SA or Zimbabwe

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Fences or no fences, that is the question.

Lon

 

[rookhawk]

So my dad and I have met with multiple outfitters and like them all and would love to hunt with all of them eventually but we can only go to 1 at a time. We have our short list narrowed down to a handful but we are having a hard time deciding which would be the best for us and would like to get some opinions of some veterans, how would you compare between the 2 and which would you suggest for a 1st timer, we would have an observer each if that makes a difference, it would also be our 1st international hunt as well

Zimbabwe is a more natural setting. Less tourist activities to do and less infrastructure, but a better wild hunting experience. Less diversity of game because it is whatever the natural ecosystem holds whereas South Africa has animals from all over the world on their properties.

 

[Tanks]

One other thing to consider. My partner does not care for hunting and has no interest in "watching animals die" (fine with hunting birds herself, go figure). So, we did 10 days of glamping in Zimbabwe at Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls. Afterwards, I put her on the plane home and then hunted for 3 weeks in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

That could be an option for you and your dad as well.

 

[Scott CWO]

Zimbabwe. Did my first safari there with my wife and got lots of PG and wish I had hunted buffalo as well. The camps are plenty nice - a good bed, flush toilet, shower and great meals. More comfortable than an upscale hotel room in NYC with smaller high rise rooms. Your wife will be comfortable in Zimbabwe.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

My first 2 safaris were for DG and PG and both in Zim, leopard, buff and ele. (I was totally spoiled) My last hunt was DG and PG in SA. From what I saw you actually hunt in Zim, walk, stalk and hunt for your trophies in total wild areas. SA was not the same, buff stood around in every area we hunted.

Going to play devil's advocate here. Could you possibly state what the cost was of your Buff package in South Africa? I suspect I know the answer.

Once I have your answer, I will add to my post.

 

[CO_mtnman]

Ok so this is my understanding so far let me know if I forgot anything
1. Airplane tickets
2. Gun import
3. Tips
4. Dip and pack
5. Crating and Shipping of trophies
6. Taxidermy
I understand I can get a travel agency to cover #1&2, and either coppersmith or another for #5. #3 and #6 I work out on my own accord. How would I figure out #4 or is that included with the agency I get for #4

 

[Tanks]

In Zim usually 4 & 5 are combined. I use Safari Specialty Importers and other than telling them who I am hunting with and what animals are coming in I do not have to do anything else. If permits from USFWS are required they handle it as well. Trophies get shipped directly to the taxidermist.

Now, for elephants I have a local taxidermist in Bulawayo do the tanning and anything else (ice buckets or trash cans from front legs etc.) as it reduces weight by about 30% on the skins. They will also store your tusks until the permits come.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Ok so this is my understanding so far let me know if I forgot anything
1. Airplane tickets
2. Gun import
3. Tips
4. Dip and pack
5. Crating and Shipping of trophies
6. Taxidermy
I understand I can get a travel agency to cover #1&2, and either coppersmith or another for #5. #3 and #6 I work out on my own accord. How would I figure out #4 or is that included with the agency I get for #4

4 & the first part of 5 goes hand in hand. Dip and Pack is normally done by a taxidermist, but I have seen "Dip and Pack Specialists" who don't do taxidermy, and they will do the crating. The actual shipping is done by an independent shipping agency.

 

[MarkB]

Going to play devil's advocate here. Could you possibly state what the cost was of your Buff package in South Africa? I suspect I know the answer.

Once I have your answer, I will add to my post.

Sorry I have never hunted buff in SA, my buff were in Zim and some time ago. Wild, spooky, cagy, on foot tracking, even a sniff of human stink and they were gone. Shot only hard bossed old bulls, awesome real hunts. As for cost, my first safari in 04, 18 day leopard, buff and many PG, daily rate and TF, all for $18 US. What a steal, but actual hunt costs are still very reasonable today I think. The other portions of a safari have gone crazy, lodging before/after, D&P, shipping, and such.

In SA I did feed buff, they came up to vehicle or camp veranda lookouts for a banana hand out on many hunting areas, others we drove around them and the banana piles to get to camps. I hunted CBLion last year in SA. Report is posted here. I will hunt buff again, Zim or swamp in Mozambique.

MB

 

[revturbo9967]

Contact CMS for Nyakasanga. Plenty of buffalo, and PG as I listed above.

I’m in talks with Buzz right now for a non trophy elephant in that area. He’s quickly talking me into it .

 

[matt vejar]

Wild places are disappearing! I would go to Zim for buffalo and take the best kudu and PG you can get in a wild place. I have taken buff in Tanz, Zim,Moz and SA. It’s a totally different experience in the wild places no question about it. Yes the last 100 yds is pretty much the same as one reference with many buff under his belt explained to me years ago, and I would agree for the most part, but all the rest is completely different! Plains game pretty much the same anywhere. Spot them from the truck- plan a stalk. Anyways the only way I would do buff in SA is if it is a large property of 50k acres plus like Sandy Mount near Bloomfeinten as suggested or some other massive property elsewhere. Maybe going to Kruger or some other park for game viewing and other activities for a few days would appease the observers before or after the hunt. I love SA been 6 times - for buff not so much in 20k acre or less high fenced concession.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Sorry I have never hunted buff in SA, my buff were in Zim and some time ago. Wild, spooky, cagy, on foot tracking, even a sniff of human stink and they were gone. Shot only hard bossed old bulls, awesome real hunts. As for cost, my first safari in 04, 18 day leopard, buff and many PG, daily rate and TF, all for $18 US. What a steal, but actual hunt costs are still very reasonable today I think. The other portions of a safari have gone crazy, lodging before/after, D&P, shipping, and such.

In SA I did feed buff, they came up to vehicle or camp veranda lookouts for a banana hand out on many hunting areas, others we drove around them and the banana piles to get to camps. I hunted CBLion last year in SA. Report is posted here. I will hunt buff again, Zim or swamp in Mozambique.

MB

You will find areas where they stand around, but the entire SA is not like this. I would caution to paint the entire SA with the same brush.
Matter of fact, I have found the Buff in SA much more switched on than the "wild" areas that I've hunted.

 

[Philip Glass]

So my dad and I have met with multiple outfitters and like them all and would love to hunt with all of them eventually but we can only go to 1 at a time. We have our short list narrowed down to a handful but we are having a hard time deciding which would be the best for us and would like to get some opinions of some veterans, how would you compare between the 2 and which would you suggest for a 1st timer, we would have an observer each if that makes a difference, it would also be our 1st international hunt as well

I suggest the first hunt be in SA or Namibia. Some with go straight to DG but I feel that you miss part of Africa by not doing a PG hunt first. Just my opinion.

 

[IvW]

Ida,
Stayed in that chalet twice, so sad they lost the area, our PH is here at our house as I type this. He came with his family for a weeks vacation after DSC.

My advice which is worth the paper it is printed on in Zimbabwe all the way, hunted there 3 times and SA once. I will never go back to SA and hunt farm raised animals. Shipping trophies from Zim will take longer and cost a bit more, but that gives you time to save up for the upcoming taxidermy bills which may shock you.

Sad that people generalise after just one trip.....there are areas in SA with the right outfit that will have you wanting to come back....
Yes there are bad outfits....same as in every country that offers hunting but to generalise and to condem an entire country well...just shows lack of Experience on the subject....

 

[IvW]

You will find areas where they stand around, but the entire SA is not like this. I would caution to paint the entire SA with the same brush.
Matter of fact, I have found the Buff in SA much more switched on than the "wild" areas that I've hunted.

Well said....pity inexperienced people judge without experience.....

 

[Rickmt]

I have been to SA three times. I don’t go to other countries because of price and more travel .
In SA insist on :
1 - very large properties (greater than 30,000 acres)
2 - quota based , self sustaining properties that have not been planted with game in say 10 years.
If you INSIST upon these two conditions then look at game , price, and other factors. Expect to pay more than put and take ranches . Ask for references from this forum on prospective outfits and learn a lot.

 

[IvW]

Fences or no fences, that is the question.

Lon

So you do not hunt any fenced hunting conservancies in Zim? Such as BVC?

 

[wesheltonj]

I think from what you have posted with three different requirements that two areas come to mind. First is one of the Kruger conservatories, which are open to Kruger. Second, is the Caprivi strip in Namibia. Neither of those two choices are cheap.

 

[IvW]

I think from what you have posted with three different requirements that two areas come to mind. First is one of the Kruger conservatories, which are open to Kruger. Second, is the Caprivi strip in Namibia. Neither of those two choices are cheap.

Nonono....Kruger conservancies are fenced....such as the Kruger is....they are mearly an extension of Kruger with hunting rights...

 

[MarkB]

You will find areas where they stand around, but the entire SA is not like this. I would caution to paint the entire SA with the same brush.
Matter of fact, I have found the Buff in SA much more switched on than the "wild" areas that I've hunted.

I never said all SA buff were "tame". I only commented on the ones that were on all the areas we hunted. Does SA have hunt able wild born buff outside a park and fence? I am unsure, are there huge areas without fences where buff are not drove past daily/weekly or fed in any way shape or form and accustomed to people? Even a huge property means less if the buff were captive born and released at some time.

The herd of 200+ that crossed 50 yds in front of our vehicle in Kruger seamed to be real wild. And there were some real nice hard boss bulls.

As I stated, last year was my first SA hunt, it did not compare to having 50 KM x 50 KM unfenced areas with me the only hunter and all species hunted were born there. I am unsure what the largest unfenced perimeter or interior non park bordered hunting properties for DG in SA are? Also in the 8000 KM we drove all over SA we were shocked that we never saw game outside wire, donkeys yes. Zim and Namibia game crossed constantly on rd with no wire for 100's of KM something we looked out for.

This is not good or bad or any negative to SA, just something I think the OP should know and understand fully before planning a safari. I only ask ALL outfitters to be totally honest with all details and let hunter decide conditions, expectations, type and quality of hunt they want. Countries in question are totally different is what I learned. I will hunt both again.

MB