Tented or permanent cap what is your preferance

31 October 2006, 07:50

Well it's finaly going to happen I'm headed to Africa with my best friend in May of 2007. He is required to go as it's his fault for starting me on this addiction. Looks like we will be hunting in the area of Elisras. He has been over 4 times previously and has said it is up to me if we do a permanent camp of a tented camp. What is everyones preferences and do you have any pics of the camps you stayed in?

31 October 2006, 08:52

Russ Gould

Good move Rhys.

In that area almost every hunting property has a permanent lodge. It's pretty civilized. However, I suppose they could conjure up a tented camp for you guys if you wanted it.

My personal preference is a tented camp, provided there is a hot shower and provided further that the tents are of such a construction or so situated that they don't get too hot in the daytime...it's nice to take a nap after lunch. But my preference stems mostly from the fact that such tented camps are in remote areas. Seems a little silly to stay in a tent when there is a very nice lodge just over the hill.

05 November 2006, 04:19

Charles_Helm

I have only been once but vote tented camp if there is a choice. I hunted Namibia with Classic Safaris. A few camp pictures:

[Click pictures to enlarge.]

05 November 2006, 04:28

ozhunter

I realy like tented fly camps, and this can often be done for a few nights out from the main camp.
IMO camping out is a great part of a Safari experiance.
ozhunter

05 November 2006, 09:20

NitroX

In South Africa I would go for the permanent camp. A tented camp in a true wilderness area might be nice elsewhere.

05 November 2006, 17:43

Die Ou Jagter

Phil Bronkorst has a permanent tented camp around Elisras. The tents are on a concrete floor and have attached bath. I spent a few days there in 2001. Saw some nice Kudu. It is a nice combo. He also has a nice area in the open where they have dinner and the food is cooked over coals.

Charlie, did you try to move one of those tables?

05 November 2006, 18:05

Charles_Helm

quote:
Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
Charlie, did you try to move one of those tables?

Not me...

06 November 2006, 03:00

AfricanHunter

I prefer the old tented camps, but everyplace I have hunted in Africa since '78, has had the permanent camp in one fashion or another. Don't like, but you have to adapt to what is available in the area you hunt. Wife like the current situation better, again you have to adapt or give it up.

06 November 2006, 05:42

kudude

In my experience there are three basic kinds of camps: Hunting lodges, tented semi-permanent camps and rustic non-tented semi permanent camps. Some countries do not permit permanent camps in concession areas; therefore, tented or rustic camps are built in the areas. These generally have "semi-permanent" foundations and a struck each year at the end of the season. Some officials permit the camps to stay up as long as they are not permanent saving the labor and wear and tear on equipment of setting up and striking it. In my experience, the modern "Israeli" type tents with double and triple canopies are more comfortable than rustic, thatch-roofed camps which are generally "breezier." Most any camp that isn't self catered will have hot showers and flush toilets unless it is a true fly camp. Kudude

06 November 2006, 07:16

jetdrvr

I've stayed in all three types in Kenya, Tanzania, and RSA.

Most operators near Ellisras have permenent facilities. Stayed at Warthog Safaris last year and loved it. Permanent cottages, great thatch, with luxury showers and a big cabinent for your hanging and folded stuff.

I just stayed in a permenent tented camp in the Selous, with ensuite facilities that worked all the time. Liked that, too.

Double fly tents are hot during the dry season and damp in the wet. I worked out of one of those in Kenya. The flies would lurk you to the shower and back. My tent was located under a big tree, but it was hot as hell during the afternoons.

I prefer a cool thatch over my head.

06 November 2006, 17:34

Aspen Hill Adventures

Other than the sleeping quarters having a real bed and a hot shower I could care less. I don't spend much time in camp as it is. One is up early to hunt and back late from hunting.

Get a shower and a meal, sit in the lapa around the fire and drink and tell stories then hit the hay.

So it is normally dark most of the time I am in camp. What it is constructed of or what it looks like is of little importance!

06 November 2006, 23:30

Use Enough Gun

I have stayed in both. I prefer the permanent lodges and all that comes with them.

07 November 2006, 18:19

Die Ou Jagter

UEG, thats not very manly!

07 November 2006, 20:13

Mickey1

quote:
Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
UEG, thats not very manly!

It depends on what he wants. In RSA you can get pretty much any accoutrement you ask for.

07 November 2006, 22:22

Use Enough Gun

Yes, I know, but the older I get. . . .and besides, the wife likes the added luxury!

07 November 2006, 22:39

Die Ou Jagter

I travel alone (wife at home) and I like luxury, after my first trip to Africa I decided I really didn't need to be stinky, cold and poorly fed to have a good hunt.

07 November 2006, 23:29

ErikD

quote:
Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
I travel alone (wife at home) and I like luxury, after my first trip to Africa I decided I really didn't need to be stinky, cold and poorly fed to have a good hunt.

A tented camp doesn't have to mean that you'll be stinky, cold and poorly fed!!!

In fact, I'd say that some of the tented camps I've stayed in have been of a higher standard than many of the permanent lodges I've seen or stayed at.

But then you can find the opposite too. It all comes down to what you want, and checking things out thuroughly beforehand.

07 November 2006, 23:54

Charles_Helm

Blankets and hot water -- what's your complaint?

08 November 2006, 00:18

Die Ou Jagter

OK, lets get things right. I was refering to camps in the western US and Canada as to cold etc.. In Africa I have hunted from ranches in RSA, Namabia and Zim.. Yes I have had lodge/farm house that were excellent and also some were not up to par. MY tent camp with Vaughan Fulton in the consession was OK, even Vaughan was not completely pleased. My tented camp in the Omay left a bit to be desired but all in all Africian camps make all the NA camps comme up a bit short. Maybe I am a bit pickey but last year in the Omay there was never a fire to sit by and BS even after it was mentioned to the PH more than once, to me that is a good part of the Africian experience. Yes it is nice for the house boy to bring hot water in morning for your wash up and a cup of your choice to start the day.

08 November 2006, 00:53

Charles_Helm

quote:
Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
OK, lets get things right. I was refering to camps in the western US and Canada as to cold etc.. In Africa I have hunted from ranches in RSA, Namabia and Zim.. Yes I have had lodge/farm house that were excellent and also some were not up to par. MY tent camp with Vaughan Fulton in the consession was OK, even Vaughan was not completely pleased. My tented camp in the Omay left a bit to be desired but all in all Africian camps make all the NA camps comme up a bit short. Maybe I am a bit pickey but last year in the Omay there was never a fire to sit by and BS even after it was mentioned to the PH more than once, to me that is a good part of the Africian experience. Yes it is nice for the house boy to bring hot water in morning for your wash up and a cup of your choice to start the day.

I was just funnin' ya! I do think it is a shame you could not get a decent campfire -- that makes no sense at all, and I know Vaughan has worked to upgrade his camps.

I like the idea and the feel of a tented camp, but of course I want hot water and some comforts as well, so maybe I am a bit of a hypocrite. A fly camp would be less comfortable but I would have to try it before I could give an opinion.

08 November 2006, 01:54

Shumba

My wife and I stayed in a tented camp in the South Luangua National Park, Zambia. It was extremely nice and had flushing toilets and hot showers.

The outfitter said that he was required to tear it down after the end of each season and then rebuild during the start of the next season. Seemed like a waste to me, but they sure figured out how to make it nice even though it was temporary

Tena Tena camp, Zambia

Tim