What is the TRUE cost of my African Hunting Safari!

[RolandtheHeadless]

Don't figure out the true cost, as then you may have to give the figure to your wife when you ask permission to go.

 

[mark-hunter]

These could potentially include:
* Pro-forma invoices Dipping packing
* Shipping (pro forma invoice)
* Additional taxes if any
* Taxidermy
* Average on tipping
* Full quote on additional species at time of booking.
* Pricing on additional flights, inland commercial or charter, and if so pricing on overnight guest housing, does this include dinner or only breakfast.
* All services that we truly include whilst on safari, transfers to non hunting activities for wives as well as pricing on those transfers and on activities themselves.
* So called free species(Varmint) any Cities or permit fees should you decide to export
* What does moderation mean (maybe I'm really happy after shooting a big kudu for 2 days? And feel like a party does this still fall under the term moderation, or rather when do I start paying and how much.)
* Possible costs on international airfare, as well as cost on inland flights to designated gateway cities.
* Visa costs if any.
* Pre arranged rifle importation

Keep in mind while I understand that there are allot of variables we (outfitters) also need to remeber that we should truly be able to list all costs directly related to visiting with us or as direct result of taking a trophy or exportable animal,

These are all things that seems simple to us but they are concerns especially for the budget minded hunter, who we all depend on.

My point is that trophies fees and daily rates do by no means constitute a complete breakdown on all safari costs involved, as outfitters do we really give our clients a complete breakdown on all safari costs involved, We are their/your contact/route/gateway to Africa and I feel that Ultimately we as outfitters should be responsible for providing clients potential or booked with all information instead of shrugging it off as non related costs.

Jaco

This is a good thread you have started!

Can it be worked out to more details? You mentioned and listed some possible additional costs, and listed them above.

Can you try to build up from there, lets say, starting from one PG, 7 day safari cost that you have for 5 most common PG animals (day rate + trophy fees), and estimate the additional costs from the list given?

 

[BryceM]

I have a pretty good idea what each trip costs, but if I had to pay it all at once from deposit to final taxidermy, I’d probably never go!

 

[Safari Dave]

IME, I would say:

A) - booked directly with a safari company (X 2)

B) - bought at an auction (X 4+++, depending on the "deal")



I would get in touch with Travel Express or Gracy Travel prior to doing anything, and talk to a professional safari travel agent. These two companies know what they are doing and will be up front with you. (But, they probably don't know about your specific safari company).

 

[Qc_BearHunter]

I went in SA in 2022. Me and a friend are thinking about going in 2027. We are looking at different opportunities and it's amazed me how the prices have skyrocketed since a few years. To the point I'm thinking about not being able to do it again. Regular day fees for 10 days +buffalo trophy fees is out of reach, the cheapest package I've found is 9990$ for seven days, but it puzzled me when I see that the buffalo alone is 9990$ in the price list.. All this plus our CDN$ value that is going down the drain.

 

[hoytcanon]

Doubling the upfront safari cost is generally pretty close on the final number.

 

[DukeS]

Hi guys
Been scratching on this site for a while and have done some posts, however I have found mostly from feedback from my clients or other fellow hunters that have hunted Africa that there seems to be some confusion regarding total costs or total safari breakdowns, this is a subject that comes up far to often and can leave a bitter taste or a disappointing end to what would have been the perfect safari.

Does all inclusive really mean what it should, and while most or many of these potential costs are not payable to the outfitter we as outfitters could surely prepare our guests for such expenses it would be good to get a complete frame work on this (orn a norm so to speak) I truly believe that it would make the booking process for hunters much easier (less complicated) and remove any uncertainty that there might be, I would like some feedback from hunters and outfitters alike to see what we as a group can come up with.

These could potentially include:
* Pro-forma invoices Dipping packing
* Shipping (pro forma invoice)
* Additional taxes if any
* Taxidermy
* Average on tipping
* Full quote on additional species at time of booking.
* Pricing on additional flights, inland commercial or charter, and if so pricing on overnight guest housing, does this include dinner or only breakfast.
* All services that we truly include whilst on safari, transfers to non hunting activities for wives as well as pricing on those transfers and on activities themselves.
* So called free species(Varmint) any Cities or permit fees should you decide to export
* What does moderation mean (maybe I'm really happy after shooting a big kudu for 2 days? And feel like a party does this still fall under the term moderation, or rather when do I start paying and how much.)
* Possible costs on international airfare, as well as cost on inland flights to designated gateway cities.
* Visa costs if any.
* Pre arranged rifle importation

Keep in mind while I understand that there are allot of variables we (outfitters) also need to remeber that we should truly be able to list all costs directly related to visiting with us or as direct result of taking a trophy or exportable animal,

These are all things that seems simple to us but they are concerns especially for the budget minded hunter, who we all depend on.

My point is that trophies fees and daily rates do by no means constitute a complete breakdown on all safari costs involved, as outfitters do we really give our clients a complete breakdown on all safari costs involved, We are their/your contact/route/gateway to Africa and I feel that Ultimately we as outfitters should be responsible for providing clients potential or booked with all information instead of shrugging it off as non related costs.

No matter which way we cut it in the end is part of safari expenses. Would really appreciate some positive feedback to see where we as outfitters can better ourselves and make the whole booking process less complicated.

Thought it would be good to start this as it is just before Vegas and some other shows.

My best always

I would like an understanding of what "moderation" is myself.

 

[Rare Breed]

Just me, if I’m going to SA I buy animal packages not day rates and then trophy fees unless of course I want extra animals over the package. In my experience, reading posts on AH over the years the most often quoted surprise is Taxidermist costs. To be clearer, it is actually not the Taxi. cost as much as it is the shipping and all fees including storage fees. Just my OP this is where I wish there was a better way to provide better “average” costs even beyond their costs such as average shipping costs to different areas with fees. This truly is what can feel like a bottomless pit

 

[dlmac]

Just me, if I’m going to SA I buy animal packages not day rates and then trophy fees unless of course I want extra animals over the package. In my experience, reading posts on AH over the years the most often quoted surprise is Taxidermist costs. To be clearer, it is actually not the Taxi. cost as much as it is the shipping and all fees including storage fees. Just my OP this is where I wish there was a better way to provide better “average” costs even beyond their costs such as average shipping costs to different areas with fees. This truly is what can feel like a bottomless pit

I tried to figure it up for a Buffalo hunt in Zim with the Wife as an observer. I came up with 2.5 times the advertised cost of the hunt. Add business class, taxidermy, shipping, packing, dipping ect and you may be at 3.5 times the advertised cost or more. Not the average man's sport anymore, much like general aviation.

 

[mark-hunter]

Once the trophy is on the wall, I am always afraid to make the final calculation of true cost.

 

[mikesheree]

Does anyone ever go on these hunts and have no interest in taking a trophy home? I certainly don’t. The meat will never go to waste.

 

[mark-hunter]

Does anyone ever go on these hunts and have no interest in taking a trophy home? I certainly don’t. The meat will never go to waste.

More often then not.
There are options for own use animals, non exportable animals, or culling.

Those I am thinking more seriously about after having 5 safaris done, and having a home full of trophies.
Use the search option with those key words in deal and offer section.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Does anyone ever go on these hunts and have no interest in taking a trophy home? I certainly don’t. The meat will never go to waste.

Yes, last safari was just that. I did take 2-3 trophy animals but did not bring them back also took 8 culls. My next is non export Elephant and Hippo. I will continue to hunt Africa and not export anymore animals. It’s all about the hunt and seeing places now.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Does anyone ever go on these hunts and have no interest in taking a trophy home? I certainly don’t. The meat will never go to waste.

Half a century ago I read of elephant hunters who would sell their ivory trophies to pay for their next elephant tag. That logic has been with me since.

If I were of nearly unlimited means I would have a large trophy room stuffed with stuffed animals. Unfortunately, that will have to wait for my next lifetime. Like those hunters of a century ago, I’ll use taxidermy and shipping and import fees to pay for my next hunt!

For me, photos and a professional video are of greater value and much less expensive than taxidermy. I hired Vaughan Vasloo of Untamed Knife and TV to film my tuskless hunt with PH Johnny Russell. Vaughan’s video was delayed due to him recovering from malaria. It’s Africa… He recently informed me it should be available any day now!
https://www.youtube.com/@UntamedKnifeCompany

This is my tuskless hunt report,
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/zimbabwe-tuskless-elephant-with-ph-johnny-russell.97503/

Just yesterday I asked Vaughan to film my next elephant hunt. His videos of my hunts are trophies that I can easily share with distant family and all my AH friends!

Along with Untamed videos, I supplemented the photographic capture of hunt memories with my newest trusty Nikon (I’ve had a trusty Nikon since 1980…), mirrorless Z8. I didn’t carry it when tracking elephant but when not actively hunting, I shot a thousand still photos and short videos. I will once again bring my camera on my upcoming elephant hunt. My cell phone camera was with me on stalks and although camera-snob me likes a traditional camera, modern cell cameras have fantastic photo processing software!!!

Presently there are many photo processing sites where one can submit digital photos online and in a week or two, a box of quality produced wall photos will arrive.

These are metal wall photos that I am not sure of. They reflect too much light. My daughter thinks they are wonderful and wants me to give her a few for her room!

These are smaller, normal wall photos from a different company that I really like,

For my next elephant hunt I informed the operator that my goal is for a very large body, very old elephant bull. The tusk size is secondary to body size and age. A pair of replica tusks from a non-exportable bull will satisfy me. Why? Other than cost, I probably have but only another 20 years on this earth. When I am dead and buried the videos and photos will provide memories of me. Trophy heads and ivory tusks would soon me put in storage since they don’t mean much to non-hunters.

If, however I wanted trophy heads on the wall, I’d use caution and select only truly trophy quality heads, not every animal I shot. But that’s me! Hunting Africa is addictive and others may choose to spend your money on stuffed animals.

 

[JGH]

I'm really coming around to this way of thinking.

The trophies in the house now are memories ... for me, and for my wife. But soon, we will be gone. Then, they're just "things" that need to be liquidated. The kids are instructed to not feel guilty and that antlers make great dog chews.

After all, the house is already full, and we haven't even been to Africa yet!

A truly great animal might get a shoulder mount, but otherwise, we're already settled on the idea of "European" skulls and, perhaps, some rugs. I want to have some reminders, of course, to help me recall younger days. But that can be overdone, I think.

Rugs, I think, offer a better trophy in some ways compared to shoulder mounts. After all, people can TOUCH them, and that adds a lot. If someone wanted to touch one of my shoulder mounts I'd think that would be very odd.

I'm thinking that a video of the hunt might be the best "trophy" that we could bring home.