Africa Trip - general pointers from folk in the know?

[wildfowler.250]

Right folks, I have posted something similar in the past but I have since had some dialogue with an outfitter that I’m keen on and I want to bounce things past experienced folk please. This is mainly to try and avoid a big mess up on a first trip - my main concern is costs. I’ll not mention the outfitter as I’ve detailed some prices.


Currently I’m getting hitched in the near future so that’s fairly knocked the funds back. I’d easily have put trip off for another good 5-10 years but I suspect bans will come in eventually and I’d be gutted if I missed it by a year or two.


The ‘better’ bit of this discussion is species. I was looking at 5 animals and an 8 day hunt with 2 days of travel either side:

I’m pretty set on

Kudu $2500 (I believe southern greater)
Nyala $2000 (apparently they get decent ones)
Impala $375
Springbok $500

That’s the main ones then I’m leaning to either Zeb?? $750 (or black wildebeest $875).


Now I’m not sure how I feel about a Zebra. I definitely feel like there would be some degree of stigma associated to this. Whereas anything antlered like our deer is easier for folk to relate to. Thoughts?? So I could sub it out for black wildebeest. I’d probably have the Zebra as a shoulder mount whereas the wildebeest would just be a euro mount on a shield = much cheaper. I could probably stretch to do both though. It’s really just a comfort idea with the Zebra but at the same time, seems a standard go to hunt?


Flights - easy enough to look but £750?


Dip and pack. My uk taxidermist has suggested a company. I’ve got individual prices per hide but not an actual shipping to uk price yet. Dip pack and ship, a grand in total? Or more surprises between outfitter and uk taxidermist?


Taxidermy at this end - appreciate this is optional. I should be able to get quotes per item for this fairly easily.


Tips - I know this is so subjective but can anyone give me a ball park on what this is likely to be? It’s really just to get an idea of what is reasonable for the week for the PH / Skinner / Staff. And there may well be 2-3 of each. This is purely from a saving up perspective.


Any pointers would be great. Appreciate there’s lots of information out there but find it far more relatable from folk from the uk as costs are comparable.


Thanks!

 

[Tazz]

I am not “ Tazz of Africa” but I have been hunting to SA 7 times and Namibia twice. My early experience not great my later ones were very good, things to consider

1 How big is the reserve you are hunting on and do they own it and the lodge you will be staying in. i wanted minimum 15K actres and lodge on the reserve. On some they drive you from one small reserve to another to get each species. Some can be as small as 2K so you are just hunting in a large zoo ( Not quite the romance of plains game hunting)

2 Is it fair “ Walk and stalk” as in you spend hours tramping about stalking with the PH, many just drive around in a truck and either shoot from the truck or very close to it

3 What sort of quality are the lodges and food plus amenities, if they have one day turn around on the laundry front it greatly limits what you need to take

4 Species, large cost difference in trophy versus cull animals and it still takes the same effort and skill. I have a number of mounts and skins but a larger number in the loft, beware your enthusiasm does not overtake your housing facility and your partners view of taxidermy!!!

If you are going to take your rifle there are posts on here as to what to do ( Some by me) estate rifles in Africa cover the full range from Very well maintained Blazer/Sauer/Mauser with Zeiss/Swaro/S&B on top to 30 year old winchesters with tape round them, also very few estate rifles will have mods so bear that in mind

The above is just food for thought, lots of things to consider but one you have been you will go back, everyone does

 

[Sika98k]

Take a look at Hendrik&trudisafaris.com His prices are very reasonable. An hour from Windhoek airport.

 

[Stalker62]

This is mainly to try and avoid a big mess up on a first trip - my main concern is costs.

Then forget any form of taxidermy. It will (eventually) cost you more than your Safari. Take pictures - instant and cheap.

Currently I’m getting hitched in the near future so that’s fairly knocked the funds back.

Postpone/defer/cancel the wedding - if your girlfriend (assumption) does not understand Africa, then she was never the one for you.
Others may take a contrary view.

Now I’m not sure how I feel about a Zebra.

Then don't shoot it. I have (a last minute thing literally in the middle of a Buffalo hunt {I did not have time to change over to Soft Points} and I would not do so again. The skin (complete with healed lion scars) now lives in my 'Man Cave"

Flights - easy enough to look but £750?

I have been steerage and I have been 'up front'. The difference in price is eye watering. The older I get, the less 'eye watering' it seems to be. I am 6"2" and 17 stones so you can take an educated guess about what is right for you. If you can afford a decent seat, it becomes a part of the holiday and not something to dread either end of it.

Dip and pack.

As above - avoid it all.

Tips - I know this is so subjective but can anyone give me a ball park on what this is likely to be? It’s really just to get an idea of what is reasonable for the week for the PH / Skinner / Staff. And there may well be 2-3 of each. This is purely from a saving up perspective.

Always tricky. You can speak to one of the 'senior'; camp PHs and ask him for a rough guide about what is appropriate for the staff. I have always been guided by my Safari mates who have been on very many more than I. Currency is the US dollar.

Things to remember about Africa.

Nothing ever goes to plan and Africa always wins.
Everything in Africa is trying to kill you. Everything.
Corruption, insurrection, revolution and civil strife is common place.
If you do make it back, you will spend every second of your remaining time on earth, trying to get back...

We had our last, very last, cross my heart and hope to die last, last ever Safari, in Mozambique last year.


We are out again to South Africa in May...

 

[Stalker62]

I’d probably have the Zebra as a shoulder mount whereas the wildebeest would just be a euro mount on a shield...

@wildfowler.250

They say a picture paints a thousand words...

I had my Gnu mounted...



I would show you the Zebra skin (with lion scars), but when I went down to the Man Cave, I saw that 'someone' has been down there and filled it with the cushions from the garden furniture...





You will also become an avid reader of Africana.

Just finishing off this old classic. An interesting read, with the caveat that it contains some comments and some attitudes of the time.

It also demonstrates some of the most atrocious shooting I have ever heard off.

I think Theodore Roosevelt was very short-sighted, but even so, some of his (very honest) reports are dreadful.




Apropos taxidermy.

I was very fortunate to trip over this monster during our last outing. In spite of us all agreeing that no one, was taking 'trophies' home...after one too many 'sundowners', I started the ball rolling about getting the antlers home. When I came to my senses, I cancelled it. It was going to cost me more to get them home than it is for next year's trip to SA.

I have learned my lesson and learned to love the picture option.

 

[bowji john]

My take

1. Don’t put it off

2. Choose unfenced ‘real’ bush over contrived

3. Don’t bother worrying about shooting anything you can’t/won’t eat

4. Spend your money on authenticity, good company and return trips

I don’t care to shoot anything unnecessarily - but that is just me

I do love the bush - I was borne and grew up in it - and worked in it

You don’t need to kill stuff in order to enjoy the above

You might have to pay to kill stuff in order to access a non touristy experience though

That said - nothing wrong with paying to hunt

Without it the wildlife will disappear in short order

The above might seem a bit rambling but it is why I designed tracking courses with CarlW at his place in Moz

I was convinced that people crave authenticity and choose a hunt because there is no other way to access it

J

Join africahunting forum

Look at

Zambia
Zim
Moz

 

[Selous]

There are lots of wise words above. Have a long hard think about why you are going and rationalise what is important to you. If you are going for the experience of a hunt then do so, take pictures and enjoy yourself without worrying about taxidermy. If on the other hand you like having a wall hanger then do so. I thought I would keep the buffalo skin when I shot one last year but when I found out it would be $1k for the tanning plus shipping etc I decided against it.

 

[Stalker62]

I found out it would be $1k for the tanning plus shipping etc I decided against it.

I promise you. Those Kudu horns (dip pack, import, export, taxes, handling.. the list is endless) - Mozambique to Mine = £7,000.

Fcuk that!

 

[bowji john]

You can have a lot of kudu steaks around the fire

A lot of great bottles of wine

A lot of great company with the likes of stalker 1962

A lot of times

For £7000

 

[Selous]

I promise you. Those Kudu horns (dip pack, import, export, taxes, handling.. the list is endless) - Mozambique to Mine = £7,000.

Fcuk that!

Exactly, Im firmly with you on this one. Three of us are headed to Zim this next year (as you have already said for our trip of a lifetime.... that precedes our next trip of a lifetime no doubt!!) and none of us are planning on bringing anything back by way of trophies. Too much expenditure that only serves to delay the return to Africa!!

 

[Stalker62]

A lot of great company with the likes of stalker 1962
For £7000

You big old bear you!
£7,000?

You had me at wine…

 

[bowji john]

You big old bear you!
£7,000?

You had me at wine…

Your bit was worth a £5

 

[PeteL1]

For lots of information and more help than you'll ever need - and then some, take a look at:

Shakari Connection.

Enjoy your Safari
Peter

 

[Tazz]

Taxidermy in SA simple rule of thumb, whatever the Taxidermy guy quotes you for the preparation full bill, you can then double that and some by the time you pay airport inspections, certification and transportation to home. ( I speak from experience) if you live in a castle fine but most of us live in houses with partners don’t get carried away, shoot a few trophies then some cull stuff

 

[375win]

As others have said, taxidermy can be a killer. Expensive and then finding place for it, esp. if this is the first of many trips. Africa, all of it, is addictive.
Local taxidermy work can be variable, what you see in the nice showroom may be miles away from what arrives at your doorstep.
Don't take a rifle, it's now quite expensive and hassle. Instead ask the outfiter what bundooks they have available.
Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Stalker62]

Your bit was worth a £5

 

[GNU]

I’d highly recommend Namibia with Hunting - Katjapia
Been there several times. They will tailor a package to your requirements species, trophy/cull, wild/fenced, budget etc.
personally I’d use their rifles due cost’s & aggravation to take yours. Taxidermy silly £ for shipping. Tips ask when there, not generally too much as the workers go on the **** until £ runs out

 

[tusker]

Have a look at "Discount African Hunts" they have some great offers.
I have hunted SA and Namibia , i will always hunt in Namibia as there are more wilderness areas. We are hunting with Khomas Highland next year and he has some good packages.
Tusker

 

[sh1kar]

I would go to Zim. Cheaper. Wild. Borrow a rifle. Don’t bring anything back PM for PH recommendations
S

 

[artschool]

I think would find it a bit weird to not bring my own rifle.