Well, I've decided to go. Am planning for 2007. This is my first step in planning what I hope won't be my only trip to Africa. Where else would I come but to you guys for help.
I have lots of questions and only a few answers at this point.
A life long hunting buddy and I have decided that we would like to take our first Safari together.
We have decided a plains game hunt. All we can really squeeze in is 7 days (minus travel).
Trophy quality is obviously not our main goal. The experience of hunting Africa is.
So give me some places to check in to. Some time tables, recommendations on what I should be doing --- all will be of great help.
Thanks
Ken

7 days minus travel.....that leaves you with almost no time whats so ever if you can if you have to beg steal borrow try to book at least 10-11 days off in a row and get a full 5-6 days hunting in. it a once in a life time oppertunity done go cheap on it or you will really regret it

Robert Ruark wrote the following:-



" Two thirds of what you read about safaris is sheer cock and purest bull. There is a simple formula to successful safari. First, you must have enough money to go, you must not wait until you to get to Mozambique or South Africa to choose your Professional Hunter, on the offchance that they will undercut one another in bidding for the job. You do that and you only wind up with some reformed locust control type, and all he will get you is lost. What you want is comfort, not unecessary hardship, because even on the lushest, plushest safari, there will be discomfort enough. That is to say, you will crawl through bush, walk endless miles, bump interminable on trackless terrain, be scorched by sun, frozen by morning wind, be bitten by every bug ever created, go to the can in the bush, be frightened out of your wits, and bored to distraction in the long waits and perpetual dusty journeying."



Times have moved on since then, but the general principles of planning a successful safari are still much the same. I suggest that some of the things you should try to do are:-



Find sufficient time to have a good trip......that really means a minimum stay in the bush of at least 7 days.....10 days is better.



Choose a reputable & experienced safari company.



Ask for and thoroughly check references......not just did the client have a good hunt, but did the trophies arrive home in good order and if not, who was to blame, and were the hunters kept up to speed on all aspects of their coming hunt.



Ask for a comprehensive safari contract detailing exactly where you will be hunting and who with. There are plenty of people out there who get promised one hunting area and actually get another......and not all hunting areas or Professional Hunters are equal. That same contract should spell out ALL costs and details of ANY & ALL additional charges......again, it's very easy to get hit by charges you didn't know about. The contract should also spell out the cancellation policy of the safari company.



Check that you know exactly what aspects of your trip are organised by the safari company and which are left to you.



If you book through an agent, ensure that they put you in touch with the safari company and PH at an early stage. Although there are some good agents in the business, there's a lot of agents out there who talk nonsense. So get the answers to your questions from the safari company rather than someone who live an ocean away from where you'll be hunting. If the agent is a reputable one, he or she will be happy to do this. If they refuse to put you in touch with the safari company then it could well mean they have something to hide, or they don't trust the safari company......so look elsewhere.



Always remember that this industry is full of dreamers, wannabees, crooks and cowboys who are all happy to take your money, give you lots of promises, but then either don't (or can't) deliver at all or if they they do, the product is so half assed you won't know if you're coming or going.



An African safari is like most things in life. Quality comes at a price. You can't buy a Rolls Royce for the price of a Ford and you can't buy a Holland & Holland rifle for the price of a Bruno, so if something looks too good to be true, then it probably is just that.



The good news is that planning a hunt is almost as much fun as the hunt itself and if you make the correct choices then you'll have a trip you'll remember till your dying day.



And in closing, try not to think of this trip being a once in a lifetime experience.......Africa is as addictive as hard drugs, and once you have been once, you'll always yearn to come back.

Sorry I wasn't clear. What I mean was I would have about 7 days to hunt -- Travel time not included.

First things first.....get your passports and now!!!!!
then get at least tetanus and Hep A shots....ask your travel clinic for any other advice....get these things done early!!!

There's a lot of folks that post here thaty can outfit you but look at these guys as well.....www.twowaterssafaris.com

Get a .30-06 or a gun of similar power and get real used to it....including shooting over sticks...

Get a good set of binoculars and a digital camera...look for a tuff-case for the guns and find a taxidermist that can serve as an import agent.....

This will get you started

Read Safari, The Last Adventure, By Capstick. It will walk you through the entire planning process. Good luck!

Ken
I've only done one trip so far myself but I can't stop thinking about it. I may have to do this twice a year just to keep my blood pressure down.

All first timers should steer clear of donated hunts. Most are scams! Sure they will give you all the daily fees, even allowing two hunters and wife�s go for free. What they will not tell you is their trophy Fees are 30%-100% higher than normal; and you will be charged for many services that are usually included for free on normal safaris.

All successfully run scams depend on the victim / client being greedy. Don�t try to outsmart a professional on you first trip! You will come out the loser!

Tell outfitters or booking agent your budget, If you must cut down costs. Ask if there is any way to cut down the cost? Are you willing to stay at a local farm house instead of a fancy lodge? This alone can save the outfitter and you, at least $100 a day. Be upfront with your booking agent /outfitter, most will respect you more as long as you are reasonable and informed.
(At least know what animals are native to the area)

I don�t care who you hunt with, or what they claim to have! Get everything in writing! (Keep a copy of everything with you on your hunt) I personally think its much easer to keep an outfitter honest, then it is to find one.

Word of mouth advertising is good, but far from fool proof. Talk to hunters that have hunted at least 2 or 3 time in Africa. I have only hunted three times in Africa and will never claim to be an expert. But believe me I have paid dearly for the little I know!

I personally would only book my first hunt with a US booking agent.