Although I don't post on this page much, I need a place to vent and get this monster off of my back. Kind of a therapy session. Well, I am 36 years old, young fella, and I make a normal living and wife is a school teacher. Two years ago the wife and I went to South Africa for a 12 day hunt. Unreal and wonderful......Great right? The problem, I can't get Africa out of my mind!! To the point that I've gotten chewed out at work because I was lost in a Capstick book during work. My everyday thoughts are of the dark place that I long to go back to. It's not just a nice little "Yea, I would't mind going there again" but more of a case of losing my sanity if I don't get back soon. I've read about 12 books so far that let me escape my "normal" life, but I think it only makes things worse for me. Since the only way I know of to fix this requires money "which I'm fresh out of and still paying my taxidermist from 04" I was wondering if there was another remedy to fix my mental sickness. I can only relate how I feel to falling in love and wanting to see that girl every minute!! Anyway, feel much better now and I'm off to bed......probably to watch ol "Ionides" wack a tusker at 10 feet..........Thanks.....wapiti7

Just an idea for the next hunt...

Go for non-trophy animals (cow elephant, or PAC bulls maybe?) and pay no shipping and no taxidermy fees. You can generally get a cow ele hunt for 6K or a PAC ele for 8500 to 10K. Plus airfare. Plus tips. Plus plus plus...

TJR, posted a great price for a cull hunt. That is also an option.

Wapiti, you will probably just have to get used to the feeling. In my case, and I've done three African safaris now, it just seems to get worse. My bookcase is pure Africana, I have too many big bore rifles, I don't have any walls left in my small home to hang a trophy even I did get some more and I post here as if I knew what I was talking about when my experience isn't nearly what many of the members of AR have. Welcome to the club.

I have no sympathy for you at all.

I was a ripe, old 45 years of age by the time my kids were gone, and I could do my first.

There is nothing like hunting in Africa. It is special and you need to suffer long and hard to be able to go or otherwise it is just another vacation.

Suffer, suffer my boy.

Welcome to the club. I have regrets about everything I have ever spent money on. Landscaping, house, furniture, cars, ect. I think now of every purchase that is wasted unless it is spent for another hunt. I have been twice in 10 months and wish I could go every year.

You'll know it's really bad when you start looking at the paid off and relatively new SUV in the driveway and thinking..."hmmm, I wonder what I could sell that for?" Compact cars...ecofriendly and safarifriendly!

Best,

John

It is a pretty bad disease. I can only get relief by going back next year.

Welcome to the club!!!!! We went in 2003 to get it out of my system, yeah like that worked. So we went back in 2004, we leave in 32 days for Namibia and are already planning a trip for 2007.

Pretty darn close to Chapter and Verse for me!

My biggest fix is coming very soon as my trophies are awaiting shipping! Woo Hoo!

Right now I am in the process of finishing out my basement for the arrival of our first baby; a new hunting partner to take with me next time, so the money for Africa is just not there.

My only fear is that next time isn't soon enough! But I WILL go back!

Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease. Going back to Africa certainly eases the pain for a while, especially during the planning, packing, handloading and during the hunt itself. But the second you board the plane in Jo'burg for the return trip to the states, you re-enter that "when am I going to be able to go back," funk.

Let's face it, whatever your religion, whatever your relationship with your wife and family, whatever dedication you had to your job, you now have a new master! It's Over, my friend, might as well face it!

quote:

Going back to Africa certainly eases the pain for a while

Come on GAHUNTER! Don't lie to the guy like that! It won't ease the pain, your telling me you aren't thinking about the next safari while on the plane back across the Altantic!

I know I am!

It is uncureable! face it you are done, your hooked! And that my friend is great!!!!!

I cannot tell a lie It only gets worse. I was 60 on my first trip to Tanzania, been to SA, I am now 64 and booked my third back in Tanzania

I feel for ya man. There are inexpensive ways to go..

This is the worst addiction I have had. Worse than:

redheads
flying
golf
blondes
cigarettes

I would give up all of these to hunt when I wanted in Africa. (I would still have brunettes...)

OK, here's a different opinion...

Throw out all videos, books, and other things that remind of Africa. Stop visiting this site, and other African hunting related webportals. Burn your trophies.

Stop torturing yourself! Unless you like it!

Frans (the next post will be my 1000th; better make it a good one!)

I have had six previous innoculations and am now scheduled for 21 days in August 2006 and 14v more in Sept.2007.Don't know for sure , but the illness shows no sign of abatement yet.

It beats the Hell out of being a golf fanatic.

SierraBravo is correct. I may have the cure!

See this post:

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums?m=362108064&a=tpc&f=1411043

Hello Wapiti; You're not alone in this...Africa is worse than drugs, EH??!! I started younger than you on a young exec. salary with my wife working professionally as well. Hint, she joined me on the first three trips and at age 62 on Thursday, 7 trips under my belt and 13 different safairs...it won't get any better...just keep focused on yuor job...keep the wife working...and being DINK's also helps...ie double income NO kids...and it can be done just like the rich guys...although I don't envy you in where the prices are going today!! Everything runs its pendulum...hunts will probably swing back too??...keep investing in RealEstate...buy,fix,sell/rent...twice a year and you can go to Africa every year!! Good Luck....

Hunting in Africa is like eating those potato chips....nobody can go just once!

Only one safari so far.For some reason my invetment stratagy when I was younger didn't work-I spent most my money on beer and women, the rest I just wasted !

Hell! Don't listen to these guys, just decide to drive that car for another 10 yrs, and buy only the food it takes to stay alive, then go borrow enough money, on a five yr loan, to finance another safari, and get the hell back to Africa! It's only money, and you can take it from a guy that is as poor as a church mouse, if you want to do it, you can! There ain't no luggage racks on a hearse, so you can't take anything with you, and even death will not destroy the memories!

You're just lucky you only went to South Africa. If you would have seen the "real" Africa; ie. Tanzania...you would have been fired twenty-three months ago!
It's kinda like playing putt-putt golf then finally getting to play 18 at Pebble Beach!
Seriously, enjoy it for what it was...stimulus!

Bull1

GAHUNTER,

How very true i'm glade that i'm not the only one infected..

Hamdeni

quote:

Originally posted by GAHUNTER:
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease. Going back to Africa certainly eases the pain for a while, especially during the planning, packing, handloading and during the hunt itself. But the second you board the plane in Jo'burg for the return trip to the states, you re-enter that "when am I going to be able to go back," funk.

Let's face it, whatever your religion, whatever your relationship with your wife and family, whatever dedication you had to your job, you now have a new master! It's Over, my friend, might as well face it!

You know you got it bad when you're planning your next trip on your flight back. 53 days to Namibia (not counting or anything).

You are certainly not alone. I went to RSA in 98 & was planning my next trip on the way home. Went to Moz. for buffalo in 04, now I'm planning another buffalo hunt for 07/08. It's addicting & so unlike any other place in the world to hunt. It's hard to explain to people who don't know but for all of us, we understand the way you feel.

"Afica is undoubtedly a most fascination wild mistress. She gets a tenacious hold on most persons; bewitching, magnetic, that is almost irresistable, and once experienced, is NEVER lulled into forgetfulness."

May French Sheldon 1891

I gave up tobacco many years ago. I always said that it would have been easier to give up sex and food. I had no idea that Africa would be worse. I retired and went on my first trip. I went back to work two weeks after I got home. It was as soon as I could find a job. I have a friend who has borrowed against his life insurance policy to fund a fix!
To anyone who doesn't have the addiction, we seem like hopeless derelicts but we know that Africa transends, if you are not affected, you are dead!

I feel your pain. Bwanamrm took me last year for my first safari and gave me fair warning..."You are about to be injected with a virus that can never be cured!" Since then, I have been to SCI in Reno, Houston & Dallas. I have books autographed by Richard Harland, Dick Cabela & Craig Boddinton. Bwanamrm and I will be hunting hippo, buff & croc this August in Zambia. HEY, life is good!

Hello. I'm Patrkyhntr, and I'm an Africaholic.