Why is Tanzania so expensive to hunt and is it worth it?

[Glenn Slaven]

Forgive my ignorance as I will only be on my first safari (Botswana) this September and then RSA in June 2020 for my second (17 days).

Why is Tanzania so expensive to hunt and is it worth it? I’ve tried to find out why, and can only assume bc it is still free range? I know most stuff requires a 21 day license, but the daily rates are very high. At a loss and just curious.

 

[Opposite Pole]

I’m gonna tag along on this one.

 

[Brent in Az]

From what I know....

Expensive Licenses and government fees
Air Charters to many areas are expensive
Many hunting areas are remote, and the time and cost of hauling in camps, fuel, supplies, etc, is costly. Hence higher day rates.

Despite all that, Tanzania is an icon of Safari hunting. #1 item on my bucket list. Don't know if I will ever make it there though. Sigh.....

 

[Glenn Slaven]

From what I know....

Expensive Licenses and government fees
Air Charters to many areas are expensive
Many hunting areas are remote, and the time and cost of hauling in camps, fuel, supplies, etc, is costly. Hence higher day rates.

Despite all that, Tanzania is an icon of Safari hunting. #1 item on my bucket list. Don't know if I will ever make it there though. Sigh.....

When I heard “expensive” I was like yeah yeah. It’s all relative and based on priority. Then I saw the daily rate was $40k before trophy fees, and realized they weren’t exaggerating. Lol

 

[Brent in Az]

When I heard “expensive” I was like yeah yeah. It’s all relative and based on priority. Then I saw the daily rate was $40k before trophy fees, and realized they weren’t exaggerating. Lol

Day rates for a 21 day full bag hunt, will run $55-65k on average. Depending on area, and outfitter. Sometimes you can find a cancellation deal, or an outfitter looking to fill a schedule slot. Some of the primo areas, like the Maswa, are even more. But the hunting can be outstanding.

If I had the cash, I wouldn't hesitate to do it.

 

[BWH]

I am in agreement & understand where you are coming from. TZ is different..... their concessions/hunting practices are different than say RSA. More people, agencies, PHs, landowners, etc..... palms to grease is the bottom line “in English”. Diplomatically, you are just paying a higher price to trespass & hunt on their Pristine countryside.

 

[BWH]

In terms of value.... RSA & Namibia is where it’s at.... the more remote &/or exotic places, more “wild”, less controlled per se... prices go up for various & sundry reasons.

 

[Philip Glass]

Forgive my ignorance as I will only be on my first safari (Botswana) this September and then RSA in June 2020 for my second (17 days).

Why is Tanzania so expensive to hunt and is it worth it? I’ve tried to find out why, and can only assume bc it is still free range? I know most stuff requires a 21 day license, but the daily rates are very high. At a loss and just curious.

I’ve been looking a hunting there and it is expensive. Remember that private land is the least expensive to hunt followed by government land where people live and some hunting is allowed, followed by strictly Safari areas that are dedicated to hunting. Now there are exceptions such as Massailand which is really wild but there are people who live there alongside the wildlife in harmony. So the government fees are pretty high there. What I have learned is that although a 21 day license is required for some of the game I wish to hunt some outfitters will allow me to hunt 14 days on a 21 day license. Making it more affordable for me. I will likely hunt the gazelles etc in Massailand in the coming years.
Philip

 

[Brent in Az]

I believe Tanzania oufitters have to bid on leasing the concessions. It used to be every 5 years? Not sure about now? That cost is also factored into the daily rate, as well as paying for the quota allotment for any given concession.

 

[K-man]

Yes the fees and day rates are higher, you also have high charter/road fees into camp. Wait until you have to pay dip and pack, etc. RSA and Namibia have more infrastructure and flights, roads, and competition between concessions. You do not have to pay high fees to hunt free range, try Zimbabwe in the conservancies and lots of places in Namibia.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Conservation costs money.
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/tanzania-almost-lost.49314/#post-536574


Nathan has some pretty good pricing for the country actually.
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...eserve-with-bullet-safaris.46831/#post-518157

 

[CAustin]

Glenn I have never been there but those who have rave about the beauty and the wide open expanses. Your right it is very expensive to hunt there and I am not convinced it’s the kind of money I want to put into a hunt. However, it is a place where one can observe large herds of animals in vast areas. Read unfenced!

 

[Aaron N]

Depending on what you want to hunt, it can be fairly comparable to other countries. Two buff for 20k seems pretty good to me. The one kicker always seems to be air charter.

There’s always some good buffalo deals that pop up on here, and if I didn’t have a young family, I’d have been there already!

 

[Wheels]

Government fees are some of the highest around. They were fairly competitive until apx. 2006 when fees got jacked way up, right at the start of the season.

Logistics to most areas other than the north get expensive due to distance. Many outfitters push charters.

Day fees are higher than many countries. The lure of Tanzania seems to draw those that can afford it. (This seems to be changing with many hunting areas returned or not bid on recently) Also getting food and fuel to some of these remote areas is not cheap.

Northern areas that offer the unique to Tanzania pg, (Gerenuk, Grants, Roberts, Tommy, L. Kudu, C. Hartebeest, FE Oryx, )tend to charge more due to demand.



If you look at a 10 day hunt and want two buff and some pg, prices are competitive with most other countries.

 

[Glenn Slaven]

I did notice that some of the trophy fees were cheaper.

That all makes sense and it seems like by the time I scrape my pennies together, it may be a thing of the past.

 

[BnC 04]

In my opinion the Tanzania hunting nostalgia of bygone days tacks on to the prices. Would love to go someday if just to see the area, scratch that, I'd have to hunt if I went.

 

[Wheels]

I did notice that some of the trophy fees were cheaper.

That all makes sense and it seems like by the time I scrape my pennies together, it may be a thing of the past.

Second buff I believe is an additional $3,500 trophy fee. This is what helps make a 10 day two buff hunt affordable and comparable to other countries.

As a point of interest, I do remember the days when additional buff cost 10tzs, or about $1usd and I think you could get as many additional buff as you wanted. It may have changed and been capped at either 5 or 10. Time tends to dull the memories.

 

[Wheels]

In my opinion the Tanzania hunting nostalgia of bygone days tacks on to the prices. Would love to go someday if just to see the area, scratch that, I'd have to hunt if I went.

If you fly into Arusha, spend an extra couple days seeing the Crater and Kilimanjaro. If you fly into Dar, take a day and go to Zanzabar.

 

[sheephunterab]

Trophy fees are actually a real bargain in Tanzania and it becomes more affordable with the more dangerous game you shoot. Tanzania, 100% worth it but no question outside the budget of many. Glad we went and will likely go back.

 

[JG416]

I have hunted Tanzania, I really enjoyed the Masai people and the game is generally fantastic; but the fees are insane and it is unbelievably corrupt filthy country. From the moment the plane lands until you leave to go home people are constantly blatantly demanding money or looking for a chance to steal from you. I have been on many safaris and understand that petty bribery is typical in Africa, but it is way beyond that. It is the only place I have hunted that I will never go back and the only place in the world that I never felt safe for one minute the entire time I was there. If you have a first class Tanz outfitter, such as those on here, you will be quickly taken from the airport and put on a private charter into camp and never realize how bad it really is in the cities and towns.