TANZANIA: Experience With Pano Hunting Safaris?

[Gemsbok45]

That really is a bad deal. I had the same thing happen but refused to let it ruin Africa for me. It is a buyer beware situation. I’m a heavy reference guy but that’s not foolproof. An agent at least gives you someone to speak with or air your grievances.

 

[Two guns]

Have any of you hunted with Pano Calavrias with Pano Hunting Safaris in Tanzania? He had a cape buffalo hunt donated to an auction of which I looked at and have since dicussed potential options for a hunt.

Thanks in advance.

I have and I’d be happy to visit with you

 

[Rusty Iron]

I have and I’d be happy to visit with you

Thanks I now unfortunately have first hand experience and wont be repeating that mistake.

I also couldn’t help but notice you joined this forum today at 1:00 pm and 5 minutes later you commented on this thread and this thread only.

 

[Rare Breed]

That really is a bad deal. I had the same thing happen but refused to let it ruin Africa for me. It is a buyer beware situation. I’m a heavy reference guy but that’s not foolproof. An agent at least gives you someone to speak with or air your grievances.

I have learned the following about Tanzania. The government charges very high fees to the outfitters. They must bring in and take out their camps every year so nothing is permanent nor are they guaranteed multiple years there. Based on these things reputable outfitters are going to and justifiably should charge a very high cost to hunt there. When you see a deal or a donated hunt I personally would not touch it for anything. SA or Zim, you bet…Tanzania no way. just me

 

[375Fox]

I have learned the following about Tanzania. The government charges very high fees to the outfitters. They must bring in and take out their camps every year so nothing is permanent nor are they guaranteed multiple years there. Based on these things reputable outfitters are going to and justifiably should charge a very high cost to hunt there. When you see a deal or a donated hunt I personally would not touch it for anything. SA or Zim, you bet…Tanzania no way. just me

They sign contracts for areas and leave their camps in place in Tanzania like elsewhere. The season is year round post Covid. Not sure where your information came from. The area I’ll hunt next year is under a 10 year lease until 2033.

 

[Rare Breed]

They sign contracts for areas and leave their camps in place in Tanzania like elsewhere. The season is year round post Covid. Not sure where your information came from. The area I’ll hunt next year is under a 10 year lease until 2033.

I wanted to hunt there in the future 25 and beyond. I googled Tanzania government sponsored hunting areas and found my information. Also in two of my latest African books I read of what can take place in the country. Given I am a researcher as my job in life it steered me to look only at reputable outfitters in the country. I have no doubt you are referencing a reputable outfitter not some fly by night outfitter…I think you missed my point. If an outfitter can secure a 10 year lease and has a permanent camp I would feel somewhat better

 

[Rare Breed]

Actually @375Fox it makes me glad to hear you have a reputable outfitter who has multiple years of a permanent camp that you apparently are recommending. I look forward to your hunt report. I have wanted to hunt there given to me at least it represents “old Africa”. many thanks!!!

 

[Franco]

I hunted Tanzania in 2018 with Harprret Brar, in Maasailand - Lolkisale and Lobo. He's still there and I believe he's had those camps for some time. That was where I met Pano.

The hunt was fantastic. In 2019 I took my wife on a photo safari; Harpreet's photo lodges are spectacular.

 

[Rare Breed]

Actually @375Fox it makes me glad to hear you have a reputable outfitter who has multiple years of a permanent camp that you apparently are recommending. I look forward to your hunt report. I have wanted to hunt there given to me at least it represents “old Africa”. many thanks!!!

May I ask who you recommend for Tanzania please? This sounds very good versus what my research showed. Call me nostalgic but Tanzania seems to be what Robert Rourak wrote about!!! I have great respect for @375Fox and others who have had a great experience!!!

 

[Two guns]

Thanks I now unfortunately have first hand experience and wont be repeating that mistake.

I also couldn’t help but notice you joined this forum today at 1:00 pm and 5 minutes later you commented on this thread and this thread only.

Ya I had to join to comment .. it’s looking like a crappy situation don’t want to say much right now

 

[Anbessa Gedai]

Have any of you hunted with Pano Calavrias with Pano Hunting Safaris in Tanzania? He had a cape buffalo hunt donated to an auction of which I looked at and have since dicussed potential options for a hunt.

Thanks in advance.

I saw Pano at "The Bar in Dar" at Slipway in Dar es Salaam back in December 2023.
Though obviously not a youngster, he appeared to be enjoying life and in sufficient health that he might be able to conduct a safari that wasn't particularly strenuous.

It has since transpired that Pano passed away on 10 November 2024. Services were held at the Greek Orthodox Church in Dar es Salaam on 15 November.
Below photo from Dec' 2023.

 

[rafter3]

May I ask who you recommend for Tanzania please? This sounds very good versus what my research showed. Call me nostalgic but Tanzania seems to be what Robert Rourak wrote about!!! I have great respect for @375Fox and others who have had a great experience!!!

Contact Ernest Dyason with Spear Safaris, he has access to some great areas in Tanzania. I recently took my first safari there and it was unreal, better than I could have imagined. Ernest has been a ph for 30 years and even was awarded the SCI Professional Hunter if the Year this year.

 

[gillettehunter]

KMS is another solid choice for Tanzania. I hunted with them in 2021 with @LivingTheDream. We both have reports on here about our hunts. We both hunted plains game only, but got well acquainted with our PH'a and were told about their buffalo areas.
Bruce

 

[Franco]

Sorry to hear of Pano's passing. I understand the frustration and anger some of you might have regarding recent dealings with him, and I can offer no excuses nor explanation. My last contact with Pano was at the DSC convention in 2019, he had shared a camp and tagged along on my hunt in 2018.

My intent here is to merely bow my head to the passing of a long time Africa Hunter.

 

[rlauzon]

I had another post regarding Pano, looking for information but I don't see it here now. Pano Calavrias was nothing but a crook! Might be sad to some he's died but the F@#ker stole a substantial amount of money from me, my hunting partner and another hunter I chatted with. Perhaps stole from many others, who knows. I have no respect for this common criminal. Now that he's gone, he won't be able to swindle any other unsuspecting hunters of their money or their dream hunts. Seems like he was taking money from hunters his last few years and using it buy expensive sports cars and living the high life! Not a decent person at all.