375Fox
AH legend
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2020
- Messages
- 3,609
- Reaction score
- 11,674
- Location
- Pennsylvania
- Media
- 157
- Hunted
- Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Cameroon
There are a lot of reasons to like hunting South Africa, but it’s a big place. The real advantage I see is it has more distinct landscapes than any other country in Africa to hunt also more outfitters to choose from. You will only find the family atmosphere on private land in Namibia or South Africa. However, several things you said are just incorrect if you don’t specify where you are hunting. From the couple photos you posted I’d assume you hunted somewhere in Karoo or free state. If you hunt lower elevation areas such as near Kruger it will be hot and you will see mosquitoes in August and possibly snakes. The ticks in coastal areas and reclaimed cattle areas that in South Africa that never get burnt and rarely freeze are the worst you will see anywhere in Africa. Camps on concession areas outside South Africa are generally booked as exclusive use, maybe 2 parties, and at very most in some camps maybe 4. There are outfitters in South Africa that take 10-20 clients on a busy week, so that’s the only place you will find “bunch of rich noisy dudes” getting drunk. The question is which is better wild Africa or South Africa. It seems most insisting South Africa is best haven’t hunted outside South Africa. There is a significantly different feel hunting in areas that still have wild lions and elephants that ranch hunting doesn’t compare to. Ranch hunting is fun, but you can’t compare until you’ve done both.There are other advantages to hunting South Africa. I'm always there hunting late August and so far have only seen one mosquito ... a dead one in the sink when I first arrived at lodge on my first trip. It's generally cold enough that snakes are either underground or so sluggish they can't move. I have hunted some huge properties (my favorite is 167K acres with less than half huntable - rest inaccessible) and very rough terrain. My lodge often farmed me out to remote properties where I stayed with the owner and his family. Very, very much enjoyed that. Much more enjoyable being a part of a family than sitting around a lodge campfire with a bunch of rich noisy dudes getting drunk. And lordy, no shortage of game. Like mentioned above, I found the animals plenty wild and no one hunting the property but me. A couple of stalks were hardly challenging but most were very much a challenge. Beautiful country, lots of animals of all kinds that are not easy to hunt, wonderful people, ... and very affordable. What's not to like?