First trip

[dailordasailor]

The wife-to-be and I are finally in a place where we feel it's not a bad financial decision to take the trip (finally) in 2019. I've been on this site for a couple years and have read plenty but things change when it's actually time to plan for real.

Needs:
-kudu (euro mount quality)
-warthog (trophy quality)
-bush pig (trophy quality)
-some kind of excursion to park or similar
-large concession so not a shooting gallery situation
- 5 hunting days

Wants:
-good food/lodging
-plenty of other game options for her and I to potentially shoot
-a great first experience that guarantees we will return many more times

I know my list of animals isn't typical and seems bushpig can be hard to come by but that's what interest me for a first trip. I don't expect to chase trophy spiral horns or massive impala, just a good all around African experience.

As always, price is of importance as we would like to do multiple smaller trips than just one bank buster.

One question: best time of year to go that fits our requirements?

Thanks
Dale

 

[kesha]

PM sent

 

[cpr0312]

Congrats on staring the planning! As far as time of year, for kudu and warthog late April - early June is a good time. I would suggest maybe 6 or 7 hunting days instead of 5 if possible.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Enjoy the planning.

 

[dailordasailor]

I can do 9 days total if needed with airport days added in. Whatever is recomended to achieve my goals

 

[Hogpatrol]

Just one hunter's opinion and I know others have done it, but trying to enjoy a tourism/hunting trip in nine days could be problematic logistically, especially if you are bringing firearms or need to travel any distance to a second destination. Also, and most have been down this road before, animals don't subscribe to a schedule and neither does the weather. I lost two days the last trip from chilly and rainy weather and it took me two trips and nine nights of hunting to get a decent caracal. If it were me, I'd plan a nine day hunt to satisfy my hunting urges on the first trip, and leave the tourism part of it for another trip. One other item is don't forget jet lag. It can blur the first day or two.

 

[gillettehunter]

Even if you just tour the first couple of days its really nice to have the time in Africa. You get a chance to get past the jet lag. If your luggage takes a detour ( including your firearm) they have a chance to catch up before the hunt. Finally you get a chance to get your eyes used to "seeing" animals. If you only feel like you want to hunt 5 days that is fine. Think about touring parts of Kruger or Pilansburg. I feel that it adds to the overall "african experience". Bushpig may come easy or hard. If your outfitter has them on bait you might get one first sit. Then again as you read hunt reports here you might not get a single chance in 5 days/nights of hunting the. Read some hunt reports and choose your outfitter carefully for that one. Best of luck. Bruce

 

[dailordasailor]

I honestly wouldn't do sight seeing if it wasn't for the misses who dosnt enjoy hunting near as much as I do... my one concern from reading is indeed bush pig. Seems I need to find a bush pig guide and then worry about the plains game secondary. I've traveled to U.K./Europe without to big of jet lag issue but I'm aware this a different animal

 

[kesha]

We can accommodate the Bushpig Hennie has hunted many. You can hunt them by baiting or with dogs.

 

[CAustin]

Planning a safari is half the fun. Enjoy!

 

[Shootist43]

On your first trip I wouldn't plan for more than one day for an excursion. Lots of guys have taken their non-hunting wives only to find out once they got there the wives got caught up in the whole Africa thing and wound up going on their husbands hunt or actually hunting their selves. While in camp the time just flies by.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

We can do all of the above no fences

 

[peras]

Good day sir. PM sent.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

good day, and enjoy the planning

sent a PM

regards

 

[daved]

Good day and thank you for the opportunity.
I will send you an offer .
Warm regards
Dave

 

[Philip Glass]

I honestly wouldn't do sight seeing if it wasn't for the misses who dosnt enjoy hunting near as much as I do... my one concern from reading is indeed bush pig. Seems I need to find a bush pig guide and then worry about the plains game secondary. I've traveled to U.K./Europe without to big of jet lag issue but I'm aware this a different animal

Good to hear of your plans and I wish you the best. You are correct bush pig will take some planning. I want you to think about the wishes everyone seems to have for touring in addition to hunting. If it is super convenient i.e. hunting Eastern Cape and visiting Addo Elephant park for the day then go for it but otherwise that's a different trip in my mind. You must know and explain to your honey that the adventure is in all of it! The traveling, the people, the food, the small towns along the road, the gas station, and yes finally the hunting. Safari IS an adventure and you need not go to a reserve or game park and see tame animals to add to that adventure. But if you must try to keep it short so it doesn't ruin the hunt timewise or dollar wise.
Keep on planning and asking questions on AH!
Regards,
Philip

 

[dailordasailor]

I will talk with the misses this weekend and see her thoughts on just using the hunting and scouting as the "sight seeing" portion. I agree that in a game rich environment we can accomplish same thing as a photo safari within reason.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Good day sir,
Will you please be so kind to send me an email.
We have excellent success on Bushpigs and only take boars on our hunts.
Hope to hear from you,

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

 

[Nyati]

Enjoy your planning !

 

[dailordasailor]

Email coming