What to do when a Safari goes wrong?

[Bos en Dal SAFARIS]

Sorry to here about your bad experience! In my opinion you should have brought it under the attention of the outfitter at least!!

All the best

 

[Bivy]

What is the deal with PHs and their phones? Are they really that burnt out and bored with hunting and guiding...if so it is time to find another profession! Part of what I pay for is knowledge and conversation. Tell me a story, point out a landmark, tell me how to properly judge the species we are hunting. Don't be glued to your phone or computer screen all evening bumping around Facebook!

Vent over!

 

[CAustin]

This was a very unfortunate experience. Everyone has given their thoughts and I can say .......me too!
Now let me say this. I have hunted in South Africa twice with PH Hennie du Toit. The man went out of his way the entire day to engage me in conversation and to educate me on the land and the animals. Yes from time to time when we were driving he took a call, but never when we were hunting. At the end of a call he would always translate what had been said and assure me that his attention was on me and my party. The man is a true professional and friend.
At the end of each day Hennie would ask if everything was to my satisfaction? Was there anything he could do to make things better. And you know what else???? Every evening around the fire Hennie expressed what a great job he had and the pleasure he got from meeting new people from all over the world. Finally he thanked me for my business.
To bad the PH that caused this thread to be started doesn't get the essence of his job.....which is simply Pleasing Others.

 

[Erny]

Well, I just sent the safari company an email expressing my concerns at their request. Really, just wanted to let them know about this problem PH. Thanks for all the input and advice guys. I also wanted to let you guys know that I do not think the reason that I had a bad experience with this PH had anything at all to do with the fact that the hunt was purchased at charity auction. I will let you know how they respond. Not looking for any compensation, just would feel bad if this happened to someone else because I did not say anything.

As a side note....one the reasons I was so disappointed, in retrospect, in this PH was that I have hunted twice with Jaco Strauss at Kwalata. Jaco is a consummate professional and he is literally the benchmark I hold all of my PHs and hunting guides. Very few, if any have ever surpassed him.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Well, I just sent the safari company an email expressing my concerns at their request. Really, just wanted to let them know about this problem PH. Thanks for all the input and advice guys. I also wanted to let you guys know that I do not think the reason that I had a bad experience with this PH had anything at all to do with the fact that the hunt was purchased at charity auction. I will let you know how they respond. Not looking for any compensation, just would feel bad if this happened to someone else because I did not say anything.

As a side note....one the reasons I was so disappointed, in retrospect, in this PH was that I have hunted twice with Jaco Strauss at Kwalata. Jaco is a consummate professional and he is literally the benchmark I hold all of my PHs and hunting guides. Very few, if any have ever surpassed him.

Do you mean Jacoline Strauss, pictured in the link below?

http://www.africahunting.com/threads/new-partner-at-kwalata.15654/#post-121258

 

[siml]

Erny, would be great to hear the out come from the outfitter.

 

[enysse]

Sometimes I really think people may be great hunters and like the country and wildlife....but are very poor at customer service. People have to remember they are in a business to relate to their customer and make them happy at the end of the day. Yes, some clients are over demanding, but the whole thing with talking on the cell phone, texting all day and surfing the net is complete BS. Yes, a PH or outfitter has a business to run, I'm very understanding of that...even if the wife or girlfriend calls and ask how the day is going I'm cool about it. But when the phone or technology is abused...that is not right at all!!!!!!

 

[fairgame]

To become a PH in RSA is easier than passing your driving test.

 

[billc]

To become a PH in RSA is easier than passing your driving test.

What does that have to do with this thread. If you really read it you would have seen the hunt was in Namibia has nothing to do with SA at all.

 

[Divernhunter]

^^^ You posted before I was able.

Been away. My daughter had my first grand child. She will be a future hunter for sure. I hunt. My daughter and her husband hunt. She already has her 1st starter child 22rf and a Marlin 60 22RF rifle with her name engraved on the receiver. The new hunter to be---Peyton Rose Goncalves Born 6/12/15. Weighted 7lbs 11oz and was 20.5" long. One day I hope she hunts Africa.

 

[Albertaguy]

Congradulations!

 

[fairgame]

What does that have to do with this thread. If you really read it you would have seen the hunt was in Namibia has nothing to do with SA at all.

Apologies billc and considering the high standards that Namibia sets I simply presumed this jerk to be from across the border?

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

To become a PH in RSA is easier than passing your driving test.

I believe you are commenting on something you know nothing about.... Probably been listening to anti SA propaganda, from another ph that lacks marketing skill, or return clientele....
If you want the truth feel free to contact me.
My South African best (which is quite friggin incredible I'll have you know)

Ps. Rather than apologize to Bill I think you owe the SA boys one.

 

[fairgame]

I believe you are commenting on something you know nothing about.... Probably been listening to anti SA propaganda.
If you want the truth feel free to contact me.
My South African best (which is quite friggin incredible I'll have you know)

Ps. Rather than apologize to Bill I think you owe the SA boys one.

Jaco there are some very fine PHs out there and many who are famous. BUT confirm you can get your license having attended a simple course? That the last figures I heard was that RSA had some 6,000 plus registered professional hunters - most who lack formal qualifications?

I presumed that this idiot was one of them?

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

There are multiple idiots in Zim, multiple idiots in Tanzania... (Btw, you buy your license there), you also buy your license in Moz), and huge idiots in Namibia.

No country more so than the other....

Of course there are 4000+ "PH" in SA it is the largest hunting market in the world. Operational though around 1700.
Obtaining figures on full time ph's could be a handy stat.

Assuming to much is not a good thing, but each to his own.

My best

 

[fairgame]

Quite right and I did assume. Jaco I am convinced that if this jerk worked for you that you would have fired his ass. If you are travelling through Lusaka then pop in for a beer. Cheers Andrew.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

He would be gone for a fact Andrew....
Respect...

 

[Ado]

In short yes and yes...

I had a similar situation last year where a secondary PH was causing all sorts of grief - we actually nicknamed him "Wonderboy" he was a great hunter, but terrible PH. I was fuming when he kept falling asleep in a blind and snoring!!! He did not communicate what he wanted us to do, what we were doing, nor our approach to anything - this was far from

I spoke to my usual PH on the third day and said either he goes or we go - he sorted out straight away and the rest of the trip was brilliant.

Lesson for us was speak up early, remember you are the client, and how much you paid does not matter...

Hope this does not spoil Africa for your wife or you...

Ado

 

[Diamondhitch]

...Of course there are 4000+ "PH" in SA it is the largest hunting market in the world. Operational though around 1700...

Holy, no wonder it takes Wayne so long to check each one (twice) when researching a hunt. Lol, JK Wayne, I do it too.

 

[Billcollector]

My advice on this is twofold. One: never buy a donated hunt unless you can go into it with both eyes open. Now, don't get me wrong, there are many operators who offer donated hunts to help the cause of hunting, conservation and marketing, and do a wonderful job. However, some look at it a bad deal for them and simply a loss leader. Many feel "forced" to donate so they can exhibit at SCI, etc. The problems one can run into are padded invoices, extra surprise fees, cutting corners and an intolerable pressure to shoot every 4 legged animal that you see to try to increase the trophy fee bag. Simply put, a donated hunt has a negative stigma and you simply pay the price for it in service. It's a risk that you simply need to be aware of.

Secondly, regardless of the hunt, donated or not, if you have a problem with a PH, that is a major, major problem. I always try to set the ground rules with my PH in regards to what is important to me and what is not right off the bat so we fully understand each other. If we have a problem with something, I do not let it fester and deal with it right way. If it does not get any better or becomes intolerable, you absolutely have the right to demand a change to the Outfitter immediately. Regardless of whether the hunt is donated or not, it is absolutely imperative the outfitter gets this right as no one can afford a black eye to their reputation, especially under this new world of social media. There are just too many good outfitters out there who have earned fantastic reputations for service, quality and experience to book with someone whose outfit has black eyes on the internet. Good outfitters and professional hunters are good for a reason. They earned it.