First African Hunt 2027

[MAdcox]

As lots have already said, don't bet on it being one trip. It gets in your blood.
But for this one, if you are dead set on Waterbuck (a good choice), I would add a Kudu for sure and that is going to crowd your $5,000 with those two. But I would definitely take a good Impala- they are not expensive and a beautiful, iconic animal. Also, my first trip was to Limpopo as well and I have never stopped kicking myself for not going after one of their big bushbuck.
Enjoy the planning and first experience with Africa.

 

[MAdcox]

Thanks to all y’all for the suggestions. Definitely gonna add impala to the list. My hunting partner that’s going with me is going with only an eye for kudu, so I reckon I need to keep a look out after he gets his. Not too sure how I feel about zebra, given I grew up working with horses a lot so it seems a little weird

I grew up on the back of a horse and have made a living with horses and cattle most of my life. I had the same feeling about hunting a Zebra my first time over. I have now taken one on each of my last two trips over. I bet after being around them on the ground the reluctance passes as it did for me. They are a great, challenging game animal. And after having hunted other species around Zebra, I just lost the association with my horses at home. Cowboys and horseman forgive me, but I love hunting (and even worse, eating) Zebra!

 

[TnKen]

Kudu and Gemsbok make some very nice mounts and should come in under your 5K.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I grew up on the back of a horse and have made a living with horses and cattle most of my life. I had the same feeling about hunting a Zebra my first time over. I have now taken one on each of my last two trips over. I bet after being around them on the ground the reluctance passes as it did for me. They are a great, challenging game animal. And after having hunted other species around Zebra, I just lost the association with my horses at home. Cowboys and horseman forgive me, but I love hunting (and even worse, eating) Zebra!

I have been battling myself over taking zebra for the very reasons you wrote. I’m no cowboy, though, I have draft horses (halflingerXBelgians and Halflingers) I work and my wife is also an equine rehab therapist (red light photomodulation).

I’d love a zebra rug, but I have to get past the horse thing. Thanks for your post.

 

[SETH RINGER]

UNLESS THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU HAVE LEFT IS AN ISSUE IT AINT GOING TO BE YOUR ONLY TRIP TO AFRICA. BUFF IS ALREADY YOUR BIG TICKET ITEM, I WOULD TAKE MORE OF THE COMMON (LESS EXPENSIVE) PLAINSGAME AND KNOW YOUR TROPHY PRICELIST AND TAKE WHAT AFRICA GIVES YOU IF SOMETHING PRESENTS THAT YOUR PH SAYS SHOULD NOT BE PASSED ON. TAXIDERMY IS AS BIG A THOUGHT ($$$) AS WHAT TROPHYS TO HARVEST.

 

[358 Norma]

I would add Zebra, Impala and Gemsbuck.

 

[joker2400]

I’m pretty happy you said this, cause impala was one of the species that had really caught my eye while researching. It kinda seems the closest thing in Africa to whitetail, although I’ve seen a bunch of comparison to bushbuck as well

I grew up hunting whitetails. I’ve never gotten the comparison with impala beyond abundance. To me the hunt for a big bushbuck ram or even a big warthog boar is more akin to the pursuit of a large whitetail buck.

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

I grew up on the back of a horse and have made a living with horses and cattle most of my life. I had the same feeling about hunting a Zebra my first time over. I have now taken one on each of my last two trips over. I bet after being around them on the ground the reluctance passes as it did for me. They are a great, challenging game animal. And after having hunted other species around Zebra, I just lost the association with my horses at home. Cowboys and horseman forgive me, but I love hunting (and even worse, eating) Zebra!

Fair enough. I’ll keep an open mind about it. And if it’s a challenging hunt, that just makes it a better trophy

 

[meigsbucks]

Welcome to AH.
My first safari was going to be my “only” safari and like you, buffalo was number one. After that: warthog, kudu, zebra and bushbuck.
Everyone has their favorites. I was fortunate to go on a second hunt and plan on at least a couple more if things work out. I’m now addicted to eland and gemsbok as well as buffalo. Don’t rule out a second hunt. It doesn’t have to have as extensive of trophy list and hence potentially less expensive.

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

Welcome to AH.
My first safari was going to be my “only” safari and like you, buffalo was number one. After that: warthog, kudu, zebra and bushbuck.
Everyone has their favorites. I was fortunate to go on a second hunt and plan on at least a couple more if things work out. I’m now addicted to eland and gemsbok as well as buffalo. Don’t rule out a second hunt. It doesn’t have to have as extensive of trophy list and hence potentially less expensive.

Yeah, I’m not completely ruling it out. This is a trip I’ve been wanting to do since I was about 9, and me and my wife decided now was a good time to do it. If I do get to go again, it would most likely be in a couple decades after kids are done with college and such. If not, I don’t want to regret not making the most of it when I got my chance

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

UNLESS THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU HAVE LEFT IS AN ISSUE IT AINT GOING TO BE YOUR ONLY TRIP TO AFRICA. BUFF IS ALREADY YOUR BIG TICKET ITEM, I WOULD TAKE MORE OF THE COMMON (LESS EXPENSIVE) PLAINSGAME AND KNOW YOUR TROPHY PRICELIST AND TAKE WHAT AFRICA GIVES YOU IF SOMETHING PRESENTS THAT YOUR PH SAYS SHOULD NOT BE PASSED ON. TAXIDERMY IS AS BIG A THOUGHT ($$$) AS WHAT TROPHYS TO HARVEST.

As far as taxidermy goes, I’m mostly looking to do skulls and flat skins, with the exception of the buff and potentially a waterbuck. Something about the way Ruark described them kinda has me captivated. I’m trying to keep total cost below 30k, taxidermy and everything included. If my math was right and the info I found stays relatively accurate, 10k should be enough to cover trophies and airline. But if you (or anyone else) has any better info I’d be happy to hear it