Age of first African hunting trip

[cpr0312]

I was 31 when I first went for PG in Kimberley, SA in 2011

 

[BJH65]

I was 32 on our first African hunting trip to SA and the recently opened Mozambique after the end of their 17 year long civil war in 1997. We will be going back to SA in 2026 when I’ll be 61. It’s been far, far too long.

 

[shootist~]

72.
Then 74 for cape buffalo.

 

[Philip Glass]

I’m 49 and plan to head to Africa in 2-3 years.
What age were y’all on your first hunting trip to Africa. Just out of curiosity.

I was blessed to go first when I was just 25. We hunted with Frontier Safaris in the EC. After hunting all over Africa I once again hunted there with the Burchell's in 2021 and annually thereafter. Funny thing is that Barry was my PH way back when and now I've hunted with his Son Fred who was a toddler when we first met!

 

[mdwest]

I was 46…. Should’ve done it years earlier.. I’d actually been traveling to the African continent for almost 20 years prior to my first hunt there… I was just ignorant to how easy and affordable hunting in Africa can be if you have a proper plan..

We go back almost every year now.. and typically throw in at least one more international hunt to another destination each year as well…

 

[Hunt anything]

I’m trying to squeeze in as many hunts as I can until I retire, after that I will just see how the money holds out. I dreamt of Zambia for years and if I only have one more tip after 2025 it will be to Zambia.

 

[Inline6]

I was 44 and my middle son was 18, 2021.

We are going back this year. Will be the first time for my wife 49, oldest son 23, and my youngest son 11. It should be a great trip for the 5 of us.

 

[IdahoMo]

I was 28 my first time. I just got out of grad school and spent 3 months over there in 2010 working for free at a hunting concession in Limpopo. Spent another 3 months riding the taxis and hitchhiking around SA, Moz, and Malawi doing the dirt bag tourist scene. From then on I was hooked on all of it. Went back in 2014 for a pg hunt and booked my first buff hunt in Zim for 2025 for my 40th (but I’ll be 41, close enough!).For me it was a life changing experience.

 

[Ku-winda]

Congrats @Aixenmemphis on taking the plunge - as many have said before me, you won't regret and will already be planning your second trip on the plane ride home. I was 39 on my first trip to Zim with HHK Safaris back in the day, but had been dreaming about hunting in Africa since I was a young lad. There is an old saying that "youth is wasted on the young" and never is that more evident when it comes to big game hunting. For the most part, you'll see a common theme (with some exceptions) here on age for that very first safari, as family, career and finances usually take precedence and dictate the ability to go. Ultimately, you become more established with the financial resources to check off some of those bucket list items and it was no different for me. Bottom line, it is never too late to start. I love seeing some of the late comers to the game as noted above and especially those that have taken their children - an experience they will never forget and will cherish for the rest of their lives! Enjoy and take it all in.

 

[Tra3]

42. My son was 12. My dad was 73. Now I’ve completed 3 Africa hunts, 2 in England an 2 in Canada. My 4th Africa trip is in September.

It was my son’s idea to hunt in Africa. It all started with a simple question: “Dad, why don’t WE go to Africa to hunt?”

 

[Throwback]

49 for PG in S. Africa. Took my 14 year old son who hunted, and my wife who does not hunt. Heading back to Namibia in May this year. Cheers

 

[Fatback]

I was 32 when I first traveled to hunt. That was a whitetail hunt in 2005 in Alberta, Canada. I first hunted in Africa in 2009 at the age of 36. That was for PG in Namibia. I have since been back to Africa to hunt in 2011, 2013, 2022 and 2023. I’m scheduled to be back again this year and again in 2025. Also, I’m real close to closing the deal on a 2027 African hunt. Also have hunted Alaska a couple of times, New Mexico 3 times and Canada 12 or 13 times.

I vowed to myself that I’ll do everything I can to make my dreams come true in life and specifically as it relates to hunting. I am sure there will be animals and hunts that I’m not able to do for some reason or another but it won’t be for lack of trying and I can live with that as long as I know I did everything possible to make them happen.

 

[Rubberhead]

58 in 2022...

 

[dailordasailor]

I had planned our trip for my 30th bday (wife’s birthday is same month so..). That was 2020 and Covid ruined that. Ended up going over for first time at 32 for PG. we’ll be back for Buffalo in 2026 I believe

 

[revturbo9967]

Landed in Zim on my first safari the day I turned 40.

 

[Siennacoyote]

I’m planning for my 40th birthday . Started putting aside some of every check into a safari fund I have a budget in mind and when I get about halfway I’ll book my trip and that should give me a year or more to finish saving for the shipping and taxidermy and maybe an extra animal or teo

 

[Andrew62]

26 when I took my first safari, 15 day DG hunt in Zimbabwe, took 3 of the big 5 that trip. That was way back in 1988. Hunted in the Omay area with Buffalo Range Safaris. I see Butch Coatan, my then guide, is still guiding today!

 

[VertigoBE]

34, Eastern Cape, for plains game only

 

[davidg8480]

I was 62 years old my first trip to South Africa hunting Cape buffalo, living out a lifelong dream of mine from about age 10,got the bug from watching an old TV program called " American Sportsman" with Curt Gowdy...the best hunting and fishing show ever. But because of Life getting in the way I had to wait till 52 years later.

 

[Speedster]

I was 62 the first time in 2019. Went back last year and planning to go again in 2026. My son accompanied me both times.