How long from the time you returned to your home did it take you to book your next safari?

[AZDAVE]

Finished the first safari in 2013, went for 4 days to Kruger NAT Park. Day three we decided we were going back in 2105. The next safari was booked at SCI in 2014. since 2015 have had 3 years worth of trips hunting and bucket list travel kinda trips. We have a Namibia trip later this year, Alaska, NewZealand, Alaska next year, Uganda 2027, Zimbabwe 2028. Will work on 29 at SCI this year.

 

[coreydb]

I did mine while I was still there!

 

[Troubleshooter]

It was about 18 months from the time that I returned from the first safari until I booked the second one.

I had spoken to a number of outfitters at the DSC Convention about a year after my first; one in particular who was booked-up but I told them to contact me if something became available. Otherwise I intended to wait a few more years until a couple of younger family members would be old enough to go.

Meanwhile a friend had been asking me about coming with whenever I went back again. A couple of months later the outfitter mentioned earlier sent an email that they had a hunt available later that year, so I got busy with my friend in discussing package options (he specifically wanted a management hunt; no trophies), costs, airlines, etc. He got permission to take time off from work, then was concerned about the costs, then it was OK, then again no. Basically he was all-in until he wasn't.

I finally got tired of the vacillating and booked the hunt. It took place two years after my first safari.

 

[Russ16]

My first safari will be next August in Zimbabwe. I’m likely to book my second at one of the shows early next year. So before I go.

 

[Rare Breed]

I’ve agreed to the next safari before leaving camp before, but the more safaris I go on the more I think about what I want now. The time after finishing to booking again has begun to increase. I currently have 3 very different safaris booked.

I do the same thing. What is the most interesting thing to me though was starting with 5 PG animals for $5200 to $14,000 on my second one with DG then $25,000 for third one…my point is when the “bug” bites you it also grabs your wallet for more along with your time!!! I would not have it any other way

 

[Pablo]

I guess I’m the anomaly here. My first trip to RSA was in 2004 with my best friend. The proverbial “life got in the way” happened and I didn’t get to go again until July 2024. I would go again in a heartbeat if I could afford it and I hope to get back in the next 10 years for a buff. As I told @Hunt anything today, I live vicariously through all of y’all’s posts!

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Days, weeks, months.., years? What was your first safari for? What was your second safari booked for?

For me it was seven days.

After a very fruitful and exciting first safari in Namibia for plains game, I was finalizing interviews with PH’s for a hounds over leopard hunt within hours of returning home. Seven days later the PH/houndsman selected, contract terms and hunting area finalized, and deposit money sent for the first hunt of the year in Nuanetsi in May of ‘26 for 15 days and option to continue the hunt in SA for caracal, serval.

My wife will not be going with me this time. She will be going with me in ‘27 for Buff in Caprivi and do Vic Falls then. At least, that’s the plan.

All.my life I.knew I needed to hunt in Africa. At the age of 28 I managed it. I loved every minute, and wanted to go back even before I got home. Then life got in the way. Baby, new house, economy, family and job requirements, etc., etc. It took 38 years to book my next safari. I have a picture on the wall of myself, my PH, my .458 Win and a dead buffalo from 1983. Now I have another picture of myself, same PH, same .458 and another dead buffalo from 39 years and 2 months later! Sometimes you have to wait, but you should never give up your dream.

 

[Andrew62]

From the end of my first safari until I booked my 2nd safari was 2 years. At one point in 2023 I had 5 African safari’s booked ahead. Now I just have 2 ahead and I’m doing one of those at the end of this month with D&Y. As I get older, 63, I’m giving more thought as to where and what do I want to hunt.