Quality vs Costs - Your African Safari

[Antanas]

Average animal in nature is on edge: 50 percent above 50 percent below size of the trophy. Also old,mature contains 50-50.
My choice #2.
Average in spirituous drinks is also below 45 .Only for special hunters +50

 

[jeff]

We've booked our 17th hunt in Africa and all but three were less expensive hunts yet we've taken numerous high quality animals on these hunts!

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Average in spirituous drinks is also below 45 .Only for special hunters +50

Antanas, the stuff you bring to camp, we can use to start the bakkie on the cold mornings. Like petrol.

 

[Dudders]

I had to think about that one but went with choice 1 because I am worth it.

 

[K-man]

Just to add to my earlier post, when you tell your grandkids about your trip(s) to Africa, is it about the great food or the softness of the bed? Or will it be about outsmarting the oldest, cagiest animals, the tracking, and the stalk, etc?

 

[billc]

I myself don't think you need to give up one for the other. Just takes good research by the hunter to get the best he can for his money. I would rather hunt for better then avg but willing to give up on fancy lodging and food.

I guess I would rather have half of each choice to pick from on the question. I think it is what a lot of guys from the states really want.

 

[stug]

All my hunting involves me putting a 20-25kg pack on my back, walking for 2-4 hours, sleeping on the ground or a hammock.
A tent, camp stretcher and someone cooking dinner would be luxury. I'd go with Brickburn, above average trophies and sleeping on the ground.

 

[Lee M]

Comfortable accommodations and good food. Don’t need 5 star. Good honest guides and friends and mature animals with a chance to see some above avg. Throw in some good stories and laughs around a fire and I’m in!

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Let me ask this, if you voted #2, would anyone change their vote to #1, if we discarded the accommodations and if the only factor was the quality of the animals, i.e. Above Average to Excellent Quality Animals vs Average to Sub Average Animals?

 

[cpr0312]

Let me ask this, if you voted #2, would anyone change their vote to #1, if we discarded the accommodations and if the only factor was the quality of the animals, i.e. Above Average to Excellent Quality Animals vs Average to Sub Average Animals?

Marius,

I voted for choice one, and for me the only reason was for the higher quality/ above average trophies. I like many have said on here dont need "the best" accommodations. But my point being in your original question this factor you asked about above "Above Average to Excellent Quality Animals vs Average to Sub Average Animals" was the only consideration for me in my initial vote. But I would still pay a little more for a chance at better quality animals if it came down to it.

 

[LivingTheDream]

I know this is not an option but I would go with the best population of my target animals. I know this is a bit of an odd one for South Africa as different ranches and concessions have different options, but I want to get my target animal(s). I don't really care about record books but I also don't really care too much about accommodations either. This only applies if it is just me hunting. I think more importantly is a good PH, in the end they make or break your experience. The most expensive trips are ones that you have to return again.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I know this is not an option but I would go with the best population of my target animals. I know this is a bit of an odd one for South Africa as different ranches and concessions have different options, but I want to get my target animal(s). I don't really care about record books but I also don't really care too much about accommodations either. This only applies if it is just me hunting. I think more importantly is a good PH, in the end they make or break your experience. The most expensive trips are ones that you have to return again.

I think you've pretty much nailed it.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

...for a chance at better quality animals....

This was where I was getting at, just sometimes difficult to type the correct words.

 

[Philip Glass]

When entering this discussion I think of my first safari and I think of others in the same situation. Many of us got hooked on Africa by going on a good, budget minded, package hunt. We didn’t know it at the time but we were hunting fairly average trophies but good none the less. As the safaris and years stack up and life gets busier we don’t have time to just do an average hunt and wish for the more specialized Safaris. More knowledge about what to expect and where to go as seasoned Safari veterans directs us to better opportunities.
Thanks for starting this discussion.
Philip

 

[jeff]

Let me ask this, if you voted #2, would anyone change their vote to #1, if we discarded the accommodations and if the only factor was the quality of the animals, i.e. Above Average to Excellent Quality Animals vs Average to Sub Average Animals?

There's a big difference from average quality mature representatives to SUB average trophies ! If the quality was sub average I wouldn't want to book with that outfitter! Sub average was not mentioned in your original question!

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

There's a big difference from average quality mature representatives to SUB average trophies ! If the quality was sub average I wouldn't want to book with that outfitter! Sub average was not mentioned in your original question!

I was simply wondering how the results would differ should we remove the accommodations factor, and therefor, I had to make a clear distinction between above par trophy quality, and sub par trophy quality.

 

[Therack]

I chose #2. I have never measured any of my animals or looked at the record books. If my Gemsbuck is 1” or 2” shorter than my friends I would never be able to tell. I want a good representative animal for the species. Give me lower prices and I will take more animals for my hunting budget.

 

[MT Griz]

Let me ask this, if you voted #2, would anyone change their vote to #1, if we discarded the accommodations and if the only factor was the quality of the animals, i.e. Above Average to Excellent Quality Animals vs Average to Sub Average
Animals?

To answer your question Marius, I would change my vote to #1 with your change above.

 

[jeff]

I was simply wondering how the results would differ should we remove the accommodations factor, and therefor, I had to make a clear distinction between above par trophy quality, and sub par trophy quality.

I think maybe a better question would be a distinction between above average exceptional trophies and average trophies, not below average or sub par. Very few hunters want immature below average animals. Just my thoughts.

 

[Red Leg]

I was simply wondering how the results would differ should we remove the accommodations factor, and therefor, I had to make a clear distinction between above par trophy quality, and sub par trophy quality.

I probably should clarify my response. I voted number 1 because I am all about the quality of the hunt. I should note that in Africa I usually hunt wilderness areas. For instance, I could care less about a spa or a pool or any of that nonsense. On the other hand, a well ordered camp with good food, a competent team, and great game opportunities means a very great deal indeed. All of that is more important than the price tag. A "bargain" for me is that the opportunity fulfills or exceeds my expectations for the investment I made.