What game to take 1st time to the dark continent

[Andrew62]

If I were planning my first safari, based on my hunting experience in Africa, and with this site, I would spend a LOT of time looking at hunting packages offered here. Most outfitters will work with you to customize a package. Like others have said, if you already have a .270, .308, 30.06, I would save the money of buying a different rifle and take what I already have. Another thing to consider is travel; you can easily fly to Johannesburg then be picked up to go hunt, or, you can add expenses and time and fly to Port Elizabeth, back over to Namibia, etc. Once you have selected an outfitter, don't be afraid to ask members of this site their opinion to see if the person you selected is reputable.

 

[MarkB]

Your species list looked a little like my first safari many years ago, baboon, and hyena sealed the deal as outfitter offered as very low cost extras thrown in, although leopard, buff and a plethora of "normal" PG were primary. Odd animals excite me, reason I have a lifesize ant bear in my room.

As for your post. I would suggest getting a set budget first, with this you can "shop" the specific species, then countries and finally outfitters. I will not try and change your mind as too species as each hunters must haves are different, I would suggest you figure out your must haves, wants and would likes when it comes to total cost, the type of hunt, type of camp and areas. The legalities of import/export may also determine your country and define your species if a trophy at home is important.

You WILL normally be able to get all your species on same hunt, its only a matter of cost, time, import and hunt type=wild born or farm raised and released. I would suggest shopping outfits on this site when you have figured out a few details, many countries and outfits would be able to offer your species, even if not the norm.

A weapon and ammo is important but not at your stage of safari planning, get a budget, species, then have fun shopping for your safari. Gun and ammo planning (rent, take, borrow from outfitter) come after other details are finalized. I don't choose the gun/ammo until I know what I am hunting.

MB

 

[Jaegger]

I'd really like to think about planning a first African hunting trip. Won't be able to afford the big prizes, so I would want to concentrate on the mean and ugly to hunt Probable rifle would be a Winchester Model 70, CZ or Ruger M77 in .375 H & H. I think the animals I would like to get are a baboon (ugly and mean, would only want teeth back), zebra (ornery bastards, might be nice to have the skin for a rug or blanket), warthog (ugly as sin, and just for the tusks), hyena (just to kill one of the loudmouth bastards) and a croc (because I wouldn't mind having a belt and wallet out of it). What do you think? Any thoughts on total costs? Likelihood of getting all 5 in the same trip? Let me know.

Definitely one of the more enjoyable 1st Africa trip, Q&A post on suggestEd trophies I’ve read in awhile … Ugly, Mean & Ornery Trophies! I just luv that direction & thanks for sharing!

You are definitely correctly tracking & I’m glad you added Zebra … I’ve been blessed to hunt five (5), 2/Burchell & 3/Hartmann, both Burchell Stallions were big, old faded striped Ornery Boyz! Zebra are a quality hunt & trophy.

I would advise on proper European skull mount for both Baboon & Warthog,
both very affordable @ Taxidermy & I won’t short change yourself on the finished trophy.

Bush Pig: definitely in the Fu-Ugly group!

Hyena can be limited in availability & $$ expensive on the trophy fee.

Just a thought: you want an affordable, requires more hunting respect, ass pucker hunt!? Consider Cape Buff Cow hunt … 1/4 a Bull price & you’re still ass deep in the Buff hunt experience. Nice European mount & big swath of tanned leather.

Croc … definitely!

Enjoy!

 

[mark-hunter]

Baboon is something that eluded me for three consecutive safaris, and when somebody catch a good one, i become more and more jealous!
And baboon is growing up steadily on my trophy priority list.

My idea of trophy prep for baboon, would be - full mount, sitting pose, and holding a coffee mug!

 

[Hunt anything]

according to my PH if you are hunting Hyena you cannot import a spotted Hyena from SA to the US but you can bring in a brown Fish and Wildlife say no spotted

I have always heard the opposite no brown but spotted are importable.

 

[WAB]

Personally, I would do a tracking hunt for eland in Botswana or Namibia. They are remarkably well priced and the hunt is up there with buffalo and elephant.

 

[Rubberhead]

Baboons by chance are cheap (and uncommon)...purposefully killing one may take a lot of time, though. Remember what @mark-hunter said about time being the most expensive commodity.

Consider an American alligator hunt as an alternative to the African croc. It'll save you time on the safari, the hide is just as good and, depending on the state you pick, it can be a more "hands-on" hunt than sniping a croc. You can keep the meat.

I like your very interesting list. A good psychologist could probably come up with a pretty accurate personality profile for each of us just based on the list from our first safari.

My psychologist would say that I am a thoughtful and caring man. Yours would probably call the cops...

 

[Hunt anything]

The most challenging animal on your list would be the baboon, they will booger up more stalks on other animals than you can imagine. After a while you will really want to exact some revenge on them, I finally got the shot at a big dog on the last day of my third safari but it was almost like shooting a cousin. I agree euro mount the skull and a full body mount sitting on a rock.

 

[mark-hunter]

Baboons by chance are cheap (and uncommon)...purposefully killing one may take a lot of time, though. Remember what @mark-hunter said about time being the most expensive commodity.

This is exactly why I never got baboon, being focused on other animals, and then having not sufficient time later to dedicate to them. (and they are smart)

On species choice, I try to be diverse. In three safaris.
Got two of spiral horns.
Got one of the zebras.
Got one of tine ten.
Got one of the hogs.
Got three that end with "beest".
Others are typical of savannah animals, based on my subjective perception
My next (I hope) will be buffalo. one of big 5 group.
Or optionally small predators. Which ever opportuniy comes first, then will do the other.

Then, after those two on list, aquatics will be my focus, some time in the long future. Baboon on first chance, but must be a big old one!

But what I want to say, its hard to collect someone's all African Iconic species (and almost all are iconic) in first safari. So, first safari is matter of priority, available budget and maybe a bit on scrutiny of ones wish list.. In Africa there will also always be something to be left desired. Even with unlimited budget, and lifetime dedication with arguably more then 220 species, I doubt that anybody ever collected all of them.

 

[Rubberhead]

I did the same thing with my first list but only got the first four...

Boss horned - Blue Gnu
Ring horned - Impala
Equine - Burchell's
Swine - Warthog
Pygmy - Steenbok/Common Duiker
Spiral horned - Bush buck.

 

[C.W. Richter]

African game would be best, as those exotic imports are expensive!!!

 

[Nyati]

Set your budget

Find a reputable outfitter

Follow his advice

 

[AZDAVE]

@Hyde Hunter you have the hyena's reversed. Spotted are importable but the brown's are not into USA.

You list is doable but as many have pointed out the croc and hyena are a special hunt and more expensive than the others. In addition the croc requires one of the most accurate shots you will ever take. Your 375 will work but it needs to be a 1 MOA or better shooter.

There are several outfitters here on AH that will be able to help you out.

 

[matt vejar]

I would reckon to say the most popular package ( 5 animal) offered in Africa is - kudu, blue wildebeest, zebra, Impala and warthog. There’s a reason for that -plentiful everywhere and that’s what most people want. Any deer rifle will take them. Baboons and Jackals are popular add on species and for most owner/outfitters/ranchers their free or very cheap $100 bucks. For a seven animal package add two of the following ( gemsbok, red Hartebeest, springbok or Duiker) That’s your best bang for the buck! Good hunting.

 

[Rare Breed]

I'd really like to think about planning a first African hunting trip. Won't be able to afford the big prizes, so I would want to concentrate on the mean and ugly to hunt Probable rifle would be a Winchester Model 70, CZ or Ruger M77 in .375 H & H. I think the animals I would like to get are a baboon (ugly and mean, would only want teeth back), zebra (ornery bastards, might be nice to have the skin for a rug or blanket), warthog (ugly as sin, and just for the tusks), hyena (just to kill one of the loudmouth bastards) and a croc (because I wouldn't mind having a belt and wallet out of it). What do you think? Any thoughts on total costs? Likelihood of getting all 5 in the same trip? Let me know.

Kudu price range $1200-$2000. Zebra $350-$700. Impala $300-$400. Warthog same as Impala

 

[sestoppelman]

Dont say Dark Continent!! No no no no.....

 

[BRICKBURN]

LOL

 

[Safari Dave]

If it were me, I'd try for the following on a first safari and go to South Africa or Namibia with one of the companies that advertise here:

1. Warthog
2. Impala
3. Zebra
4. Wildebeest
5. Kudu and/or Gemsbok


If you have a .375, or just want to get a .375 for a first safari, it will work fine (make sure you put a scope on it). If you don't want to spend the money for a new rifle, then a .270, .30/06, .308, .300 Mag or something similar will do just fine.


If the safari company knows where you can shoot a croc, then add it if you would like. (Local regulations might require a .375, depending where you are). If it's very important to you, make sure they can put you on a croc before you book the trip. (Where I have hunted, crocs were expensive and didn't mean that much to me (I can drive for 2 hours and hunt alligators)).

Prearrange with the safari company, so that if you come across a baboon while you are hunting, you would be able to take it (if it's important to you). (I wouldn't spend my hunting days trying for one, unless you get everything else you want first).

 

[Rickmt]

Don’t want to hijack the thread here, but where are you hunting? I was in Namibia in early May (when my PH and everyone else I asked said the rut was) and it hadn’t started yet. Would have been better off in June… still got a great kudu though!

Around June 1 with dark moon with Jaco at kwalata