Advice to only hunt for a couple of meals in Tanzania?

[DovK0802]

My wife and I are planning on going to Tanzania in the Fall for our two week vacation, including travel so ten-ish days. The plan is to do a "wildlife viewing safari" (to differentiate from hunting) focusing on the great migration. On the back end we'll spend a few days on Zanzibar. She is open to the idea of a few days for hunting on the front end.
I'm not so much a hunter as someone who occasionally takes a gun for a walk in the woods. I've harvested squirrel & rabbit and have really enjoyed upland bird. I've gone out for deer & turkey but never had the opportunity for a shot. Other than varmint/pest I like the idea of only hunting for food. I think hunting for meat in Africa is one of the elemental experiences of what made us human so, that's on my bucket list. Also, I live either in a 1BR apt in Washington DC or in an RV so, I'm not really looking for trophies or souvenirs.
Consequently, I'm looking for a 2-3 day hunt that produces a nice meal or two. Is that a thing; everything I've read seems to be longer. Is that just because most are making the trip just to hunt or do guides not bother with shorter trips?
I'd like to harvest something that could be butchered and cooked the next day or so. I was thinking some "antelope" type hunt but not sure what are good options, open to suggestions, maybe pig?; how specific does a guided hunt need to be?
I've read a bit on culling hunts, would that be an option?
what are the options for bird hunting in Tanzania? Are there other small game options suitable for the pot; rabbit, etc?
I assume leftover meat can go to workers / locals as to not go waste but; is this a universal practice?
What are the cost implications / reasonable estimates for my plan? I understand Tanzania is expensive but, not sure what that means in this context. Aiming for frugality.
Are there guide / travel companies that can arrange both the hunt and non-hunt safaris or does everyone specialize?
Any general thoughts or suggestions on such a plan?
Thanks in advance.

 

[LivingTheDream]

What are the cost implications / reasonable estimates for my plan? I understand Tanzania is expensive

Define your expectations and what you consider reasonable?

Not trying to be an ass, but it matters quite a bit.

Also what part of Tanzania? I am assuming Northern/Masaiiland?

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Nothing goes to waste, all the meat is consumed. I doubt whether a safari operator would put on a short hunt for you unless it was worth their while, so at minimum you will be paying for three day-rates, and animal fees on top. If you were willing to spend the rest of your photographic or looking safari with them from the same camp, then that increases the incentive for them to accommodate your needs. So perhaps a week in their camp? Thereafter you can go to the tourist spot, like Mafia Island where I recommend Pole Pole lodge.

 

[GuttormG]

I believe there is a minimum number of days for a hunt in Tanzania (10?).

 

[mark-hunter]

Interesting question, I will follow this thread!

 

[Anbessa Gedai]

My wife and I are planning on going to Tanzania in the Fall for our two week vacation, including travel so ten-ish days. The plan is to do a "wildlife viewing safari" (to differentiate from hunting) focusing on the great migration. On the back end we'll spend a few days on Zanzibar. She is open to the idea of a few days for hunting on the front end.
I'm not so much a hunter as someone who occasionally takes a gun for a walk in the woods. I've harvested squirrel & rabbit and have really enjoyed upland bird. I've gone out for deer & turkey but never had the opportunity for a shot. Other than varmint/pest I like the idea of only hunting for food. I think hunting for meat in Africa is one of the elemental experiences of what made us human so, that's on my bucket list. Also, I live either in a 1BR apt in Washington DC or in an RV so, I'm not really looking for trophies or souvenirs.
Consequently, I'm looking for a 2-3 day hunt that produces a nice meal or two. Is that a thing; everything I've read seems to be longer. Is that just because most are making the trip just to hunt or do guides not bother with shorter trips?
I'd like to harvest something that could be butchered and cooked the next day or so. I was thinking some "antelope" type hunt but not sure what are good options, open to suggestions, maybe pig?; how specific does a guided hunt need to be?
I've read a bit on culling hunts, would that be an option?
what are the options for bird hunting in Tanzania? Are there other small game options suitable for the pot; rabbit, etc?
I assume leftover meat can go to workers / locals as to not go waste but; is this a universal practice?
What are the cost implications / reasonable estimates for my plan? I understand Tanzania is expensive but, not sure what that means in this context. Aiming for frugality.
Are there guide / travel companies that can arrange both the hunt and non-hunt safaris or does everyone specialize?
Any general thoughts or suggestions on such a plan?
Thanks in advance.

Your interests would be better served by a stay on a ranch in South Africa . . .

 

[Warbeast]

Sounds interesting.
I am corious how this will work out.

 

[mdwest]

Tanzania is very expensive compared to other hunting options. If you’re only looking at a couple of days and mostly interested in basic plains game, I’d consider starting my vacation either in South Africa or maybe Zambia (SA would be easiest.. Zam would be closest).. and doing a few days there on a hunt…

The cost savings of a couple of regional flights to get you from SA or Zambia to Tanzania vs the cost of a hunt in one of those places vs a hunt in Tanzania would be significant.. and you’d get the added benefit of seeing another country, potentially a few additional/ different species of animals, etc.. (your frugality itch isn’t going to get scratched in Tanzania)..

As far as eating game while you are there… that’s not going to be an issue at all with any outfitter that I can think of.. they are all more than happy to prepare the spoils of the hunt for meals…

While on the subject of eating… while in Tanzania.. the no shit best meal I have ever eaten in my life is at a place near the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam… if you’re going to spend even 1 night in Dar, you would seriously be cheating yourself out of an outrageously wonderful experience if you don’t visit Addis in Dar (and to scratch that frugal itch… it’s VERY affordable..)…

 

[Luminous Ham]

I noted u want to travel in fall. Be aware you might be missing the wildebeast as they part of fall is up or at least close to Masai Mara, up north: https://www.serengetiparktanzania.c...t-wildebeest-migration-frequently-asked-qtns/
In my view seeing the migration would by far outweigh hunting.

 

[spike.t]

I would say in a short answer no

 

[Brent in Az]

A minimum 7 day license, daily hunting rates, and trophy fee, all add up to a very expensive meal.

 

[IvW]

I would quess No I cannot see that happening in Tanzania....
RSA yes you can book a place close to Kruger for the photographic portion.....will also be a lot cheaper.......

 

[DovK0802]

Define your expectations and what you consider reasonable?

I was trying to understand what is reasonable for the companies; considering fixed & variable costs if a ten days is $20k, is it $2k/day or is the first day $11k and every day after that $1k.

Also what part of Tanzania? I am assuming Northern/Masaiiland?
Yes. We haven't picked a tour yet but that's the target area & time.

 

[DovK0802]

Your interests would be better served by a stay on a ranch in South Africa . . .

That was the advice I was given. Also Namibia. However, I'm not going to Africa to hunt; I'm going to Africa and would like to hunt while I'm there.

 

[DovK0802]

Tanzania is very expensive compared to other hunting options. If you’re only looking at a couple of days and mostly interested in basic plains game, I’d consider starting my vacation either in South Africa or maybe Zambia (SA would be easiest.. Zam would be closest).. and doing a few days there on a hunt…

The cost savings of a couple of regional flights to get you from SA or Zambia to Tanzania vs the cost of a hunt in one of those places vs a hunt in Tanzania would be significant.. and you’d get the added benefit of seeing another country, potentially a few additional/ different species of animals, etc.. (your frugality itch isn’t going to get scratched in Tanzania)..

As far as eating game while you are there… that’s not going to be an issue at all with any outfitter that I can think of.. they are all more than happy to prepare the spoils of the hunt for meals…

While on the subject of eating… while in Tanzania.. the no shit best meal I have ever eaten in my life is at a place near the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam… if you’re going to spend even 1 night in Dar, you would seriously be cheating yourself out of an outrageously wonderful experience if you don’t visit Addis in Dar (and to scratch that frugal itch… it’s VERY affordable..)…

I proposed a multi country plan however, my wife is hesitant to add another flying travel day to the middle of the trip.

Will add Addis to the list. Thanks!

 

[Philip Glass]

It would be virtually impossible to do such a hunt in Tanzania. The game licenses are very expensive and specific on what you can do and where. What you are asking for is something that would only be done on a private ranch in another country.

 

[Luminous Ham]

I was trying to understand what is reasonable for the companies; considering fixed & variable costs if a ten days is $20k, is it $2k/day or is the first day $11k and every day after that $1k.

Also what part of Tanzania? I am assuming Northern/Masaiiland?
Yes. We haven't picked a tour yet but that's the target area & time.

The 10 days minimum is regulated by govt (TANZANIA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY)
https://www.tawa.go.tz/hunting-tourism

And yes, northern circuit by far best, Ngorongoro and especially Serengeti. That is were most/many of the wildlife documentaries are from.

 

[spike.t]

Also depends on the rains...you can be in an area full of wildebeest ..and overnight nearly they vanish....

 

[DovK0802]

A minimum 7 day license, daily hunting rates, and trophy fee, all add up to a very expensive meal.

Is bird hunting trips a thing? Does the 7 day minimum apply to that as well?

 

[revturbo9967]

Is bird hunting trips a thing? Does the 7 day minimum apply to that as well?

Robin Hurt safaris offers bird hunting in Tanzania, but be prepared to pay.