How well seasoned are you?

[Northern Shooter]

I’ve noticed through reading several of these threads that many here are older that I had initially presumed, many north of 60.

That makes sense given the nature of African Hunting and the financial position required to support this interest.

Just curious what the demographic breakdown is here. I’m in my 30’s for reference.

I’d also be interested to know at what age you started to pursue this interest?

 

[Velo Dog]

First time to Africa was for myself, age 51 years.

My 7th time to Africa was April of this year.

In a few days I will be 72 years old.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Age 27, hope to get to Africa in my 30s, but there seem to be more important things. I do have an Africa account however.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Financial position, partially, more like a factor of time off from work. Are you going to take your two week vacation and hunt Africa while the wife and kids go down to the carnival at the firehouse? Probably not.

 

[Flipper Dude]

First trip 2006 at 45. 11th trip earlier this year at 63. Have always been self employed, so taking the time was doable. ( Didn’t say easy, said possible). Would be hard for younger guys with limited time off.

 

[JES Adventures]

Made my first Safari in 1986 at 22

 

[BnC 04]

If i remember correctly we were 35 for our first trip. Now knocking at 50 and just finished our 7th trip.

 

[Fatback]

Was 36 first time I went on safari. Just finished my 6th in September of this year. Have deposits paid for numbers 7&8 in 2025 and 2027.

 

[Andrew62]

First trip was 1988, I was 26 years old, I'm now 62. Took my 20th safari this fall, safaris 21 and 22 are booked for Zimbabwe next year.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I turned 74 this 8th August.

First safari was in Kenya, 1974.

Most recent safari was in Tanzania, 2023.

Hopefully, I will be in Zambia for wild lion in 2025.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

First of four safaris was at age 67. I just turned 72. As a young teenager I was quite interested in African hunting. In '71 the govt draft lottery gave a #6 so I enlisted for three years in the Army with a very unique guarantee: MP to Korea for thirteen months then I could pick my post anywhere in the world. At that time there was a US Army post in Ethiopia. That's where I wanted to go. Sadly, while I was serving in Korea Emperor Hale Selasi lost his grip on Ethiopia and the Marxist terrorists who took over kicked the US out. Real life took over after I finished my enlistment: getting my first degree, getting a job, getting married, etc. Then in 2019 I met a vendor at the local gun show who had just been to South Africa. I was under the mistaken belief that safari hunting was about sitting next to a waterhole. He set me straight, I looked into it, and booked a trip for that August. I was a bit apprehensive having spent all my life solo hunting. Unsure if I would be able to adjust to hunting with a guide and tracker or staying in a lodge with a bunch of other folks. I lucked out. My PH was/is like the son I would have liked to call my own. The lodge owners are a great couple and the only guests were the former engineer at my Montana home town sawmill and his son (+wives). The first two safaris I also stayed part of the time with property owners at their farms. That really made some memorable times. Next two safaris were during the pandemic and no guests at the lodge. Last safari two years ago only two guests at the lodge: a Danish veterinarian and his lovely young niece. Nice people. Unfortunately, my "son" PH had moved on. The guy I had last time was a bit disappointing but not a deal breaker. I will try to return. Africa is an addiction.

 

[BJH65]

First Safari to Africa was 1997 age 32, first to SA then another separate Safari to Mozambique. Last or 3rd Safari was 2024 Limpopo age 59. Have another booked for Limpopo/Greater Kruger 2026, I’ll be 61 then. We have some pretty fit older guys on AH!

 

[mark-hunter]

Just curious what the demographic breakdown is here. I’m in my 30’s for reference.

My local hunting club, about 140 members of local people, none of them ever hunted Africa. Thier average age is 57.4.
I dont remember when I last saw a hunter younger then 35, not only in my club, but also when participating in various driven hunt as guest

My theory:
When you reach adolescent age, you need everything to set up living: house, mortgage, car, job, then comes family, wife, children. By the time average young man sets up everything he is at least 40.

Hunting costs. By the time you get to buy first rifle with scope, and other gear, you are over 40.
That is typical urban and suburban situation.

In rural parts, is different and people in general start early with their fathers. So demographic in rural parts is different.

Then comes The Africa.
Small numbers go there. In my hunting club of 140 members, I am only one going to Africa.
If judging by that source, less then 1% of hunters go to Africa, and of those few that I know, most of them is one time - enough - of - Africa - for - me, type.

I asked my hunting agent, 99% of his clients is African one timers.

 

[Newboomer]

First of four safaris was at age 67. I just turned 72. As a young teenager I was quite interested in African hunting. In '71 the govt draft lottery gave a #6 so I enlisted for three years in the Army with a very unique guarantee: MP to Korea for thirteen months then I could pick my post anywhere in the world. At that time there was a US Army post in Ethiopia. That's where I wanted to go. Sadly, while I was serving in Korea Emperor Hale Selasi lost his grip on Ethiopia and the Marxist terrorists who took over kicked the US out. Real life took over after I finished my enlistment: getting my first degree, getting a job, getting married, etc. Then in 2019 I met a vendor at the local gun show who had just been to South Africa. I was under the mistaken belief that safari hunting was about sitting next to a waterhole. He set me straight, I looked into it, and booked a trip for that August. I was a bit apprehensive having spent all my life solo hunting. Unsure if I would be able to adjust to hunting with a guide and tracker or staying in a lodge with a bunch of other folks. I lucked out. My PH was/is like the son I would have liked to call my own. The lodge owners are a great couple and the only guests were the former engineer at my Montana home town sawmill and his son (+wives). The first two safaris I also stayed part of the time with property owners at their farms. That really made some memorable times. Next two safaris were during the pandemic and no guests at the lodge. Last safari two years ago only two guests at the lodge: a Danish veterinarian and his lovely young niece. Nice people. Unfortunately, my "son" PH had moved on. The guy I had last time was a bit disappointing but not a deal breaker. I will try to return. Africa is an addiction.

My first was 2017 at age 77. 2 more at 78 and 79. I had one planned for 2021 but covid quashed that one. I'm 84 now and still contemplate going back again.

 

[Racer00]

Got bitten by the bug from AH. I now believe it’s incurable. First Safari last March. Have another one coming up in December and 2 more planned for 2025. Beyond that, I hope for at least 2 a year as long as I can stay healthy and able
Was 62 on my first. 63 now. Only regret is I didn’t discover Africa much sooner.

 

[DLSJR]

I’m 65. My first African hunt was in 1983, when I was 24. It was a 24-day hunt in Zimbabwe.

I hunted Zim again in ‘86 and Botswana in ‘89. Then family life intervened and I didn’t go back until 2009, to South Africa. Another 9 year hiatus (divorce will do that to you) and went to Zambia in 2018. Since then Africa has been a regular destination, hunting Tanzania 3 times and my most recent was Cameroon this past February. Also did a long Kenya/Tanzania photo trip with my non-hunting daughter and her boyfriend/now husband.

Deposits paid on my next 3 safaris, Zambia next October, then Congo and Mozambique in 2026. Working on a Zim hunt for next May with my elderly buddy who will be buffalo hunting at 81 years old. Also in early planning stages of another Zim hunt for ‘27 and Tanzania in ‘28. Also want to hunt Namibia sometime in next few years.

Hunting Africa as much as I can, as long as I can.

 

[Nyati]

I was 58 on my 1st Safari, then 8 safaris later, I turned 74 a few days ago.

 

[MontanaPat]

First trip to Africa was a photo safari in Kenya at 36 in 1994, got to do another photo trip to Tanzania in 2011. Didn’t even think about hunting Africa until 2019, I was always a DYI hunter in US from 10 years old with my Dad then later with my son. Several years of working and moving for job/career demands kept me from hunting much again until the mid 90s. Decided several years ago that I would probably run out of health before I ran out of money so it was time to start doing outfitted hunts I always wanted to do but couldn't necessarily do on my own anymore. First hunt in Africa in 2021 at 61 but have been now four years in a row and it has ignited my passion again to hunt in a variety of places. Four trips so far to Africa (RSA and Botswana), two to Canada, one to Argentina and have two trips booked to Spain for ‘25 and Scotland in ‘26. Looking at Romania and Austria for new bookings and more to Africa, probably Namibia next, then Zim or Zambia.

 

[mark-hunter]

I made my first safari when I was 46.

 

[Alistair]

My local hunting club, about 140 members of local people, none of them ever hunted Africa. Thier average age is 57.4.
I dont remember when I last saw a hunter younger then 35, not only in my club, but also when participating in various driven hunt as guest

My theory:
When you reach adolescent age, you need everything to set up living: house, mortgage, car, job, then comes family, wife, children. By the time average young man sets up everything he is at least 40.

Hunting costs. By the time you get to buy first rifle with scope, and other gear, you are over 40.
That is typical urban and suburban situation.

In rural parts, is different and people in general start early with their fathers. So demographic in rural parts is different.

Then comes The Africa.
Small numbers go there. In my hunting club of 140 members, I am only one going to Africa.
If judging by that source, less then 1% of hunters go to Africa, and of those few that I know, most of them is one time - enough - of - Africa - for - me, type.

I asked my hunting agent, 99% of his clients is African one timers.

I think your theory is generally correct.

Unless you're fortunate enough to make a substantial income, the life priorities for most are something like this.

In their 20s the focus revolves around getting a job, paying off student loans, maybe buying a house. Focus on career.

In the 30s its usually clear the student loan, pay off some of the mortgage, start building a pension, have kids. Focus on career and family equally.

In the 40s you might clear the mortgage, you're hitting peak earnings, but vacations are usually family vacations and you need to start thinking about a college fund for the kids and your pension. Focus shifts primarily to family.

Then you hit the 50s, the mortgage is gone (or close to it), you're making decent money, college for your kids is paid for, kids might be about ready to move out. Now a safari becomes something to consider, but then, saving cash now might bring down the retirement age and you're still short on vacation days... The focus is retirement.

So that leaves us at 67 before most are realistically going to drop relatively large sums of cash on an 'experience', or have the time to do so.

For those making median wage, you can probably move everything back at least a decade before a house is bought or paid for, so it's probably never viable for them.

If you happen to be earning in the top 5%, you have more options, but even then, housing is expensive and family commitments don't change, so it's still something for the 40s or 50s onward.