What is the TRUE cost of my African Hunting Safari!

My wife and I spent 23 days in SA and Namibia, both of us hunting, shot 11 trophies including nyala and two eland and spent $22,000 including air fare and all expenses plus importing our trophies home.
 
Apples, and oranges brothers. I can take 50000 as you have spent, and hunt multiple species on multiple trips, and bring home multiple mounts to the taxidermist. I fully understand what you are saying, and I agree that the memories in Africa are one of a kind. I also agree with the hunter who suggested Stone Sheep as a comparison. No where in the world can you hunt Stone sheep for less than 5 figures, period, that too is expensive, yes. And I can say I can hunt a trifecta of North American game, of trophy class, for the same price.

As far as 26 animals spread over 50000, that is a wonderful experience, but not achievable for less than extensive travel, and extra headaches, and 50K anywhere else, for less. I am talking in the sense of what a hunter can afford on a budget. 50K is outside the ability of many hunters, and that does not mean they cannot hunt Africa. I say this because I have hunted true trophy class animals, in Trifecta, for under 10K in North America. I can also say that western US has several options for big game under 10K. South America also has big game options for 10K.
But, if I want the Big Five, I will not get it on a budget. And, if I want Stone sheep, I will not get it on a budget.

I can hunt several animals in Africa for 10K up front, but add transport, tips, travel, processing, and 10K is now 20K. I alternately can hunt Canada, and spend 12K door to wall on moose, caribou, and black bear. Additionally, this allows me to save for a future hunt somewhere else in North America. As well, there are no "hidden fees" in these hunts, no changing price structures, or revenue streams to Governments, you tip 2 or 3 vs 5 or 10, at the end of the hunt. Apples and oranges. This is not a hit on Africa, she is what she is, and that is fine.
 
You be a hard man to please brother !
 
I still think 23 days for two hunters, 2 gemsbok, 4 springbok, 2 eland, 1 nyala, 1 waterbuck, 1 bushbuck, 1 warthog , airfare, tips, dip and pack and shipping and importing for 22,000 is not very expensive! A elk hunt here in Idaho is 5-7 thousand and it's only 5-7 days and you may not get anything ,plus you still have travel costs!
 
You know I can shoot as many Red deer , fallow deer , rusa deer ,sambar deer , wapiti , white tail deer , Thar , chamois , wallabies , pigs , sika deer and a few other species for free here in New Zealand .
A bit of fuel in the truck , a box of beer and a bit of tucker is the only expense !!!!
But after 40 years of doing just that it was time for adventure .
I dont intend to be the richest man in the cemetery .
Enjoy africa and anywhere else you may want to hunt .
But please dont complain about the cost .
Its not compulsory , we do it because we want to !!!!!!
What did it cost to raise the Kids ?????
Now thats scary !!!!:D Beers:
 
Wow. The more you read some of these posts, the more impossible an African hunting trip looks, unless you go on some little 5-day jaunt in a fenced concession and bag a couple of small antelope or a wart hog or something.
 
Wow. The more you read some of these posts, the more impossible an African hunting trip looks, unless you go on some little 5-day jaunt in a fenced concession and bag a couple of small antelope or a wart hog or something.

Anything looks daunting when it is new and you have to absorb a lot of new information. Taking it one step at a time tends to work wonders.
 
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And I agree with that 100%
 
I hunted Namibia in 2015, 8 trophies total. Kudu, 2 gemsbok, red hartebeest, 2 blue wildebeest, warthog, mountain zebra. All in on everything including airfare, and also rented a car went to etosha national park, spent 3 days there, shipping of trophies home, and knock knacks bought, I spent less of 15k.
 
Would do it again in a heartbeat. Awesome time and experience
 
Outfitter?
 
I meant I'll hunt Africa again in a heartbeat, not necessarily with Barry burchell. I did alright but others in my group had a terrible hunt, I'll speak more if someone wants to hear, as I don't want to bash anyone
 
10+ years ago I had a good chat with guy who'd done a couple plains game hunts. He said the best rule of thumb for the true total cost of a PG hunt in RSA or Namibia was double the cost of the hunt. I've done two since then, he pretty much nailed it without overthinking it.
 
Pretty easy the second time around.

Great quote from KMG.
Airline tickets
Used Henry for Gun Permits.VIP
Tips had a great idea based on quote.
Dip and pack was provided by Hunters and Collectors based on my list.
Shipping again had a very good idea after communication with H and C.
Taxidermy worked itself out when I got home.Have a very good taxidermist with lots of African experience and can spread your trophies over a time span if you wish.
Took some extra cash in case extra trophy fees.
There are a lot of gents on here with plenty of experience so questions answered easily.
Already working on the next one!!!
Most outfitters as Jaco has eluded to can help a client with a budget so they will have some insight to the unknown costs for the first timer..
 
I'm planning my first trip over. I'm only 4 months out. I've been planning for over a year and I'm on a budget. Just speaking for myself. I had alot less stress thinking about the money when I stopped trying to total it all up and get a final number. Once I started saying Oh I need to buy my airplane ticket for 2k and my daily rates are 3k. This fee is 200 bucks and this hotel is 150. I know it all adds up but it was so much easier then saying Oh I need 15k by the end of May. The other thing to remember is some guys include taxidermy in there trip cost. I do not. Just because I'm not sure what I will want done and I know I won't be in a hurry to get it done. So it may be 3-4 years before I pay those bills. That's my rookie advice. I guess we will all see how it works on me. I would say as of right now. The guy that said 2times the hunt cost. Looks about right for me. Again we will see when I get back.
 
It can easily be twice the hunt cost for a plains game safari. Sitting in my shoes right now, I have to figure out where I'm going to buy a house and garage to fit all the mounts in at the same time. Garage $30000+ even if I do some of the work myself.
 
It can easily be twice the hunt cost for a plains game safari. Sitting in my shoes right now, I have to figure out where I'm going to buy a house and garage to fit all the mounts in at the same time. Garage $30000+ even if I do some of the work myself.
Double that !!!
LOL ,.
 
Wow. The more you read some of these posts, the more impossible an African hunting trip looks, unless you go on some little 5-day jaunt in a fenced concession and bag a couple of small antelope or a wart hog or something.

I tend to think that Africa, and RSA in particular, is one of the most affordable places to hunt. If you're on a tight budget, consider a cull hunt with maybe only one or two trophy animals taken, the rest cull. The taxidermy will double your costs, especially if you're getting shoulder mounts done.

You might consider checking out @Umlilo Safaris- they're a great outfit that has some exceptional deals on both cull hunts and trophy hunts in the under $5k range.
 
Wow. The more you read some of these posts, the more impossible an African hunting trip looks, unless you go on some little 5-day jaunt in a fenced concession and bag a couple of small antelope or a wart hog or something.

Expense is relative to each individual. Is Africa more expensive than a DIY hunt on public land in your home state? Sure.... But compared to almost any other outfitted hunt, Africa still offers the best overall value. You can have a great safari with a quality outfitter for 7 days and hunt for the most popular plainsgame animals starting around $5K. As rinehart0050 mentioned, there are also much more economical options available including the hunting of culls and non-trophy game. Many outfitters are happy to offer this option.

Taxidermy and the cost of shipping the trophies home will definitely add to the overall expense, but there are less expensive options there as well like having Euro skull mounts done instead of full or shoulder mounts. You can also consider having rugs and throws made from the back skins, and leather goods like a rifle bag or sling crafted from the same leather. There are lots of less expensive options to consider and research.

As far as being constrained to a 5 day hunt in a high fenced concession, that will depend on your research and selection of outfitters. A high fenced concession can mean 500 acres or 15,000 acres or larger. Night and day experiences.... Best of luck to you. I hope you can make a trip to Africa a reality. It will change your life!
 

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