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

[375 Ruger Fan]

First safari was a PG hunt in Namibia. Second hunt was for a buffalo in Zim, hunting with John Sharp in the BVC. Didn't close the deal on a buff, but took some PG and had a memorable 10 days, hunting with a great PH.

 

[RLP]

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.

My first, second and third (scheduled) safaris were all in the same location with the same outfitter; Eastern Cape, SA with Nick Bowker. I cannot say enough about Nick Bowker and his crew. I also like glassing from high points, the stalk and the long shots. Something not available to me on the east coast USA. I also like the variety of the game. When I safari somewhere else it will be for game not available on the Eastern Cape and different terrain, not the PH.

 

[Rumrunner]

Excellent question. My first trip was a product of a DU auction that was passed on to my son. We went, a good friend joined us, and had a great time. Harvested 5 animals, kudu, impala, Blesbok, golden wildebeest and bushbuck. Within two weeks of being back I was planning the next trip
Initially the spouses were going to accompany us. So I started looking at lodges with very nice facilities and a variety of excursions when they didn’t want to join in the hunt. Also needed to be easy to get to without additional flights. We settled on an outfitter in the Thabazimbi area and paid deposits. Then the wives changed their minds. I really like the outfitter and know it will be great but…..I most likely would have looked into Namibia or Zimbabwe for my second trip. But I’m really looking forward to stalking Buffalo, sable, Nyala and black wildebeest.

 

[Vintageguy]

My first was first trip was South Africa for buffalo, a tracking hunt, not spot and stalk. The outfitter hit it out of the park. I have since come to understand how fortunate I was in my pick of who to go with in South Africa. Went with the same outfitter the second trip but a new location, up against Kruger, and again for buffalo. Another home run.
I want to continue see new areas and countries but there is a lot of South Africa left to see too. I don’t have the negative opinion of South Africa many have largely because of who I selected. In my research of new areas I have looked hard at dozens of outfits in different places, some sponsors here. All I can say is thank goodness for YouTube. Some of the train wrecks called safaris are truly scary and to think that they aren’t troubled with posting some of those videos speaks volumes.

 

[csmcclain]

I had my first through third booked before ever going. After going on two, and having a third in two months, I will book my next based on the experience I want. I’ve seen both good and bad - the next will be focused on the things that match my hunting preferences.

 

[rsmurray]

First safari in Chawalo Wilderness area just east of confluence of Luangwa and Zambezi with Russell Lovemore. Huge success and great education. Russ recc we go to Coutada 10 next hunt and I will be recapping that safari soon. Correct decision and I am ruined for wild Africa! Planning 29 started last two weeks at C10 and Russ checking on track hunts for Lion. I’m all in on whatever he recommends!

 

[Andrew62]

My first 2 safaris were before Al Gore invented the internet, so back then you had to use a booking agent, which was just fine, but not like today.

My first safari, 1988, was to the Omay in Zimbabwe, as you've asked, my second was to Namibia. I chose Namibia because I wanted to hunt a different country, and take different animals.

Over 20+ safaris and I have only ever went back to hunt the same property one time, for me, I like seeing new areas, meeting new people. Most times that works great, sometimes, not so great.

Where is your first safari to, and what is the main animal you want to take?

 

[Rare Breed]

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.

For me, I started with SA on ranch hunts with big acreage for PG. I wanted to experience a fully open range of over one million acres for my next hunts with DG coming into the picture. Both are great experiences, they are just different hunts.

 

[meigsbucks]

My first safari was for my life long dream of a buffalo and PG. I thought it would be my only trip. I booked that hunt thru an agent and he gave me three outfitters, each from different countries, to choose from. My second choice was Jamy Traut and when I found I could go on more hunts, I booked a PG hunt with him. Different country, animals and terrain.

 

[Steve-O]

My first Safari in Africa was a plains game hunt in Zimbabwe, almost 30 years ago, booked via Tony da Costa. To be honest, I chose it mainly based on price and perceived value. It was ok, but there were some issues, and in short, it did not meet my expectations.

For my second Safari, also plains game, I booked it based on the outfitter. I met the Bowkers at a Sportsman’s Expo show as immediately took a liking to them. They were honest about the game they had, what I could expect to see and hunt, and were up front about what was not available in the Eastern Cape. I hunted with them and had a truly amazing time. In fact, I hunted with them again earlier this year in May for my third Safari.

My $.02 of advice is find an outfitter/PH you are comfortable with and have some rapport with, and focus more on enjoying the hunting and less on the size of the animals you want to hunt. Then go hunting and have a great time.

 

[mark-hunter]

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?

My first safari, Namibia (discovery). My second, Namibia - same outfitter (return home).

The reasons:
- Plenty of game left to take, more species left wanting
- Acceptable pricing
- I planned to bring my son (then 14 yo), so I needed a camp where I know the environment and the people

 

[Smitty]

My first was Eastern Cape out of Port Elizabeth, with Umlilo Safaris. It was plains game, spot and stalk. A wonderful trip and a great outfitter.
My second trip was to the Limpopo region, with DK Safaris. I chose there for a different experience. Instead of spot and stalk, I wanted to watch trackers follow spoor, and to camp near a river, see and here predators at night. It's a small family run Outfitter whondid a great job.
I enjoyed both outfitters and styles of hunting immensely.
If my wallet ever allows it, I would love to try Zimbabwe some day.

 

[TheGrayRider]

Good luck with your upcoming African hunt and future planning!

My travel hunt history on the Dark Continent and upcoming adventures:

0. Kenya/Tanzania - church mission trip to help Maasai build church on border (visited Maasai Mara Game Preserve). No big game hunting. 1997.

1. South Africa - plains game and cape buffalo. 2021.

2. Botswana - leopard with hounds. 2023.

3. Cameroon - bongo and forest sitatunga. 2024.

5. Zimbabwe - non-exportable elephant (upcoming August 2027)

6. Cameroon - Lord Derby Eland (upcoming February 2028)

7+ Possibly Ethiopia for mountain nyala, possibly leopard over bait?, possibiy another Equatorial African jungle hunt?, possibly Uganda???

8. Possibly another church mission trip with offshore fishing trip in the Indian Ocean??

Again, good luck and happy hunting to all, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[Chris Burger]

Reading these back, the pattern that jumps out is that almost nobody picks a second destination on price — it's a specific animal they've set their heart on (that Rowland Ward sable, a bushbuck, a buffalo that got away) or ground and people that treated them right the first time and earned the return. I'm on the land side of it in Limpopo, and the repeat hunters I see are nearly always chasing one particular animal they didn't close on, or coming back to country that felt like theirs by the end of the first trip. Worth adding that a lot of these "regions" cover more ground than their reputation suggests — Limpopo alone runs from thick bushveld to red Kalahari sand depending where you stand — so a second trip can feel like a new country without the second long-haul. Great thread — the reasoning here is a masterclass for anyone planning their next one.

 

[Philip Glass]

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.

It was a donation hunt. Bad idea

 

[IdahoMo]

Like many folks, my first trio was to RSA in the Limpopo province. It was a 10 day plains game hunt. After getting back I wanted to do another trip but wanted no fence and to hunt buffalo in an area we would run into other dangerous game. Lots of places fit that description but after looking at pricing I narrowed it down to Mozambique or Zimbabwe. Ultimately I went with Zim because the Zambezi valley sounded cool with history of African hunting and travel was straight forward.

I ended up hunting with CMS in Dande and it was a hell of a time.

 

[Russ16]

I’m an outlier here.

I leave for the first in 5 days. Dande with CMS for Buffalo and sable.

I’ve already booked the second same area for elephant and buffalo.

Even though I haven’t been yet I have 100% confidence in CMS. I feel like the second hunt I’ll be somewhat familiar with the area and routine and can focus on the finer points. That combined with elephant in Dande seems to hit the sweet spot of experience and value because I want a tracking hunt.

Now where will the third be? That’s my question. It is probably in 2030 or 2031. Right now Mozambique particularly Niassa tops the list for a variety of reasons. But Uganda is really grabbing my attention. The show season I’m going to be focusing on Uganda and Mozambique outfitters to get my arms around comparing the two.

 

[Muntjacer23]

I’m an outlier here.

I leave for the first in 5 days. Dande with CMS for Buffalo and sable.

I’ve already booked the second same area for elephant and buffalo.

Even though I haven’t been yet I have 100% confidence in CMS. I feel like the second hunt I’ll be somewhat familiar with the area and routine and can focus on the finer points. That combined with elephant in Dande seems to hit the sweet spot of experience and value because I want a tracking hunt.

Now where will the third be? That’s my question. It is probably in 2030 or 2031. Right now Mozambique particularly Niassa tops the list for a variety of reasons. But Uganda is really grabbing my attention. The show season I’m going to be focusing on Uganda and Mozambique outfitters to get my arms around comparing the two.

Good luck on your hunt! Make sure you post a hunt report on here!

 

[Firebird]

First hunt was plains game In South Africa. My second trip my wife wanted to go so we went back to the same place. I knew what to expect and knew she would be happy/comfortable there. There were also animals I had not connected with or that I didn’t have time to hunt, so new species was a big draw. I did collect some of those I had not hunted previously and upgraded on a couple others.
First trip I also visited a photography park and the second trip we actually spent one night there which is something you do with your wife but not your hunting buddy! U unless of course your hunting buddy is your wife. . .

 

[DryFly1995]

This has been really valuable to read. Having just finished my first safari less than two months ago and already thinking about where I want to go next, this has been great to work through the mental process and think through my priorities.