Not considering Africa anymore

[coreydb]

Start with a cull hunt and project it out two years. That gives you time to save. Also, the outfitters only require a percentage down to secure the hunt, so that will defray the total cost. That's what I have to do.

 

[cwpayton]

with all the encouragement and ideas presented its clear, he just wanted to whinne and cry.
but IM buyin in , all the you can do it, and think Ill go again. besides my wife is, yea go. FIRST trip she ask me why I didn't shoot a buffalo! cost 12 grand honey, well we can put on a credit card!!

 

[RichD]

It might take a while.. but don't give up hope.. there are ways to make it happen...

consider bidding on some auction hunts (you don't have to be present to win/bid) at DSC and SCI each year.. set the bar super low.. if you get outbid, there's always next year... don't allow yourself to get sucked into a bid war...

Ive done several international hunts for a pittance (Argentina twice for less than $1200 for 2x hunters.. Peru for about the same.. Ireland for less than $2K for 2 hunters.. etc.. and there are always WAY more Africa auction hunts than there are other locations like South America, Europe, etc)..

And set a savings goal.. even if its just $1K a year, you'll sooner or later get there.. I can show you how you can easily do a basic plains game hunt in SA for example for less than $7K all in, including airfare, tips, travel costs, etc... you're not going to be hunting elephant or rhino for that kind of money... but for $7K all in, you can experience the continent, have a great time for a week, and take a few of the most iconic PG..

or consider alternatives to hunts..

for example, @Bos en Dal SAFARIS is sponsoring a PH course this year in September (there's actually still a seat available if you want it).. for less than $2K you get 10x days of accommodation in South Africa, meals, pick up/drop off from OR Tambo, all of the training materials, the training, etc.. and at the end of the course all of the "new PH" will participate in an Impala or a Blesbok hunt.. that's an incredible deal... and you get so see the continent, experience a legitimate safari camp, spend 10 days with a bunch of like minded people, enjoy the campfire, and also do a bit of hunting..

That sounds like one "lekker" deal.

It might take a while.. but don't give up hope.. there are ways to make it happen...

consider bidding on some auction hunts (you don't have to be present to win/bid) at DSC and SCI each year.. set the bar super low.. if you get outbid, there's always next year... don't allow yourself to get sucked into a bid war...

Ive done several international hunts for a pittance (Argentina twice for less than $1200 for 2x hunters.. Peru for about the same.. Ireland for less than $2K for 2 hunters.. etc.. and there are always WAY more Africa auction hunts than there are other locations like South America, Europe, etc)..

And set a savings goal.. even if its just $1K a year, you'll sooner or later get there.. I can show you how you can easily do a basic plains game hunt in SA for example for less than $7K all in, including airfare, tips, travel costs, etc... you're not going to be hunting elephant or rhino for that kind of money... but for $7K all in, you can experience the continent, have a great time for a week, and take a few of the most iconic PG..

or consider alternatives to hunts..

for example, @Bos en Dal SAFARIS is sponsoring a PH course this year in September (there's actually still a seat available if you want it).. for less than $2K you get 10x days of accommodation in South Africa, meals, pick up/drop off from OR Tambo, all of the training materials, the training, etc.. and at the end of the course all of the "new PH" will participate in an Impala or a Blesbok hunt.. that's an incredible deal... and you get so see the continent, experience a legitimate safari camp, spend 10 days with a bunch of like minded people, enjoy the campfire, and also do a bit of hunting..

WOW! That sounds like one "lekker" opportunity.

 

[Sabre]

"Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."

I have a lot of friends, family, and acquaintances who think spending even $3,000 on a hunt is almost unattainable or, if attainable, it is not a good use of money. Yet, they see no problem spending money on cigarettes, bars, restaurants, hotels, etc. (the list could really be endless). And the same people have some level of jealousy when they ask to see pictures from hunts I have been on.

Hunting has a strange effect on people. A lot of people won't sacrifice time, money, or energy to do it, or do it well. But they see no error in being jealous of those that do and have success.

 

[Velo Dog]

Yes, only locally in New England because I live in the city so I need a turn key hunt. I base the hunt solely on the cost, not quality of the trophy. I’ve been waffling quitting hunting completely lately because I don’t find the value in it anymore or any thrill.


V. Dog says—> Well, allow me to retort:

We humans living in the less oppressive countries, are almost entirely in control of our own destiny.
And so, with that concept ……….

“Victory Belongs to Those Who Dare”.

I dare to not own motor toys (airplane, boat, snowmobile, jet ski, 4-Wheeler, motorhome, etc).
Neither do my wife or myself, ever consider buying a new car.
The used ones we buy last us up to 20 years each, before dumping one or the other and buying another used one.

Most of my clothes and some of my wife’s clothes come from the local 2nd hand stores where we live.
Our house is an old (built 1977) “fixer-upper”, with only a one car garage.
My wife’s car gets the garage and my vehicle is parked outside, even during winter.

I could go on all day about how to save money toward the things each person truly wants from life.
In my case specifically, it is hunting and fishing.
And my favorite place to do those things is Africa.
For most of us working class people, yes it is financially difficult.
However it is possible (again, if you dare to make it happen).

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

To add to that budgetary constraint I’m now facing not receiving my Social Security benefit or sharing a 30% share with Elon Musk so I’m not too happy right now worrying about my enjoyable hobbies. I’m more worried about survival.

Velo Dog continues with ………

How in the balls does anyone in this country loose their Social Security benefits and / or have to share 30% of same with some guy named Elon Musk ?
I’m puzzled by the above statements.

I question those statements, because our illustrious government has been for decades, simply pouring Social Security money all over people here who have never worked a day in their lazyass life.
This includes USA born parasites as well as many thousands of people in their 60’s and older, immigrating from other countries.

I know the OP has opted out of forum membership.
And so, does anyone else here know how people residing in the USA can loose their Social Security benefits and / or have to share 30% with that Elon Musk person ?

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[Gemsbok45]

If you think Elon Musk is tapping your SS you have bigger problems. Get a hold of yourself man! Your collecting SS so your an old fart like me. Go to SCI and meet some outfitters. Tell them you will work for free. Pick up clients from the Airport. Store their booths in your garage. Check Leopard baits and refresh them. There are always limitations but you will never know till you try. Pick yourself up and start planning. Your opportunity is right in front of your face. Grab it. I did!!

 

[JimP]

I have found with a number of members on this forum and a couple others is that if you want to hunt Africa you'll end up hunting Africa.

 

[DillonG]

When I first joined I was always asking for financial advice from some of the experienced members. I am out for now. My wife and I paid through the teeth for IVF and are now expecting our first child this year. Just keep putting money back. $100 when you can put it back consistently does add up. Never give up on a dream.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

When I first joined I was always asking for financial advice from some of the experienced members. I am out for now. My wife and I paid through the teeth for IVF and are now expecting our first child this year. Just keep putting money back. $100 when you can put it back consistently does add up. Never give up on a dream.

Wise investment. Makes a hunting trip to Africa wasteful by comparison. Wait till that little stinker is five months old, needs feeding in the middle of the night, and it's your turn. As you're rocking your baby and he/she gives you that toothless grin around the bottle nipple, giggles, and looks right into your eyes, then you'll know you made the right decision. Remember I told you so!

 

[CoElkHunter]

First African Safari $3,000

As previously mentioned, Considering Africa, Plains Games (PG) hunts in South Africa or Namibia can be quite "reasonable". THERE IS NO WAY you need to spend $15k on your first safari. Here are a few tips...

1) Flights. get a Delta American Express card. Pay everything with it, pay it off every month, it will cost you nothing. Within a year (or maybe 2) you will likely have enough points to fly for free. Flying Atlanta / Johannesburg roundtrip will take typically 180,000 points, plus whatever connecting flight you may need to/from Atlanta.
Total cost $0

2) Hunt. If all you are looking for is the experience, which IS the best part, and good framed pictures replace trophies on your wall, it is possible to book a 5 days hunt for "cull" animals (generally females, whose population needs to be kept in check too, but also deformed animals, wounded animals, etc.) for less than $3,000.

Here are real 2025 numbers:

5 x daily fee $350 = $1,750​

Impala $80​

Black Wildebeest $200​

Blue Wildebeest $200​

Red Hartebeest $200​

Springbuck $80​

Blesbuck $80​

------------------------------​

Sub total $2,600​

Tip 10% of hunt cost $260​

Total $2,900​

3) Equipment. Whatever you use to hunt deer in New England is perfectly fine for PG.
Cost $0

3) Grand total ~$3,000

DO NOT think that a cull hunt means a cheap hunt. You will be hosted in the same facilities, enjoy the same amenities, hunt with the same PHs, and enjoy the same experience. It is just that instead of looking for the best animals, you will be looking for the worst, that need to be taken out of the gene pool. Think of it the way many European hunters do: selective hunting, or one could say: reverse trophy hunting. Believe me, it can be fascinating too, and you would be amazed how many of us multi-timers with a good head of about everything on the wall do it.

By the way, this is how I did my first safari, when we still had 5 kids in college simultaneously, and every dollar was accounted for and it worked

It even led to the choice of my screen name: "One Day..." I will go to Africa.

If you want details, please PM me I will be happy to help.

I REALLY like the way you break down the costs/particulars whether it's this subject or when you post other things on here. I think it's very important to a prospective first time African hunter or someone that has hunted PG and maybe now looking for a rifle to hunt DG with. You dissect the "big picture" into consumable/understandable portions. Your expertise, experience and TRANSPARENCY about these subjects is very enlightening to me and probably many others on here. Many thanks for your contributions here.