Africa Trip - general pointers from folk in the know?

[Stalker62]

If I were disabled, I would try my best to be hauled out into a position ...

One of our colleagues retired out to Mozambique.

He is now quite severely disabled (a label he would not thank me for using).

About a year ago there was a 'problem' Buffalo damaging one of the villages.

My colleague was literally carried in a chair, to a position where he could take the Buffalo. He did so successfully.

Just terribly humbling about a bloke who refuses to 'give up'.

 

[Jon P]

I was not sure about a Zebra either until I tried to stalk one. It is really challenging, unless you are shooting at a water hole. They are so alert, although probably only as much as red deer here

Zebra are a good hunt, they taste nice and make a good rug for the living room

 

[finnbear270]

One of our colleagues retired out to Mozambique.

He is now quite severely disabled (a label he would not thank me for using).

About a year ago there was a 'problem' Buffalo damaging one of the villages.

My colleague was literary carried in a chair, to a position where he could take the Buffalo. He did so successfully.

Just terribly humbling about a bloke who refuses to 'give up'.

A fine illustration of “True Grit”, hope I go the same route.

 

[bowji john]

One of our colleagues retired out to Mozambique.

He is now quite severely disabled (a label he would not thank me for using).

About a year ago there was a 'problem' Buffalo damaging one of the villages.

My colleague was literary carried in a chair, to a position where he could take the Buffalo. He did so successfully.

Just terribly humbling about a bloke who refuses to 'give up'.

Sometimes a story encourages a quick reexamination of one’s own worries, priorities and perceived limitations

They reside - after all - only between the ears

 

[sh1kar]

Zebra are a good hunt, they taste nice and make a good rug for the living room

Agree with first and last point. Have to differ on the middle point. That yellow fat is vile and taints the meat. Are you sure you aren't confusing it with Eland

S

 

[tusker]

My other thoughts from my limited experience- hunting in Namibia and Mozambique and visiting a hunting camp owned by a friend in South Africa is that:

1. Properly wild hunting in somewhere like Mozambique is amazing but comes with a significant cost - higher running costs equals higher rates and much greater difficulty in getting there

2. There is nothing wrong with big, well-run fenced areas. I have hunted in one in Namibia, approx 30,000 acres behind a fence.

3. I would not hunt in a lot of fenced areas, particularly smaller ones that are reliant on introduced game and not natural replacement.

4. I would 100% choose Namibia over South Africa. Namibia is safe, friendly, clean, very easy to get to and to drive when you are there - better than UK roads in my experience and there is no more racial tension or corruption than in the UK. Also a varied country with mountains, desert and savannah. If it wasn’t for our work in the UK, my wife and I would move there.

100% on point 4, I dont know anyone who has hunted both SA and Namibia that would go back to SA.
Tusker

 

[John Gryphon]

Are you sure you aren't confusing it with Eland

Aren't they different colours?

 

[sh1kar]

Aren't they different colours?

Not when cooked!

Also unbelievable how big zebras intestines are. Miles of the stuff

 

[John Gryphon]

Not when cooked!

Also unbelievable how big zebras intestines are. Miles of the stuff

at 600 lbs would there be any more than an equiv kudu....lol.

I reckon a rank old Zeb stallion be terribly chewy.

 

[Jon P]

Agree with first and last point. Have to differ on the middle point. That yellow fat is vile and taints the meat. Are you sure you aren't confusing it with Eland

S

Definitely had zebra fillet steaks with boiled potatoes and veg - one of my favourite meals I had out there was warthog chunks deep fried in breadcrumbs and egg and chips - least favourite was giraffes heart.

 

[Hanechdene]

Zebra meat smells like horse meat and tastes like it

 

[Stalker62]

Zebra meat smells like horse meat and tastes like it

"What's black and white and eats like a horse?"


You know the rest...

 

[Namman]

Definitely had zebra fillet steaks with boiled potatoes and veg - one of my favourite meals I had out there was warthog chunks deep fried in breadcrumbs and egg and chips - least favourite was giraffes heart.

An old giraffe bull stinks and so does the meat. They are called 'stink bulls" for a reason.
Best meat is definitely oryx (gemsbok) !

 

[Stalker62]

It (African Game Trials by Theodore Roosevelt) 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.

Just could not let this one go.

Taken from p448

"Half an hour afterward I shot another buck, at over a hundred and fifty yards, ..... At this one I fired four times, hitting him with three bullets; three of the shots were taken when I could only see his horns and had to guess the position of the body"

 

[Oh6]

Just could not let this one go.

Taken from p448

"Half an hour afterward I shot another buck, at over a hundred and fifty yards, ..... At this one I fired four times, hitting him with three bullets; three of the shots were taken when I could only see his horns and had to guess the position of the body"

If the first of those shots was at a visible chest and was a hit, then the following three shots might be reasonable.
If the first shot was guess work then not so good!

 

[Stalker62]

If the first of those shots was at a visible chest and was a hit, then the following three shots might be reasonable.

Agreed.

Have a read of the book. It is full of shocking examples of 'pray and spray' hunting.

 

[wildfowler.250]

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

So I’ve been told it’s a mix of big areas with some free ranging cattle farms where you can generally cross boundaries. Theres the option to take some species free range so will try and do this when I can.
I prefer my own rifle but I‘ll check what they use. It could just be one big extra stress and hassle. If distances are sub 200 and they have something decent it should be olay.
Hadn’t considered the laundry side of things. Do you go Through a lot of gear in a week?
Certainly don’t need fancy accommodation but also not fussed for ‘camping’ it either.

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

Will do. I have one outfitter I’m keen on and have heard a few good reports but will look this lot up as well

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

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.

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"

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.

As above - avoid it all.

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...

Thanks for the input. Id definitely rather take stuff back. Don‘t get me wrong, photos make complete sense. But its nice to have somehting tangible .
Hadn’t considered upgrading flights if im honest but i’m 6 ‘ 2 so probably mkaes a lot of sense.
To be fair to the other half, she did very much offer the basic wedding - felt it was a trap haha! She even offered to help with the trip but told her thats excessive.

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

Thanks bud! Funnily it does bother me the whole eat what you shoot stuff. I’m sure I can try stuff over there though. No real way to legally and hygenically bring any meat back I suppose?
Certainly have been pretty adamant I want spot and stalk, none of this from the car stuff.
Im pretty set on S.A. I think namib doest have nyala/impala or springbok? One of them anyway. Otherwise it may have been a better shout. Main focus is to go somewhere safe and fair chase.

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.

I definitely would like to take some stuff back but it’s really hard to get a rough ball park figure even on here. I can get a dip and pack price so maybe its justa shipping quote I need?

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

Fcuk that!

HOW? Thats mental. I’ve got dip and pack prices but where or who do you find out costs for import/export/taxes/handling? Lets be honest, you can do some serious trips for that money.

 

[finnbear270]

Zebra meat smells like horse meat and tastes like it

Horse meat is fab, mostly all they served up in Belgium ..... Got the taste for it there.

 

[wildfowler.250]

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

Thanks! I’ve been on there a few times. Just keen to find some prices from UK guys. Seems to be things hidden that crop up such as airport inspections.

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

Thanks Tazz. This is the problem as I have no real way of finding out these numbers? I was going to Dip and pack over there because 1 ) it keeps shipping cheaper? 2) any issues, at least the taxidermist here can sort it 3) I can mount things gradually.
Any idea how I can get rough costings from between dip and pack to home?

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.

I think id leave my rifle. Just one thing too many!

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

I can look at Namib and see what they offer.
Any ideas how to crack break down these shipping costs into quotes?

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

Thanks Tusker. I’ve come to terms with fenced as long as the area is big! But obviously would prefer free range completely.

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

I can’t say I know much about Zim. I would have thought SA was the best bet as far as ease of getting to / better hospitals? More options?
But admittedly limited on free range

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

Can totally get that. I like familiarity

 

[Namman]

So I’ve been told it’s a mix of big areas with some free ranging cattle farms where you can generally cross boundaries. Theres the option to take some species free range so will try and do this when I can.
I prefer my own rifle but I‘ll check what they use. It could just be one big extra stress and hassle. If distances are sub 200 and they have something decent it should be olay.
Hadn’t considered the laundry side of things. Do you go Through a lot of gear in a week?
Certainly don’t need fancy accommodation but also not fussed for ‘camping’ it either.



Will do. I have one outfitter I’m keen on and have heard a few good reports but will look this lot up as well


Thanks for the input. Id definitely rather take stuff back. Don‘t get me wrong, photos make complete sense. But its nice to have somehting tangible .
Hadn’t considered upgrading flights if im honest but i’m 6 ‘ 2 so probably mkaes a lot of sense.
To be fair to the other half, she did very much offer the basic wedding - felt it was a trap haha! She even offered to help with the trip but told her thats excessive.


Thanks bud! Funnily it does bother me the whole eat what you shoot stuff. I’m sure I can try stuff over there though. No real way to legally and hygenically bring any meat back I suppose?
Certainly have been pretty adamant I want spot and stalk, none of this from the car stuff.
Im pretty set on S.A. I think namib doest have nyala/impala or springbok? One of them anyway. Otherwise it may have been a better shout. Main focus is to go somewhere safe and fair chase.


I definitely would like to take some stuff back but it’s really hard to get a rough ball park figure even on here. I can get a dip and pack price so maybe its justa shipping quote I need?


HOW? Thats mental. I’ve got dip and pack prices but where or who do you find out costs for import/export/taxes/handling? Lets be honest, you can do some serious trips for that money.

Plenty of impala and springbok in Namibia.
If you don't eat what you shoot I can assure you it will all be eaten by the camp staff and locals !
I have spent a fortune on taxidermy and freight in the past and over the years I have sold nearly all my trophies.
Photographs now.
If you bring any meat, biltong , game products back to the UK it will be taken off you at immigration and result in a fine or worse.
However Africa is addictive. I went this year on my third last safari !