The Accurate Reloading Forums
what scares you the most about africa
22 October 2010, 23:06
ivan carterwhat scares you the most about africa
people , <BR>i constantly hear all the reasons why people "would never go there" and even from people who do "that always happens - in some cases thats the truth , in other cases its a matter of who you took advice from or who was handling your stuff - a great example is dip and pack in zimbabwe , for some folks its a no brainer and everything comes out in just two or three months , for others it takes well over a year -<BR><BR>lets see what the top complaints are <img src="https://forums.accuratereloading.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smiler" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::)-->what aspect of a safari is the biggest negative when dealing with africalosing my guns in transitlong flightafrican border entry pointspoor trophy preparationslow dip and pack processhidden costs - hard to determine final amountdont really know who to book withworry about if the area really is good or notworry that my wife will know what this cost (smile)
22 October 2010, 23:20
MuletrainLost or pilfered luggage including gun cases.
Elephant Hunter,
Double Rifle Shooter Society,
NRA Lifetime Member,
Ten Safaris, in RSA, Namibia, Zimbabwe
22 October 2010, 23:35
safari-lawyerI voted for long flight.
The fact is that you can be three or four days into the trip before you even get to the safari camp. Add another two or three days to get home, and you have a whole work week tied up. For guys who have trouble getting away from work, the travel time is a huge deal.
Will J. Parks, III
22 October 2010, 23:41
JTEXNone of the above.
My biggest fear is having the African outfitter promise you the moon and when you get there you get nothing at all what you paid for or where promised.
So far on my two trips I am 50%........
.
22 October 2010, 23:44
Frostbitquote:
Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
I voted for long flight.
The fact is that you can be three or four days into the trip before you even get to the safari camp. Add another two or three days to get home, and you have a whole work week tied up. For guys who have trouble getting away from work, the travel time is a huge deal.
Exactly why I picked the long flight button as well. I'm compensated on production. If I don't work I don't get paid. In essence an African Safari costs me the equivalent of a weeks wages (for travel) tacked onto the cost of the hunt.
22 October 2010, 23:51
SGraves155None of the above. My biggest fear is having problems with local Gov't officials. They can ruin your hunt easily.
I have had problems with Know-Nothings-with -badges delaying approval of weapons on-arrival, and with "district commisioners" arriving with armed escorts to inspect camp. These are not problems associated with camps that do a large business.
22 October 2010, 23:53
Willph's
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Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
---------------------------------------
and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor, GOA, NAGR
_________________________
"Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped.
“Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped.
red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com
_________________________
If anything be of note, let it be he was once an elephant hunter, hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go.
22 October 2010, 23:56
MikeBurkeSharing the camp with old cranky clients.
23 October 2010, 00:07
DTalabefore my first trip I'd of said losing guns/clothes but we did that in 05 to the Save and it made no difference on the fun of the hunt, we borrowed clothes/guns/ammo and had a ball.
biggest dislike for me is the time delays and cost of shipping trophies home. Got to be a better way.
troy
Birmingham, Al
23 October 2010, 00:20
Cross LI voted hidden costs but prob that is from my major concern- For me a safari may well be a single trip of a lifetime and you dont want to pennypinch on something that important-but at the same time you do want to GO. The balance between a super trip and never being able to afford it is nerve wracking.
SSR
23 October 2010, 00:39
Woodmnctryquote:
Originally posted by JTEX:
None of the above.
My biggest fear is having the African outfitter promise you the moon and when you get there you get nothing at all what you paid for or where promised.
x100 -------I also could add a few adjectives to this one
OMG!-- my bow is "pull-push feed" - how dreadfully embarrasing!!!!!
The long flight. I am back almost three weeks and still feeling the effects. Maybe I'm just getting old???
DRSS
23 October 2010, 00:59
Die Ou JagterGetting trophies home in a timely manner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
23 October 2010, 00:59
JudgeG"What scares you most about Africa?"
Ivan,
It is the possibility that I might have to see you prancing around barefooted when we go kill and elephant in 2012. That and the rest of the checks I'll have to send you.
JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous.
23 October 2010, 02:04
John FrederickI have been to about 10 different African countries and what scares me in one location may not be such a problem in another, it's such a diverse continent that it is impossible to generalize.
It could be bandits (Niger), driving on the roads, small insects that bite or a myriad of other things.
For example in Burkina Faso, it is a feeling of isolation, should one need urgent specialist medical attention as the facilities and hygiene are poor and it can be a very difficult place to get out of, as the only major airline that flies in and out is Air France and I have been stranded there twice due to strikes. Once by airport staff and the other by the airline itself.
Both times we made the long drive across the border to Ghana, then caught "bamboo airlines" to Accra and got the hell out of there. Inconvenient but not a huge problem provided you are not sick.
23 October 2010, 02:16
LionHunterNothing.
Welcome home for awhile. How's the baby?
Mike
______________
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DRSS (again)
SCI Life
NRA Life
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Mzuri
IPHA
"To be a Marine is enough."
23 October 2010, 02:21
Oday450Local governments and potential for civil unrest. I have had no serious concerns about hunt related issues.
"Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult."
23 October 2010, 02:21
Bryan ChickMan: I hate that flight!
23 October 2010, 02:27
GrumulkinSince I'm 6' 10" tall, the long flight poses extra problems for me. I don't particularly want to fly South African Airways but that's the only way to get a guaranteed bulkhead seat. The long flight I could take easily if it wasn't for the seating hassle.
What this means is that:
1. I'm probably not going to again until I feel like poneying up the extra money for a first class ticket on Delta.
2. I'm probably not going to add to the flight complexities of my trip by going anywhere that requires another connection once I'm in Africa unless said connecting flight is of less than 2 hours duration.
3. I'm not going to Africa for any less than 10 full hunting days.
23 October 2010, 03:14
Tracker49Only been to Africa once, so limited experience with this subject.
My Wife goes on most hunting trips with me (including Africa), so she knew the costs as well as I.
The rifles came through fine (with us), but the baggage with the ammo did not. My bag with the ammo came into camp afterdark on the day we got there and the other bag (clothing only) arrived the next night.
23 October 2010, 03:34
Idaho SharpshooterWhat Oday450 said, plus one!
Rich
23 October 2010, 03:41
ozhunterWhat scares me the most about Africa?
Well, what it does to my bank account.
23 October 2010, 03:47
WillThe obvious conclusion from the poll results is to have the PH lie about the flight time to Joburg.
-------------------------------
Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
---------------------------------------
and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor, GOA, NAGR
_________________________
"Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped.
“Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped.
red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com
_________________________
If anything be of note, let it be he was once an elephant hunter, hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go.
23 October 2010, 04:08
bwanamrmThat the most recent trip might also be my last.... damn I experienced an uncontrollable shiver just thinking that particularly vile thought!
On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling
Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.
23 October 2010, 04:18
mrfuddI'm scared that I can't afford to go back in the near future! My wife wants to go back ASAP too, but our first son just turned 3 months old and the fun budget is reduced.
23 October 2010, 04:25
AnotherAZWriterAny time I am on a charter plane is a time to be scared.
In my 20s I was supposed to fly with a guy to hunt out of King Salmon; he crashed his plane and died the week before my hunt.
23 October 2010, 04:30
dykerThat I might bump into Will over there!
23 October 2010, 04:47
Willquote:
Originally posted by dyker:
That I might bump into Will over there!
Get in line!!
-------------------------------
Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
---------------------------------------
and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor, GOA, NAGR
_________________________
"Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped.
“Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped.
red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com
_________________________
If anything be of note, let it be he was once an elephant hunter, hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go.
23 October 2010, 04:47
Joe-Sbooking a hunt in an area that has little or no spices of the animals you are hunting.
23 October 2010, 05:01
twoseventyNothing-its all fun. Any percieved negatives are adventures to be overcome-even the long flight. Adventure is what it's all about. If I wanted predictable, I would go to Disneyland or work. Neither is fun.
Tom
...I say that hunters go into Paradise when they die, and live in this world more joyfully than any other men.
-Edward, duke of York
". . . when a man has shot an elephant his life is full." ~John Alfred Jordan
"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." Cicero - 55 BC
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand
Cogito ergo venor- KPete
“It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages.”
― Adam Smith - “Wealth of Nations”
23 October 2010, 05:09
butchlocgetting thrown into a zimbabwe jail just after beating the chit out of uncle bos.
23 October 2010, 05:37
Aspen Hill AdventuresSissy's!
~Ann
23 October 2010, 07:02
CanuckThe only thing that prevents me from planning more trips to Africa is the cost. All the things you listed as potential detterents add spice to the experience in my opinion. 14 hours on a plane in cattle class sucks, but I'd do it anytime to get back there within my budget.
Based on my experience with my friends, however, you have missed a couple factors that do deter people from ever going to Africa. Most often, when I hear people say something like "your hunt sounds like it was awesome and I'd love to do the same, but I never will because"...its usually followed by the fact they are scared off by hyper-venomous snakes and insects, or contracting some exotic tropical disease (malaria, sleeping sickness, etc).
23 October 2010, 07:12
ted thornHaving never gone on a hunt away from the USA...I fear it all. Plus a couple you didn't list.
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23 October 2010, 08:00
Mike SmithNo reason I would never go there at least on a country by country basis. The only damn thing about Africa that scares me is how much money I am going to leave there. Of course then I have some splainin to do do at home.
Happiness is a warm gun
23 October 2010, 08:14
Use Enough GunLosing my guns in transit, hidden costs, PH's that make representations/promises that do not pan out, theft. . . . .
23 October 2010, 08:44
twoseventyquote:
Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Losing my guns in transit, hidden costs, PH's that make representations/promises that do not pan out, theft. . . . .
All valid concerns-each of the above has happened to me(except theft)-but it is still worth it!
Tom
...I say that hunters go into Paradise when they die, and live in this world more joyfully than any other men.
-Edward, duke of York
". . . when a man has shot an elephant his life is full." ~John Alfred Jordan
"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." Cicero - 55 BC
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand
Cogito ergo venor- KPete
“It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages.”
― Adam Smith - “Wealth of Nations”
23 October 2010, 08:47
surestrikeLong flights I can handle. The cost is a detriment for sure. Losing gear is part of the deal. Local bugs snakes and other flora and fauna of the deadliest kind is all part of the fun. But the one thing I can't stomach is lying, unethical booking agents/outfitters/safari companies.
I've only had it happen once but it's definitley left a sour taste.
23 October 2010, 09:33
jetdrvrSomalis or Afars with AK's, traffic in Nairobi, malaria, particularly cerebral malaria, dengue, and last but not least, the general lack of decent medical care anywhere north of Pretoria.
23 October 2010, 09:35
odieI chose border point entry because it was closest to my real problem.
Too many "locals" with AK's and too many locals with their hands out.
On my second trip to Zimbabwe I went through way too many police checkpoints for my liking. It didn't help that the lead PH was antagonistic towards them at every stop.
At the airport in JoBerg on the same trip I was told to prove my camera was an actual working camera so I pointed it at the ceilng and fired it off. A cleaning crew was strolling by when I did it and one of them insisted I owed him for his picture. Funny man.