Why the big price difference??

[Red Leg]

Nick Nolte has access to a quarter of a million acres of unfenced ranch country in central Namibia. Give Jack Atcheson Jr. a call. He represents Nick and a number of other outfitters. He can also work with you to ideally fit a set of goals to a budget. I have used Jack for the better part of a decade and have only been disappointed when I did not.

 

[rodney russell]

It all depends what you want, kudu, gemsbok and springbok are cheaper in Namibia, impala, blesbok, nyala and warthog are cheaper in SA. just for comparison. Travel distances are usually greater in Namibia so can cost more. But I would have to say that I don't see the real smoking bargains in Namibia like I do in SA. I think the game farm business in SA is maybe more competitive.

your right jeff business is very competitive. While on our first trip with Ingwe another PH offered us a hunt with him while we were eating lunch our first day.
stuck with Leib though and could not have been happier. we are planning on a third hunt with him our whole family had a great time.

 

[BRICKBURN]

.............. While on our first trip with Ingwe another PH offered us a hunt with him while we were eating lunch our first day............. .

Yet again another honest, ethical PH! Another type of Poacher.

 

[jeff]

I wouldn't hunt with a outfitter who tried to steal a client, if he is that unethical I think there would be other problems on the hunt. I've split up hunts between outfitters and they never ran down the other or tried to persuade me to go only with them, in my mind that shows top quality character and you know you booked with the right outfitters!

 

[johnnyblues]

Hi Norfolkshooter, do a lot of research.. I too am making my first trip to Africa this September ( Namibia) for leopard and if time permits plains game. For instance leopard hunts can vary by as much as 10to15k depending on where and who you book with. I too have noticed the price's vary from SA and Namibia, like Brickburn said you will find Nyala in Namibia but since they have been transplanted there it will cost quite a bit more than SA. There are species in Namibia that are quite a bit cheaper than SA.. I wont shoot a nyala in Namibia but I will shoot a greater kudu there. You can save about 1k at least that's the price difference I have compared to my SA plains game hunt planned. And keep in mind trophy quality...My PH has from what I have come to find out is his eland are huge compared to some in SA. And then again SA will have better than Namibia on some other species. I m no expert by any means but I have spoken to quite a bit of folks here and to many Ph's. I am getting a great education and enjoying it as I learn. Whatever you decide enjoy yourself and good luck. September can't come fast enough for me, Africa has been a life long dream for me.

 

[johnnyblues]

Well thanks for the comments chaps. Seeing as I'm looking for a true unfenced hunting experience I guess I would be better off paying a bit more for what I truly want. Anybody recommend some good outfitters in NM?? Adrian would you care to tell me who you are using?

Check out my guy. Schoenfeld Safaris...Outstanding references and they have been there for generations.

 

[JGRaider]

If you don't give Kowas Safaris a chance you're missing the boat IMO. As honest as they come, great properties, great experience and very reasonably priced. I'm headed there for the 2nd time in April. Namibia will grow on you.

 

[Hank2211]

Taking my youngest (now 21) to Africa for the first time this summer. Plains game (for him) to start. Compared places in both RSA and Namibia; day rates seemed to be around the same or a bit lower in Namibia, and trophy fees were different but one country wasn't materially higher or lower than the other. There were exceptions to both of these general rules as you'd expect; took outliers out of the equation. Then found I couldn't decide, so picked Wintershoek/Johnny Vivier Safaris in RSA and Ozondjahe Safaris (with a minor connection to this site I believe) in Namibia (and that means I get to hunt for cheetah while the boy hunts warthog!). Funny how these things work out.

 

[joester]

Just for comparison's sake, if nothing else, check out outfits in Zimbabwe, specifically in the Save & Bubye Conservancies. You will experience wild Africa, the game is plentiful and you 'll see all of the big five ( with leopard being the rarest to spot in daylight) in their natural environment, plus a bunch of neat small critters - honey badgers, genets, caracal, porcupines, mongoose, civet cats aardvarks, etc. Neat little trophies in their own right... Good Luck!

 

[Stuart1970]

Just my opinion take it for what its worth, and by no means am I trying to offend. It seems SA is able to offer a 5 star experience, lodge, side travel, etc. The ranches or land seems to be a smaller size than the areas hunted in Namibia. Packaging these trips seems like a great deal to get your feet wet for your first safari, but it also makes your trip feel rushed. IMO. Namibia can certainly offer a luxury trip also, but hunting tracks seem to be much larger, they are low fence areas so animals come and go as they please. Daily rates seem comparable from outfitter to outfitter, but animal fees very, depending on natural habitat. As I am only a newbie to Africa I may be wrong on many items. Do your homework, find the animals you really wish to hunt, and price them on many outfitter sites. If side travel is something you wish to do, ask for these options. Good Luck.

 

[Cliffy]

Below are some questions I ask and have my friends ask when looking for an outfitter. Each hunter may have differing needs and requirements, Some may not worry about high fence/low fence, some do. Some may like several groups in camp at the same time and others may want an exclusive use place. These questions seem to have helped several of my friends over the last 6 or so years. They do help to compare apples to apples.
Not an all inclusive list but it does get the ball rolling.

Are you a Broker of hunts or are you the outfitter?

Have you actually hunted on the property you want to send me to?

Do we have exclusive use of the hunt area?

If not, how many other hunting groups will there be in camp?

Will we hunt on a “high fence” or “low fence” area?

How large of an area will we hunt on?

Do you buy and stock animals to hunt or will it be natural reproduction of all animals?

Will we be hunting in the same area as the lodge or

will we travel from the lodge to the hunt area each day?

How far will we travel to the hunt areas each day?

Does the day of arrival and the day of departure count as “hunt days”?

Are the accommodations a farm house style room or are they individual chalets or luxury tents?

Does my deposit money go to a USA bank or overseas?