Ansie, I want to see the price list up front, period.
Unless you are independently wealthy, won a lottery (redundant, I know.) or are a fool you want to know what the cost of a product is. The quicker the better.
When I started looking for outfitters I literally reviewed THOUSANDS of offerings. I spent three years looking at the web, going to shows, reviewing forums, hunt reports, reviews, stories, talking to people who hunted in Africa and elsewhere.
I learned about agents, outfitters, PH's, professional associations, legislation (local, national, international), personal enthusiasm, dedication, knowledge and honesty in this long arduous process.
Price finding is only a part of the work everyone needs to do.
As Hagar did in his selection:
"The ones that did not give the price or size of the concession we did not consider."
Price is a great place to start, it is not the be all and end all though. You have to do your homework on top of the price lists.
What price lists do not tell you:
Quality:
Trophies,
PH,
Property, etc.
Prices give you some idea what is being offered.
As Mike70560 says you don't post information on the area it tells you something.
It also implies when you should be concerned: A Tanzanian lion for $3500 would make me a tad concerned.
Prices start telling you that you should be staying in a pretty nice lodge or a shack or what area you are going to.
They can indicate the philosophy of the outfit:
One trophy fee or a sliding fee scale ranging to triple or more of the starting fee. Larger Kudu at $6500. Now I've seen this twice. Want to hunt here on a budget?
As Hagar says it is a good indicator of what is on the property and what is on a concession.
No place has every animal available in Africa; They can't!
Would you buy a Muskox hunt in Alabama? You would know this is not natural and would doubt it immediately.
If you know where the species "traditional" home ranges are you will know where they grow best. Price list will help indicate this by absence of a fee or a much higher fee, because they are difficult to raise and maintain in non traditional habitat.
ie. Bushbuck are not running around with Springbok in the Kalahari!
RickB says "the day costs are all about the same". In general that is what it appears on the surface. When you put the facts down it is amazing how it spreads out.
I created spread sheets and sorted information, Day Rates to Duikers.
Spread sheets and posted rates don't lie!!
Example:
To illustrate the point I updated (2012) my spreadsheet with TEN "known outfitters" (South Africa and Namibia) to compare.
*(Some of these outfitters post rates, some don't by the way)
* I did not include the very divergent Specialty offerings eg. ($150 1x1)
* I'll focus this example on South Africa.
* Choose different species it might change this a bit.
* Three among them have the exact same day rate. Everything else is different.
To compare I took FOUR animals (my faves) and also 10 day hunt with hunter/observer:
Kudu, Gemsbok, Bushbuck, Nyala.
Trophy Fee Range: 4700 to 8400
Day Rates 1x1: 320 to 495
Observer: 150 to 230
Total Combined Cost Range: 9400 to 15400
That is a $6000 USD difference for what on first glance is the same hunt!
Notes:
The lower fee includes airport transfer the highest amount does not.
The lower fee does not include the extra flight to the local airport.
The lower fee does not include the probable over night in JHB.
Airport - JHB or PE Adds another flight to your cost.
Do these added costs even out in the "wash" . Airfare, accommodation and Transfer Cost?
Did not add in concession travel to either.
The intangibles are not compared here at all. Trophies, property, etc.
Decide what you want and Look for "Value for Money"
