Planning My first African plains game hunt

[Elkeater]

I thank everyone so far that has sent information and suggestions, I think I'm settled on either the 3006 Or 9.3x62,one animal I want to hunt is a kudu, I'm thinking 4 to 5 animals total as a start,any suggestions for the others

Now you asked the question that really opens a can of worms!

Depending on where you end up hunting I’d suggest the basics for a first trip. Kudu is a great start. Warthog, Impala, Blesbok are excellent starter species. Zebra are downright beautiful and I found them to be a very challenging hunt. Highly recommend a zebra. That list would give you 5 animals right there. Then add on an opportunity duiker or steenbok.

 

[robgab53au]

Now you asked the question that really opens a can of worms!

Depending on where you end up hunting I’d suggest the basics for a first trip. Kudu is a great start. Warthog, Impala, Blesbok are excellent starter species. Zebra are downright beautiful and I found them to be a very challenging hunt. Highly recommend a zebra. That list would give you 5 animals right there. Then add on an opportunity duiker or steenbok.

I love opening Up a can of worms lol I really enjoy reading what other hunters with a lot more African experience than me has to say on the subject.
I'd even do a cull Hunt as a first time and hopefully get some great skins as trophies or a combination cull and trophy hunt.
So many options, that's the problem lol.
I'm thinking 7 days as a good length.am I correct in what I'm thinking
Thank you to you all

 

[Ryan]

I thank everyone so far that has sent information and suggestions, I think I'm settled on either the 3006 Or 9.3x62,one animal I want to hunt is a kudu, I'm thinking 4 to 5 animals total as a start,any suggestions for the others

Kudu is probably on everyone's first safari list, with good reason. To me a zebra is so iconic I jad to asd it to my first safari. So many other choices it's tough to say. Personally I really appreciated red hartebeest more than I expected on my first hunt. A very distinct animal.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I thank everyone so far that has sent information and suggestions, I think I'm settled on either the 3006 Or 9.3x62,one animal I want to hunt is a kudu, I'm thinking 4 to 5 animals total as a start,any suggestions for the others

I think you may need the range of 30-06 for kudu. 165 gr bullets of good modern construction should work. I shot my first bull at 330 yards with 30-06. Second one with my PH's fancy 270 WSM at 430 yards. Third kudu was only about 65 yards after a helluva stalk. Best way to hunt for them is be looking across ridges just as sun comes up in the morning. They will stand in open spots to warm up. Watch for their horns wet with dew to move in the sunlight. They are a big animal but very well camouflaged.

 

[Elkeater]

I love opening Up a can of worms lol I really enjoy reading what other hunters with a lot more African experience than me has to say on the subject.
I'd even do a cull Hunt as a first time and hopefully get some great skins as trophies or a combination cull and trophy hunt.
So many options, that's the problem lol.
I'm thinking 7 days as a good length.am I correct in what I'm thinking
Thank you to you all

Id say 7 days is a good start. 5 days is too short and 10 days would be great. I think 7 days is a good balance of enough time vs keeping cost down a bit. If you went for 10 days I’d plan on at least 7-9 animals. 7-7-7 seems to be a good balance. 7 days, 7 animals $7,000USD. I did 7 days 5 animals and about $5,000usd. But my kids shot 7 more animals for another $3k. They stuck to cheaper animals like Impala, warthog, springbok and steenbok as add on type animals. I let my son shoot the blue wildebeest off my package and my daughter had a zebra on her package. I shot a kudu and Nyala which added cost but well worth it. Don’t hesitate to add some night critters as well. A night hunt can be a lot of fun. We took grey duiker, civet and a porcupine night hunting none of which were particularly expensive animals.

 

[robgab53au]

Just a update
I'm hoping to be hunting with Game 4 Africa safaris
Going to do their kudu plains game hunt.
Just in the planing stage at the moment
Another question
Anyone had any experience using the
Voere LBW Bolt Action Rifle was looking at one in 30 06 and getting a 375 barrel for it also
Thank you
Robert

 

[Pieter Oosthuizen]

Good day Robert, welcome to AH.

Game Trackers Africa Rockwood Conservation (GTARC) operates in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Cameroon and Tanzania. I am sure that we will be able to facilitate your safari and exceed your expectations. If you need more information please do not hesitate to contact me for more details to assist in your planning.

Best od luck

 

[skydiver386]

Only been on one Safari to SA myself, but something that helped me was the Book "The Perfect Shot: African Big Game". You will learn African game anatomy and proper shot placement, as well as learn of some animals that you might not have seen before. This alone might change your list completely. It will also give you a head start on judging trophy quality, but as others have said, listen to your guide. If he's impressed, it's probably a good one.