SOUTH AFRICA: Leopard Valley Safaris aka Dave Davenport

[Michaelh]

(READ THE WHOLE THREAD BEFORE YOU REACH ANY CONCLUSIONS. AfricaHunting.com Moderator @BRICKBURN)

I've now been on 7 safaris and never have I been treated the way Dave Davenport treated me and my cousin. In 2013 we booked a hunt with Vince (Dave couldn't get in SCI at that point, Vince was a broker for Dave) for Aug 2014.

We met Dave with Vince and Dave saw what Vince sold us. Dave was very hard to get ahold of as we tried to confirm things and to get help on where to book our fights he was no help.

Aug came around we still didn't get a chance to get a price list from him or any helpful information. The first day of our safari Craig and Flippe took us out to look at animals as we still didn't get a chance to talk with him to find out what we were going to be charged. 1st day wasted.

Finally that evening we talked to Dave, we didn't understand the kudu or gemsbok as the way he had it worded it sounded like all (it did say 5 animals we just didn't know which or's we could get. He said "I can't honor that flyer from Vince, look on my website", even though our contract was attached to the flyer. He told us we could either upgrade or go home. Freaking really Dave, we fly all this way for you to tell us to go home. That's why I've never gone back with you. We ended up upgrading from 3k to 6k, his wife Niki was very rude to us and Dave never came out and said any goodbyes upon departure.

Flippie asked how it was, I told him I'm own a business and I would never upcharge my clients like that a deal is a deal. And I would never come back to Dave for that reason.

Also we drove 4 hours a day to just get to properties Dave doesn't own, we slept most of our hunt. Dave now claims he only has free range animals what a joke, what he means is he doesn't own his animals and we as the customer have to pay for a middle man. Enough of your lies Dave.

 

[johnnyblues]

If all true its one heck of a bad experience.

 

[Ridgewalker]

That just sounds inappropriate! It was a contract.
Your awful experience aside, welcome to AH! It would be nice to hear a positive report and see some pictures on one of your better hunts.

 

[AB2506]

I've now been on 7 safaris and never have I been treated the way Dave Davenport treated me and my cousin. In 2013 we booked a hunt with Vince (Dave couldn't get in SCI at that point, Vince was a broker for Dave) for Aug 2014. We met Dave with Vince and Dave saw what Vince sold us. Dave was very hard to get ahold of as we tried to confirm things and to get help on where to book our fights he was no help. Aug came around we still didn't get a chance to get a price list from him or any helpful information. The first day of our safari Craig and Flippe took us out to look at animals as we still didn't get a chance to talk with him to find out what we were going to be charged. 1st day wasted. Finally that evening we talked to Dave, we didn't understand the kudu or gemsbok as the way he had it worded it sounded like all (it did say 5 animals we just didn't know which or's we could get. He said "I can't honor that flyer from Vince, look on my website", even though our contract was attached to the flyer. He told us we could either upgrade or go home. Freaking really Dave, we fly all this way for you to tell us to go home. That's why I've never gone back with you. We ended up upgrading from 3k to 6k, his wife Niki was very rude to us and Dave never came out and said any goodbyes upon departure. Flippie asked how it was, I told him I'm own a business and I would never upcharge my clients like that a deal is a deal. And I would never come back to Dave for that reason. Also we drove 4 hours a day to just get to properties Dave doesn't own, we slept most of our hunt. Dave now claims he only has free range animals what a joke, what he means is he doesn't own his animals and we as the customer have to pay for a middle man. Enough of your lies Dave.

No excuse for this treatment, but what caused you to bring this up 5 years later?

BTW, I have met Dave and have heard a story that would cause me to look at the operation in a different light.

 

[gillettehunter]

Hi Michaelh. First I'll welcome you to AH. I see that this was your 1st post. The other thing that I see right off is that this hunt took place 4 1/2 yrs ago. For my self I can understand feeling the need to call someone out on a poor hunt, but this seems like a LONG time after the fact. Not exactly the best way to introduce yourself either. We see a poor report 1 or 2 times a year. Most of us have learned to wait to hear the other side of the story. Sometimes there is a lot more to the story than what we first get told. After this long Dave probably hardly remembers you.....
Bruce

 

[Ragman]

First of all, I'm sorry that you fellas had a bad experience. However it contradicts stories that I have heard of Leopard's Valley. I have not hunted with them, but have two friends who have hunted with Dave (one is a member on here and may or may not post) and they both had excellent experiences. Both speak highly of Dave. Hopefully there is more clarification on this.

 

[Michaelh]

Hi Michaelh. First I'll welcome you to AH. I see that this was your 1st post. The other thing that I see right off is that this hunt took place 4 1/2 yrs ago. For my self I can understand feeling the need to call someone out on a poor hunt, but this seems like a LONG time after the fact. Not exactly the best way to introduce yourself either. We see a poor report 1 or 2 times a year. Most of us have learned to wait to hear the other side of the story. Sometimes there is a lot more to the story than what we first get told. After this long Dave probably hardly remembers you.....
Bruce

agreed, I'm just now learning about this site, and people need to know about Dave Davenport.

 

[Michaelh]

First of all, I'm sorry that you fellas had a bad experience. However it contradicts stories that I have heard of Leopard's Valley. I have not hunted with them, but have two friends who have hunted with Dave (one is a member on here and may or may not post) and they both had excellent experiences. Both speak highly of Dave. Hopefully there is more clarification on this.

I'd be happy to chat to anyone about Dave.

 

[TTundra]

I would like to see a more concise explanation and hopefully Dave can offer his side as well. I by no means want to offend you, but your first post tends to run together. I more detailed explanation would be best.

 

[Michaelh]

That just sounds inappropriate! It was a contract.
Your awful experience aside, welcome to AH! It would be nice to hear a positive report and see some pictures on one of your better hunts.

agreed, but being the first time we ever went in a foreign country I don't know what choice we had.

 

[Michaelh]

I would like to see a more concise explanation and hopefully Dave can offer his side as well. I by no means want to offend you, but your first post tends to run together. I more detailed explanation would be best.

Agreed. A bad hunt like this gives most african outfitters a bad name, which this isn't the norm.

 

[Michaelh]

Hi Michaelh. First I'll welcome you to AH. I see that this was your 1st post. The other thing that I see right off is that this hunt took place 4 1/2 yrs ago. For my self I can understand feeling the need to call someone out on a poor hunt, but this seems like a LONG time after the fact. Not exactly the best way to introduce yourself either. We see a poor report 1 or 2 times a year. Most of us have learned to wait to hear the other side of the story. Sometimes there is a lot more to the story than what we first get told. After this long Dave probably hardly remembers you.....
Bruce

Dave remembers me, trust me.

 

[Michaelh]

No excuse for this treatment, but what caused you to bring this up 5 years later?

BTW, I have met Dave and have heard a story that would cause me to look at the operation in a different light.

I've always wanted to leave a bad review for him, I want others to know what kind of experience I had.

 

[Michaelh]

Hi Michaelh. First I'll welcome you to AH. I see that this was your 1st post. The other thing that I see right off is that this hunt took place 4 1/2 yrs ago. For my self I can understand feeling the need to call someone out on a poor hunt, but this seems like a LONG time after the fact. Not exactly the best way to introduce yourself either. We see a poor report 1 or 2 times a year. Most of us have learned to wait to hear the other side of the story. Sometimes there is a lot more to the story than what we first get told. After this long Dave probably hardly remembers you.....
Bruce

maybe not, but feeling like I do 5 years later probably still has some bite to it wouldn't you say?

 

[Michaelh]

maybe not, but feeling like I do 5 years later probably still has some bite to it wouldn't you say?

I could just post a fake photo of myself, but no, I post a photo that easily recognizable.

 

[Michaelh]

I would like to see a more concise explanation and hopefully Dave can offer his side as well. I by no means want to offend you, but your first post tends to run together. I more detailed explanation would be best.

Sorry the venom is still there all this time, so ya I could of explained better for sure, but I wanted to get to the point. He didn't honor what Vince booked us as he couldn't get into SCI, mind you this isn't the first time I've called him out. I've warned SCI as well.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I..........
We met Dave with Vince and Dave saw what Vince sold us. ..............

So, you met with Dave with the broker? You did not figure things out during this meeting?

 

[BRICKBURN]

What company did you have a contract with?

 

[Michaelh]

Yes we all met, there was a lot of time that passed, being the first time going overseas, ya we had questions after the fact.

 

[Michaelh]

What company did you have a contract with?

Lets hope Dave remembers that. We went that next year to meet with Vince to discuss this we didn't see him at the SCI show.