Safari Life: What Drives You?

[Kalahari Safari NAMIBIA]

Out in the African bush, every moment counts. The thrill of the hunt, the crackle of the campfire at night, the laughter and grit of your mates, the endless horizon and wild animals roaming free—it’s all part of the test. Some chase trophies, others chase the experience. What matters most to you?- Janneman (Kalahari Safari)

• The Hunt
• Life Around the Campfire
• The Camaraderie
• The Scenery & Wildlife
• The Trophies

 

[MontanaPat]

The overall experience which includes all of the above factors with the trophies themselves lowest on the list

 

[Firebird]

The stalk and anticipation are the biggest part for me. BUT the animals themselves are why I go to Africa. Even the stuff you don’t hunt is so amazing to see. The variety of life is what brought me there and keeps me coming back!

 

[Hunt anything]

Should’ve added “all of the above” that’s me!

 

[SCHUNTER73]

EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT!

 

[BeeMaa]

Needs to be an “All of the above” option, but I chose the hunt. The trophies I’m looking for are too over the hill to be competitive in terms of measurements.

 

[mdwest]

Should’ve added “all of the above” that’s me!

Completely agree...

Its not one single or big motivating factors.. its the combination of all of them..

For me, Im not really much of a "trophy" hunter.. I could care less if an impala is 22" or 26".. I care far more about the experience of hunting the impala as a whole much more..

But I also very much value the scenery and terrain.. seeing somewhere different that what I see every day is very valuable to me.. it actually goes further than that.. my wife and I love to travel in general and see different landscapes, taste different foods, hear different languages, experience different cultures, etc.. a Safari is an opportunity to combine 2 passions.. hunting and travel..

That said.. you can put me in the most beautiful place on the planet, with the highest quality game, and the most incredible meals Ive ever eaten... if the people around me suck, then the experience will be greatly diminished and I likely wont return.. the time around the fire, camaraderie with the PH and others in camp, etc.. is also very important.. thats a big part of the overarching travel experience (getting to know people from different cultures, that have different values, different perspectives on things, etc..)..

If any one of those things is broken, then the safari is broken (for me).. they are all equally important..

 

[Hogpatrol]

Not doable for all but for me, getting away from what my pop use to call the Rat Race or as some say, getting out of Dodge.

 

[PARA45]

Completely agree...

Its not one single or big motivating factors.. its the combination of all of them..

For me, Im not really much of a "trophy" hunter.. I could care less if an impala is 22" or 26".. I care far more about the experience of hunting the impala as a whole much more..

But I also very much value the scenery and terrain.. seeing somewhere different that what I see every day is very valuable to me.. it actually goes further than that.. my wife and I love to travel in general and see different landscapes, taste different foods, hear different languages, experience different cultures, etc.. a Safari is an opportunity to combine 2 passions.. hunting and travel..

That said.. you can put me in the most beautiful place on the planet, with the highest quality game, and the most incredible meals Ive ever eaten... if the people around me suck, then the experience will be greatly diminished and I likely wont return.. the time around the fire, camaraderie with the PH and others in camp, etc.. is also very important.. thats a big part of the overarching travel experience (getting to know people from different cultures, that have different values, different perspectives on things, etc..)..

If any one of those things is broken, then the safari is broken (for me).. they are all equally important..

100% this! I would also add the food to all of the above.

On my 2025 safari with Game-4-Africa, all I could think of was having some Eland soup, and the staff at Game-4-Africa honored my request, and I also had chicken with Chutney, and I couldn't have enough. I ended buying a jar and asked for the recipe.

 

[grand veneur]

Given the current prices of hunting in Africa and all the associated costs, especially for hunting DG, it is now all about the hunt and to be successful. You get used to the scenery and wildlife very quickly over time, and sitting around the fire and discussing is something I can do much cheaper elsewhere. Since I mainly hunt only buffalo or elephants in Africa, I was often alone in the camp anyway.

 

[Andrew62]

EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT!

Sometimes I do have to take a moment and cuss at those f****** mopani flies!!! lol

 

[deewayne2003]

Completely agree...

Its not one single or big motivating factors.. its the combination of all of them..

For me, Im not really much of a "trophy" hunter.. I could care less if an impala is 22" or 26".. I care far more about the experience of hunting the impala as a whole much more..

But I also very much value the scenery and terrain.. seeing somewhere different that what I see every day is very valuable to me.. it actually goes further than that.. my wife and I love to travel in general and see different landscapes, taste different foods, hear different languages, experience different cultures, etc.. a Safari is an opportunity to combine 2 passions.. hunting and travel..

That said.. you can put me in the most beautiful place on the planet, with the highest quality game, and the most incredible meals Ive ever eaten... if the people around me suck, then the experience will be greatly diminished and I likely wont return.. the time around the fire, camaraderie with the PH and others in camp, etc.. is also very important.. thats a big part of the overarching travel experience (getting to know people from different cultures, that have different values, different perspectives on things, etc..)..

If any one of those things is broken, then the safari is broken (for me).. they are all equally important..

@mdwest Well said!

The combination of different terrain, good meals and good people is essential; if the people suck then I'm not coming back.

I like big game - either hunting or fishing and years ago I stopped going on high end fishing trips because it seemed that I kept getting stuck in camps or boats with people who really didn't care about the fishing, camaraderie or simply enjoying being in an exotic place with amazing food.

Nothing ruins a trip like being stuck at a dinner table with boomers who are telling you about their stock portfolio and hooker exploits!

 

[mark-hunter]

I voted "the hunt" But this does not describe my motives.
I look for experience, to see as much as possible, at as much as possible locations or countries.
This can cover all the options above.

Trophy size, or trophy in general, is of secondary importance for me. I could easily hunt for non-exportable trophies without issue. The photo in the frame is good enough for me.

 

[PARA45]

And sometimes, you just need some time alone with a cigar to enjoy the moment(s).

 

[spike.t]

And sometimes, you just need some time alone with a cigar to enjoy the moment(s).

View attachment 710029

Shit ...now I am going to have to get some large prints to use as targets...that cigar is just too tempting...unless of course you want to come and stand in in person

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Frankly? All of the top 4 could have gotten my vote, and for my money "campfire" and "camaraderie" are somewhat synonymous - variations of the same thing. The last one, trophies, is important too - I like killing stuff - but my definition of trophy is maybe different from some because what I see as a trophy is strongly tied to the other four. The gemsbok in my profile photo? I'm betting some others would not have wanted to shoot him: his horns are really worn and not very long, but he was absolutely what I wanted - and a lot of that is tied to how the hunt unfolded, and the fact I got to share it with PH Don Laaks. For me, it's the whole hunt experience; you can't necessarily break it down into separate elements. It'd be like trying to make a really superb cake, but leaving out this or that ingredient, IMHO.

Camaraderie: Don Laaks is as good as they come.