Multiple outfitters

D-Orcutt

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Has anyone ever used multiple outfitters on the same trip to SA, One plane ticket and 2 weeks of hunting sounds better than two separate trips, if so how did you work it out?
 
I’d personally rather hunt two weeks with the same outfitter. Nearly all have access to multiple regions. If you do decide to hunt multiple outfitters same trip in South Africa make sure all your trophies get shipped together and preferably go to same taxidermy for preparation or costs could get high.
 
I am. In August 23 I will be hunting 10 days in Zim with Dalton & York the in SA hunting 5 days with Africa Sun. @Philip Glass does this type often
Are you able to ship Zimbabwe and South Africa shipments together? Or will they have to go separately? Costs to ship and clear in US could get high over two countries. For a 5 day add on probably not cost effective unless they hold trophies for a future trip.
 
I always hunt 10-14 days in Africa. However, I have never done it with multiple outfitters. I also don't typically contract for a package. A hunt in a specific area will have one or two primary game animals, such as a buffalo or sable, and then we will hunt what the area offers.
 
I managed to pack and move Zim and RSA shipments together. I wasn’t able to combine
Namibia with them for some reason.
 
I always hunt 10-14 days in Africa. However, I have never done it with multiple outfitters. I also don't typically contract for a package. A hunt in a specific area will have one or two primary game animals, such as a buffalo or sable, and then we will hunt what the area offers.
On a normal 14 day hunt how many animals do you hunt?
 
You can ship up to five different crates into one shipment from a shipper. Here is the problem which doesn’t save you that much money. If you hunt with three different outfitters in different provinces your Vet costs eat up savings. Once your Vet seals the box it cannot be opened when it leaves that province and goes to the shipper. So if you ship from three different province like I did ( mpulanga,Limpopo, and North west province) you pay all vet fees, packing fees in that province because it has to be sealed in that province before it goes to Jo’berg for shipping. The only money I saved was that my clearance broker treated them as one shipment so cleared all 3 crates for $450 because I have used them many times. However, most clearances cost $450 per crate if crates have different permits from an outfitter. This is what you want to do if hunting with different outfitters. They all are in same province. Example Limpopo- all trophies go to same taxidermist/dip pack facility. Now all trophies can go into same crate with the different permits from the outfitters.Now you save big money. You would definitely want to hunt in far corners of the province to get better trophies if available. Otherwise you might as well use one outfitter and drive to the different areas that may have better quality species.I lived and learned on that Safari. It was costly lesson!
 
On a normal 14 day hunt how many animals do you hunt?
Six or seven if a general bag hunt. My hunts now are typically for a buffalo and the region’s indigenous species.
 
Are you able to ship Zimbabwe and South Africa shipments together? Or will they have to go separately? Costs to ship and clear in US could get high over two countries. For a 5 day add on probably not cost effective unless they hold trophies for a future trip.
I am shipping my buff in Zim if I get him. The elephant is non exportable. My hunt in SA is a CBP lion that is non exportable so it works for me. The extra cost is airlink for $336
 
Great idea. I really like the idea of hunting two countries on the same trip. And I am not interested in shipping any trophies home, so the challenge of trophy shipping logistics is no impediment to me. Must look into this more.
 
The key is airlink is so cheap to change countries. The only real hassle is the guns paperwork for both countries
 
While I was living and working in Nigeria, I did a 10 day DG hunt in Zim with John Sharp and then met my wife and daughter in Joburg. We then traveled to Namibia and did my daughter's very first safari for her 21st birthday. It was a 7 day PG hunt with Hunters Namibia Safari. My wife is a non-hunter, so we sort of did photo safari a few days in the afternoon.

1667350594383.jpeg
 
I’ve often hunted more than one area on a 10-18 day trip - for example, Kisigo/Muhesi in southern Tanzania, along with Masailand; or the Namibian desert and Hartman’s mountains - generally with different species and experiences available in each area. This has also included side trips to Vic Falls or Ngorongoro crater etc. This is more about experiencing different areas and pursuing animals in their native range. Many, many operators offer some version on this. I’ve never combined operators on a single trip, as for me, I think it would only further complicate the logistics, including transfers, rifle import permits and the outbound shipment of trophies etc.
 
I have done that several times. Last May was most recent. I recommend it. You have the chance to hunt a couple of completely different bio zones with different animals. I call it a win win situation
 
Have done 8 trips, 4 have been combining different outfitters/countries
SA and Zim (also Kruger and Dullstroom for trout)
SA and Nam, (3) 7 day hunts with 3 outfits (Etosha sandwiched in there)
A 7 day management hunt and 10 day hunt in Nam( and 5 days driving on my own)
SA 8 day hunt and 2 day bird hunt(Sabi Sands and kruger also)

Most of these are a bit longer in duration then most do; the 3 7day hunts over 30 days plus travel on either end. But I leave time for other activities in between so not a grind, 7 or 8 days is about right for me hunting without mixing a day or more off doing something else.

Other trips were just one hunting outfit and sightseeing.

Trophy logistics are what you make of them, with a fair amount of management hunting mixed in, I have not need to combine shipping and just did separate shipments but prices weren’t as crazy 5-10 years ago. I could have combined some at the time, but it seemed like the savings wasn’t worth the additional paperwork complications.

Sometimes outfitters are surprised I’m not arranging everything with just one company; most think I just landed even tough I may have been hunting already. But I always have extra days built in, very comfortable checking guns (I did use Henry @ riflepermits once, very nice experience) Zim was easy in and out on my own last year.
 
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While I was living and working in Nigeria, I did a 10 day DG hunt in Zim with John Sharp and then met my wife and daughter in Joburg. We then traveled to Namibia and did my daughter's very first safari for her 21st birthday. It was a 7 day PG hunt with Hunters Namibia Safari. My wife is a non-hunter, so we sort of did photo safari a few days in the afternoon.

View attachment 497832
Very similar to my upcoming hunt…once you are in Africa you need to realize the low cost of hopping to another country versus returning to US and then booking the hunt that so easily could have been done together for very low cost
 
Sounds like a great idea whether in one country or two. Using a different outfitter adds a whole different dimension, so the spice level increases, especially if it is a totally different type of hunt.
 
I have done it two times.

Trip 1 (RSA Only): 14 Days Limpopo, 5 Days in Free State
Trip 2 (RSA & Namibia): 5 Days Northwest, 8 Days Namibia

On Trip 1 I used the same Taxidermist for both places on my Dip & Pack. @Safari Co. Africa handled getting my trophies to the same taxidermist from the 1st part of the trip for the Dip & Pack. They went in a single crate to @gizmo via @TROPHY SHIPPERS. Afton House handled the rifle import paperwork. We stayed there our first night, and returned between the two hunts. We had 2 other people in our party who only did the first 14 days with the first Outfitter/PH. My father attended this hunt with me and really liked the idea of the two PH's and 2 areas. He thought it added a different aspect to the trip and allowed us to not only see different regions, but also how different Outfitters/PH's operate.

Trip 2 was this past summer and Jennifer @TRAVEL EXPRESS handled all the logistics of Travel. I did my own rifle import paperwork with the assistance of the two Outfitters/PH's. Trophies will have to come separately as far as I can tell. I just got my Dip & Pack invoices today and planned on reaching out to @TROPHY SHIPPERS again to confirm.

I'm currently planning another trip. This one will be a single Outfitter/PH since it's more of a group trip and I'm the only person who's been to Africa previously or hunted outside of North America.
 
I have had a few clie ts that go to zim prior or after a hunt with me
Also had clients had with other outfitters in sa before or after a hunt with me
No problem and its a great idea
All your trophoes can go to one taxidermist from anywhere in SA
And get processed and shipped together no issue

Regards
 

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