First trip to Africa, pointers?

[PeteL1]

All the info you'll ever need, and then some, for African Safaris, go to:

Shakari Connection | The insider guide to African hunting safaris

Shakari Connection - Avoid costly mistakes - find out all you need to know before you go on an African hunting safari

www.shakariconnection.com

Enjoy your trip
Peter

 

[Bushwack]

 

[Bushwack]

For RSA contact PHASA, all their outfitters are good and reputable. Game ranches in RSA are HUGE.
I recommend looking at www.pongolamereserve.co.za
I have no affiliation with them, but when I visited it was great.

funny...'...all their outfitters are good and reputable...'

 

[dobber]

Is there an outfitter folk swear by on here?

I have been 3 times, my first trip was with an outfitter that had little property, but had access to other properties. One such property was where I shot my Kudu, amazing place, 25,000 acres of fenced in area (and literally all of SA is fenced in)
I have been back to this spot twice since, and still see new bits of property.
Its not a high end resort, the home was built in the 1800's, but the owner Warren is a top notch guy who as I noted in an earlier post, I still talk to frequently
Typical hunt day we would walk and stalk 12km a day
People are always surprised at the cost of a plains game hunt, my last trip was 8 days, brought the wife, shot a bunch of critters and did some site seeing, and everything in, including flights was under $8k US
Don't be afraid to ask the outfitter for a package deal, or you can pick off the "menu" but as I noted it is a target rich environment

 

[zambezi]

ask the outfitter for a package deal, or you can pick off the "menu"

Why I always broker a package rather than shoot from a menu is so that minimum expectation is on the table for both hunter and PH to navigate.

Hunting is hunting. Some things you put on your package may not present in the time you are there. But...

...the hunter has some leverage if time is running out and the card is only half-filled. In my experience, if the PH has not delivered on the pre-agreed tableau, they will often add alternate species to ensure that missing beasties are more than adequately substituted.

 

[dobber]

And this is another reason to go

 

[Stalker62]

One of my favourite places.

 

[tusker]

Do not take any equipment, rifles, sights or any kit that you have not used on a regular basis stalking in this country. Only take kit that you know inside out.
Basicaly what ever you would take to Scotland Stag stalking will be ok for Africa. I took a group of chaps to Namibia and my heart sank when one guy announced
"I have my new 375 H&H with its new Scope" It got worse when he then procceded to take the scope out of its box and asked if anyone had an allan key.
You also dont need massive calibres 30-06 class cartridge will be fine.
Tusker

 

[Stalker62]

You also dont need massive calibres 30-06 class cartridge will be fine.

DG?

 

[stevec]

You also dont need massive calibres 30-06 class cartridge will be fine.

I agree to some extent, although I had an email from the PH last week to say that my 30-06 will limit me and he strongly advised I buy something bigger and start practicing now.

 

[tusker]

DG?

OP suggested plains game.
Tusker

 

[tusker]

I agree to some extent, although I had an email from the PH last week to say that my 30-06 will limit me and he strongly advised I buy something bigger and start practicing now.

What are you hunting, I have taken plains game up to and including Eland with 30-06 without any problems ( 5trips and counting) I have also used 270 and 243 without any problems. The 243 took Warthog , Baboon and 1 oryx.
Tusker

 

[Dunwaters]

DG?

Why not? .270.

 

[Hunter300]

I agree to some extent, although I had an email from the PH last week to say that my 30-06 will limit me and he strongly advised I buy something bigger and start practicing now.

It’s the AGE OLD question…… what caliber
I am a former SA PH, been hunting since I was 4 years old.,..
Any outfitters that are more interested in a larger size caliber rather than asking about your personal shooting/ hunting experience isn’t worth his salt!!!!!!
SA doesn’t have a “minimum” legal caliber like the UK. My MOST favorite caliber till TODAY is my Sako L461 in .222 It’s ALL ABOUT SHOT PLACEMENT. I shot more Oryx than I could count with that!
Having said this I am no trophy hunter myself, I head shot for the pot

 

[Tazz]

As per other posts, I did my first trip to SA which was good but not epic but gave me an insight in to what i do want. In simple terms following 5 trips to SA and 2 to Namibia

1 Fair walk and stalk, like it or not a lot of the SA market is geared up to either shoot from trucks or very close by. Ensure you are going with a fair walk and stalk outfit
2 Size of reserves and do they own them. Go with a lodge that has minimum 20K acres with all the animals you want to hunt, not a small zoo
3 Be clear do you want to shoot trophies or cull, it’s the same effort and the same shot but cull is much cheaper
4 Are you taking your own rifle, Namibia is easier than SA but SA is still doable. Standard of “Estate” rifles varies massively from Blazers to shot put cheap sh*t
5 Standard of food and lodges, more important if you are taking your partner, massive spread in terms cost/standard

Dont get obsessed with fences, in all of SA and 90% of Namibia the guys with game have a fence round it but is that 3K acres or 20K acres. Plan your first one well and enjoy it. Other opinions will follow

 

[cjm1066]

Agents can speed up your passage through customs with a rifle.

If you don't use one you will be surrounded by helpful baggage handlers all offering a service. Keep a straight face and tell them that the CCTV is watching and it is illegal to offer bribes, that usually clears the decks.

 

[Selous]

I agree to some extent, although I had an email from the PH last week to say that my 30-06 will limit me and he strongly advised I buy something bigger and start practicing now.

What was he meaning? .300, .338 or .375?
I took a .375 and would and did happily shoot anything with it.
To the OP … If you are looking for a recommendation then I can thoroughly recommend Chris Troskie at CT Safaris in Limpopo . Great service, great company and great hunting. We were thoroughly looked after from the moment we met Chris (the PH) outside the SAPS office at OR Tambo to the moment we left his and his wife’s company back at the airport for the flight home. He only takes one party at a time so no risk of bad company around the firepit in the evening. Leading up to the trip I was a bit concerned about the fences, but once I was there I could see that the fences played little if any part in the hunt. All the animals could disappear at the blink of an eye in the 5000 acre enclosure so it was definitely fair chase. Getting into RSA was easy but you need the paperwork all in order. We paid for the meet and greet at the airport which made things very straightforward and it was worth a hundred quid to take the stress out of it as we hadn’t done it before.

 

[Jakebarr22]

Have a look at aloe africa hunting, or message me for yogis or Chris details, we hunted 2022 with them, fantastic areas to hunt all over Africa, amazing animals and treated like kings, real tough hunting in the bush, they would rather send you home empty handed than shoot an animal for the sake of it. Can’t recommend them enough, we fly back in 3 weeks. Very addictive out there

 

[Stalker62]

... they would rather send you home empty handed than shoot an animal for the sake of it.

What every hunter should be looking for.

 

[scotch_egg]

Have a look at aloe africa hunting, or message me for yogis or Chris details, we hunted 2022 with them, fantastic areas to hunt all over Africa, amazing animals and treated like kings, real tough hunting in the bush, they would rather send you home empty handed than shoot an animal for the sake of it. Can’t recommend them enough, we fly back in 3 weeks. Very addictive out thereView attachment 304138

I have seen you post that photo before. Looks like you had a great trip.

Only just noticed the meerkat in the foreground