I've hunted most of North America, and feel it's time to scratch Africa off of the bucket list. I'm planning on a trip in 2017. Any advice on where to go, outfitters, etc. would be appreciated. I'd like to do most of the hunting by walk/stalk. Unfortunately buffalo is outside of the budget, so plains game is the priority. I'd love to target zebra, wildebeest and warthog. Unfenced would be ideal, but I'd consider a high fence if the area was large and the experience authentic. Accommodation type is open. Anything from lodge to tent is acceptable. I'd also like to bring a non hunting observer along. Suggestions?

Go to DSC convention next January; there will be dozens of outfitters to talk to.

Having hunted Africa many times, if I were to roll the clock back knowing what I know now, my first hunt to Africa would have been a plains game hunt to Namibia. Why? It is a relatively safe country in Africa and easy to cut your teeth on. There are still large areas that are unfenced or low fenced offering a safari that gives you the satisfaction of hunting free range, fair chase. There are a number of absolutely top notch outfitters in Namibia that can deliver a quality experience, including folks like Jofie Lamprecht, Dirk de Bod, Hunters Namibia Safaris, to name a few. With the benefit of hindsight, that is what I would have done. Good luck, the planning is a big part of the fun.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll look into the outfitters mentioned above. Unfortunately, the DSC convention is out of the question due to other obligations.

I would think very carefully about what you want / need out of the experience.

I convinced myself I could go to a large area that had tons of game but none of the big 5. As the airplane was taxing down the runway, I knew that I would have to come back.
Plain and simple my vision of Africa requires hunting among lions, elephant and other dangerous game.
I doubt ill hunt an area without them again.

Go

Take a long hard look at the Bubye Valley Conservancy. You will be hunting among the BIG five, see and hear lions daily, have a good chance to see black rhino. Plains game is abundant, it truly is The Garden of Eden. High fenced but with 900,000 acres and no internal fencing.

Namibia would get my vote, specifically Kowas Adventure Safaris. Great hunting, even better folks. No sliding trophy fee BS to deal with.

quote:

Originally posted by Thunder Head:
I would think very carefully about what you want / need out of the experience.

I convinced myself I could go to a large area that had tons of game but none of the big 5. As the airplane was taxing down the runway, I knew that I would have to come back.
Plain and simple my vision of Africa requires hunting among lions, elephant and other dangerous game.
I doubt ill hunt an area without them again.

This is something that I have thought about. I've actually considered a cow buffalo hunt as it is much more affordable than a trophy bull hunt. Cape Buffalo has been my dream hunt since my teen years. (Some time ago!)

I would look hard at the Save. Mokore Safari's (Barrie Duckworth & Sons)wonderful place, best of people, great camp. Big 5 present. You wont go wrong.

My first 2 hunts were for PG in Namibia with Hunters Namibia, my 3rd safari was in the Save with Zambezi Hunters.
I do not feel that I missed out on anything because of the lack of certain DG animals on my first 2 safaris.
I WAS IN AFRICA & ALL WAS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD!!!!

I've been twice. First time to Namibia for ten animals, and the second time to South Africa for nine animals. Both where for plains game. For me, I first decided what animals I wanted. Kudu and Gemsbok where to the top two on my list, so I chose Namibia because that's where you will see a lot of good ones. Next trip I really wanted a Nyala and Vaal Rhebok. The other animals I could have gotten just about anywhere, but having those priorities is what led to those places. Finding an outfitter is as easy as just going with who others recomend, or going to the Hunting Shows and talking to them, or doing a bunch of research and subscribing to publications like The Hunting Report. Once you get to looking around, you'll find that the daily fees vary a lot from outfitter to outfitter. You can easily pay twice as much per day to hunt the same animals in one place that caters to your every need compared to a family farm where you stay as a guest, eat with them and hunt on their land. I prefer the family farm type atmosphere and would rather spend my money on trophy fees over eating with real silver and getting a beer from a guy in a white jacket. I don't need to sleep in a tent for the authentic feel, I'm perfectly happy with my own room, my own bed and a nice bathroom. Remember that what you shoot has to come back, and that's another couple grand or more, plus the cost of the taxidermy. In my opinion, you never want to have your mounts done there no matter how cheaper they are. The quality just isn't there. Be sure your taxidermist that you use is familiar with African animals and the process of getting them to him. You need to provide this information to your outfitter when you are done with your hunt.

Look into CVS safaris in South Africa. They have concessions in some of the national parks that permit hunting within them. I hunted with them and had elephant, cheetah and a pride of lions using our waterhole. They usually do a tent camp that is very traditional. I only hunted plains game and had a great time.

Another vote for checking out Mokore safaris in the Save. I hunted plains game with them a couple of years ago on a plains game special that I believe is still offered. It included all animals you have mentioned as well as impala and duiker. I also added an eland and would recommend you consider doing the same. Tracking them is very similar to hunting buffalo, but a lot cheaper!
Their lodging is also top rate and I'm sure who ever you bring along will be impressed. It is a spectacular place.

Bill

1. Move it up a year (2016), if at all possible.
2. If your hunting companion is a lady, look at Namibia (as others have said) or South Africa. Their accommodations are superior.

My first safari was in Nambia. Had a great time and took five trophies. Since then I have hunted Botswana (eight trophies) and Zimbabwe (one great cape buffalo. If (ha, ha)I go back to Africa, it will be to the BVC for nyala and waterbuck with Brent Hein.. However, I am taking a detour to Argentina next year for red stag, blackbuck and water buffalo. Good luck and have fun planning!
John

I would look at Mokore also. I have hunted with them a couple times.

They do tend to run a "dagga boy cull" hunt special for smaller old buffalo that while are non-exportable, are still a buffalo hunt.

If your other game is wildebeest, zebra and warthog, those are available on quota there also.

They have a pretty good web presence and both Gary and Neil post here at times.

Thanks for all of the input! I will take a look at the suggested outfitters.

1. Go
2. Look for a local SCI Chapter fundraiser in your area. They usually offer several African hunts on auction that go very reasonably. Often the outfitters are at the fundraiser. Talk to them and pick the one you like the best. Buy his hunt at the auction and then talk to him again to tailor the donation into exactly what you want.

This is how I took my 1st trip. Bought the trip (10 days daily rate and 3 animal trophy fees included) for $500. Spent about another $2000 on additional trophy fees and had the trip of a lifetime.

I have heard great things about Pierre Von Tonder. His plains game concession in SA are supposed to be superb.

I would highly recommend Sebra Hunting Safaris in Namibia. Here's a picture of my wildebeest from my 2013 hunt with them:



Here's a picture of my zebra from Sebra:



Here's a picture of a Sebra warthog:



If you go to Sebra, you might want to consider adding kudu and gemsbok to your hit list. Here's my kudu from there:



And here's one of several gemsbok I've taken at Sebra:

Look at Omujeve Safaris in Namibia.
Two years ago I hunted Plains Game with them at age 73. This was my first safari and most likely my last. If I get a chance to go back, it will be with them.
I hunted two areas. At the main lodge the area was about 150,000 acres and the same at the south lodge.
It was fenced, but hardly ever saw a fence.
Namibia is a very safe and gun friendly country.

MauserK98

Take a look at http://www.jakkalskuilsafaris.com/.. Best prices I have found in RSA, and i highly recommend them.

The ranch is 53 sq miles, and there are fences but you won't see many of them.. The rule in RSA is that if the property is not fenced, then the game belongs to the state. You must have a fence to lay claim to the critters. All the fences I did see were more to contain his sheep, which complies with the state rules to claim ownership of the game.

the camp is comfortable, the meals are fantastic, and the veldt is beautiful. I woke up to a flock of guinea foul outside my window several mornings, and frequently saw springbok and warthog without ever leaving the camp compound.

I hunted with Kobus in 2012 and am planning to go again next year. It was a great time. And there are several other here that have hunted with Kobus, and at least 6 different people at my gun club that have hunted with him (many are in the pictures on his site)on multiple occasions over the years.

For what it's worth, I highly recommend him.

Here is a link to my 2012 Hunting report: Jaakalskuil Hunt report

Namibia is sparsely populated, rustic outside the cities, has good PH's and very competitive rates. Plan on a gemsbok, blue wildebeest, black wildebeest, zebra, red hartebeest and possibly a warthog. A .30/06 will do but a .375 will be handy if a giraffe shows up.
Many good outfits reviewed here on AR. The best we used was Ozondjahe Safaris. Very businesslike, no surprises and ample game.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bud Meadows:
I would highly recommend Sebra Hunting Safaris in Namibia. Here's a picture of my wildebeest from my 2013 hunt with them:

Great pics! Thanks for sharing. Lots of great info guys. Thank you!