Need Outfitter Advice on 1st Safari

[Red Leg]

So, let me change the direction of this just a tad.

Though I do feel compelled to also put in a quick vote for Phillip Bronkhorst. http://www.pbsafaris.com/

SOUTH AFRICA: Up Close In The Limpopo - Hunting Cape Buffalo With Phillip Bronkhorst

The morning started like many buffalo hunts anywhere with the fresh tracks of a small herd crossing a dirt trace cut through the bush. Phillip Bronkhorst, Pieter Taylor (one of Phillip's PHs), our tracker Josias, Rickey (a young videographer in training), and your faithful correspondent bailed...

www.africahunting.com

You have a large list of animals. Unless you already have a basketball court for a trophy room, be selective with respect to taxidermy. Let's say you take a 48-52" kudu (a respectable trophy). The immediate thought would be a shoulder or pedestal mount. However, if a second safari is part of the aftermath planning (it certainly was for me and most of your fellow correspondents here), perhaps a euro mount would be a better option for the kudu. That sort of triage will apply to 2/3's to 3/4's of what you shoot.

I have a good friend who has been to Africa once. It was a life changing experience for him. Yet, he will not go back because the taxidermy from that trip filled his available space. I think that is a definition of madness, but it impacts the future decisions of many.

 

[Hunter101]

I would ask about how remote is there property? Hopefully no power lines and not off the asphalt road. You should hunt with all three outfitters. Hunt like 5 days with each outfitter

 

[Daveboone]

My advice after my first Safari this year...(of which I am totally happy with)
Be sure to ask yourself...how do I want/like to hunt? Stand, spot and stalk, etc., and your ability to maximize each type....and be sure to talk with the outfitter and references (call as many as you can) about how the hunts are conducted.
What do you call a trophy (clarification...all are trophies, but what will you be happy with).
I have talked with many hunters who ended up spending the entire hunt in a box blind over a watering hole...not my, or some of theirs...idea of a hunt. They were very dissapointed with their experiences, even if they got decent trophies. More of an African shoot than an African hunt.

 

[gillettehunter]

Personally I’d like to know what your top 3-4 animals are. Even in the Limpopo species density is variable. With 10 days you may well hunt a couple of the neighbors properties. I’m still in Africa. Hunted 5 days with Tsala a week or so ago. They run a excellent place. People are exceptional and so are the facilities. If a truly exceptional Sable or Buffalo is in your top 4 then they could be your best bet.
Bushbuck and Duiker maybe not. The grass was as tall as me obscuring any all Bushbuck.
Bruce