[3chunter]

I think many folks are starting to get priced out of the taxidermy and shipping costs part.
Midwest and out west the norm is now $6000 plus for a deer hunt. I know several guys that have spent that and not even have an opportunity at a nice buck. Which is crazy in my opinion. I went on one of those hunts last year and was successful but I found that I don’t like the pressure that comes with those one animal hunts. It’s just becoming to rich for my blood so I am starting to plan long timeframe public land hunts for the future. I can spend $1500 bucks total and success be fully in my own hands with no pressure. Save my dollars for Africa and other places I haven’t hunted yet.

 

[3chunter]

Oh And $10 k can still get you a really nice hunt in Africa.

 

[mark-hunter]

I see similar African safaris to my 2005 effort for $10,000-20,000 depending on the outfitter and country.

The prices I had in Namibia in 2024 from the outfitters price list.

Day rate 300 eur, 7 days 2100 eur
Zebra, 1000 eur
Warthog, 400 eur
Springbok, 600 eur
Kudu, 2000 eur
Oryx, 600 eur
Total: 6700 eur, or 7835 USD

 

[Muskox]

Wow, airfare has gone up more than expected in the past six months. Just for my wife to come along and sit in the camp adds $2500-3500 just in airfare, and I'm not sure she would be interested in just sitting there.

For the wife and I, the scenic (48 hour) Doha route is $4200ish plus the flight from JNB to PLZ would be taxing on one's mentality. ATL to JNB is $6300 using Delta, but 20ish hours. I haven't even figured the JNB to PLZ trip yet.

These prices cut into the under $10k trip significantly when you add up everything else, and I'm of course not counting trophies.

Does anyone else have much luck leaving the wife at home?

I do it here for every hunt. When she comes it is a turdfest.

 

[Philip Glass]

Frontier, I will look. In the Cape or Namibia?

Both

 

[Philip Glass]

What drives the cheaper rates found in Eastern Cape?

Some have large, self sustaining, privately owned, herds of game versus put and take or lease costs it is far more economical.

 

[Philip Glass]

A lot of people are "afraid" to go to Africa, simple as that. That's the only thing I can figure. Not necessarily the safety aspect, but they probably think it's a hard process to get there. The reality of it is, it's really not that hard. RSA was essentially like any other international travel for me. I know people have their feelings on the style of hunting there, but it really is the best gateway into African hunting with Namibia maybe being second.

The only two differences in terms of process was properly packing/securing/papering the firearms, and then the permitting process for the gun in RSA. And that is easily remedied with $150 permitting assistance.

Other than that? Get on a plane and go. Any good outfitter will pick you up and treat you well from the time you meet them at the airport till you head back there to go home.

I briefly entertained maybe doing a blackbuck hunt in TX and when I saw $6000 trophy fee I immediately canned that idea.

It is true. They are afraid unless someone holds their hand. That's where I come in. As soon as we arrive in camp they universally state "that was not so bad and I'm pumped to be here!"
For some reason where I live is even more, how do I say this, full of less traveled people. In recent conversations two of my close friends at church divulged that they've never been on an airplane. Both certainly could go but just never have.
I was fortunate to have parents that liked to travel. We did a flying trip probably every second year or so. DC, Disney, Worlds Fairs, California, etc. These days it's no big deal but quite the privilege back in the 1970's.
I suppose we must admit that there are far more people going on safari now than ever before. Who knows what the future holds.