Recommend a Safari

[lockingblock]

I could use some advice. This is far from my first guided hunt, but I could use some input from folks with first hand experience.

I am looking for a plains game hunt, 10 days or so in length. Traditional species: Kudu, Sable, and so on. I’m likely 18 months out from this hunt, but it could launch sooner if the stars align.


It’s somewhat easier to list what I don’t want-

No farm raised animals, IE if it was ever fed from a bucket or bought in a trailer, I am not interested.

No put and take.

It doesn’t have to have a resort like lodge- I’m happy to live in a tent so long as it’s where the animals are.

Fences are ok to a point, but I’m happier with less fence.


What I am looking for-

Trophy quality matters as does abundance of game. I’m physically fit and happiest when I get to put the work into stalking. I’d like to hunt with a PH that’s high energy and wants to see what’s over the next hill. I’m flexible on travel and I’ve lived/worked in the third world, so “adventure travel” and negotiating challenging airports is normal for me.

Ideas on where and who?

 

[WAB]

Check out Bokamoso Safaris in Botswana or Jamie Traut in Namibia. Seriously consider a tracking hunt for eland. You’ll shoot less but hunt more.

 

[375Fox]

You said this will not be your first guided hunt, but will it be your first trip to Africa? What is your price range for this hunt? From what you wrote also I think you’d be happier not hunting a sable and focusing on more widely available game like kudu, eland, etc.
Not knowing your price range and assuming this is your first African hunt, I think central Namibia is great for a first safari. Lots of low fence to compliment the high fenced main ranch. Kudu, eland, gemsbok, hartebeest, springbok, warthog, Hartmann zebra all native and widely available.
My best plains game hunts have been
Kaokoland in NW Namibia with Jamy Traut Safaris. It was most wild area I’ve seen. Saw elephants, lion, leopard tracks, and plains game trophy quality was outstanding.
Eastern cape South Africa with Kingsview safaris. He had a great coastal concession on beach and the Karoo is amazing to hunt giving two completely different hunting experiences a couple hours apart. The hunting experience here was one of the best I’ve had, but these are cape kudu not southern greater kudu if that is important for you.

 

[IdaRam]

Some great suggestions already in Namibia and Botswana. You would have a wonderful hunt with any of those recommendations.
Your budget may play a big part in your decision. If you are willing and able to spend a bit more, and since you mentioned your comfort level with “adventure travel” and third world countries you really should look at hunting with Mokore Safaris in their Mozambique Coutada 9 concession. It is a huge area and very wild, the plains game is abundant and quality is excellent particularly for Kudu and Sable. In addition to having excellent variety and quality of plains game you would be hunting in a wild area with lots of lion, buffalo and elephant. You WILL have wild lions in camp at night. I was there last year and a pride of lions killed a reedbuck right behind my tent and kept me awake most of the night crunching bones and roaring. At one point mama got pissed at another lion who was apparently abusing one of the cubs and went roaring past my tent and I could literally feel the ground shake. It sounded like quite a dust up. Very exciting!
Accommodations are chalets and tents, very nice and comfortable accommodations but not luxurious like the lodges you might find in South Africa. The Duckworths run an absolutely top notch outfit and I have never heard of a dissatisfied client.
Your cost will likely be higher than say SA, Namibia or Botswana. Just depends on what you are looking for. Travel expense and day rates are more, but trophy fees are quite reasonable however. I would go in September or October.
Good luck!

 

[Rell]

I’ve been to Crusader Safaris 7-8 times and hunt all over Africa with one of the PHs.

It’s a free range range area, indigenous animals, on collections of large farms that formed concervancies. They have 3 areas, each bigger then 240,000 acres. I would start in the Umko valley near Durban and move to the Eastern Cape on day 5-6 ish. See lots of country.

My list for a first time safari would be to start with the South African spiral slam and add a few things.
1. Bushbuck, Nyala, Kudu and Eland.
2. Warthog, Impala, blesbok, black/blue wildebeest, heartbeast, zebra and Gemsbok.
3. Sable, Roan, and Red Lechewe (not really indigenous and around)

Are you bringing guns or “hiring”? They have custom and semi custom guns with Swarovski that work pretty well.

PM me if you want a conversation.

PS I’m now with my brother that just retired.

 

[matt vejar]

I can vouch for Crusader Safaris as my brother and wives all hunted for 12 days doing exactly as Rell states. I would start at Unkomass and for sure hunt on the new moon for southern greater kudu, Nyala and bushbuck then work down to Bavianns Conservancy for the rest-moon phase not as important. If Val Rhebuck is on the menu you will stop at Stormberg. Also big Mountain reedbuck their. Just 2 hours from Bavianns Consevancy . It’s all free range and trophy quality is top notch! From Durban -Molteno- Adelaide.
Andrew Pringle good man/owner.

If Kudu,Gemsbok, Eland,Red Hartebeest and Springbok of trophy class and other Namibian species are more important in a more bush /desert environment with lots of free range and some high fence I can highly recommend Eintracht Jagd and Pieter Delport owner/PH. Camp just Hour and some from airport. Best PH I have hunted with hands down. Hunts all over Namibia wherever the game is you want.

Choose your game list and you can’t go wrong at either place.
Good luck.

 

[Jörg Krüger]

I Would recommend @KMG Hunting Safaris.
So many good reports on them and Marius is a stand up guy. You would not go wrong using them.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Makore safaris would my first choice for what you describe, either their Mozambique operation as first prize (I have yet to visit it), or Save Conservancy in Zimbabwe the second. No fences, all wild, comfortable but not luxurious. If you want to work hard then the Zambezi valley, various operations, but the Makuti Charara hill country is tough. That would be with Mbalabala safaris.

 

[eyedok]

2nd Bokamoso in Botswana- incredible experience there, will eventually go back

 

[Scott CWO]

Some great suggestions already in Namibia and Botswana. You would have a wonderful hunt with any of those recommendations.
Your budget may play a big part in your decision. If you are willing and able to spend a bit more, and since you mentioned your comfort level with “adventure travel” and third world countries you really should look at hunting with Mokore Safaris in their Mozambique Coutada 9 concession. It is a huge area and very wild, the plains game is abundant and quality is excellent particularly for Kudu and Sable. In addition to having excellent variety and quality of plains game you would be hunting in a wild area with lots of lion, buffalo and elephant. You WILL have wild lions in camp at night. I was there last year and a pride of lions killed a reedbuck right behind my tent and kept me awake most of the night crunching bones and roaring. At one point mama got pissed at another lion who was apparently abusing one of the cubs and went roaring past my tent and I could literally feel the ground shake. It sounded like quite a dust up. Very exciting!
Accommodations are chalets and tents, very nice and comfortable accommodations but not luxurious like the lodges you might find in South Africa. The Duckworths run an absolutely top notch outfit and I have never heard of a dissatisfied client.
Your cost will likely be higher than say SA, Namibia or Botswana. Just depends on what you are looking for. Travel expense and day rates are more, but trophy fees are quite reasonable however. I would go in September or October.
Good luck!

@lockingblock I agree with @IdaRam and @Kevin Peacocke about Coutada 9 in Mozambique with Mokore Safaris being perfect for what you are looking for in a wild safari. I have been there and will go back with my sons someday. Great numbers and quality of plains game and you will get to see some dangerous game as well. No fences.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

I could use some advice. This is far from my first guided hunt, but I could use some input from folks with first hand experience.

I am looking for a plains game hunt, 10 days or so in length. Traditional species: Kudu, Sable, and so on. I’m likely 18 months out from this hunt, but it could launch sooner if the stars align.


It’s somewhat easier to list what I don’t want-

No farm raised animals, IE if it was ever fed from a bucket or bought in a trailer, I am not interested.

No put and take.

It doesn’t have to have a resort like lodge- I’m happy to live in a tent so long as it’s where the animals are.

Fences are ok to a point, but I’m happier with less fence.


What I am looking for-

Trophy quality matters as does abundance of game. I’m physically fit and happiest when I get to put the work into stalking. I’d like to hunt with a PH that’s high energy and wants to see what’s over the next hill. I’m flexible on travel and I’ve lived/worked in the third world, so “adventure travel” and negotiating challenging airports is normal for me.

Ideas on where and who?

Welcome to AH, I believe that Kwalata could be the perfect fit here. Feel free to reach out as we will gladly assist. Alternatively there are other companies on here that also fit your description and wishes, add to that the wealth of knowledge around and you have started well.

I look forward to assist where I can.

my very best always
Jaco

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I could use some advice. This is far from my first guided hunt, but I could use some input from folks with first hand experience.

I am looking for a plains game hunt, 10 days or so in length. Traditional species: Kudu, Sable, and so on. I’m likely 18 months out from this hunt, but it could launch sooner if the stars align.


It’s somewhat easier to list what I don’t want-

No farm raised animals, IE if it was ever fed from a bucket or bought in a trailer, I am not interested.

No put and take.

It doesn’t have to have a resort like lodge- I’m happy to live in a tent so long as it’s where the animals are.

Fences are ok to a point, but I’m happier with less fence.


What I am looking for-

Trophy quality matters as does abundance of game. I’m physically fit and happiest when I get to put the work into stalking. I’d like to hunt with a PH that’s high energy and wants to see what’s over the next hill. I’m flexible on travel and I’ve lived/worked in the third world, so “adventure travel” and negotiating challenging airports is normal for me.

Ideas on where and who?

Good day sir,
I can certainly assist with your requirements. Please let me know if we can help in any way. I am always available either on the Private Message system here on the forum, or you can send me an email at info@huntsafaris.co.za
All the best with your research sir. Hope to hear from you.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

 

[NKWE SAFARIS]

Hello sir

We can definitely help you in hunting Botswana.

Thank you

 

[lockingblock]

I appreciate the info.

Follow up question- What is the optimal time of year/dates? Is the rut generally consistent to a specific date?

 

[kesha]

We can assist you if you're still searching. We have nice lodge and game is abundant that meets your criteria. Send us a PM and we can put something together for you .

 

[meigsbucks]

Check out Bokamoso Safaris in Botswana or Jamie Traut in Namibia. Seriously consider a tracking hunt for eland. You’ll shoot less but hunt more.

Ditto on Jamy Traut. I had an excellent PG hunt with him at his Panorama camp in ’18. He has several other camps in other areas.
PM me if you want to talk about it.
This is the write up I did on it:

NAMIBIA: Namibia With Jamy Traut

I just returned from a safari with Jamy Traut at his Panorama camp. My brother Bruce accompanied me as an observer / photographer. The trip began with a flight from Ohio to Atlanta and on to Johannesburg RSA. We overnighted at Africa Sky. I stayed there on my first safari in 2013. Excellent...

www.africahunting.com

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I appreciate the info.

Follow up question- What is the optimal time of year/dates? Is the rut generally consistent to a specific date?

The rut obviously has its special effect, just like anywhere. There seems to be a slight difference in the timing, depending on the area, but for the Eastern Cape, you can work on the second week of May.
You need the rut to be successful. Dark moon is also an important factor, especially if you are targeting browser feeders like Kudu.
For the Eastern Cape, the Winter is deadly(mid June-end August). With the mountainous terrain, paired with the colder temperatures, you find the animals sunning themselves on the Eastern facing slopes.

 

[Philip Glass]

With the thoughts you’ve expressed you will want to ask about the size of the property or properties that are hunted. If you can’t get a straight answer move on.
I agree with considering Namibia as well as South Africa. The best way to shop is at SCI or DSC but that time of the year has passed.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

The rut obviously has its special effect, just like anywhere. There seems to be a slight difference in the timing, depending on the area, but for the Eastern Cape, you can work on the second week of May.
You need the rut to be successful. Dark moon is also an important factor, especially if you are targeting browser feeders like Kudu.
For the Eastern Cape, the Winter is deadly(mid June-end August). With the mountainous terrain, paired with the colder temperatures, you find the animals sunning themselves on the Eastern facing slopes.

Apologies. Third line is meant to say, you DON'T need the rut to be successful.

 

[Mountaineer]

I am also a free range guy. Khomas Highland Safari has a beautiful farm and lodge huge amounts of land they own. Give Phillip a call, he’s a good guy.