In need for recommendations for South African outfitters

[LostinTexas_45]

I have a few in mind but I wouldn't mind having a couple of suggestions. The ones I have in mind are Stanley Pieterse safaris, Ash adventures, and Marvel Africa hunting safaris.

 

[cpr0312]

I'd check out the outfitters on this site, lots of good ones with lots of reviews!

 

[Divernhunter]

What are you wanting to hunt???
I have made 2 trips with Iliwa Safaris and could not be happier. Budget priced and outstanding animals. 1st trip 9 SCI animals including SCI Gold #48 Cape Impala and #68 Gold Red Hartebeest among others. My 2017 trip has not had all the animals measured yet but the Black Springbok ties for #30 SCI Gold.
Great people, great animals, spot and stalk hunting(which I prefer), good food and everything else. Also priced below many others.
I do not work for them and get nothing out of this. PM me if you want more info and I will give you my phone # and send you photos.

 

[RBurg44]

Pawprint Safaris! Just search the reviews here on this site theyll tell ya all you need to know!

 

[BRICKBURN]

............. The ones I have in mind are Stanley Pieterse safaris, Ash adventures, and Marvel Africa hunting safaris.

So, tell me about these guys and how they ended up on your list!

 

[Edge]

@KMG Hunting Safaris

Link to my hunt with KMG last year, you will have a great hunt with these folks!

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-kmg-safaris-rocks.39278/

 

[IdaRam]

Hi @LostinTexas_45 ,
The best choice may depend on some factors that are known only to you. But sharing them with us will help give good feedback
As has already been asked, your desired animals may be a major factor. Also, what are your desires/expectations in the way of lodging? Luxury five star lodge or just comfortable and possibly a bit rustic? Would you prefer a tent safari? How many people in your party? Will the wife/girlfriend be going?
East Cape, Northwest, Limpopo, KZN are probably going to all be different when it comes to terrain and vegetation. Do you have a “picture” in your mind of what Africa looks like to you?
I have hunted with an outfitter twice who is not a sponsor here. I have had excellent experiences on both trips. I’ve gone with them based on reccomendations from friends who hunted with them and introduced me to them before I was a member here.
However, as a member of the AH community if I were looking for an outfitter to book with today, I would probably choose one who is a sponsor here. The reason being I have come to “know” these outfitters and I know they are stand-up gentlemen who deliver what they say they will. You must still interview them to find the best fit for you, but you can book with confidence that you are not getting “sold” something you are going to be unhappy about.
So, my suggestion is talk to as many of these guys as possible. You will probably choose only one, but I know the guys who don’t win your business will still be grateful for the opportunity! Give ‘em a shot! And enjoy the experience. It’s all part of the fun And remeber, there are NO dumb questions
Just my and best wishes

 

[LostinTexas_45]

So, tell me about these guys and how they ended up on your list!

The reason I have these guys on my list is, honestly, because they have the best (easiest to use) websites and they have all the information I feel I will need. I have looked at countless outfitters and a lot of them have websites that aren’t very clear (information wise). And of course these outfitters have packages that I like at the prices that I like.

And my apologies for not posting this information earlier, but I am wanting to go in the pursuit of PLAINS GAME

 

[Divernhunter]

OK Plains game. Do you want spot and stalk or blinds? Do you want to hunt all day or just AM/PM? Ask if they OWN the property or just not? Is the outfitter the PH that will guide you or do they hand you off to someone else? Do they require a certain caliber of rifle: if a rifle hunt? What will be the expected shot distance average? How large is the land you will be hunting? If the lodge is not on the property how far a drive to get to the hunting area and WHY is the lodge not on the hunting area?? Do they charge to pick you up and return you to the airport? Is the day you are picked up and the one you are returned counted as days of your hunt/package? Do you pay daily rates(or 1/2 rate) for those days? The outfitter I hunted with does not so a 7 day hunt is 7 FULL days of hunting and you need to plan 9 days of being there. There are many other questions to ask.
I asked so many my 1st trip that I thought the outfitter would maybe not want my daughter and I to book or hunt with them. I was a bit surprised that they complemented on it and said I have asked the most question of anyone but then they knew there will be no surprises for either of us when we were there. There was none except for the super treatment we got, the high quality animals on a budget hunt(9 SCI book and Gold #48 Impala), the extra animals they had us shoot at no charge(something no other outfitter I have spoken to since said they would do and something they can do since they own the land), the no cost side trip we did (which is usually charged milage) and the free extra day they insisted we stay due to a one day later plane departure.

That is why I booked a 2nd hunt with them in 2017 and was not disappointed. I was and we were treated like family(the good kind ) and again shot book animals. It looks like I tied for the Gold #30 Black Springbok and that is the only one my SCI scorer has measured and told me about. I also got to shoot all the Baboons I wanted(and 2 were on my hit list) and monkeys (also wanted to bring home) at no charge.

True not everyone gets the treatment we/I got but other hunters were treated almost as well.

ASK many question before and after booking. This will lead to no unpleasant surprises. If the outfitter does not want to answer or is vague then "I personally" would look someplace else to hunt.

 

[Spear Safaris]

Dear Sir
Please feel free to also visit my website. www.spearsafaris.com. If you find it confusing, I do apologise and am willing to hear the complaints, so that I can fix it for future use.

 

[revturbo9967]

OK Plains game. Do you want spot and stalk or blinds? Do you want to hunt all day or just AM/PM? Ask if they OWN the property or just not? Is the outfitter the PH that will guide you or do they hand you off to someone else? Do they require a certain caliber of rifle: if a rifle hunt? What will be the expected shot distance average? How large is the land you will be hunting? If the lodge is not on the property how far a drive to get to the hunting area and WHY is the lodge not on the hunting area?? Do they charge to pick you up and return you to the airport? Is the day you are picked up and the one you are returned counted as days of your hunt/package? Do you pay daily rates(or 1/2 rate) for those days? The outfitter I hunted with does not so a 7 day hunt is 7 FULL days of hunting and you need to plan 9 days of being there. There are many other questions to ask.
I asked so many my 1st trip that I thought the outfitter would maybe not want my daughter and I to book or hunt with them. I was a bit surprised that they complemented on it and said I have asked the most question of anyone but then they knew there will be no surprises for either of us when we were there. There was none except for the super treatment we got, the high quality animals on a budget hunt(9 SCI book and Gold #48 Impala), the extra animals they had us shoot at no charge(something no other outfitter I have spoken to since said they would do and something they can do since they own the land), the no cost side trip we did (which is usually charged milage) and the free extra day they insisted we stay due to a one day later plane departure.

That is why I booked a 2nd hunt with them in 2017 and was not disappointed. I was and we were treated like family(the good kind ) and again shot book animals. It looks like I tied for the Gold #30 Black Springbok and that is the only one my SCI scorer has measured and told me about. I also got to shoot all the Baboons I wanted(and 2 were on my hit list) and monkeys (also wanted to bring home) at no charge.

True not everyone gets the treatment we/I got but other hunters were treated almost as well.

ASK many question before and after booking. This will lead to no unpleasant surprises. If the outfitter does not want to answer or is vague then "I personally" would look someplace else to hunt.

sounds like a great place. who did you hunt with?

You can pm me if you'd like

 

[ScottG]

There are plenty of guys here. Check out the ads visit their website. Lots of great reviews already out there. Lots of personal testimonials from good folks right where you are looking for advice. Good luck.

 

[Shootist43]

Lostin Texas_45, IMHO an easily navigated website would be the last reason to use when deciding on an outfitter. The Outfitters /Sponsors on AH get vetted on an almost daily basis. Spend a little time here reading hunting reports then make up a short list of possible outfitters. Call several of the references given by each of them. Then ask whatever questions you have. Booking with an unknown, may result in a memorable hunt but than again it might not. Booking with an Outfitter that lots of AH members have hunted with is a much better bet.

 

[BRICKBURN]

The reason I have these guys on my list is, honestly, because they have the best (easiest to use) websites and they have all the information I feel I will need. I have looked at countless outfitters and a lot of them have websites that aren’t very clear (information wise). And of course these outfitters have packages that I like at the prices that I like.
............

I'm with you about the website. If they are outdated, poorly organized, lack up front information, etc, they get a pass from me.
It is always interesting to me that Outfitters go to the bother of creating a website and then do not bother to update them and maintain them.

Good luck with your search.

 

[YancyW]

When I was beginning my search for an outfitter for my first trip, I quickly realized that an outfitter who is an active member here has a hell of a lot to lose if they do not consistently provide quality hunts. The reviews and vetting that happen on AH were worth a lot to me.

 

[Red Leg]

Lostin Texas_45, IMHO an easily navigated website would be the last reason to use when deciding on an outfitter. The Outfitters /Sponsors on AH get vetted on an almost daily basis. Spend a little time here reading hunting reports then make up a short list of possible outfitters. Call several of the references given by each of them. Then ask whatever questions you have. Booking with an unknown, may result in a memorable hunt but than again it might not. Booking with an Outfitter that lots of AH members have hunted with is a much better bet.

I have known any number of great outfitters who were clueless about creating a great website. It is one of the last of my considerations.

 

[BRICKBURN]

............. It is one of the last of my considerations.

That's cause you are older than 21 now.
(apparently I missed the Emoji)

 

[Red Leg]

That's cause you are older than 21 now.

So were the outfitters.

This is a form of trolling.

 

[BRICKBURN]

@Red Leg , how did you find and select Jack Atcheson as an agent?

 

[BRICKBURN]

.......
This is a form of trolling.

Not intended.... The humor did not translate. Some days I miss the target.