Safari 2022

[375Fox]

And pretty obvious which is which.

Yes, but I consider them both impressive and that’s my point

 

[WAB]

If you want a bush hunt in a wild area the kudu is doable, the buffalo, well maybe but not likely. The best I have seen for great buffalo and great kudu in a truly wild area would have to be the Upper Luangwa Valley in Zambia.

As to buffalo trophy quality, I think a 12+ year old dugga boy with huge bosses and busted up horns is a far superior trophy than a wide 8 year old herd bull. SCI has done us no favors on this one, encouraging the harvest of younger animals with their scoring and awards system.

 

[sestoppelman]

Yes, but I consider them both impressive and that’s my point

Its easy to get fooled with those wider ones like that. Tight curls lack inches. They look big till you put a tape on them.

 

[Tanks]

So you want a great camp and a great camp? LOL. All camps have hot water. The world is your oyster, whats your budget?

Ahem, not all camps have hot running water. At this camp I got woken up with a cup of coffee and a bucket of hot water to pour into the bucket you see below.

 

[sestoppelman]

LOL, I didnt say running... I just said hot. In a bush camp where they heat it over wood fires in a barrel, it has an unforgetable aroma, wish I could bottle it.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

@Lhleggtowner , I have sent you a PM, sir.

 

[Lhleggtowner]

There are several outfitters who can offer you the quality of game and accommodations that you are looking for... I would recommend starting your research with any of the reputable, well-established outfitters who are sponsors here on AH.com. And, just so you know, a 55" kudu is comparable in trophy quality to a 200" whitetail and a 45" Cape buffalo is like a 400" bull elk. Trophies of that caliber are not found behind every bush in Africa..!

I hunted with Limcroma Safaris a few years back and I would highly recommend them for a first African safari. They are great folks who will do whatever is necessary to exceed your expectations at every level. They have huge properties, amazing trophy quality, and first class accommodations. Feel free to message me anytime with questions or a detailed account of my experience.

I really am glad you put this in perspective. A lowering of the expectations may be at hand. Because I want a fair chase experience and not that of a high fence. i say that as to mean, I don’t want to take away from the experience, to fulfill a number. And break a bank trying to do it. Thanks so much for your input.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Hi. I would like to give you my perspective on this. I was in your situation in 2017 when I was planning my first trip. I have only done two trips as of now. First, find an outfitter you will click with. Talk to them on the phone and get a feel for them. Second, don’t set expectations in inches of what you are after. Go into it with the thoughts of we are going to hunt hard for the best possible animal we can find. You will greatly enjoy your experience that way. In the two trips I have done with the same outfitter Bos en Dal Safaris I have not been disappointed at all. We have hunted hard and and I very pleased with all the animals we have taken. On trip one I was able after 3 days of chasing a monster Kudu we had located to finally connect on him. When we did tape him he was 58 inches. On trip two we went for Buffalo. Width never played a part in deciding on a bull, it was maturity, boss size and drop in the horn. I would not trade either of these hunts for anything. The memories are unforgettable. The buff was only 38 or so inches. But the hunt was unforgettable.
Go with these things in mind and not a goal of inches and you will enjoy it more.

 

[Adrian]

Leave your tape measure at home, take your rifle instead and go and have an unforgettable experience.
If it's your first hunt, just go and enjoy what Africa gives you, take what comes along and forget about trying to achieve a measurement.
You will ruin your experience if you are too involved with trying to take a certain measurement of animal.

If you don't find it you will put pressure on yourself, your PH and will come away with a sense of disappointment when instead you should be loving every minute.

What's better?

Hunting a 50" kudu that you spent hours tracking and stalking in the wild places, zebra that nearly blew the stalk, waiting in the shadows afraid to move in case he spots you, watching him go out of sight and agonising if he will reappear, the dust and the heat and the sweat, the memories of that hunt that will always live with you?

Or driving into an enclosure and just shooting a 60" bull because the outfitter knows it's there just for bragging rights and for a head on the wall that will ultimately leave you feeling cold because as a hunter you know it wasn't the right way?

A 45" buffalo will look very impressive but what if that animal is a prime breeder, you shot it just because it had the biggest horns and deprived the herd of his genes?

How about a gnarly old warrior buffalo? The beast that has survived and has the scars to prove it? The old boy who has seen off lion, leopard, humans, has a bald, scarred face, worn down horns that barely go over 35 inches but are smooth and polished, the bull with attitude and cunning that you hunted and got the better of?

Wouldn't the second buffalo be the more worthy trophy to put on your wall and admire? Tell visiting friends about the life he led and what a symbol of Africa he is?

Go hunting, don't go shooting.

 

[cls]

Leave your tape measure at home, take your rifle instead and go and have an unforgettable experience.
If it's your first hunt, just go and enjoy what Africa gives you, take what comes along and forget about trying to achieve a measurement.
You will ruin your experience if you are too involved with trying to take a certain measurement of animal.

If you don't find it you will put pressure on yourself, your PH and will come away with a sense of disappointment when instead your should be loving every minute.

What's better?

Hunting a 50" kudu that you spent hours tracking and stalking in the wild places, zebra that nearly blew the stalk, waiting in the shadows afraid to move in case he spots you, watching him go out of sight and agonising if he will reappear, the dust and the heat and the sweat, the memories of that hunt that will always live with you?

Or driving into an enclosure and just shooting a 60" bull because the outfitter knows it's there just for bragging rights and for a head on the wall that will ultimately leave you feeling cold because as a hunter you know it wasn't the right way?

A 45" buffalo will look very impressive but what if that animal is a prime breeder, you shot it just because it had the biggest horns and deprived the herd of his genes?

How about a gnarly old warrior buffalo? The beast that has survived and has the scars to prove it? The old boy who has seen off lion, leopard, humans, has a bald, scarred face, worn down horns that barely go over 35 inches but are smooth and polished, the bull with attitude and cunning that you hunted and got the better of?

Wouldn't the second buffalo be the more worthy trophy to put on your wall and admire? Tell visiting friends about the life he led and what a symbol of Africa he is?

Go hunting, don't go shooting.

The way these guys are describing the hunt is making me want to book another Buffalo hunt. Some great advise here.

 

[meigsbucks]

Just about everything I’d say has been covered by others.
It’s your first safari. Nothing like it. When booking, do your research. Talk to references. Tell your PH your primary animals are buff and kudu and that you want good mature animals. Savor the experience. 20 yrs from now you’ll look at that kudu mount on your wall and remember the stalk and the shot, not the inches.
As others have stated, 55” kudu are around but they aren’t behind every thorny bush. A 45” buff... they’re out there, but once again, not common.
In some cases how fat your wallet is can get you to areas that have bigger buffalo. Tanzania is known for having big buff. I don’t think anyone has mentioned Waterburg in Namibia (Jamy Traut Safaris hunts this area). But these are $$$.

 

[firehuntfish]

I really am glad you put this in perspective. A lowering of the expectations may be at hand. Because I want a fair chase experience and not that of a high fence. i say that as to mean, I don’t want to take away from the experience, to fulfill a number. And break a bank trying to do it. Thanks so much for your input.

You have already received some great input and advice from many experienced members. I would only add that it is important to note that a "fair chase" hunting experience and "high fence" are certainly not mutually exclusive. With the right outfitter (and there are several excellent ones based in South Africa) you can absolutely have a challenging fair chase safari experience on high fenced properties that are both large enough and managed properly to facilitate it. Some diligent research in asking the right questions and verifying the information with references is usually more than enough to ensure you will have a fair chase experience.

As already mentioned, a completely "wild hunt" is a fantastic experience that have personally enjoyed on several trips over to Africa, but many of these locations often come at the expense of higher daily rates, and certain logistical challenges with their own inherent expenses that need to be explored especially if the overall cost and travel times are factors that you need to consider.

Regardless of the type of safari experience that you feel best fits your goals, desires, and budget, a trip to Africa in any form is a life-changing experience that you must do... As everyone else here who has been to Africa is likely to affirm, the only problem with going on safari is deciding when and how you can get back for your next safari...

 

[Spear Safaris]

PM sent!

 

[JKO HUNTING SAFARIS]

Hello sir,

Great safari you are planning. I have the area where this can be done and animals wont be in small camps or specific animals we go after. We have over 180 buffalo in the area which is bulls and cows.

I shot this 45.5” buffalo bull there earlier this year and there is many more buff like this in the area.

Also this 57” kudu bull was taken there. It is a large area that offers excellent hunting!

Please inbox me your email address and I can get information through to you!

 

[BAYLY SIPPEL SAFARIS]

Hey guys and gals, I've tried to figure when I can do a safari and I think 2022 is the best time. I am wanting to hunt for kudu and Cape buffalo. I would love to go to a place where I could get a 55" kudu and 45" plus dugga boy. If plains game were offered, that would be awesome also. I would love recommendations from you folks.

Now with that being said, I would like to have a great camp with hot water, and a great camp. I am willing to look at bout anything. I would love to hear from experienced hunters. Because this would be my first trip.

Good day sir, we are going to send you a private message about what we would like to offer you! Hopefully we can earn your business!

Kind regards,
Dempsey Bayly & Michael Sippel

 

[Ridgewalker]

You do realize the world record was a cow buffalo! Quite honestly a cow buffalo is just as much fun to hunt, possibly more so, than a bull And you can shoot probably 3-4 for the price of a bull! To me 3 exciting hunts for the price of 1 is a bargain!
Just thought I’d throw that in!

 

[Lhleggtowner]

A 45 Buffalo and a 55 Kudu on the same trip, that might be tuff, unless you are at a game farm in RSA. But, most likely that 45 Buffalo will not be accepted into Rowland Ward.

Your best bets for Big Buffalo are Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe (Save and Bubye). 55+ kudu are readily available lots of places, but finding one is another story. I spent 2 days tracking what the PH said was a 54 and could never find the thing again to get a shot. Only by dumb luck did I end up with a 57 kudu, while driving back to camp standing about 25 yards from the road.

Thanks. This helps bunches

 

[Lhleggtowner]

I have received a outpouring of input by this thread and private message. Thanks so much. I am going to dig in after the holidays and find a great spot. With help of you fellows of course. The amount of input has been phenomena. Again thanks.

 

[Buff-Buster]

Lhleggtowner,
A lot of excellent advice has already been given that is spot on. As others have said, don't dwell on the inches. Trust that Africa tends to reward those that don't! When hunting Africa ( or elsewhere for that matter) the experience, the sites you see and smell, the friendships made, the evenings around the fire, the incredible stars at night, the thoughts you have trying to go to sleep at night, just believing your actually in Africa, are what a safari is all about. This will be your first safari. There will be additional safaris made to set lofty goals. And yes, you'll go back! Have fun and soak in all the experiences of your first safari. You only get one "first"!

If Mozambique is on your list please feel free to let me know. Our business is fulfilling dreams. I won't promise you a 45" buff and a 55" kudu, but I can promise an adventure full of memories that will last a lifetime.

 

[Bullet Safaris]

Hey guys and gals, I've tried to figure when I can do a safari and I think 2022 is the best time. I am wanting to hunt for kudu and Cape buffalo. I would love to go to a place where I could get a 55" kudu and 45" plus dugga boy. If plains game were offered, that would be awesome also. I would love recommendations from you folks.

Now with that being said, I would like to have a great camp with hot water, and a great camp. I am willing to look at bout anything. I would love to hear from experienced hunters. Because this would be my first trip.

Hi - if you want a great hunt in the wilderness of Africa for quality trophies I am happy to help. no guarantee on size but they will be old and wild... the lions eat them on a regular basis!

you will have an adventure hot water and most likely get your animals... but more importantly you will get a safari experience that they wrote book about (the good old books by Hemmingway, Ruark and Capstick).

I am in the USA and you can call me anytime - Thanks, Nathan Askew