Help, I won a partially covered hunt (Nzou Hunting Safaris) in South Africa

[Blaine0023]

I apologize if this is no proper forum procedure, I have searched reports and not found anything on this subject.

I won a 4x hunter 10x day hunting trip to South Africa with Nzou Hunting Safaris. It covers lodging, meals, drinks and PH daily fees. I and any hunter going will have to cover travel, tips, trophy fees, shipping and taxidermist fees and travel to and from O.R. Jambo airport in Johannesburg.

My main question is, does anyone have any knowledge of this Outfitter? Their website has some nice photos of animals but none of the lodge and none of pricing. It is a weird situation because the outfitter is chosen and its take it or leave it. I have sent an email and will talk to them as much as possible.

After the initial overwhelming excitement, I realize that it still may be financially unrealistic for me. I think I would need to buy enough animals to make it worth the outfitters time and so they aren't losing money. Or is that my concern if they offered up the hunt for a giveaway? Ideally, I could take my wife and children and turn it into a family vacation with hunting because we cannot go on a regular vacation, and I go hunt in Africa. I would shoot anything I could afford and possibly my son may shoot something cheaper. My wife and daughter would not hunt. Since they would not need a PH to guide them, would this be a benefit to the company or a waste of their time and money because they would not be getting trophy fees for those non hunters? I want to be respectful and courteous, but I also want to get the most out of it. I'd like to get some PH/Outfitter feedback on this. How would you feel if you gave away a hunt? I also plan on being direct with the company when I speak with them and see what their expectations are, so they are not displeased with us.

 

[JimP]

The first thing that I would do is to contact the and ask them for a price list of the animals that they offer. Once you see this you may want to stay home.

Also ask them what they offer for non hunters such as your wife and children and if there is any fee associated with it. Most outfitters are far enough away from a city that you need to arrange transportation into the city to do anything. You don't want to just allow your family to head to a town to see the sights, you never know what might happen if they go unescorted. You also need to find out just how much your trip from the airport out to their farm is going to cost, is it a group price or individual?

While some of these "auction" hunts turn out alright you can usually do better by finding a outfitter that offers packages such as 10 animals for a price.

In the long run if you book a hunt yourself you'll find that quite often that the hunt is the cheap part of the trip. After you figure in airfare, tips, necessaries, and other expenses it really adds up.

 

[Mekaniks]

Welcome to AH.

I have not heard of them but I had a quick look at their website site.
The first thing you will want is their trophy fee price list. Their trophy fees are not available online so you will need t ask for it. Also ask for contacts for recent recommendations.

You are correct that they will likely be looking to make up costs with trophy fees, but you won’t know that for sure until you start communicating with them. Communication is key. Dont be afraid to ask lots of questions and do lots of comparisons with other outfitters.
Have fun!

 

[TakeMeLord]

I have hunted South Africa 6 times. Everything about the website screams "freelance hunter with no capital investment."

I suggest: Contact the sponsoring organization that sponsored the event or the auction where you "won" the hunt. Ask them about the safari operator. Be sure to ask: Have you ever personally hunted with them?

When you contact Nzou Hunting Safaris ask:
1. Who is the licensed PH?
2. Where is the hunting grounds?
3. How large is the hunting grounds?
4. Is area high fenced?
5. References? References in USA?
Contact the Republic of South Africa Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and determine if Nzou Hunting Safaris are licensed in RSA. Link: https://www.dffe.gov.za/
Contact the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa. Is Nzou Hunting Safaris a member? (membership is not required to be a PH)

 

[Rare Breed]

The first thing that I would do is to contact the and ask them for a price list of the animals that they offer. Once you see this you may want to stay home.

Also ask them what they offer for non hunters such as your wife and children and if there is any fee associated with it. Most outfitters are far enough away from a city that you need to arrange transportation into the city to do anything. You don't want to just allow your family to head to a town to see the sights, you never know what might happen if they go unescorted. You also need to find out just how much your trip from the airport out to their farm is going to cost, is it a group price or individual?

While some of these "auction" hunts turn out alright you can usually do better by finding a outfitter that offers packages such as 10 animals for a price.

In the long run if you book a hunt yourself you'll find that quite often that the hunt is the cheap part of the trip. After you figure in airfare, tips, necessaries, and other expenses it really adds up.

completely agree. after seeing price list I would be very surprised if you could not get a much better deal on your own with some of the great outfitters on AH

 

[375Fox]

I don’t know anything about the outfitter, but I’d recommend you get the price list from outfitter and calculate what you’d like will cost you then obtain quotes and look at packages from some of the South African sponsor outfitters here for comparison. I unfortunately think you’ll find the auction hunt was more of a marketing tool than a true 10 days all meals, lodging, guiding covered. 4 hunters is a lot and is used to generate income/new clients for the outfitter who will likely be hunting off a full price trophy fee list. On a 10 day hunt I’d estimate 6-10 animals per person to actually utilize the days. They might provide a great hunt but most South African outfitters in the same region are providing a very similar hunt. They have a base camp or lodge then drive out each day to hunt different private high fenced farms of varying sizes. The only difference is often the people and pricing. Research some other outfitters and talk to them to make sure you are getting a fair price and think you’d personally enjoy hunting with them. They might be great but there may be much better options for you.

 

[Hunter4752001]

When you say the hunt you won was "4x hunter 10x day hunting trip" do you mean 4 hunters per PH? I have previously been told that the maximum allowable in South Africa was 2 hunters per 1 PH. Perhaps some of our SA PH members could clarify, but I would certainly recommend @TakeMeLord advice. Find out if this is genuine or a scam. I note that a google search on the name only turns up their own website.

 

[autofire]

When you ask for a trophy price list, ask if they have a cull/management price.
I no longer book "trophy" hunts in Africa, but book cull hunts instead.
Cull hunting much more reasonably priced and no shipping fees.
However, I have had PH give me the skins and head mounts from cull animals at no extra charge-so I did ship a few of those which were "trophy quality" , but not trophy priced. i.e. zebra skins, blue wildebeest, double broken horned kudu, 35 inch Eland.

Good luck and I hope you have a great time.

 

[62flint]

After you figure out trophy fees. Look at air fare , taxidermy and getting trophies home.
The airfare and shipping is sometime more expensive than a plains game hunt.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Welcome to the forum.

Just me. Unless I have 10 fellow hunters willing and wanting to, committed to go on a safari before bidding on such a trip.

That said.

The outfitter is looking to make their money off the trophy fees of 4 hunters. Thus you can expect the trophy fees to be priced above this outfitter's normal trophy fee prices and higher than other outfitters in the area. You will need to pay for a lot of animals to make up for the the 3 absent hunters.

Is the outfitter also going to be your PH? Or will the outfitter be providing PH(s)?

Taking your family for a family vacation is a great idea. However, you will need to make a plan.

What does the outfitter offer for non hunters?

The family can join you as observers, but that could get boring for them after the second pre dawn start of the hunting day.

Does the outfitter other photo safaris?

Photo safaris can offer those not hunting a more indepth experience to see African animals and scenery at a more leisurely pace.

Where is the outfitter located?

Is there a nearby village, town, city to: visit, sightsee, souvenir shopping, abd/or near the coast for a beach trip?

Depending on your budget, and the outfitter's trophy fee list, being on a 10 trip with the family, I would want it to be a leisure hunt by selecting 4 or 5 common animals: warthog, blesbuck, Impala, springbok, black back jackal, duiker, baboon, bushpig; and 1 or 2 larger animals: kudu, gemsbok, zebra, nyala, eland.

This Is Africa.

Since you are picking and paying for your animals a la carte, choose your animals and be willing to substitute animals at the last second.

hypothetical list: substitute list:
Impala. Bushbuck
Springbok. Duiker
Warthog. Bushpig
Blesbok. Black back jackal
Kudu. Gemsbok
Nyala. Zebra
Eland

Maybe you don't want a warthog add a second impala. One for you and one for your son. Or any other combinations.

Maybe plan a day or two with the family doing non hunting activities...making family memories.

Just my 2 cents. Hope you enjoy your trip.

Of course you will need to keep a journal and provide us a hunt report with photos.

 

[JimP]

One thing that I just thought of that you need to ask the outfitter, does he charge by the inch for exceptional trophies?

If so run away as fast as you can.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I apologize if this is no proper forum procedure, I have searched reports and not found anything on this subject.

I won a 4x hunter 10x day hunting trip to South Africa with Nzou Hunting Safaris. It covers lodging, meals, drinks and PH daily fees. I and any hunter going will have to cover travel, tips, trophy fees, shipping and taxidermist fees and travel to and from O.R. Jambo airport in Johannesburg.

My main question is, does anyone have any knowledge of this Outfitter? Their website has some nice photos of animals but none of the lodge and none of pricing. It is a weird situation because the outfitter is chosen and its take it or leave it. I have sent an email and will talk to them as much as possible.

After the initial overwhelming excitement, I realize that it still may be financially unrealistic for me. I think I would need to buy enough animals to make it worth the outfitters time and so they aren't losing money. Or is that my concern if they offered up the hunt for a giveaway? Ideally, I could take my wife and children and turn it into a family vacation with hunting because we cannot go on a regular vacation, and I go hunt in Africa. I would shoot anything I could afford and possibly my son may shoot something cheaper. My wife and daughter would not hunt. Since they would not need a PH to guide them, would this be a benefit to the company or a waste of their time and money because they would not be getting trophy fees for those non hunters? I want to be respectful and courteous, but I also want to get the most out of it. I'd like to get some PH/Outfitter feedback on this. How would you feel if you gave away a hunt? I also plan on being direct with the company when I speak with them and see what their expectations are, so they are not displeased with us.

While your looking into the prices on this outfitter, you should also look into the cost of other outfitters in SA. You want to.know what the daily rate is and the trophy fees. You might also look into a package that includes the hunt and trophy fees for certain animals. You'll know better what you're looking at with dome good comparisons.

 

[mark-hunter]

I won a 4x hunter 10x day hunting trip to South Africa with Nzou Hunting Safaris. It covers lodging, meals, drinks and PH daily fees. I and any hunter going will have to cover travel, tips, trophy fees, shipping and taxidermist fees and travel to and from O.R. Jambo airport in Johannesburg.

Get in contact with them, and ask them their trophy fees, extra expenses if expected, and family options.

Once you do that:
Check with other sponsor outfitters on this web site for their offers.
Then compare.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

As has already been stated first order of business it to contact the outfitter and secure his trophy fee price list. Review this and compare it to a few other outfitter’s price lists. After that, reach out and start asking questions like what was posted above.

You’re still early enough in the process you can cut your losses and run if need be.

IMO the outfitter donated the hunt. They did so without knowing the financial situation of the winner and without any requirements. If their trophy fees are reasonable and everything else checks out, I’d make every effort to hunt as much as I could afford. That said if your budget or your hunting companions budgets don’t allow the taking of multiple animals each day, I don’t feel you’re obligated to do so. The outfitter is going to break even/make money on the trophy fees which is why many won’t swap a non-hunter in place of one of the donated hunters or will want some sort of basic observer fee to cover their meals and lodging.

 

[mark-hunter]

i have been following this forum for years, and what I have noticed in general, there is more problems with donated hunts then solutions.

But good thing is:
OP got bitten by African bug. The African idea is born!
Now, @Blaine0023 , all that he has to do is stick to this idea, takes his time and research.

Most important is to keep researching, and eventually something will come up, either with this donated hunt, or some with other option.

Next thing what is not clear to me - is donated hunt for 4 hunters?
If other hunters were not involved in this donation, it will be problematic to find and mobilize 4 hunters to commit money, and simultaneous spare time to go to Africa.
This is if the family members are not hunters, but they are as commonly known - "observers".

 

[Sabre]

One thing to consider is that what you won states 4 Hunters. Maybe this place will let you bring non-hunters in those spots for no cost, but most likely that is not the case.

Generally they are wanting hunters who will pay trophy fees so they can make some money off the trip.

Most places have a Non-Hunter Observer Fee charged at a daily rate.

When thinking about this, think about the cost of your flights, tips, hotels, and most importantly, getting your trophies home if you want them. That is a fairly significant cost that can end up costing as much as the entire trip. There will be dip and pack fees, export fees/shipping fees, and import fees/broker fees.

I don't say all that to spook you from going to Africa. Just that often times winning an Africa hunt isn't saving much money on just doing the trip without "winning" it, and it's only fair that you are aware of that before going too far into it.

 

[mark-hunter]

Price estimate:
I will give my overall rough account, for plains game hunt - a European hunter in Namibia (similar pricing to South Africa):

Plane tickets, return. 1000 EUR
All inclusive plains game safari 7 days, 5 animals: 5000 EUR
Shipping of trophies (average 3 capes, 2 scull mounts): 1600 EUR (shipping to USA is generally more expensive from what I can see)
Taxidermy: 3 shoulder mounts 400 EUR per piece: 1200 EUR
Ttl: 8.800 EUR

This is very rough calc.
Additional costs may include tipping, sightseeing, souvenirs, etc.

It is safe to consider overall costs: double the all inclusive PG package!

However it is not paid at once.
First payment: contract signing and first down payment.
Second payment: flight tickets.
Third payment: on completion of safari.
Fourth payment: shipping
Fifth payment: taxidermy - non obligatory
But all costs could be spread in 12 to 24 months depending on dynamics of operation which is beneficial if hunting on budget.

Possible discounts:
Hunting 2:1 (2 hunters with 1 PH - guide), or 1:1 (one hunter - one guide). 2:1 is more economic
Combine trophy hunt with culling, or make full culling safari. Cull animals are way cheaper.
Cancellation of taxidermy, to take only scull mounts. (or no trophies at all, but in some South African provinces added cost is VAT if trophies are not exported)

 

[Ridge Runner]

When bidding or booking a hunt regardless of location. The client should also inquire as to the number of hunting days to total days of their trip.

The OP has stated a 10 day hunting trip. Is it 10 hunting days or 8 or 9 hunting days plus the arrival and departing days?

Some outfitters offer x number of days. Included in this number are the client's arrival and/or departure days, reducing the actual number of hunting days. Some outfitters offer x number of days but do not include arrival and/or departure days.

Case in point:

Outfitter A: I am booked with one outfitter for 7 days total. Five hunting days/nights. The daily rate is for 6 nights as there is no charge for departure day.

Outfitter B: Another outfitter I am booked with is for 12 days total. Daily rate fees are for 10 hunting days. No daily rates for arrival or departure days.

Next is hunt cancelation or postponement; At what if any costs?.

Some outfitters may allow a client to postpone their dates under circumstances as long as the hunt is booked within the same year without the client forfeiting their deposit or other penalty.

Some outfitters may refund only a portion of the client's deposit or payment.

Then there are outfitters such as my Outfitter B that will work with a client at no penalty to reschedule a client's hunt or offers a 100% full refund up to the time the client boards the plane to Africa.

 

[leslie hetrick]

if you are close to pa., the big sportsman show at the harrisburg farmshow buildings is a must. you can meet and get all the info you would need for a african hunt.

 

[Ryan]

Auctions, particularly ones as a donation to an organization play on optimism, emotions and sometimes a lack of information. It's in your best interest to slow down a second, sort out the details they tell you and get all the information they don't before you bid.

The fact that there is nothing on this forum about them and nothing on the web other than a very simple website sends up big red flags to me from the start.

Next is the details. Not much IMO. 4x hunters means you agreed to have four people hunting and paying trophy fees, that's how they make up their losses. If it said "up to 4x hunters" then it's a different deal, but that's not how it reads, and that is a significant detail. You and your family is only one hunter since it's just you and possibly your son on a day you don't hunt who are hunting. Now you have to find three other hunters willing to be on this too. So, you are actually coordinating seven people if your family is coming. That's not easy.

No pricing details before bidding is a no-go for me. Assuming I had three other hunters I thought would be interested, I have nothing to tell them when they ask "how much?".

As everyone has said, get ALL the details, look at a few to several other sites of outfitters advertised here and compare. If it still looks good, go. If not, walk now.