Planning First Safari

[WI-2021]

For the past several years I've had tentative plans to go on a Safari in South Africa with a friend and several of his friends and family members. We planned on going in 2025, so the time is rapidly approaching to make these plans less tentative. My friend has been there twice now, and his friends go regularly, every other year IIRC, so I've already learned quite a bit from him and from reading here. I expect we'll take the Delta flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg.

They've always gone to the same place, Wild Game Safaris in Limpopo. I'm the guest and the new guy, so that's where we'll be going, but does anyone here have any experience with them? They all give good reviews and keep going back. This will be a basic plains game hunt, I'm not expecting to stalk buffalo in wild Africa, but some outside input on what to expect would be appreciated.

We're tentatively looking at early July, 2025 and planning for a two-week trip. I haven't really finalized what I want to hunt or the budget yet. I've been saving for two years now and have another year to save. I'll probably be sitting on a bit over $25k that could potentially be used for the trip/taxidermy by that time, but my wife would kill me if I spent all of it. Impala is a given, since the price is fairly low. I'd really like a sable, gemsbok, and waterbuck, but I'll probably have to pick one of the three. What would you recommend hunting for a first safari where cost is a consideration?

My wife will also be going but doesn't hunt, so she'll need things to do. The other wives involved will also be going but don't hunt either, so she'll have some partners in crime. With a two week trip and somewhat limited budget, we won't hunt every day. A trip to Krueger for the full group is a sure thing, and I know there are some other things to see locally. Any other non-hunting things people recommend doing?

I'm left-handed and the outfitter doesn't have a lefty loaner, so I'm planning on taking a rifle. The folks I'm going with always just use the camp guns, so this will be a new one for our group. I built a custom .300 Win Mag that I plan to take. It's already been tested and feeds/ejects flawlessly and shoots 200gr Terminal Ascents into 3/4 MOA. The rifle will probably do better, but that's what I can do with it. I'm planning to use that ammo for anything I hunt on this trip.

I've been practicing off of a tripod with a yoke on it since last summer, mostly with a .22 so far. Right now I'm at the point where I can consistently hit about 9/10 on a 3" steel target at 50 yards with the .22. I'd like to be able to match that performance at 100 yards by the time I go, so I still have some practice to do. The tripod will be going with me too. I've done some shooting off the tripod with the .300, but not a lot yet. More of that is planned as well.

All of my hunting rifles are suppressed and it's gotten to the point that I really don't like shooting unsuppressed rifles much anymore. The .300 usually wears a TBAC Ultra 5 now. I realize I can take that can with me as long as I do the proper paperwork, but I'm somewhat more inclined to just see if the outfitter will pick up a 5/8-24 suppressor there for me and not worry about taking my own and, more importantly, getting it back into the US.

Any thoughts on the plan to take the rifle? Should I use a service like Rifle Permits? Take or buy a suppressor? Anything else I need to worry about as far as practice?

As far as clothing, they have daily laundry service, so we won't need a lot. I'll probably avoid camo and just take more natural colors like tan, olive, etc. Everything will get a permethrin bath before we go. I have a good pair of non-waterproof hiking boots (Oboz Bozeman) to take. I'm sure I'll end up taking a spare pair of boots too, just in case. Hat and sunglasses too, obviously. Anything I'm missing here?

I'm open to any feedback that more experienced people may have here. Thanks in advance!

 

[shootist~]

Kudu for #1 on the plains game list, IMO. You are on the right track otherwise.
Yes on using one of the rifle services. If you go with Gracy as your travel agency, it's included in the price. They have their own rep in SA, btw that handles meet n greet and rifle permits. Well worth it.

Edited: Practice from the type of sticks you will use in SA.

 

[JimP]

You might look at the outfitters web site and see if they offer a package deal instead of paying day rates and trophy fees. Their package deals are usually cheaper.

Definitely use a preapproved firearm service. If not using Gracy Travel contact Henry at Rifle Permits. Com

 

[MontanaPat]

As far as other animals you would like to hunt I would say focus on Kudu, Gemsbok and Waterbuck over the Sable. My reasoning is the first three will likely be more challenging hunting for you. My hunt for Sable was very easy and on other trips I could have gotten another Sable with little effort. This is based on hunting in Limpopo on high fenced areas regardless of the property size. I’m sure Sable in Mozambique or others would be more challenging. I found Gemsbok and Waterbuck more challenging of a hunt with a lot more stalking involved.

 

[WI-2021]

Thanks for the advice so far. It looks like they use a company called Custom Travel for bookings. Not sure yet if they handle firearm imports, but will find out. If not I'll probably use Rifle Permits since they seem to get good reviews here.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Sable and waterbuck aren't terribly challenging to hunt and sable is usually quite expensive. Use your money to hunt kudu. Very challenging and a beautiful trophy.

Here's my list and where each item is packed.

Thirty rounds for your rifle should be enough, even if you have to sight it in again after arriving.

 

[WI-2021]

They don't advertise any package deals online, but maybe we can work something out. Thanks for the tip regarding Gemsbok, Waterbuck, and Sable. I wasn't sure about the relative difficulty of the hunts. Kudu is also an option, but they switched their trophy fee structure on them to a tiered approach. I'm not willing to pay the going rate for a truly large one, but something more average may be an option.

 

[WI-2021]

Sable and waterbuck aren't terribly challenging to hunt and sable is usually quite expensive. Use your money to hunt kudu. Very challenging and a beautiful trophy.

Here's my list and where each item is packed.
View attachment 589448
Thirty rounds for your rifle should be enough, even if you have to sight it in again after arriving.

Thanks for the detailed info, particularly the packing list. Sable is on the list of possibilities mainly because I think they look so good. The price on them seemed to drop dramatically a few years ago and is now trending back up. Supply and demand, I guess. If they go up much more I'll definitely pass on hunting one.

Unless I take my own suppressor or just hunt unsuppressed (shudder!) I'll definitely have to sight in again. I was just planning to take two full boxes of shells. I doubt I'll open the second box.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

They don't advertise any package deals online, but maybe we can work something out. Thanks for the tip regarding Gemsbok, Waterbuck, and Sable. I wasn't sure about the relative difficulty of the hunts. Kudu is also an option, but they switched their trophy fee structure on them to a tiered approach. I'm not willing to pay the going rate for a truly large one, but something more average may be an option.

I am very suspicious of an outfit that bills kudu on a "tiered approach." Kudu are very hard to judge in the field. You can find a thread on it here where most of the PHs admit they've been fooled. We chased after my last bull for three days and I was assured it was a "fifty incher". Measured in the salt it was 44.5" and I thought my PH was going to cry he was so upset. But it is a beautiful rack with ivory tips pointing out and a nice color (more brownish than black). Also, the cape was very poor. All was fine with me. I only wanted a euro mount and I might have to buy a new home for 60" horns. Another client looking for a shoulder mount would have been screwed. So everything worked out for the best for all. Anyway, your PH should be able to find you a very nice 45-48" bull with pretty horns. I have seen many, many 50"+ bulls that aren't at all pretty. Long and straight with barely any curls or goofy spreads. What are they asking for a bull in that "tier?"

 

[WI-2021]

I am very suspicious of an outfit that bills kudu on a "tiered approach." Kudu are very hard to judge in the field. You can find a thread on it here where most of the PHs admit they've been fooled. We chased after my last bull for three days and I was assured it was a "fifty incher". Measured in the salt it was 44.5" and I thought my PH was going to cry he was so upset. But it is a beautiful rack with ivory tips pointing out and a nice color (more brownish than black). Also, the cape was very poor. All was fine with me. I only wanted a euro mount and I might have to buy a new home for 60" horns. Another client looking for a shoulder mount would have been screwed. So everything worked out for the best for all. Anyway, your PH should be able to find you a very nice 45-48" bull with pretty horns. I have seen many, many 50"+ bulls that aren't at all pretty. Long and straight with barely any curls or goofy spreads. What are they asking for a bull in that "tier?"
View attachment 589452

Nice looking mount! Anything under 55" is $2990 at the moment. 55-59" is $3500. Over 60" is $5500. I think I'd need taller ceilings for a 60" Kudu anyway. Kudu is the only animal they have a tiered system for.

FWIW, if I want a Kudu and that system is still in place next year (it's new this year), we'll definitely reach an agreement before I shoot. Namely, if he's wrong, I pay the lesser of the two prices. If he calls it 53" and it measures 56," I pay for a 53." If he calls it a 56" and it's a 53," I still pay for the 53." If a 56" is a 56," I pay for the 56." I'm definitely not dropping the hammer on a 60+" at $5500.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Nice looking mount! Anything under 55" is $2990 at the moment. 55-59" is $3500. Over 60" is $5500. I think I'd need taller ceilings for a 60" Kudu anyway. Kudu is the only animal they have a tiered system for.

FWIW, if I want a Kudu and that system is still in place next year (it's new this year), we'll definitely reach an agreement before I shoot. Namely, if he's wrong, I pay the lesser of the two prices. If he calls it 53" and it measures 56," I pay for a 53." If he calls it a 56" and it's a 53," I still pay for the 53." If a 56" is a 56," I pay for the 56." I'm definitely not dropping the hammer on a 60+" at $5500.

You might want to check around. The price of kudu has gone up but not  that much. $3K for a 47" bull is high ... like nearly twice what I've been paying. They are more or less free roaming so anything can show up on a property at anytime. Makes me wonder if these aren't cultivated heads purchased and planted by landowner?

Last year I was hunting buffalo on a large property. As we were leaving one evening we drove over a hill and a magnificent kudu bull was standing a hundred yards off the road posing like the Hartford elk. Would have made a fantastic photo with spectacular rugged backdrop ... except for the red tag in its ear. This guy was easily way over 60" with beautiful shape and almost an extra twist. My PH said he'd heard the owner would be cycling it out this year. He expected it would go for about $4500 and would put a word in if I was interested. Nope. I was there to cull a buffalo cow ... WAY cheaper than that. And after four days we finally had to give up. They were too spooky.

 

[WI-2021]

You might want to check around. The price of kudu has gone up but not  that much. $3K for a 47" bull is high ... like nearly twice what I've been paying. They are more or less free roaming so anything can show up on a property at anytime. Makes me wonder if these aren't cultivated heads purchased and planted by landowner?

That was kind of my thinking too. A while back I compared trophy fees on some animals. In some cases this place was high, sometimes they're lower. I'm certainly no expert. Regardless, if I go on this trip, which I'm really looking forward to, this is the place. I'm pretty sure my buddy won't be going again, since this will be his third trip. He has a lot of other places he still wants to go, so any future safaris might end up being a different destination for me. We'll see how this goes. If I get hooked (likely) and my wife is agreeable to it (far less likely) I can definitely see myself going back.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

That was kind of my thinking too. A while back I compared trophy fees on some animals. In some cases this place was high, sometimes they're lower. I'm certainly no expert. Regardless, if I go on this trip, which I'm really looking forward to, this is the place. I'm pretty sure my buddy won't be going again, since this will be his third trip. He has a lot of other places he still wants to go, so any future safaris might end up being a different destination for me. We'll see how this goes. If I get hooked (likely) and my wife is agreeable to it (far less likely) I can definitely see myself going back.

He's already got you booked for other animals. After you're there I have a feeling some opportunities will trickle in for game on other properties, especially if you're there at the end of season. Be cagey and you likely will get some good deals. For example, I'm there for my third trip and already taken the two animals on my "list" (Barbary sheep and red lechwe) plus second black wildebeest (first one ruined by taxidermist), second blesbuck (culling for ranch meat), third springbuck (a super trophy turned up). At the lodge after dinner the owner who was with client in Zim calls and PH chatters with him for several minutes. "Pat, a landowner wants to get out of the game business and go back to strictly sheep. Want to shoot a gemsbuck? The price is ridiculous cheap." Why not? Something to do. PH had never hunted the property before so it was a fun adventure for both of us. It was a HUGE property. We had to drive almost two hours to get to the other side where beasts were last seen. It was a difficult stalk in rough country, the herd was very spooky. I did shoot the bull eventually. He was "okay", nothing spectacular. But a fun hunt and silly cheap. The next day another phone call turned up a fire sale deal on property with nyala, also a place my PH had never hunted before. I shot a nice old bull after the most memorable stalk and one of the most difficult running shots of my life. I was sworn to secrecy about the price. My lodge owner didn't want other clients bugging him for comparable deals on nyala. They're a pricey critter.

 

[Rickmt]

Decide animals you want to hunt and ask 3 outfitters for package price. Leave room for that special trophy that comes along while hunting .
Minimum property size 15,000 acres for better hunting.
Spear safaris, Bos en Dal, Tesla are all on here and people give them all high praise.

 

[Rickmt]

Oops that would be Tsala.

 

[sgt_zim]

You might look at the outfitters web site and see if they offer a package deal instead of paying day rates and trophy fees. Their package deals are usually cheaper.

Definitely use a preapproved firearm service. If not using Gracy Travel contact Henry at Rifle Permits. Com

A 2nd vote for Gracy Travel. Gio has been magnificent so far.

Limpopo isn't close to much of anything except Kruger and Praetoria/Jo'burg. And 2 weeks is quite a long time for a limited budget.

Air travel:
1. UA has a direct from EWR
2. Delta has a direct from ATL
3. Qatar flies from IAH to Doha to JNB. About 4 or 5 hours in the air longer than the other 2, but if you're on a budget and need leg room, their coach+ seats are only slightly more expensive than regular cattle class with UA or Delta. Plus, I've flown Emirates (best I've ever flown with), and everybody tells me that Qatar is even better. The ME airlines seem to treat their customers like actual customers, not inconvenient annoyances. I don't travel as much as some of the folks here, but I do get around. When flying over salt water, I avoid US airlines as much as i can.

Air fare is cheaper with them all starting around the back half of August, after the holiday season is over.

Budget some cash for tips - trackers/guides/PH/camp staff. There's a long thread here on tipping, read it start to finish.

Travel medicine. Make sure you're current on tetanus. Getting Hep A and Hep B isn't a bad idea in general. Hep A is 2 injections, about a month apart. Hep B is 3 injections, the first 2 about a month apart, the 3rd about 4 or 5 months after the 2nd. Limpopo is non-malarial, especially between their winter solstice and spring equinox (june - september).

Travel insurance. Get it.

Get in shape if you aren't. The area around Thabazimbi is around 4000 feet elevation. If you're a lowlander like I am, it'll take a toll on you.

 

[mark-hunter]

What would you recommend hunting for a first safari where cost is a consideration?

The question is what are most iconic African species in your opinion, worthy taking home from first trip?
In my book, some of those animals are:

Kudu - longest horn in Afica, favorite prey of Ernest Hemingway
Zebra - most famous stripes in Africa
Blue Wildebeest - symbol of great migration, (see documentary on animal planet)
Oryx - desert antelope
Giraffe - the tallest animal
Waterbuck - swamp antelope
Eland - the biggest antelope
Nyala, most exotic spiral horn (for me at least)
etc etc
Choice is personal, you need to imagine each animal and what it represents for you.

For other points, your planning is great, you will manage African safari, and will be prepared. Nothing to add from my side. Have extra budget for animals of opportunity.

 

[Rare Breed]

For the past several years I've had tentative plans to go on a Safari in South Africa with a friend and several of his friends and family members. We planned on going in 2025, so the time is rapidly approaching to make these plans less tentative. My friend has been there twice now, and his friends go regularly, every other year IIRC, so I've already learned quite a bit from him and from reading here. I expect we'll take the Delta flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg.

They've always gone to the same place, Wild Game Safaris in Limpopo. I'm the guest and the new guy, so that's where we'll be going, but does anyone here have any experience with them? They all give good reviews and keep going back. This will be a basic plains game hunt, I'm not expecting to stalk buffalo in wild Africa, but some outside input on what to expect would be appreciated.

We're tentatively looking at early July, 2025 and planning for a two-week trip. I haven't really finalized what I want to hunt or the budget yet. I've been saving for two years now and have another year to save. I'll probably be sitting on a bit over $25k that could potentially be used for the trip/taxidermy by that time, but my wife would kill me if I spent all of it. Impala is a given, since the price is fairly low. I'd really like a sable, gemsbok, and waterbuck, but I'll probably have to pick one of the three. What would you recommend hunting for a first safari where cost is a consideration?

My wife will also be going but doesn't hunt, so she'll need things to do. The other wives involved will also be going but don't hunt either, so she'll have some partners in crime. With a two week trip and somewhat limited budget, we won't hunt every day. A trip to Krueger for the full group is a sure thing, and I know there are some other things to see locally. Any other non-hunting things people recommend doing?

I'm left-handed and the outfitter doesn't have a lefty loaner, so I'm planning on taking a rifle. The folks I'm going with always just use the camp guns, so this will be a new one for our group. I built a custom .300 Win Mag that I plan to take. It's already been tested and feeds/ejects flawlessly and shoots 200gr Terminal Ascents into 3/4 MOA. The rifle will probably do better, but that's what I can do with it. I'm planning to use that ammo for anything I hunt on this trip.

I've been practicing off of a tripod with a yoke on it since last summer, mostly with a .22 so far. Right now I'm at the point where I can consistently hit about 9/10 on a 3" steel target at 50 yards with the .22. I'd like to be able to match that performance at 100 yards by the time I go, so I still have some practice to do. The tripod will be going with me too. I've done some shooting off the tripod with the .300, but not a lot yet. More of that is planned as well.

All of my hunting rifles are suppressed and it's gotten to the point that I really don't like shooting unsuppressed rifles much anymore. The .300 usually wears a TBAC Ultra 5 now. I realize I can take that can with me as long as I do the proper paperwork, but I'm somewhat more inclined to just see if the outfitter will pick up a 5/8-24 suppressor there for me and not worry about taking my own and, more importantly, getting it back into the US.

Any thoughts on the plan to take the rifle? Should I use a service like Rifle Permits? Take or buy a suppressor? Anything else I need to worry about as far as practice?

As far as clothing, they have daily laundry service, so we won't need a lot. I'll probably avoid camo and just take more natural colors like tan, olive, etc. Everything will get a permethrin bath before we go. I have a good pair of non-waterproof hiking boots (Oboz Bozeman) to take. I'm sure I'll end up taking a spare pair of boots too, just in case. Hat and sunglasses too, obviously. Anything I'm missing here?

I'm open to any feedback that more experienced people may have here. Thanks in advance!

wow $25k for a PG hunt for 14 days. Just trying to help you can take 5 animals in 7 days for $4500 including a kudu at Fronteer Safaris in SA and the same at Game 4 Africa for about $5500. your wife is an observer so very low cost extra for that. drop on airephare just trying to help you out. $25k without DG very high in SA based on all my hunts and I go now every year

hope this helps

 

[Speedster]

My favorite trophies on the wall are the one that were hardest to hunt. I would say in my limited expertise, if you hunt in Limpopo, sable will be the easiest hunt followed by nyala. Neither are particularly wary, especially sable, although nothing is guaranteed. I am still trying for that elusive warthog so you never know what will happen. As far as using a rifle service, if you think that is best or are worried about it, by all means use them. I have done it myself both times and was in and out almost as quick as anyone who did the pre-approval. Maybe I was very fortunate. Just my experience.

 

[WI-2021]

wow $25k for a PG hunt for 14 days. Just trying to help you can take 5 animals in 7 days for $4500 including a kudu at Fronteer Safaris in SA and the same at Game 4 Africa for about $5500. your wife is an observer so very low cost extra for that. drop on airephare just trying to help you out. $25k without DG very high in SA based on all my hunts and I go now every year

hope this helps

Thank you to everyone for the input so far! It's especially nice to learn more about which hunts are more challenging. Please keep the suggestions coming; I'm reading them all, even if I don't have a chance to reply in a timely manner.

Just to clarify, about $25k is an absolute maximum for everything for the trip for my wife and I. $15k would be much better. This will include airfare, all daily fees, trophy fees, any touristy stuff we do, taxidermy, freight, etc. Just wanted to be clear that I'm including taxidermy and freight in the total, since that could be a considerable expense. I'll certainly be leaving some room in the budget for a target of opportunity.

Some job-related uncertainty has recently come up here, so we now have some question as to whether this will be a 7 or 14 day trip. We're not concerned about having jobs, just whether my wife will have enough vacation for a 2 week trip. We should find out more soon. If we do end up going for two weeks, a lot of the time will be playing tourist rather than hunting. Seven days seems kind of rushed to hunt and do the tourist thing.