Wanted: Advice
- Thread starter PAULT
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Stalker62
Well-Known Member
@old 30-06
Thank you - just luck of the day really.
The PHs and the rest of my party (much more experienced than I), also agreed that it was a 'good' Kudu.
Sadly, when I was given the quote to get it home, that is when I went weak at the knees...
@Stalker1962 - How did the £7,000 break down out of interest?@old 30-06
Thank you - just luck of the day really.
The PHs and the rest of my party (much more experienced than I), also agreed that it was a 'good' Kudu.
Sadly, when I was given the quote to get it home, that is when I went weak at the knees...
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I am heading to South Africa for this first time next year and kudu is high on my list. I’ve been told to budget roughly an additional 1-1.5x whatever it costs to shoot the animal in the first place to have a shoulder mount in your hands in the UK.
The package that I’ve booked with the outfitter includes field prep of any trophies and transporting to the taxidermist (they use Splitting Image in Port Elizabeth who seem to have a decent reputation) who then charge $1,050 for a kudu shoulder mount + $350 for packing, crating and paperwork (technically 15% of total order price but with a minimum charge of $350 so, if it were part of a larger consignment, the “per animal” charge would be lower).
To my mind, that leaves international shipping, handling and delivery once in the UK that I have to believe is going to be significantly less than £6,000 but perhaps I’m being hopelessly naive…
Appreciate that we’re talking about SA vs Mozambique here so perhaps there’s some nuance I’m missing there as well.
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That’s the trouble with setting yourself standards and then instantly failing to follow them …. What a disappointment@Selous
We are 'penciled in' for a return to Africa, in 2026.
I am already looking for a new Peli case for my rifle.
I hate myself...
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Stalker62
Well-Known Member
For not very much more than the cost of bringing those Kudu horns back from Mozambique, I was able to go on another trip to the Limpopo in May.
Importing 'stuff' from Africa is for the insanely rich or the insane...
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
. Animals cost £7900. Then add daily rate £2000 for 10 days- then flights & rifle around £1400. - then tips - the fees gradually add up- TBH I with I had not just calculated these figures.
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
@StephenJD
Forgive me, I am unable recall the exact details (I have tried to wipe them from my mind).
The first quote was in the order of £1,500 - that was to 'dip and pack' in Mozambique.
I sensed (from some previous bitter experience) that this was only the start of the bill.
I asked the Mozambique end what the 'projected' costs were at each stage.
My in-box was then rammed with 'quotes' from the various parties that would be involved in getting the damn things home.
Transportation, vets, licences, export/import, community charges, flights (more expensive than my ticket), the list is endless.
I did a quick totting up and it came in around £7,500.
Couple of additional things to think about.
Kudu horns.
Massive Kudu horns.
I do not live in a castle...
Where on earth did I think I was going to put them?
Also, and thinking back to 2012, when I went through this with a fairly large crate (shared with another Hunter) - that process went on for over two years. We would regularly get 'updates' about where our crate was, and what we now owed the lasted lucky recipient. This went on for over two years.
We finally got an email from Heathrow to say our crate had landed there, and we had to pay £500 in taxes before they would release it. Just a final kick in the wallet.
Honestly, it is brutal.
As a result of my 'naivety' from early Safaris, I have one or two pieces in my 'Man Cave' - I enjoy the memories they bring, but it still makes me feel sick when I think of the cost of getting them home.
Jon P
Well-Known Member
We had two estate agents out yesterday as considering selling the house to look for somewhere bigger as running out of room. It is a crazy situation to get into. I won’t be able to afford a castle though.
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
Whilst on the topic of 'taxidermy'.
This was something I had never considered.
Moving house.
When that dreadful time came, I was advised by the Estate Agent (and ordered by my wife), to remove all 'Africana'
from my home.
Long short.
It all had to go into storage.
Even though we used a 'mate's' place to store the stuff, (twelve months) that was another £1,200 I had not budgeted for.
This was something I had never considered.
Moving house.
When that dreadful time came, I was advised by the Estate Agent (and ordered by my wife), to remove all 'Africana'
from my home.
Long short.
It all had to go into storage.
Even though we used a 'mate's' place to store the stuff, (twelve months) that was another £1,200 I had not budgeted for.
Jon P
Well-Known Member
Mine can go to mother in law’s spare room thankfully- I was expecting some comments from estate agents yesterday-
Agent 1 - male who was born in SA - could name all the animals - loved the taxidermy
Agent 2 - female from local area- used to help her friend’s father as a kid doing taxidermy
So no issues with them, however, both recommend removing whilst having home viewings-
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
My wife took that wee trick, one step further.
I was (I kid you not), ordered from my own home before any viewing, in order that I did not 'put off', potential buyers...
True story.
Sometimes......and it pains me to say this...... I think @Stalker1962 should seriously consider writing a book/pamphlet on My Saga's in the Dark Continent. Definitely a market there and an ideal way to learn from the ....err.... challenges and .....errr.....mistakes of others.
Now what was the story of the Duiker again?
Now what was the story of the Duiker again?
tusker
Well-Known Member
take your own rifle. Me and my mate used lodge rifles and they were sh1te. Awful bloody things. Half the fun is using your own rifle.Don't take your own rifle.
I do.
I hate it.
Every time.
Ruins the journey.
Almost ruins the trip.
Don't take your own rifle...
tusker
tusker
Well-Known Member
I can also recommend Namibia . Taking your own firearms to Namibia is a doddle, the people are so friendly and lots of unfenced places. .
Tusker
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
@tusker
Point of fact.
I have always (excepting when half-gunning) taken my own rifle.
I hate it more than I can articulate.
Last trip to Mozambique (half-gunning), my mate's rifle never made it through their Customs.
Consequently we were obliged to use the Camp guns.
The 300WM had the wrong bolt and was consequently 54'd.
This left the Camp's 7mm and the .416. They were not shiny and had clearly been 'well used', but we got through the trip OK.
If money was no object (it is always the object), I would have 'my' guns live at the Camps I would visit.
That way you can travel without the drama, and when you get there, your Gun is waiting for you.
I think that is how the rich folk do it.
I know of a very smart Shoot in the UK, with a very impressive Gun Room. It is full of very smart Shotguns, from very wealthy people from around the globe.
How the other half live...
I had my first 'safari' experience in the Eastern Cape in South Africa last December. Had the most incredible time shooting plains game but all cull/management animals and at a fraction of the cost of trophies! I've got a few bits and pieces coming back from SA and I'm dreading the final bill... But my advice would be to seriously consider cull animals.
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