Looking for advice…

[Doug Hamilton]

Done 8 safaris, never taken a package.

Daily rate and pricelist, then you choose in the field. If your PH is a decent guy, he will point to you those animals worth shooting.

That's what I've found on my hunts in Zimbabwe as well.

 

[Hyde]

As I sit here in Johannesburg waiting to board my flight back to Dulles in Washington DC, please know this. I generally fly Pittsburgh to Newark then direct to JNB on United. The long flight is about 14-15 hours. This trip, to get a cheaper business seat, I am flying Qatar. That’s an 8 1/2 hr flight from JNB to Doha, 3 hr layover, then 14 1/2 flight to Dulles. The fact that they changed planes and there are no Q-suites on this flight home, nor any Q-suites on the flight over, that is disappointing, then I have to endure several hours of additional flight time. I’ll go back to flying United or you can consider Delta through Atlanta.

Thank you for the info. Do you have any trouble taking rifles through Dulles?

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Plenty of good advice given so far. Create a big check list. Expand your list of animals to hunt and have multiple conversations/discussions with more than one outfitter. Confirm their concessions and opportunities to hunt the animals you desire and have several animals as alternatives. Be open to opportunities with your planning and while on your hunt. If you have extra time and can afford it, take a couple extra days, you won’t regret it.

You may want to consider Emirates Airlines. I flew with them on my most recent trip and it went really well. Can’t say that for my last trip with Delta!

Good luck

 

[fourfive8]

Kind of hard to explain about “must have” species lists since it is so subjective. Others have posted similar thoughts. Might consider going and letting Africa and the game decide what to go after or take. Of course you’ll need some parameters of trophy fee vs your budget.

When I first went, I was surprised and really impressed by the beauty of the waterbuck. One trip I was able to take a really good red hartebeest. I couldn’t believe how impressive that bull was as I walked up to it. Not so much the horns but the coat color and conformation of the body. The same thing happened walking up to a large eland bull! Hard to describe how big they are! If you have hunted white tailed deer mano-a-mano, on foot, in their element, to me that kind of describes hunting the sneaky woodland types like bushbuck and common reedbuck. The list of animals that turn out to be a lot different than expected could go on and on. Even if you don’t hunt them, another plus in some areas is running across such as elephants and giraffes. Stumbling into, at close range, a large bull elephant in thick woodland cover is an experience you won't soon forget! Same for lions roaring at night. I still can’t believe how loud they are!

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

After 2 failed attempts to make it to Africa, I am once again considering this life long dream. Ever since I was a young boy, I dreamed of going on safari. I made a list of my “must have” animals, but now I am rethinking that strategy. I’ll most likely be hunting in Limpopo, and no dangerous game is planned for my first trip. Kudu has always been my number 1, but a great eland would make me just as happy. I would like the opportunity to take 5-6 animals but what I don’t want is to be rushed in order to fill the “list”. I would like 8 days of hunting. I am wondering if it is best to go with kudu or eland in mind, and then just take what is offered for the remainder, or is it better to pick a package deal that may afford a discounted rate and just hope for the best? Shipping costs could also be a deciding factor, and European style mounts is what I would opt for with the horned animals. I’ve always wanted a warthog, but I’ve been told they are expensive to import to the USA. As for rifles, I would most likely just rent a camp gun to save the hassle, but being left handed could be a problem. Lastly, about the only deal breaker for me is I don’t do well in coach. It’s business class or nothing. 37 years of plumbing have ruined my back and legs, and have to be able to stretch out. Plus at 6’4” tall and 285, I don’t make a great seat mate. I am thinking about finding the best airfare possible and then building the trip around that. Do flights vary by season? I am flying from Seattle and would like the fewest stops possible. I would appreciate comments!

dm sent

and we have left hand rifle for you to rent no problems

 

[AZDAVE]

Based on the requirements you laid out. Determine what your budget, as that will drive many of the decisions you will make. Look at the shoulder seasons for best flight prices. (Mar-May) (Oct-Nov) I have always used Shawn at Gracy Travel to get all our travel and gun paperwork in order. Have heard very good things about Jennifer at Travel Express but have never used their services. If you decide to not take your own rifles, every outfitter I have hunted with has rilfes available for rent.

For the hunting have your short list of the animals you absolutely feel is Africa to you. Then take what africa gives you. You will see an animal that just stops you in your tracks based on how it moves or looks. Keep an open mind and work with your PH.

For travel I have flown on Delta and Qatar. since in am small I was in coach on qatar and coach through economy comfort on Delta. I felt the economy comfort had plenty of leg and hip room, you could see if your travel folks can get you the bulk head seating for even more leg room. I haven't flown business class so cant comment on that. I prefer Delta. Qatar is a great company and the flight and their crews treat you great I just don't like the 15 hour flight out of DFW then a layover in Doha and a additional 8 hours to Joberg. I will just take the not quite as good a service and a straight 15 hours to joberg and spend the night at city lodge or another good hotel in joberg.

 

[Hyde]

Thank you for your reply and tips.

 

[DonPablo]

So...

What happened on your 1st 2 attempts?

 

[Andrew62]

Thank you for the info. Do you have any trouble taking rifles through Dulles?

My frustration with Dulles is like what happened yesterday. I get off the plane, get to Customs, get sent to 'secondary', which is expected for having a gun. Sitting in 'secondary' well over an hour, with my gun at their counter, waiting for them to open my gun case, check the serial number, then say I can go. Really, over an hour and there were exactly 6 people sitting in secondary. For many trips through Dulles there was a guy there with 'Napoleon Syndrome', he hassled everyone with a rifle. People bitch about Newark a lot, but from my many experiences, I'll take Newark over Dulles any day.

 

[Hyde]

So...

What happened on your 1st 2 attempts?

On my first trip, I was booked to hunt Namibia in 2004. About 8 months before the trip, my ex wife went off the deep end, and after a lengthy and costly battle, I ended up with custody of my then 14 year old son. Not only had I used up all of my money in that custody battle, there was no way I was going to leave him with somebody while I gallivant off to Africa. My priorities had changed at that moment. On the second trip, I was scheduled to go to Limpopo in July of last year. Had airfare booked and everything on that one. At the last minute, my daughters, taekwondo, national tournament popped up, something that nobody told me about when I was planning the trip to Africa. So once again I postponed my trip. More than once over the years, I have said that I thought I lost my window of opportunity for Africa. But the draw of this lifelong dream remains strong, and I am determined to get there before I leave this planet. I’m hoping for May 2025 and thanks to many forum members, I’m well on my way with planning once again.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

My frustration with Dulles is like what happened yesterday. I get off the plane, get to Customs, get sent to 'secondary', which is expected for having a gun. Sitting in 'secondary' well over an hour, with my gun at their counter, waiting for them to open my gun case, check the serial number, then say I can go. Really, over an hour and there were exactly 6 people sitting in secondary. For many trips through Dulles there was a guy there with 'Napoleon Syndrome', he hassled everyone with a rifle. People bitch about Newark a lot, but from my many experiences, I'll take Newark over Dulles any day.

Had this experience too. I was afraid to say or do anything because the guy was such an a-hole… What a joke.

Getting my rifle through SFO was cake… It also helped that it checked through Dubai on Emirates and San Francisco was my final destination.