My father and I have been to Africa once on a plains game safari in RSA. After taking a Argentia Red Stag trip last month, we are now looking to make a trip back to Africa in 07. Our first plan has us hunting plains game again possibly in Namibia; however, we took many of the species available in Namibia on the first hunt.
So now I am trying to figure out if there is any way we can financially swing a DG hunt instead. I am a little nervous about Zimbabwe's current state of affairs since I am looking at July 07 and am not sure what Zimbabwe will be like at that time. SO I have looked at Tanzania and Zambia a bit, but the prices are pretty steep.

Leopard would be my first choice and Buffalo would the choice for my father and one other hunter. I might take a buffalo if leopard prices make them unattainable. Where and for what kind of price can a person get these animals with a good chance for success?

Thanks for any information you could provide.

Here are some Zim operators' websites with prices.

Charlton

Mokore

Chifuti

Regards,

Terry

I would point you toward Keith Atcheson of Jack Atcheson and Sons. He is a booking agent. He is very knowledgeable and a great help. He can hold all of your deposit money here in the States for an '07 Zim trip so your money is not at risk if things go to hell there.I have used Keith and am using him for one of two safaris this year.

I wouldn't hesitate to hunt in Zim. Harare isn't bad and once your out of town there just isn't a issue. I have hunted buffalo and other game, including leopard with Roger Whittall Safaris and highly recomend them. Makore Safaris would be another outfitter to look into along with Jumbo Moore and Buzz Charlton.

JPK

Do you really think Zimbabwe will be safe and available for hunting in 07? They sound like they are on the verge of civil war. I have talked with Bob Kern about hunting with Russ Broom Safaris. The price certainly looks good and I believe both Kern and Broom have excellent reputations, but Zimbabwe's current situation scares the hell out of me. We are certainly not wealthy (I am an educator, nuff said?) and the idea of loosing $10,000 and ending up empty handed or getting home and finding out I have no trophies coming would be devastating. Would you book a safari for July 07 in Zimbabwe?

huntinbuddy!
Not for July but I have already booked for March. I don't know about Bob Kern but Atcheson's will hold all your money here in the US and if your outfitter can't safely take you it will all be returned to you.

465H&H

My husband and I are also booked for March 2007. Buffalo for me and Trophy Bull Elephant for my husband. I have been to Zimbabwe in 1994,1996,2000,2003 and 2005. I can say that I have never felt threatened in Zimbabwe and actually find the Chicago area more of a threat to personal safety than Zimbabwe.

I'm booked with Charlton McCallum for August '07 and the money is being held stateside until the hunt.

I was in Zimbabwe in July 05 and will be there in August 07. There are very few places in Africa were one could quarantee everything will be the same 15 months from now.

If it worries you about Zim, then you wouldn't have gone since 2000, when the farm invasions started.

We have hunted Zim in 2003 and 2005. We are headed back to Zim in less than a month.

No "absolutes" in life. Take a chance, experience life or stay home.

Regards,

Terry

huntinbuddy

Nothing wrong with you being concerned about Zim, just take the proper steps. Use a reputable agent that will hold your money in the US. I used Bev Wunderlich with JB Safaris and was very pleased. She put me with Barrie Duckworth's Mokore operation which own their land in the Save and can give you an on the ground report before you send your money and get on the plane. Zim is a fantastic place to hunt with good prices. Hunting will continue, don't let the political problems bother you.