First Safari Animal List

[Art Lambart II]

I recently got some very good advice from some experienced African hunters who said "plan a long safari with a short list of animals because once your on the ground the price for additional animals is always negotiable".

 

[Nathan Leslie]

I have had this same discussion with other members as well as in my head a bunch(some days a lot more than others). I am leaving on first safari in late June. I have come to a conclusion that I want to hunt mature Kudu and black wildebeest. Everything after will be best available til my money or time runs out what ever comes first. I will have my wife along and she only has one specific animal, a gemsbok. That leaves us a fairly open slate and plenty of room in our budget to take what wows us or the PH. As far as trophies are concerned I would much rather come home with 4 Rowland Ward caliber trophies then just a bunch of kills. I understand that might not be other's view, just mine. If Africa affects me like it has everyone else I have talked to it will not be my last trip!

 

[Tim Blackwell]

I'm heading on my first safari next week, to Namibia.

For me, like many others, Kudu is the animal I've dreamt of hunting for a long time, so that's my #1 priority.

Following that, I have oryx, springbok, impala, and steenbok on the list.

I'll remain flexible after the main priorities though, as others have advised....if they cross my path, a hartmann zebra, red hartebeest, duiker, and warthog may well come home with me too.

 

[rookhawk]

So much good advice. I think you have a fine plan together for your hunt. I'd say adding zebra would be essential to a plains game safari.

I hope you can eat all of these in country, your bag looks delicious.

 

[caddman]

Some very interesting points here for sure. The idea of having to reserve all my animals prior to a hunt would make me question my outfitter. I think it's great to have a wish list but priorities have a way of changing when seeing all the animals. This is especially true on a first time hunt. As stated before I can't imagine a PH saying you can't shoot an animal because you didn't "reserve" it.

 

[WildRose]

Some very interesting points here for sure. The idea of having to reserve all my animals prior to a hunt would make me question my outfitter. I think it's great to have a wish list but priorities have a way of changing when seeing all the animals. This is especially true on a first time hunt. As stated before I can't imagine a PH saying you can't shoot an animal because you didn't "reserve" it.

From personal experience I can say for sure that animals you never thought you would be interested in can suddenly become something you can't resist on a first safari.

I was literally like a kid in the candy store who'd never seen candy before. I was lucky to have Francois along to help me with my self control and negotiate on the fly for me.

 

[enysse]

A lot of great advice given. Red lechwe are stunningly beautiful. If you can get a good nyala go for it. Always put bushbuck on the list if they are on the property. You can do a Euro mount on the bushbuck and it will still look nice!