Finding Wild Africa

[Bearbait1]

I am trying to figure out where I want to do my first PG safari. I am looking for an area that has the iconic game of Africa such as big 5, hyena, wild dogs, hippo, croc, etc. I realize I won’t likely find an area that has all these critters and wouldn’t likely see many of them even if they were around. However, I want to know they are there and see some tracks, hear them at night, etc. I would like to take a few critters such as kudu, warthog, oryx but I mainly want to experience Africa. Any suggestions for an area that fits this description are welcome. Thanks

 

[375Fox]

These areas definitely exist, but what is your budget on your hunt?

My recommendation would be to look into hunting Kaokoland in NW Namibia with Jamy Traut Safaris. It is the most wild area I’ve had opportunity to hunt. They have 4 connected conservancies there at around 2 million acres and very sparsely populated. I took eland, kudu, 2 gemsbok, 2 springbok, hartebeest, steenbok, ostrich there in 2018. We saw lions, elephants, leopard tracks everywhere, and rhino tracks one day. I think for a first safari this is your best option to hunt wild Africa because it’s affordable and gives you option to transfer to other areas in central Namibia mid hunt should you choose to for different hunting opportunities.

 

[Jaegger]

Balancing a PG Hunt where you will walk, hear and/or possibly sight members of the Big 5 does require abit of research & like most things in this World - your All-In budget. These areas tend to be more remote & can/will draw ^ Daily Rates as logistics/resources are not simple.

That said, with some online surfing you can fall into a operator like my go-to Namibia Lodge on the edge of Kalahari (SE): 40,000 acres, limited hunting clients, protected Elephant & Rhino + free ranging Leopard, Hyena & Cheetah. I’ve had encounters on foot w/ all except Leopard but Leopard by trail cams.

My humble inputs on locales I’ve hunted or researched:
* Namibia. I agree w/ 375Fox on NW & you can add NE region, upper Waterberg Plateau has good PG hunting & Mahango Parks have Big Boys.
* Botswana. Western Region & checkout NKWE Safaris latest PG deals on Deals & Offers.
* Zimbabwe. South East of Bulawayo to the SAVE Valley - SAVE has limited operators & ^ Daily Rates, special place.
* S. Africa. Can never go wrong w/ Limpopo Region & other areas w/ your known budget.
* Deeper $$ Pockets: Tanzania & Mozambique are sure bets!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

A hunt with @John Sharp or @DaveL in the Bubye Valley Conservancy in southern Zim will fill your requirement.

I did a photo safari in the Masai Mara region of Kenya and saw the Big 5 in the first 2 days along with lots of crocs (the animal, not the shoe). Unfortunately, no hunting in Kenya. The Masai Mara is essentially an extension of the Serengeti in Tanz and that would be an awesome and unfortunately expensive experience.

You also might have a read of this and consider a RSA or Namibia location.

The Third Way By Peter Ryan

I was checking out some of the AH sponsor's websites this morning and came across this article from @hansv. It's well worth reading. http://cvsafaris.co.za/the-third-way-by-peter-ryan/ Dave

www.africahunting.com

 

[Philip Glass]

I am trying to figure out where I want to do my first PG safari. I am looking for an area that has the iconic game of Africa such as big 5, hyena, wild dogs, hippo, croc, etc. I realize I won’t likely find an area that has all these critters and wouldn’t likely see many of them even if they were around. However, I want to know they are there and see some tracks, hear them at night, etc. I would like to take a few critters such as kudu, warthog, oryx but I mainly want to experience Africa. Any suggestions for an area that fits this description are welcome. Thanks

It’s tough to pull off what you suggest. IMO the best first time PG safari is a private land hunt in RSA or Namibia. That comes with virtually no DG and certainly no wild dogs. There are frequently Buffalo on private land these days if that helps.
to find the place you are dreaming of you will be paying DG rates to hunt PG. Instead of a $5-6000 package hunt on private land you would be at $15,000 As a minimum. I am sorry but it is what it is.
Like I’ve advised many hunters, go do a PG hunt them plan a Zim buff hunt and you will have two great experiences.
PG

 

[Spear Safaris]

I am trying to figure out where I want to do my first PG safari. I am looking for an area that has the iconic game of Africa such as big 5, hyena, wild dogs, hippo, croc, etc. I realize I won’t likely find an area that has all these critters and wouldn’t likely see many of them even if they were around. However, I want to know they are there and see some tracks, hear them at night, etc. I would like to take a few critters such as kudu, warthog, oryx but I mainly want to experience Africa. Any suggestions for an area that fits this description are welcome. Thanks

Bear bait, we have a camp that forms part of the Greater Kruger. You will hear and see these animals. We do not hunt inside this area anymore, but we can stay in the camp for the experience and hunt just outside of it, once all your desired species have been taken, we can just drive or walk around the area and enjoy the Big 5. If this interests you, please contact me on info@spearsafaris.com
Cheers Ernest

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Zimbabwe


Matetsi, any of the units
Bubeye valley conservancy
Save Valley conservancy
Great operators & PHs, real African experience
Plan your time of the year wisely, animals may not go along with your vacation schedule

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

I am trying to figure out where I want to do my first PG safari. I am looking for an area that has the iconic game of Africa such as big 5, hyena, wild dogs, hippo, croc, etc. I realize I won’t likely find an area that has all these critters and wouldn’t likely see many of them even if they were around. However, I want to know they are there and see some tracks, hear them at night, etc. I would like to take a few critters such as kudu, warthog, oryx but I mainly want to experience Africa. Any suggestions for an area that fits this description are welcome. Thanks

Welcome to AH, bunch of great guys on here, I’m sure you’ll find what your looking for.
If you need help give me a shout I’m sure there’ll be some options that suits your particular wants and wishes.

my very best always
Jaco Strauss

 

[MATTANJA HUNTING SAFARIS]

I am trying to figure out where I want to do my first PG safari. I am looking for an area that has the iconic game of Africa such as big 5, hyena, wild dogs, hippo, croc, etc. I realize I won’t likely find an area that has all these critters and wouldn’t likely see many of them even if they were around. However, I want to know they are there and see some tracks, hear them at night, etc. I would like to take a few critters such as kudu, warthog, oryx but I mainly want to experience Africa. Any suggestions for an area that fits this description are welcome. Thanks

Hi @Bearbait1,

I can offer you a PG Hunt on a Big 5 Area in South Africa.
If you're interested get in touch with me info@mattanjasafaris.co.za

Looking forward to hear from you

Dieter

 

[Scott CWO]

Coutada 9 with Mokore Safaris in Mozambique offers excellent free range PG hunting with buffalo, leopard, elephant and plenty of lions lurking around. I had lions outside my hut almost every night which made for some interesting sleeping at times. A lion roaring is the loudest animal noise in nature. You can feel the reverberations in your chest when lions are very close - like when you’re at a drag race and the cars come racing by you. We also saw lions while hunting PG. They have several 50”+ kudu running around, large reedbuck, giant warthogs, and large specimens of several other PG species to hunt for daily rates around $750 per day plus trophy fees. You can also pay a bit higher daily rate and hunt sable and nyala. All these animals are truly wild with no fences.

As mentioned earlier, the Save Valley Conservancy would also work for what you’re looking for. By chance, Mokore Safaris also has an area there. The Duckworth family is one of the most respected safari operators in Africa and you can read lots of hunting reports on AH about members safaris with them. There are also several other operators in Africa who can cater to what you want and some are sponsors here on AH. Good luck to you!

 

[Bearbait1]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. One area I have considered is Kaokoland but am concerned about the drought. From what I can gather the drought is over but if many of the mature animals were lost it would take years replace them.
Does anyone have any info on animal populations in the drought stricken areas of NW Namibia.

 

[WAB]

I would seriously consider the upper Luangwa valley in Zambia. It is truly wild with excellent PG.

Another area I have hunted with Great Plains Game is the Save Conservancy in Zim. Not as wild as the Luangwa but a truly special place.

I had good plains game hunting in Mozambique but the area I was in has apparently been poached out.

All of these were buffalo hunts with PG added on.

 

[375Fox]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. One area I have considered is Kaokoland but am concerned about the drought. From what I can gather the drought is over but if many of the mature animals were lost it would take years replace them.
Does anyone have any info on animal populations in the drought stricken areas of NW Namibia.

I would recommend you talk to Jamy traut safaris directly. Leopard legend safaris has a conservancy there too still I believe. When I hunted there in 2018 it was the first year in 6 years the area had received significant rain, but it didn’t affect the hunting. I know 2019 was a bad year, but the quotas in these areas are extremely low and it’s a absolutely huge area so the affect may not be as significant as you may think. @Tra3 hunted there in 2021. My photos from 2018 are in this thread.

Hunting in Kaokoland?

Like most, I’m dreaming about better times ahead someday... I’d like to learn about options and information for hunting in Kaokoland. The landscape intrigues and fascinates me. I would be interested in zebra, kudu and gemsbok - possibly eland. And I should also think about springbok as they...

www.africahunting.com

 

[sestoppelman]

If you can afford it I would consider a two area hunt in Tanzania, Masailand and Selous.
One of the best areas used to be the Okavango delta in Botswana but I believe its closed to all hunting now, though private land hunts are still going.

 

[375Fox]

Also, wild dogs are the absolute last thing you want to see on a plains game hunt! They are way too effective killers. Terrible photo but these were in Caprivi. We saw pack almost daily, 9 if I remember right.

 

[Scott CWO]

I’m headed to the Kansonso Busanga GMA bordering Kafue National Park in Zambia this year for PG such as sitatunga, sable, roan, lechwe, puku, etc… and there’s lots of DG there as well. Lots of other PG species available. Something to consider and truly wild.

 

[Rick Cox]

Well, I have very limited experience, but I would suggest Northern Namibia. I hunted there with Westfalen Safaris and had a memorable experience. I took a good kudu, several oryx, a good warthog, red hartebeest, a couple of mountain zebra and a nice eland. Was very close (too close!) to wild elephants, saw a leopard, ardvarrks, a honey badger, a brown hyena, tons of springbuck, steenbuck, duikurs and dik dik. Anaconda tracks in the sand, lion tracks, etc. All animals were free range, fair chase.

 

[Bearbait1]

Rick, when did you hunt there?

 

[Bearbait1]

Has anyone had recent experience in Kaokoland?

 

[Tra3]

Has anyone had recent experience in Kaokoland?

As mentioned by @375Fox I have been in Kaokoland. I was there in 2018 and again in 2021. I plan to return this year as well. I hunted with @Jamy Traut Hunting Safaris For both trips.

Kaokoland is really an amazing place. It is massive. If you want to feel like you are in wild Africa and all alone… you will! Please feel free to PM me and I can relay more info. The hunting was excellent. I hunted ele there last summer. While tracking elephant we had one section of track that had fresh elephant, fresh lion and fresh black rhino tracks all on top of each other.