What would your first African hunt be?

[Kalahari Safari NAMIBIA]

Your first hunt in Africa.

The big question: Hemingway dream hunt — buffalo or elephant… the raw, heavy encounter with something truly untamed, dangerous, unforgettable.

Or something different. Something that often surprises first-time hunters in Africa. A plains game hunt — but not the “easy option” people imagine. Early mornings breaking before sunrise, tracking kudu through thorn and shadow, reading wind, sign, and silence. Long stalks across open ground where every step matters. The sudden tension when a bull turns broadside in the mopane… and time slows. This is not lesser — it is precision, patience, and Africa at its most honest.

Power… or patience. Adrenaline… or immersion.

“I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy.” — Ernest Hemingway

At Kalahari Safari, no matter what your hunting dream looks like, we work with you to ensure an unforgettable hunt.
Shaped around your pace, your style, and your Africa.

Contact us on info@kalahari-safari.com or visit our website www.kalahari-safari.com

Happy hunting
Janneman

 

[oscar1975]

I don't have the budget for a safari even in 10 lifetimes, but I would like to start with a plains safari, with impala, waterbuck, sable, oryx, wildebeest, warthog, but it will remain a dream and I'd like to read about your experiences.

Ovny

 

[Mark458]

My first African hunting trip has come and gone a long time ago. Next month is trip #13. First several hunts were plains game, with first 3 being bow hunts. Bad shoulders have made me retire the bow and all rifle hunting from now on.

Each trip from here moving forward is going to include buffalo. They are very addictive. Elephant is on my list if I can get my wife on board. That is her favorite animal along with giraffe and she really doesn't want me to shoot one. I'm getting closer to making her understand the conservation part of hunting elephant and maybe in a few years I can add it to my list.

She thinks buffalo are ugly so for now I'm going to keep stacking them up as long as I am able.

 

[deewayne2003]

First trip was 2024 to Zim and took Tuskless on day two; second trip will be 27 for Buffalo.

 

[BeeMaa]

I'd probably want a mix so I didn't vote.

A Cape buffalo as a priority with PG a-la-carte if an old specimen presents itself and doesn't interfere with the buff hunt. 14 days would be a minimum and give enough time to not just hunt, but stop and smell the roses as well. There's a lot more to Africa than just hunting, even if that's the primary reason for going.

 

[1LuckySOB]

I don't have the budget for a safari even in 10 lifetimes, but I would like to start with a plains safari, with impala, waterbuck, sable, oryx, wildebeest, warthog, but it will remain a dream and I'd like to read about your experiences.

Ovny

Why do you think it’s not affordable for you? Or maybe the better question is how much do you think it costs? Because it can be very affordable if you planned & saved for it. Another option is to find a fellow hunter (or couple) some options for 2 or 4 people can really help divide the costs.

It’s attainable. And the sooner you go the longer you have the memories and time to pay off any extras you didn’t originally plan for

 

[oscar1975]

I have a lot of financial issues to deal with: housing, installing an elevator in my building, lots of expenses. Ultimately, hunting is just a "whim," and there are more pressing needs. And honestly, I'm not complaining about my salary.

Ovny.

 

[358 Norma]

My first African hunting trip has come and gone a long time ago. Next month is trip #13. First several hunts were plains game, with first 3 being bow hunts. Bad shoulders have made me retire the bow and all rifle hunting from now on.

Each trip from here moving forward is going to include buffalo. They are very addictive. Elephant is on my list if I can get my wife on board. That is her favorite animal along with giraffe and she really doesn't want me to shoot one. I'm getting closer to making her understand the conservation part of hunting elephant and maybe in a few years I can add it to my list.

She thinks buffalo are ugly so for now I'm going to keep stacking them up as long as I am able.

I have the same problem!

 

[DaddyFlip]

If I could pick only one African trophy of a lifetime... it has always been sable antelope for me. My dentist 40 years ago had a full shoulder mount Cape buffalo hanging on the wall of his waiting room, which first got me interested in Africa. I read all I could in the magazines, bought all the famous (and infamous) books, and now been enjoying this forum for awhile. Alas, I am completely satisfied to be just a keyboard hunter. No dreams of Africa and no desire to go, but I do enjoy participating in the forum and reading the experiences of others.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I booked a PG/DG hunt in Limpopo to include a Cape Buffalo a few years ago and had two years to prep for it. About a year into my prep, I decided that I needed a practice hunt to learn the lay of the land and the animals better before going out after dangerous game. So, I booked a PG only hunt with the same outfitter and this was the smartest thing I could have done. I learned a lot and replaced my DG rifle after that hunt with a more reliable and more accurate version. My first ever African game animal was a Nyala. I took it with one shot with a 180g bonded 308 from about 30y. If you know the Nyala, it is known for hiding motionless in the thick bush when alerted to danger. It is tough to spot and tougher to hunt. We saw three in thick cover while driving in the Bakkie. We drove about 1/2 mile further and dismounted to put on a slow, quiet stalk. We had to stalk within 30y because while we knew where they had been, we could not see them. I only saw a patch of hair and needed my PH to help me understand which part of the animal I was looking at. Finally, we had a shoulder shot and took it. The bull took two steps and fell over dead. Great way to start an epic hunt.

One year later, I took my Cape Buffalo. I was far better prepared after having been on my first Safari the year prior.

 

[kfreeze]

I don't have the budget for a safari even in 10 lifetimes, but I would like to start with a plains safari, with impala, waterbuck, sable, oryx, wildebeest, warthog, but it will remain a dream and I'd like to read about your experiences.

Ovny

It doesn't have to cost as much as you think. If you are willing to give up the more expensive animals, taxidermy, and shortent the stay things are a lot cheaper. I honestly love going over and shooting meat orxy for landowners. And it's a lot cheaper. You still get pictures of everything. For $7-8000 US, you could easily go hunt for 5-6 days where I go. And that price is spread out through 1 1/2- 2 years so you don't have to pay it all at once. In that price is $2000 worth of animals at regular price and not culls/ meat animals, Your stay with arrival and departure days (8 days) at approximately $250/ day, a $2500 flight, and $500 for tip. At that place you would likely end up with another 5-700 if you drink alcohol and soda and rent a rifle. Just for reference, this is last years price list for animals where I go. The taxidermay and shipping it back costs me another 2× the animal price for each animal. Hope that helps make it more of a realistic thing for you. I was surprised that it could be done that cheap after I got over there and saw how it worked for myself.

 

[kfreeze]

My first trip was for plains game. I enjoyed starting with that to get there and do more for less money the first time. It was great! Really happy I did that because it made me a good connection for my second trip to Namibia, and a scheduled 3rd trip next summer and unoffically another one in 2029, God willing of course.

 

[BryceM]

For a first hunt, it would be hard to beat a spot-and-stalk, low-fence (or no-fence) plains game hunt in Namibia. There are plenty of places to do this, and you can still take an incredible quantity of game. Mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, red hartebeest, warthog, and gemsbok could be the target animals. Add in the possibility of eland and waterbuck.

 

[Gomer]

I would love to do a PG hunt for my first trip to Africa. A management hunt would be fine because everything would be a trophy to me. I’d prefer to keep shots under 300 yards.

Though I don’t need fancy accommodations, I don’t think I would want to sleep on the ground, either.

That’s as far as I’ve gotten in the dreaming stage.

 

[JPbowhunter]

If I ever were to hunt Africa it would be a tracking hunt for a free range/no high fence old blue eland bull with an iron sights rifle. If time permitted I’d do the same for kudu afterward, but I’d happily spend 2 weeks chasing a nice eland and nothing else.

 

[Owen89]

It doesn't have to cost as much as you think. If you are willing to give up the more expensive animals, taxidermy, and shortent the stay things are a lot cheaper. I honestly love going over and shooting meat orxy for landowners. And it's a lot cheaper. You still get pictures of everything. For $7-8000 US, you could easily go hunt for 5-6 days where I go. And that price is spread out through 1 1/2- 2 years so you don't have to pay it all at once. In that price is $2000 worth of animals at regular price and not culls/ meat animals, Your stay with arrival and departure days (8 days) at approximately $250/ day, a $2500 flight, and $500 for tip. At that place you would likely end up with another 5-700 if you drink alcohol and soda and rent a rifle. Just for reference, this is last years price list for animals where I go. The taxidermay and shipping it back costs me another 2× the animal price for each animal. Hope that helps make it more of a realistic thing for you. I was surprised that it could be done that cheap after I got over there and saw how it worked for myself.

I'm wanting to go on a trip in the next couple of years for plains game. These breakdowns are always insightful. Thanks.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I would love to do a PG hunt for my first trip to Africa. A management hunt would be fine because everything would be a trophy to me. I’d prefer to keep shots under 300 yards.

Though I don’t need fancy accommodations, I don’t think I would want to sleep on the ground, either.

That’s as far as I’ve gotten in the dreaming stage.

Management cull hunts do occur every couple of years. Most outfitters have permanent lodging in South Africa so you would not be in a tent unless you ask to be. In all my African hunts, I have only shot one animal out past 300y. My PH believes in getting closer and insuring a clean kill. It is not horribly expensive but is getting more so every day. I was like you when I was younger and did not dream that I could hunt Africa. I wish I had gone long ago.

 

[RLD]

My first trip is booked for both. If I am going that far, for that long, I want to make it worth while.

We'll see if it meets my dreams.

 

[kfreeze]

I would love to do a PG hunt for my first trip to Africa. A management hunt would be fine because everything would be a trophy to me. I’d prefer to keep shots under 300 yards.

Though I don’t need fancy accommodations, I don’t think I would want to sleep on the ground, either.

That’s as far as I’ve gotten in the dreaming stage.

I did exactly what you want for my first trip. It was great!

 

[kfreeze]

I'm wanting to go on a trip in the next couple of years for plains game. These breakdowns are always insightful. Thanks.

You're welcome. I hope it helps if people see real numbers and options.