Russ: Very informative post. I too am thinking/planning my first trip to Africa and appreciate all the information from those who have gone before me. By the way, what part of Oregon are you in?
Gary T.

Very educational thread! Thanks for starting it, Marterius.

Out of curiosity, is there anyplace where black and blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, kudu, and oryx hang out? As a stretch, would this "anyplace" also offer Cape buffalo? These are all animals I'd really like, but I'd especially like at least two, maybe three, oryx. Beautiful animal, very majestic.

Russ

Marterius

I would work out a list of animals which I am really interested in, and those that I may be interested in if I see them.

On my first plains game hunt I really wanted a kudu, a zebra and a warthog. I got them all, but they all involved hard hunting. I shot the only good warthog seen. We saw lots of kudu but none were big enough except one that eluded us. We actually changed properties (for another reason) and finally scored. We followed up zebra many times before getting a shot at one. Along the way I also took an impala, a duiker, a wildebeest and by chance a very nice eland. The only animal that elluded us was an exceptional record trophy klipspringer and I muffed that by taking too long with the shot and it disppeared before I pulled the trigger.

BUT as long as the hunting was good I didn't really care if I missed out on any of them - as long as we were getting some. I don't like the 'package' hunt approach where it is like ticking off a shopping list as you have already paid for them.

QUOTAS. The eland was lucky as it was the last on quota. I had not "booked" one. If I had really wanted one I could have missed out. Some places obviously have quotas so make sure of this when booking. It can also change where you will be hunting.

I like you love to hunt impala and warthog. I will probably take more impala (3 so far) and certainly more bushbuck. If you don't expect monster trophies I think you will be able to take more.

Look at some photos - eg the shot placement guide and work out which ones you are interested in. Then stay flexible for opportunities.

Don't stress over it, just have fun.

Thanks everyone for very informative posts! I am glad to see that there are more people out there who think like me.

Rich: I see that Ehtiopia is special... Still, I would love to one day follow the steps of the Swedish author, artist, hunter and naturalist Bj�rn von Rosen and travel and hunt Ethiopia...

Andy: I plan to hunt Limpopo. As to mounting, the general plan is for European mounts all over the line. However, should I kill someting very special I might consider a shoulder mount. A really good bushbuck could be such a case.

Regards,
Martin

Russell,
South Africa, some in Moz and some in Namibia are the only places you can hunt black wildebeest. South Africa Nature and Conservation folks frown on blue and black wildebeest in one concession, but the nice thing about RSA is you can alsways just go to the next farm! Our big concession in Mpumalanga has everything you mentioned above as well as giraffe, roan (but not cheap), sable (last count had 43 over 39"), black impala (not black faced, black bodied!) and I can even throw in a 27" Nyala for $1800. It's a nice concession, but no electricity. The farm is 60,000ha, and the neighbor has black wildebeest. If you're interested...I'll be there in Oct for a few weeks, and since nobody I talked to believes we have 2 impala as black as sable, I'll take a bunch of pics. BTW-no put-n-take, we have over 200 buff there and generally shoot 40-45" pretty easy. Best of all-no trucks allowed in hunting area!

Martin,
I like Russ's comment on the "tarmac safari" as he is dead on. Since you will be hunting the bushveld, your outfitter should be able to get you a list of what is available on the concession(s) he hunts there so that you will have an idea of what is there. For instance, there are no springbok naturally occurring in the bushveld just as sure as there aren't many bushbuck in the Free State. If you want a 40" plus gemsbok bull, you will likely have to go deep into Northwest towards the Kalahari, and if you want good kudu or bushbuck, you're in the right neighborhood in the bushveld. Don't overlook the fun stuff either, my most memorable hunts have been for duiker and klipspringer, and if you see a springhare, the rule is you have to chase it down on foot and bite the tip of it's ear off after you caught it. Plan for a little fun on your trip and it will be a more memorable experience!

Dont get complicated and dont go with your hands tied ...



To keep it simple:



Ask the Oufitter PH Agent or whomever whom you are considering to book with for:



1) a list of species and their individual cost



2) a daily hunting rate price, 1x1 2x1 option



3) a guest rate if you will want to take a non-hunter



Once you have those basic details you can then budget for the hunt as you will have a better idea on which species you may have on your personal wish-list



Then you book a daily rate hunt for xxxx amount of days and keep your specie list open, it is best to hunt the animals that might present themselves in the bush, dont get fixated with a specific specie, especially on your first Africa hunt, keep an open mind with budget considerations.



Then once you have all that clear in your mind you need to select a reputable Africa experienced taxidermist in your home regional area whom will do all the donkey work for you and arrange trophy clearance and mounting as required.



Then you can ask your Outfitter in Africa to provide you with a reputable taxidermist whom will arrange all the Africa Trophy dip pack and consignment, he must also provide you a dip and pack cost estimate just so you dont get any hidden costs



Finally get information on the appropriate medical accident baggage and trip cancellation insurance cover as appropriate and select a carrier to fly you over.



That will be enough BASIC information for you to proceed towards making a booking, remembering ask for an itemised clear contract for your records and peace of mind as some people can have a convenient memory loss at times especially when it comes to final payments.



Also by law in SA you need a covering letter from the Outfitter whom you book with [ preferably on their letterhed ] showing that you have made a confirmed hunt booking with them and it should have all relavent contact details as well just in case someone has to contact you in an emergency



Peter

Our property in Nambia has black and blue WB, Hartebeest, Oryx, and Kudu. The trophy fees on oryx and RHB are very reasonable and the trophy quality is high. No buffalo. See website for details.

Generally speaking, buffalo like watered areas. Oryx don't need water. So they are not often found in the same area, unless "man-made". You might find both in Botswana, in the Okavango area. Spendy hunting but good.