I Would Appreciate Some Advice on a Hunting Trip to Africa...

[35bore]

My first, as will be my second hunt to SA was with Koedoeberg, great group. 30-06 with 180's is what I used and I believe it to be a great choice of caliber for plains game. I too live just outside of St. Louis, but, due west my freind, about 55 miles MO.. Any of the outfitters on this site will do you good though, cause if they are crooks, the guys on this site will find them and tear them a new one. It's great to sit back and read a post when the outfitters turns out to be bogus. Scott.

 

[enysse]

Welcome to AH VanderLa

I can only give you advice as to what I have Experience in. I did My first Safari last year My wife came along as an observe I choose RSA as my first because of such great prices and packages. I hunted at Huntershill Safaris in the beautiful Heuningklip Valley of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, is your premier hunting safari destination in East Cape South Africa the amount of game seen there was outstanding compared to what I could find in the same price range in Namibia and the size looked better.

As to whom to go with as stated I hunted with Huntershill safaris and will give them the Highest Reccomendation My wife was ready to move there by the 3rd day of the hunt. That being said you will find more then I can count on the outfitters page and all of them good depending of course on the thickness of you wallet.

as far as time make it as long as you can afford to I went for seven days and didn't want to leave planning one for next year 10 days.

and the 30-06 for the game you want to hunt should be fine just use good Quality Bullets Barnes X or GMX if you don't reload then try the Hornady custom load in GMX.

as for Taxidermist I had all 9 of mine done there a little spendy but in my mind worth it ie $4000 for taxidermist work 300 for Doc. 2000 for shipping by air sound spendy but figure it out if your capes get damaged or even ruined. it's not the same if they replace it, it's still not the one you shot.

Good luck on your hunt your on the right track Researching it now.

I thought your taxidermist did a outstanding job too....and they had excellent pricing!

 

[Bobpuckett]

I thought your taxidermist did a outstanding job too....and they had excellent pricing!

THANKS
They did And I plan to use Umilindi again next year.

 

[EMehrer]

Afican Trip

I have been to Afica 5 times. 0nce to Nambia,once to Botswana,and 3 times to south Africa(RSA). If this is your first time over I would suggest the Limpopo Region of RSA. This the northernpart of the countr 7g which border Zimbabwa.It is called the bush country. The game you are after should take 7 days or less.I usually go for 10 days. It took me 3 trip to finally get a Waterbuck. All the animal that I have taken (23) were mounted in africa. Expect to spend 1600 to 2200 for mounts and 1000+ for shipping. Cheaper than USA and they work with these animals ever day. The first time over I useba 200 grain 30-06. The next four time Ihaue used a 250 grain 35Whelen. Do not worry about bullet speed. If you are reloading set muzz1e speed to 2100-2200 fps. The cover in the bush country requires a heavy - slower bullet.

Questions to me if desired.

 

[James.Grage]

EMehrer

I would like to welcome you to the AH forum...a seasoned veteran like your self will always have some good comments and direction for all to use.

 

[Upton O. Good]

Vanderlaan, the first thing you did right is not wait until you are 63 years old for your first trip to Africa. Second, you are doing the research necessary to get the best trip possible. My first suggestion is that you try to do the 10 days if possible. I did a 14 day trip and my hunting buddy who accompanied me did a 10 day trip. The look on his face when he was packing to return to the U.S. and I was packing to shift hunting to Eastern Cape for bush buck and geese was very sad to see.

The only country in Africa I've visited is the RSA, first Northern Cape and then Eastern Cape, both areas are very different but really neat to see. My goal was to see South Africa, not just hunt it, and I got to see a good bit. About the hunting, I always identified myself as a bird hunter and had planned to shoot three big game animals and a lot of pigeons. I ended up with seven big game animals, one day of pigeon shooting and a couple hours of goose hunting (shot ten Egyptian geese). I did not score on my primary three desired PG animals but I couldn't care less. I am now an African big game hunter who likes to shoot birds, too. I've already booked to return next year and will focus on getting my bush buck, impala, and warthog.

I was asked by a 14 year old hunting buddy what the best part of my hunting trip was. I loved meeting the people, I loved seeing the country. The best part of the hunting was how hard I worked to get shots at my animals. The ranches I hunted on were huge and the animals were very wild, none were interested in committing suicide. My hunting partner had the same experience. So, my last suggestion for you is that you get into shape, be ready to hunt, listen to your PH, and be flexible on your list of animals to shoot. And be aware, you will want to go back again. The people on this forum talk about how addictive it is, they are not kidding.

Good luck and post your report with photos.

 

[Red Leg]

You are getting great advice. I would offer one other recommendation - particularly for a first safari. At least open a dialogue with a reputable hunting consultant. I used Jack Atcheson Jr Jack Atcheson and Sons for my first hunt and have used him ever since. The consultant's specialty is tailoring a trip to your goals and your budget. The good ones stay on top of the various outfitters and can offer you very current advice. They are also very good a negotiating dates and special rates. For instance my available days almost never match the listed packages for any given outfitter, but Jack is always able to negotiate an arrangement (say a 10-day buff hunt when the outfitter lists 14-day min, etc.) As I say, I have been very satisfied with Jack and I am sure others here have used other reputable ones.

 

[Cliffy]

VanderLa, Welcome!
Lots of good advice here but as always lots to absorb. Having done 4 trips myself and the last 2 bringing/guiding friends on how to do it I have a couple of rules I follow and have never had a bad hunt.
1) I have always gone to the Dallas Safari Club show and actually talked to the PH I will be hunting with. First hand personal experiece with him has done me well. You get a feeling real quick on how well you get along with him.
2) I always book a hunt where I will be the only hunting party on the property. It makes it much more personal with the PH and his family.
I look at the total experience and not just collecting the heads. The flora and fauna, birds are a specialty (get a good local bird book and camera), The sounds are what will stop you in your tracks. I went back in April this year and the first thing I noticed upon arriving in camp was- the sounds of the bush. A unique experience. Just as important as the African sunset. Take time to enjoy it all. 10 days can be too long but it is also always too short.
RSA is the easiest to get to and to get to camp if you're near JoBurg when you hunt. You arrive in RSA late in the afternoon after 30+ hrs of traveling so another 1 or 2 hrs in customs plus 5 or 6 to camp can be a long trip. I used Sadaka Safaris, Limpopo Dist this last time and can rate Ewert and his family a 10+ Great Great people, great food and accomodations, etc etc etc.
If you'd be interested in Namibia, (different in many ways but again Africa and it gets under your skin) I have hunted with Jamy Traut Safaris. Absolutely top notch. In fact I always treat him to dinner here in the states in Dallas as we had such a good time with him 4 years ago (in fact he is who I am planning on going with again next April) ( I have no financial connection with either of these PHs other than I pay my bill gladly for the service and experience)
When you pick the right PH/outfitter you will be treated as you have never been treated before in your life. Perfection is the goal with these guys. Not to say things can't go wrong but man, the service, the food, the camp and last but not least the hunting.
A couple of things to think about on the way over: If you go through Atlanta, GO EARLY, first flight out of your home town period. NEVER take the last connecting flight from home to ATL never never never. In ATL early and get a day room at the RED Roof Inn right on the edge of the airport for a 4 or 5 hr nap and shower with a good restaurant right next door. It makes a big Difference. Go back to the airport 3 hrs before flight time. Get up and walk around every 2 hrs while on the flight. Bring a good neck pillow over with you. All you'll find in JoBurg are cheap inflatables. If you have to layover in JoBurg (like going to Namibia) I have used the Afton Guest House, easy to find contacts here in this forum. Very pleasant stay in a private home overnight.
Lots of other info on this site and that's the best part- the hunt planning!! Don't procrastinate-GO!

 

[enysse]

Cliffy, you have given some excellent advice...all around! And the outfitters you mentioned are top notch guys!

 

[James.Grage]

Cliffy

has taken the time to put together some great information for you...

As information when Flying to Namibia there are other airline routes so that you do not have to fly through SA if you so elect..

 

[fhm3006]

Cliffy

has taken the time to put together some great information for you...

As information when Flying to Namibia there are other airline routes so that you do not have to fly through SA if you so elect..

Air Namibia flies at this stage 3 times a week Frankfurt - Windhoek return
www.airnamibia.com.na

 

[Manfred Egerer]

Hi There

Have a look at : www.lindenhofsafaris.com as well as www.nyatiwildlifeart.com, get hold of us and we can give you information as you requested. Looking forward to hearing from you.

 

[James.Grage]

Manfred

your site looks good...you should start your own form post...

Hi There

Have a look at : www.lindenhofsafaris.com as well as www.nyatiwildlifeart.com, get hold of us and we can give you information as you requested. Looking forward to hearing from you.