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For those who watch these sort of things, the US Dollar just hit a six year high against the Rand 1:11.3629 (10:00am EST) and still climbing... XE Converter  ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | ||
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Get ready for more. You see those job numbers today? All while the ECB is thinking about QE? Dollar is clearly gonna outperform most currencies this year. Might see the Euro at 1.10 and a Rand at 13 if us consumers have a bit of luck in the next six months. There was a fun joke in the finance press yesterday. What do Putin, The Ruble, and Oil have in common? They are all gonna be 63 this year.  | |||
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Last time I was in Africa it was perhaps 7.5 rand to the dollar. Should we expect to see safari costs come down any at all? I realize that their overhead continues to rise. This seems to be a significant change in currency values. Bruce | |||
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The rise in the exchange rate does trickle down to the outfitter IF the exchange rate is due to a devaluation of the Rand. In this case, it is really a strengthening dollar. There is no question that costs are rising in RSA, but they certainly are not doubling. So there is little reason for the cost of 2015 hunts to rise. However, that hasn't stopped the industry in the past from increasing trophy fees and day rates to reflect the rise in the dollar. It's all about $$$ and your willingness to pay the increase. From a landowner's perspective, my animals really do not picket for higher trophy fees - they're dead regardless what the dollar does and their next of kin really can't spend the money anyway. For the put-and-take farms, many have already committed to next year's inventory so prices shouldn't change very much. So if you do see a spike in fees, it's profit taking and little more - regardless of how much your PH likes you.  ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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I just got the best airfare during the last thirteen years of going to Africa. Los Angeles to London to Joburg to Port Elizabeth and back came to a total of $ 1643 (economy of course). This is with British Airways. I believe the stronger dollar and lower fuel prices are helping. The trophy fees at Karoo Wild Safaris are also quite reasonable. I am going in May before the peak season and I booked through Travel With Guns. STAY IN THE FIGHT! | |||
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This subject has come up over and over and the truth is that currency exchange rates are a two-edged sword. African hunting operators have to think largely in terms of hard currency (U$D, Euro, British Lb., etc) since much of what their overhead is imported (autos, fuel, tires, and some other manufactured goods.) The prices of such imported goods don't follow the Rand, but rather the hard currencies. As a result, they have to charge just as many Dollars (and more Rand) to replace the "hard" goods they use. To the extent that fewer dollars buy them more of something, it is in domestically produced things like food, labor, and housing. So in terms of Dollars, costs for those inputs are less. Perhaps the most meaningful cost impact is when one major input, fuel, is going down in terms of Dollars. But fuel prices can turn on a dime, so it is not practical for operators to anticipate big savings there. Bottom line: Don't expect hunting prices to change very much or very fast. | |||
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I have only had three safaris. 2008, 2010, and 2012. Zim, RSA, and RSA. The first RSA trip was about 9.6 rand to the dollar. The second was about 8.3 My PH quotes his rates and fees in US Dollars to help keep a stable cost. It is irritating to see rates go up and down so much when they use rand. It's almost as much fun as going to Canada and watching merchants phone in every transaction Americans make to make sure they get the most US dollars for the product. They tend to be a bit slower when the Canadian dollar rises a penny though. With the African (and world) economy dependent on the US dollar fluctuations and the economy sluggish until a Republican President is elected (we pray) in two years, I think prices are pretty stable the past two years for smart outfitters. Too many Americans are telling them "if prices rise much, I'll just stay home and wait another year to book." I did not like the prices at SCI in January of this year, so I just stayed home. We will see in six weeks if I go or not in 2015. Rich | |||
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Safaris are normally booked well ahead of time, so all this currency fluctuations is not going to do any good for the reduction of prices. Outfitters have to take into account things going the other way too. | |||
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It has been my experience, although not vast, that my safaris were quoted to me in U.S. Dollars. My recent safari last month in South Africa was quoted to me in dollars. The conversion in Rands is done where you buy something, but always a Rand less than what the conversion rate is. In short, I don't think that the stronger dollar will result in more affordable safari rates. | |||
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I think most of you are wrong. The stronger dollar will definitely make it cheaper to hunt RSA and Namibia. It isn't a one to one return in that if the dollar rises 10% then the cost of a safari will drop 10%, but the cost will definitely drop. There are a lot of game ranches and PHs in South Africa and this exchange rate change in our favor will increase the competition between them. Personally I think the game ranch industry in RSA is becoming overly saturated and you will see a crash in prices within five years. Anyway, go as often as you can and as soon as you can since nothing is guaranteed and I think waiting for better prices is a touchy strategy. Guys like me are often wrong. STAY IN THE FIGHT! | |||
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Well, if history is any indication, prices will not drop as the dollar continues to strengthen. Landowners and outfitters are not stupid nor are they philanthropic. As the dollar strengthens against other currencies (not just the Rand) prices will increase as well. For the past 25 years, that has been the trend. But it's funny how prices never fall on a strengthening Rand.  ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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When I was in SA for a couple of days in September the rate was around R11. But the locals including the guy who took me bird shooting worked on R10 / $1. Then the restaurant in the airport - they claimed a rate of R9 / $1!! A 20% rip off and then she wanted a tip on top of that. "When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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If you were paying with foreign currency as opposed to a credit card or Rand, there is a bank fee to exchange plus a pain in the ass assessment for them to take your currency to the bank for exchange. If you want the best exchange rate, always use your credit card. ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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The greatest risk to South African hunting prices is the cost of live game for capture and sale to game breeders. Prices have been climbing madly all the while screaming "bubble!".... but we said that 18 to 24 months ago already.  | |||
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With the proliferation of put and take shooting farms, there will be no end to the demand for game. It is certainly a sellers market for the moment since demand outstripps supply. Not sure there is any end in sight either. ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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I'm referring specifically to breeding for the sake of breeding and not for sale to put and take operations. Most of these animals are never hunted. They are bred and sold to new entrants to this market... which must at some point become saturated one would think. | |||
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People were talking of the breeders market becoming saturated in 2004 already...almost everyone was wrong then already.Get ready for fireworks in 2015. Eardley Rudman | |||
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What are you smoking? | |||
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tendrams - A US credit card (without foreign transaction fees) does offer the best exchange rate for most of southern Africa. In RSA and Namibia the exchange rate at the airport is never the highest. Standard and FNB bank branches do offer a better rate if you need to exchange USD for Rand. ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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I've booked a hunt in March 2015. Because of the strong dollar, my cost has gone up by about 20 percent so far | |||
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Good point! While hunting priced in USD can be projected to stay about the same (due to the "two-edged sword" effect of currency rates), the price to people whose incomes and assets are denominated in other currencies (AUD, SEK, Euro, etc.) is rising. This is because it takes more AUD, SEK, etc. to buy the Dollars, but it takes the same amount of Dollars to hunt. If this causes clients from Europe to book in lesser numbers, then hunting operators will be squeezed by the strong USD. This means that operators may market harder to the U.S., but not necessarily that they can or will cut prices. | |||
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Agreed! | |||
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You sure have to wonder how those Clean buffalo and Sable prices can continue! Man o man! . | |||
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My bad.....changed the post....too much whisky on holiday to make sense....just to say that game breeding in S.A. is in for a BIG surprise.... Any case....this is going to be interesting...government against money..... Charl van Rooyen Owner Infinito Travel Group www.infinito-safaris.com charl@infinito-safaris.com Cell: +27 78 444 7661 Tel: +27 13 262 4077 Fax:+27 13 262 3845 Hereford Street 28A Groblersdal 0470 Limpopo R.S.A. "For the Infinite adventure" Plains Game Dangerous Game Bucket List Specialists Wing-Shooting In House Taxidermy Studio In House Dip and Pack Facility In House Shipping Service Non-Hunting Tours and Safaris Flight bookings "I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?" South Africa Tanzania Uganda | |||
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As much as I hate this it is sadly true. Charl van Rooyen Owner Infinito Travel Group www.infinito-safaris.com charl@infinito-safaris.com Cell: +27 78 444 7661 Tel: +27 13 262 4077 Fax:+27 13 262 3845 Hereford Street 28A Groblersdal 0470 Limpopo R.S.A. "For the Infinite adventure" Plains Game Dangerous Game Bucket List Specialists Wing-Shooting In House Taxidermy Studio In House Dip and Pack Facility In House Shipping Service Non-Hunting Tours and Safaris Flight bookings "I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?" South Africa Tanzania Uganda | |||
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Charl van Rooyen Owner Infinito Travel Group www.infinito-safaris.com charl@infinito-safaris.com Cell: +27 78 444 7661 Tel: +27 13 262 4077 Fax:+27 13 262 3845 Hereford Street 28A Groblersdal 0470 Limpopo R.S.A. "For the Infinite adventure" Plains Game Dangerous Game Bucket List Specialists Wing-Shooting In House Taxidermy Studio In House Dip and Pack Facility In House Shipping Service Non-Hunting Tours and Safaris Flight bookings "I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?" South Africa Tanzania Uganda | |||
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BS Charl van Rooyen Owner Infinito Travel Group www.infinito-safaris.com charl@infinito-safaris.com Cell: +27 78 444 7661 Tel: +27 13 262 4077 Fax:+27 13 262 3845 Hereford Street 28A Groblersdal 0470 Limpopo R.S.A. "For the Infinite adventure" Plains Game Dangerous Game Bucket List Specialists Wing-Shooting In House Taxidermy Studio In House Dip and Pack Facility In House Shipping Service Non-Hunting Tours and Safaris Flight bookings "I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?" South Africa Tanzania Uganda | |||
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Guys we are of the original topic but my view on the game industry is the price for buffalo and sable will not crash at least it will not go below hunting value witch still makes it a very good and lucrative business and much better than farming with sheep or cattle. Charl seems like you had fun hunting wild boar! Please explain what you are referring to when you say the industry is in for A big surprise? Hell I hope not since I am heavily invested in both sable and buff! Phillip du Plessis www.intrepidsafaris.com info@intrepidsafaris.co.za +27 83 633 5197 US cell 817 793 5168 | |||
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Oh so you are dropping your prices by 20% for 2015 since the US dollar has strengthened against the Rand from 2014? Or are you going by the ole tried and true excuse that your operational costs have increased 20% from last year so you just can't cut a single dime from your prices? Riiiight.  There was a reason why the industry stopped quoting in Rand 30+ years ago - everyone wanted to take advantage of a strengthening dollar against the Rand. But hey I don't blame you - it's a business and if you can squeeze more $$$ out of your clients, then you screw them to the wall as hard as you can until they start squealing. ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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Now up with 28%  | |||
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If you booked a hunt denominated in US Dollars, then you should have hedged by buying an equivalent amount of US Dollars. That way the price of your hunt would have remained the same. With oil now below $50 US the future of the Norwegian krone is looking pretty sad. That, along with a general devaluation of most European currencies, is going to make African hunting (when denominated in USD) somewhat more expensive and may discourage some Europeans from making hunts they otherwise might. Namibia has always depended mostly on European hunters, so it might get hit the hardest. | |||
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I don't understand this? Your dollar should go a lot further against the weakening rand. We are spending our dollars in RSA because it is a bargain at the moment. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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Right, costs for US hunters in Africa should be dropping due to a strong dollar and weak Rand. Last time I checked, RSA and Namibia use the Rand/Namibian Dollar as their common currency. The dollar has increased over 20% in purchasing power in the past 12 months. Basic costs in both RSA and Namibia have not increased 20% in the past year. Therefore logic would dictate that costs for US hunters would be 20% lower for 2015 than 2014. Actually I was having a little fun because for years outfitters and PHs used the excuse that their costs were rising therefore hunting costs had to rise as well. Funny thing is however, costs never seem to decline with a strong dollar. But that's not the nature of the beast - it's business, and you charge what you can get away with. I just always found it humorous that outfitters were embarrassed enough to make excuses. And that hasn't changed in 30 years. When guys go to DSC/SCI maybe they can ask for a 20% discount... ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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I have spent 20 years working around the world in many roles. I have been paid in USD the entire time. Whenever the home country currency is devalued, prices go up to offset. They only time I have seen someone (non professional traveler or citizen of country X) get a "deal" was a Canadian friend who lived in Calgary buying a truck in the US when the Canadian dollar hit 1 to $1.10 USD. He was paid in Canadian dollars and saved 10% or so on his US truck. Unless you are a skilled currency trader or get paid in Rand or Euro's, bought dollars when the dollar was weak, sat on those dollars for three years - you may come out ahead on this. In other words, we the hunters will get zero benefit or price cheapening by the strong dollar. The world runs on dollars and euros. Prices for everything fluctuate on the exchange rates. Pay in dollars and your hunting outfits love you. | |||
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