What's the most damage I could do in South Africa for $20,000 Canadian?

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Here is a cancellation hunt for an exceptional Buff bull, in case you missed it and should you be interested.

Thread 'Short Notice Cancellation Hunt For An Exceptional Buffalo - 2025'

Saturday at 7:41 AM

Dear AH Community,
We have had a late cancellation for a specialized Buff hunt. The original hunter asked us to organize him a hunt for an opportunity at a hard bossed, mid 40's spread Buffalo bull. Hunt has been paid for by us and was duly cancelled this past week. I'm trying to sell this hunt to limit my own damage.
Original dates for this hunt is 20-31 May 2025, but can be slightly flexible. If you can't make it for these dates, we can try and find another gap, but can't guarantee availability space.
The area is roughly 15,000 acres. There are many Buffalo in this area and the herd is...

• KMG Hunting Safaris
• buffalo bull hunting buffalo hunting dangerous game hunting south africa dangerous game hunts dangerous game packages
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Deals & offers

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I really think that you can have a fun time with your budget, all included. It really depends on if you are looking to do a lot of shooting or what you would like to get out of your experience. One of the important factors that has been mentioned is taxidermy. It is a cost that needs to be considered. If you can get around it by only taking photos or keep it to minimum such as a Euro mount, you can have a load of fun. Saying this, just because your budget is C$20K, doesn't mean that you have to spend all of it either.

 

[Northern Shooter]

East cape or Namibia plains game. You could find a buff hunt for that as well but wouldn’t be much room for anything else.

And that’s really the big question. Hunt a single buffalo on my first safari to get the dangerous game experience or hunt a multi-species plains game hunt for the full experience.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Should be able to order a combo for the family and get some change.

(Current CDN $ Exchange rate is the issue.)

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

And that’s really the big question. Hunt a single buffalo on my first safari to get the dangerous game experience or hunt a multi-species plains game hunt for the full experience.

Are you looking at this as a once in a lifetime trip, or the first of many?

 

[Brian]

Say I was looking to book my first African hunt in South Africa with a budget of $20,000 CAD or $14,208 USD for our American friends.

What's the best value hunt I could get with that? Keep in mind this is the total budget that will have to also include airfare, tips, the hunt and maybe taxidermy for a choice animal or two.

I'm guessing I'd be looking around a 7 day plains game hunt, how many species would this cover? Would it be possible to hunt a bull cape buffalo with this budget or even a buffalo with a couple plains game combo?

Looking to get the best hunt for the money.

Make them an offer.

 

[Safari Dave]

In order of my preference, for a first hunt, I think you could do a 7 day hunt and take 6-7 of the following for your budget:

(I think I would look at Limpopo, RSA)

- kudu
- gemsbok
- water buck
- zebra
- blue wildebeest
- black wildebeest
- impala
- warthog
- smaller antelope
- blesbok

(you "might" have an opportunity for a "management" sable, roan, eland, etc. - sometimes an opportunity for a good deal just comes along, depending on where you hunt, and what needs to be taken from a piece of property)

 

[Northern Shooter]

Are you looking at this as a once in a lifetime trip, or the first of many?

I’m thinking we all know the answer to that.

Worse than heroin I hear.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Think the 7 day PG hunt of some sort makes the most sense for getting my toes wet.

I’d like to hunt Cape buffalo and Hippo on land for #2.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Think the 7 day PG hunt of some sort makes the most sense for getting my toes wet.

I’d like to hunt Cape buffalo and Hippo on land for #2.

A 7-9 day PG hunt with 5-7 PG and a buff cow hunt. I think is doable from some of the sponsors on here. That way you can get a taste of DG on your first trip. I know I enjoy hunting Buff Cows, more exciting getting in a herd.

 

[Safari Dave]

Think the 7 day PG hunt of some sort makes the most sense for getting my toes wet.

I’d like to hunt Cape buffalo and Hippo on land for #2.

That's pretty much what I did.

Everything worked out perfectly!


I was even able to buy both at SCI chapter auctions. ($350 for first, $945 for second - of course, it cost much more than that in the end, but still a very good deal)

(I wouldn't recommend that approach, but everything worked out splendidly for me)

 

[Stetsonham]

Put it all on Black double it, now you have $28,416 usd. Problem solved. Double the damage haha

 

[BryceM]

I agree with those suggesting Namibia as a destination. I've done PG there 6 times and DG 1 time in the Caprivi. It's a very hunter-friendly country and their government actually seems to function.

I've mostly hunted the Kalahari and the regions within a couple hours of the capital. It's easy to do kudu, eland, zebra, gemsbok, and maybe waterbuck, red hartebeest, or black/blue wildebeest. There are plenty of no-fence/low-fence areas or big high-fence ranches. Taxidermy costs come in three waves. The deposit (due when you drop the stuff off, or shortly after), the final payment (about a year later if done in-country), and getting it home. Airfare is just airfare. I usually plan on $2.5-3K USD and that's economy. I could probably afford business, but I'd rather hunt more.

 

[mark-hunter]

I’d like to hunt Cape buffalo and Hippo on land for #2.

South Africa.
I think this combo will run you just over or around 15k, roughly.

If hunting wild country, only buffalo bull will start at 15k.

 

[Sabre]

And that’s really the big question. Hunt a single buffalo on my first safari to get the dangerous game experience or hunt a multi-species plains game hunt for the full experience.

I would do plains game and get to go after more animals for the same price. I differ with some people and I wouldn't do a buffalo cow as I think that would just take quite a bit of your budget away from your plains game animals. Since you have stated you would likely go back, just make the second trip about buffalo and/or hippo.

Also, since you asked how much damage you could do for your budget, I would assume you would prefer more animals and more hunting per dollar. Focusing on plains game your first time will be the best way to accomplish this.

It has already been stated, but it can't be stated enough, and it can't be overstated. Taxidermy is what will destroy your budget in the end. If you are ok with just pictures, that is definitely a way to stretch your budget almost double. It will make it much cheaper to just do euro mounts, and if you can't stand the idea of leaving everything there, that is the way to go to save some money.

However, even just bringing euros home will still cost a decent amount. Probably more than you think, but much cheaper than shoulder mounts.

Here is an example of how taxidermy can destroy your budget very fast (These are rough numbers to just give an idea)

You shoot an impala for $350, a warthog for $300, a blesbok for $350, and a Kudu for $1,300
Your trophy cost is - $2,300 (very reasonable for 4 animals on a hunt)

Now you have to pay to get the animals home and mounted
Dip and pack ($125/animal) - $500
Crating and shipping - $1500
Import and broker fees - $1,000
Taxidermy shoulder mounts back home - $700/animal = $2800
Total cost to get animals back home and mounted = $5800

$8,100 total for trophy fees and getting home and mounted.

You can save money on the mounts by having them mounted over there and it is often cheaper, but then your shipping will be much higher. It is often a wash in that regard.

My numbers above are obviously not specific, but they aren't far off in general. You can see how $2,800 in animals actually becomes $8,100 in total cost after taxidermy. Imagine the extra animals you could go after with the additional $5,800 budget for trophies if you are just okay with pictures.

Man, this got really long winded. Sorry. Just want to paint a fair and accurate picture because a lot of these costs aren't apparent to someone before they go. And I am a person who likes to bring home the trophies, so I am not pushing anyone to not do that. But it definitely eats away the budget if the budget is more limited.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

This is a difficult question to answer. Current crazy events are deflating our currency at an alarming rate. I know what twenty grand purchased in 2021 when I hunted Africa the second time and what it won't buy today. The nutty diplomacy of the last month will have the world in a mess in short order. Do your booking NOW!!

 

[CBH Australia]

Thread 'Starter Plains Game Hunt Package With HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS US$3,000'

Jul 30, 2023

Here with is our special Starter Plains game Package for AH

These hunts will take place on our main hunting area, using the Wild Goose luxury lodge near Schweizer-Reneke as base camp (about 4,5 Hours from Johannesburg).

Included in the hunt:

- 6 nights 5 full hunting days

- 1 x Blesbok Trophy

- 1 x Springbok trophy

- 1 x Impala Trophy

- 1 x Blue Wildebees Trophy

- 1 x Free night time Jackal and porcupine hunt

- 1 x Free female cull animal - Blesbok female/Sprinbuck female/warthog female (species will be determent by time of year and availability)

- 1 x full day or half...

• HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
• Replies: 133
• Forum: Deals & offers

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[mark-hunter]

@Northern Shooter
Check this out:

Thread 'Plains Game Trophy Hunt Specials 2025'

Jan 31, 2025

Plains Game Trophy Specials 2025
25 Years with International Clients
Plains Game Cull Specials & Dangerous 7 Specials to be posted next

• UMLILO SAFARIS
• 2025 hunting packages big 5 hunting culling hunts south africa dangerous game hunt hunting packages south africa hunting safari hunting south africa plains game hunt trophy hunting umlilo safaris
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Deals & offers

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[CBH Australia]

I completed a management hunt with game4africa but that requires domestic flights to Port Elizabeth from Johannesburg so there are variables to weigh up.

 

[grand veneur]

Think the 7 day PG hunt of some sort makes the most sense for getting my toes wet.

I’d like to hunt Cape buffalo and Hippo on land for #2

I just now realized that the budget is around 20,000 Canadian Dollars and not USD. With this budget I would forget the buffalo. Even if the offers in South Africa seem cheap, you also have to take the additional costs into account and so you will quickly be over the mentioned amount,.. and the trophy is not yet at home. This would have been possible in Burkina Faso and Benin for hunting buffalo, but unfortunately these hunting areas are no longer accessible. If you don't want to significantly exceed your budget, I would choose a PG hunt.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Sent you a dm