What made you choose the destination for your 2nd Safari?

[CloudySkies]

As I'm going through the process of planning my second safari (you know, the typical way where we do so before even going/finishing the first - I don't even leave until August), I was curious, where was your first, and what made you choose a particular destination for your second?

For me, the decision relates to wanting to hunt different and more varied terrain that forces more towards stalking and maybe a little more of a challenge, different conditions and less about the available species, but I'm interested to hear different perspectives.

 

[Scott CWO]

Plains game in the Save Valley Conservancy in Zim was my first while my friend/client hunted buffalo, leopard and plains game. Great trip so I decided I wanted a leopard.

I found a cancellation leopard, buffalo and plains game safari in the Niassa Reserve in Northern Mozambique so that was my second safari. The Niassa Reserve is free range and offers high success rates for leopard so that contributed to the destination decision. The hunter who had cancelled told me he had killed four leopards there in four safaris WITH A BOW!

 

[deewayne2003]

First trip was Omay north Zimbabwe, my second trip is planned for Omay North Zimbabwe.

Why go to the same place twice?.... Outfitter was great, big area that I haven't seen even half of it and I'm bringing friends on their first international hunt.

 

[Mark458]

My first deciding factor is what weapon am I using. My first few trips were bow hunting so that narrows down outfitters that cater to bow hunting. Then are you hunting blinds or are you spot and stalk hunting. Again this will determine what the outfitter caters to.

Second factor is desired species. This will obviously determine location and then choose your outfitter from there.

If terrain is your deciding factor as you mentioned then that goes along with location. The location will then determine the available species.

It truly depends on what the most important factors are for how you want to hunt that will determine the rest.

I leave Sunday for a buffalo hunt in South Africa. I'm hunting Northern Limpopo area on 26, 000 acres. He does it old school where you pick up fresh tracks in the morning and see where they take you. The bush is thicker than normal this time of year with all the rain they had so it's been more challenging than normal to get on them. It's not free range like other countries, but as close as you're going to get with the given terrain.

 

[LivingTheDream]

First trip was Omay north Zimbabwe, my second trip is planned for Omay North Zimbabwe.

Why go to the same place twice?.... Outfitter was great, big area that I haven't seen even half of it and I'm bringing friends on their first international hunt.

My second trip was to the Omay, it is a special place.

 

[wesheltonj]

My first - RSA. I knew I did not want to go to Limpopo (that's like driving an 1 hour to Mountain Home for me). I looked at a lot of places. I chose Kalahari Rangers in the Northern Cape. Large continuous property (no driving around to other properties to hunt). nice lodge (wife and daughter were with me). Had the highest daily rate for the hunter, but only a fraction for my daughter so it actually made the daily rate overall the lowest. I had two others in RSA that I considered, but the clincher was it was a Leica Safari Lodge (all Leica equipment available for use). Another from the Magic Safari Lodge book that I looked at was ARU in Namibia.

My second - Zambia. @spike.t had an Covid offer that was too good to pass up. But I could never get the dates to work for me. By the time I could get some date to work that deal was gone, but I still went. I told him I was going even though the deal was over and I keep my word, so I went. I wanted a Rowland Ward Sable, Kafue Lechwe and Chobe Bushbuck. Harvest all three, but the Lechwe did not make the book.

My third - Tanzania. I looked at every outfitter that showed up at DSC and spreadsheet everyone. I discounted anyone that did not own their concession. I did not consider the guy (on TV a lot) who called me a "tire kicker" after I left. You're spending big money, you shop for what you want. I did not pick the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. I got all the animal I wanted except Buffalo as we spend too much time chasing down Lesser Kudu.

My upcoming fourth - I am try to combo Uganda and Mozambique. I have the Mozambique down to two. Still working on Uganda. If I can combo those two, that should be my last trip to Africa. For travel hunting, I am hooked on Europe. Central and Eastern Europe its more reasonable.

 

[Surgeon7]

First trip Namibia. All plains game on large ranches. I was like a kid in a candy store. Had a great time with my wife and friends. Great lodge, meals, AC, etc. Second trip Mozambique in the Zambeze delta for Buffalo. No fences or really any human structures except snares. Tented camp, malaria prophylaxis, tetse flies, just perfect.

 

[375Fox]

I hunted with the same outfitter a 2nd time. I always enjoy the 2nd trip. You know a bit more what you want and have a good relationship with outfitter/PH already. That said, I think too many hunters limit themselves to that one outfitter. Africa is a big place. There are a lot of countries. I learn something new with each new area, outfitter, and PH I hunt with. I like circling back to outfitters every 3-5 years, but branch out. There’s no comparison of hunting in South Africa vs Zimbabwe vs Cameroon. They are all very different hunts.

 

[ftrovato]

As I'm going through the process of planning my second safari (you know, the typical way where we do so before even going/finishing the first - I don't even leave until August), I was curious, where was your first, and what made you choose a particular destination for your second?

For me, the decision relates to wanting to hunt different and more varied terrain that forces more towards stalking and maybe a little more of a challenge, different conditions and less about the available species, but I'm interested to hear different perspectives.

I hunted free range Gaza Province of Mozambique in 2024 for Buffalo & also took 12 plains game. I saw, lion (tracks), a leopard & elephants (in the 100s).

With this I have to go back and I'm going in 3 weeks!

Then I'm headed to the Southern Cape of South Africa to try for a few more of the Tiny Ten I started in Moz.

Follow your gut and in my opinion relationships building is a great part of the experience. I can't wait to see the trackers, skinners and camp owners that I met a few years ago!

 

[ftrovato]

My first - RSA. I knew I did not want to go to Limpopo (that's like driving an 1 hour to Mountain Home for me). I looked at a lot of places. I chose Kalahari Rangers in the Northern Cape. Large continuous property (no driving around to other properties to hunt). nice lodge (wife and daughter were with me). Had the highest daily rate for the hunter, but only a fraction for my daughter so it actually made the daily rate overall the lowest. I had two others in RSA that I considered, but the clincher was it was a Leica Safari Lodge (all Leica equipment available for use). Another from the Magic Safari Lodge book that I looked at was ARU in Namibia.

My second - Zambia. @spike.t had an Covid offer that was too good to pass up. But I could never get the dates to work for me. By the time I could get some date to work that deal was gone, but I still went. I told him I was going even though the deal was over and I keep my word, so I went. I wanted a Rowland Ward Sable, Kafue Lechwe and Chobe Bushbuck. Harvest all three, but the Lechwe did not make the book.

My third - Tanzania. I looked at every outfitter that showed up at DSC and spreadsheet everyone. I discounted anyone that did not own their concession. I did not consider the guy (on TV a lot) who called me a "tire kicker" after I left. You're spending big money, you shop for what you want. I did not pick the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. I got all the animal I wanted except Buffalo as we spend too much time chasing down Lesser Kudu.

My upcoming fourth - I am try to combo Uganda and Mozambique. I have the Mozambique down to two. Still working on Uganda. If I can combo those two, that should be my last trip to Africa. For travel hunting, I am hooked on Europe. Central and Eastern Europe its more reasonable.

I have a solid reference for Moz if your interested message me for details.

 

[Africa1]

Good question. I hunted the Eastern Cape first for plains game. Kudu bull being my major objective. Mission accomplished we did a 3-day trip afterwards to Thorny Bush to see all of the big 5 and safari in luxury to reward my wife for accompanying me on this trip. Lastly 3 more days in Cape Town, at another fine hotel to see all the sights and do a wine tour. This itinerary was arranged through Thomas Hunt of Hunt the World. I did this adventure with my next-door neighbor and his wife. HE loved Africa so much he returned every year for 8 consecutive years! For a month each time! His headstone has an engraving of his last animal of note, a darted Rhino bull! That's Africa! My next Safari was last year. Chosen for location and PH personality/reputation. 10 days for Cape Buffalo, Crocodile and Warthogs. Then 3 days in Victoria Falls at The Victoria Fall Hotel. Another reward for my lovely wife! Flight of Angels over the Falls,bunji jump off The Zambezi Bridge and hunting for a great carving of African Blackwood of a Cape Buffalo. I carried that fine carving home in my daypack. It weighed 34 pounds and elicited comments from every airport inspection on the way home! It arrived home safely, albeit yours-truly earned a sore shoulder carrying it! A fabulous adventure with all boxes ticked! Matetse Unit 3... 45 minutes from Vic Falls next Fall. Tuskless!

 

[trperk1]

My first trip with @RANCHERO Outfitters was so good, I went back with them again. Both times to their Limpopo concession but targeting different plains game animals, I hunted Buff, Sable and Kudu on my first trip. I'm hunting with them in Zim next year for dangerous game. I took the advice from members here and limited my taxidermy and in turn this funded additional safaris.

 

[Mark458]

I hunted with the same outfitter a 2nd time. I always enjoy the 2nd trip. You know a bit more what you want and have a good relationship with outfitter/PH already. That said, I think too many hunters limit themselves to that one outfitter. Africa is a big place. There are a lot of countries. I learn something new with each new area, outfitter, and PH I hunt with. I like circling back to outfitters every 3-5 years, but branch out. There’s no comparison of hunting in South Africa vs Zimbabwe vs Cameroon. They are all very different hunts.

Also remember that if you have a PH you are really happy with they probably have good connections with outfitters in other countries for different species. They want you to be happy and keep you as a client so they will probably hook you up with a good outfitter to serve your needs.

 

[dogcat1]

First was RSA on a game ranch. Great first trip and stoked the fire.

Second was Zimbabwe for buff and others. Took the family and had a super trip. Did two areas - Dande North and Bubye. Great PH's and great trip.

Then branched out to other places - Cameroon for LDE, Namibia for lion, Zambia for sitatunga and others, Ethiopia for Mt Nyala and others, then Uganda for sitatunga and super bushbuck, then Tanzania for a variety of stuff not everywhere else, then back to to Zim for leopard and then a family trip to Zim for buff, them CAR for LDE, then Cameroon for bongo and on and on.

Nearly all perfect trips. All different and all great fun.

Whatever you choose, don't wrap yourself around the axle over the gun you take. That does not matter at all. I used camp guns on half the hunts.

Gofor the memories and experiences. Guns come and go and always get sold. Memories do not.

 

[375Fox]

Also remember that if you have a PH you are really happy with they probably have good connections with outfitters in other countries for different species. They want you to be happy and keep you as a client so they will probably hook you up with a good outfitter to serve your needs.

I partially agree. I’ve asked past outfitters and PHs about other outfitters and PHs I’m looking into. I have a higher opinion of the outfitters that make a recommendation or act as a reference for another outfitter than the ones trying to act as an agent. I make it a point to hunt with outfitters and PHs that hunt full time in that country because I think they know it best. I see a lot of hunts (particularly in Zimbabwe) advertised by South African outfitters that I wouldn’t remotely consider. They are trying to hold on to inexperienced clients rather than offer the best.

 

[Mark458]

I partially agree. I’ve asked past outfitters and PHs about other outfitters and PHs I’m looking into. I have a higher opinion of the outfitters that make a recommendation or act as a reference for another outfitter than the ones trying to act as an agent. I make it a point to hunt with outfitters and PHs that hunt full time in that country because I think they know it best. I see a lot of hunts (particularly in Zimbabwe) advertised by South African outfitters that I wouldn’t remotely consider. They are trying to hold on to inexperienced clients rather than offer the best.

I agree with that. If your PH is acting as an agent or making commissions on the hunt then money could be the driving factor rather than making sure you get the best hunt for your investment.

The PH I'm going with next week I've known for 25 years. If he makes a recommendation I know he has my best interest in mind.

 

[skydiver386]

I've had a desire to hunt in the Okavango Delta and the Caprivi for a long time. I just needed to finally plan it and make the leap.

 

[Arty0802]

The trauma of my first one ...

But in all seriousness, I learned more about different regions and their terrain. The Eastern Cape looks a whole lot more appealing than Limpopo.
I also learned about different outfitters and trends, realized that what I experienced isn't necessarily the industry standard.

 

[Doug3006]

My first safari was in Namibia for plains game. Near Omaruru. Beautiful, expansive, free-range ranch country that is loaded with game. It was awesome.

Next up was the Luangwa Valley in Zambia for buffalo and plains game. I wanted to see wild Africa and that’s what I got! I killed my first buffalo and was spoiled for choice regarding plans game. Truly a trip of a lifetime.

I’ve been back four more times. Zimbabwe, Namibia twice more and South Africa. All of these were OK to brilliant. Next up is either Southwest Zimbabwe or Central Mozambique.

 

[coreydb]

A special game package for a reduced price sold me.