How much for safari

15 November 2007, 02:25

namibiahunter

How much for safari

It seems that many who have never been to Africa to hunt have the idea that those who have been there are fairly well-off financially. This may or may not be true but those who have never hunted Africa should know it can be done by those of "average" financial means.<BR><BR>The question is <I>how much was spent on the actual hunt</I> per person. This would include such things as the daily rate, trophy fees, transfers from the port of entry to the hunting area or lodge, gratuities, taxidermy and shipping, and transportation (not including non-hunting sidetrips). Do not include the cost of that new rifle and ammunition you bought just for the hunt, or whatever you did after-hours that we prefer not to know about.How much did you spend on your last African hunt?less than US$ 5,000 (is it possible?)US$ 5,000 - 10,000US$ 10,000 - 15,000US$ 15,000 - 20,000US$ 20,000 - 25,000US$ 25,000 - 30,000more than US$ 30,000more than US$ 50,000How much will you spend on your next hunt in Africa?noneabout the sameprobably lessprobably moreI don't care - I'm loaded

15 November 2007, 04:00

Bwanahile

Probably should seperate the poll into plainsgame and dangerous game safaris to get any kind of comparative numbers.

15 November 2007, 05:24

BNagel

Try this as a rule of thumb (instead) --

We spent the price of a nice car to fly a family of four to South Africa and hunt for two weeks. Wife was the first hunter (week one) and I the second. Two kids were observers. Custom package with five animals taken : waterbuck, gemsbok, Eastern Cape kudu and (2) mountain reedbuck.

A very nice car to us would be around 30K. Don't know how to split that out for you because two of four actually hunted. Call it 10K per hunter including airfare and you'd be closer than not.

BNagel

15 November 2007, 05:31

DesertRam

I tried to vote twice - I've been on two safaris - but it wouldn't let. On the first, my dad and I went all out - two weeks of hunting, three locations, seven animals each. We had a wonderful time for about $10k each. On my second hunt, I hunted with friends, stayed local, shot a few big game animals, varmints, predators, birds, hunted for ten days, and had a great time too. Totally different experiences, both equally fulfilling. I hope to redo the second safari next summer. I had a simply amazing time hunting with Andrew McLaren and Gerhard (Jakkals here) in South Africa. I believe that they really showed me the way the locals do it. I'll happily spend the money to hunt with Andrew again, but I doubt it will set me back the cost of a new car (they don't sell Yugos any more do they?

). I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a cheapskate, but I know that to get a good hunt with a competent PH you need to spend a little coin. I'll part with more in a while...

15 November 2007, 07:59

Russ Gould

This is a dubious analysis. Just as there is no such thing as an average human (one breast, one testicle), there is no such thing as an average African Safari.

The givens: $1750 for airfare per person from USA, plus minus $500 depending on time of year. (Right now you can get to RSA for $1300 plus taxes).

Daily rates: anywhere from $195 for a self-catered plains game hunt to $2000 or more for a Tanzanian DG hunt.

Trophy fees: anywhere from $50 for a baboon to $200K or more for a black rhino.

Taxidermy: $125 for a Euro mount to sky's the limit on this.

Shipping: Figure $250 per animal.

Total cost, one hunter, excl airfare. Anywhere from $3K to $300K

Another way to state this: cheapest hunts for PG are in Namibia and RSA, say 7 days 5 species $5K incl airfare excl taxidermy. Best bargains Oryx at $550, Hartebeest @ $500. Cheapest warthogs Zululand at $150. You can pay $400 elsewhere. Cheapest DG hunt has to be Zim PAC ele 7 days $7.5K all in.

Some personal opinions: Sleeper hunt, Mozambique Buff, Sable, Leopard, Nyala. Least expensive (wild) lion hunt: Namibia Etosha marauding lion. Worst value for money: Tanzania and Zambia, $2K per day and more. Most overrated/overpriced hunt: buffalo..they are common, easy to find and shoot, and really ugly. Most underrated/underpriced species: Bushbuck and Gray Duiker....very hard to get a good trophy, challenging to hunt, and inexpensive. Most frustrating hunt: Leopard, over bait.

15 November 2007, 20:05

billrquimby

Russ Gould's comments are right on.

I didn't vote because of all the variables of my hunting in Africa over the past 24 years.

Bill Quimby

15 November 2007, 20:15

yukon delta

I also like Russ's comments. My problem is that the next hunt will most likely cost me more than I want to pay but I will just have to make a plan. I need to experience a couple of items and "get them out of the way" so I can go back to hunting tuskless.

16 November 2007, 01:25

MacD37

My first Safari was a 7 day Cape Buffalo hunt, and I also took a Hippo, a Zebra, a warthog, an Impala,and a Cookson's wildebeast, and the whole shooting match cost me $12.5K including Tips, airfare return, shipping of trophies, and TAXIDERMY, shoulder mount of Buff, Impala, wildebeast,warthog, and a zebra rug, tusks from the hippo. That was 1982! I'd say things have changed some!

I'd agree the average safari today would run in the 12K to 15K+ Tips as long as the only big five animal was a Cape Buffalo, PAC ELE, or Leopard! That is if you are careful what, and how many plains game you shoot!

A true plains game hunt in Namibia, or RSA can be done for less, all in!

16 November 2007, 01:47

GarBy

There's no comparison to the $ for a PG hunt and the $$$ for a DG hunt....unless you hunt buff only. Adding leopard, lion, etc. the numbers go up.....and up.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

16 November 2007, 15:27

Blair338/378

quote:
Originally posted by Russ Gould:
This is a dubious analysis. Just as there is no such thing as an average human (one breast, one testicle), there is no such thing as an average African Safari.

The givens: $1750 for airfare per person from USA, plus minus $500 depending on time of year. (Right now you can get to RSA for $1300 plus taxes).

Daily rates: anywhere from $195 for a self-catered plains game hunt to $2000 or more for a Tanzanian DG hunt.

Trophy fees: anywhere from $50 for a baboon to $200K or more for a black rhino.

Taxidermy: $125 for a Euro mount to sky's the limit on this.

Shipping: Figure $250 per animal.

Total cost, one hunter, excl airfare. Anywhere from $3K to $300K

Another way to state this: cheapest hunts for PG are in Namibia and RSA, say 7 days 5 species $5K incl airfare excl taxidermy. Best bargains Oryx at $550, Hartebeest @ $500. Cheapest warthogs Zululand at $150. You can pay $400 elsewhere. Cheapest DG hunt has to be Zim PAC ele 7 days $7.5K all in.

Some personal opinions: Sleeper hunt, Mozambique Buff, Sable, Leopard, Nyala. Least expensive (wild) lion hunt: Namibia Etosha marauding lion. Worst value for money: Tanzania and Zambia, $2K per day and more. Most overrated/overpriced hunt: buffalo..they are common, easy to find and shoot, and really ugly. Most underrated/underpriced species: Bushbuck and Gray Duiker....very hard to get a good trophy, challenging to hunt, and inexpensive. Most frustrating hunt: Leopard, over bait.

Agree completely, Russ

And I LOVE bushbuck

16 November 2007, 16:55

infinito

quote:
Originally posted by Russ Gould:
This is a dubious analysis. Just as there is no such thing as an average human (one breast, one testicle), there is no such thing as an average African Safari.

The givens: $1750 for airfare per person from USA, plus minus $500 depending on time of year. (Right now you can get to RSA for $1300 plus taxes).

Daily rates: anywhere from $195 for a self-catered plains game hunt to $2000 or more for a Tanzanian DG hunt.

Trophy fees: anywhere from $50 for a baboon to $200K or more for a black rhino.

Taxidermy: $125 for a Euro mount to sky's the limit on this.

Shipping: Figure $250 per animal.

Total cost, one hunter, excl airfare. Anywhere from $3K to $300K

Another way to state this: cheapest hunts for PG are in Namibia and RSA, say 7 days 5 species $5K incl airfare excl taxidermy. Best bargains Oryx at $550, Hartebeest @ $500. Cheapest warthogs Zululand at $150. You can pay $400 elsewhere. Cheapest DG hunt has to be Zim PAC ele 7 days $7.5K all in.

Some personal opinions: Sleeper hunt, Mozambique Buff, Sable, Leopard, Nyala. Least expensive (wild) lion hunt: Namibia Etosha marauding lion. Worst value for money: Tanzania and Zambia, $2K per day and more. Most overrated/overpriced hunt: buffalo..they are common, easy to find and shoot, and really ugly. Most underrated/underpriced species: Bushbuck and Gray Duiker....very hard to get a good trophy, challenging to hunt, and inexpensive. Most frustrating hunt: Leopard, over bait.

Charl van Rooyen
Owner
Infinito Travel Group
www.infinito-safaris.com
charl@infinito-safaris.com
Cell: +27 78 444 7661
Tel: +27 13 262 4077
Fax:+27 13 262 3845
Hereford Street 28A
Groblersdal
0470
Limpopo
R.S.A.

"For the Infinite adventure"

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"I promise every hunter visiting us our personal attention from the moment we meet you, until your trophies hang on your wall. Our all inclusive service chain means you work with one person (me) taking responsibility during the whole process. Affordable and reputable Hunting Safaris is our game! With a our all inclusive door to door service, who else do you want to have fun with?"

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16 November 2007, 18:00

rholden

quote:
Originally posted by infinito:
quote:
Originally posted by Russ Gould:
This is a dubious analysis. Just as there is no such thing as an average human (one breast, one testicle), there is no such thing as an average African Safari.

The givens: $1750 for airfare per person from USA, plus minus $500 depending on time of year. (Right now you can get to RSA for $1300 plus taxes).

Daily rates: anywhere from $195 for a self-catered plains game hunt to $2000 or more for a Tanzanian DG hunt.

Trophy fees: anywhere from $50 for a baboon to $200K or more for a black rhino.

Taxidermy: $125 for a Euro mount to sky's the limit on this.

Shipping: Figure $250 per animal.

Total cost, one hunter, excl airfare. Anywhere from $3K to $300K

Another way to state this: cheapest hunts for PG are in Namibia and RSA, say 7 days 5 species $5K incl airfare excl taxidermy. Best bargains Oryx at $550, Hartebeest @ $500. Cheapest warthogs Zululand at $150. You can pay $400 elsewhere. Cheapest DG hunt has to be Zim PAC ele 7 days $7.5K all in.

Some personal opinions: Sleeper hunt, Mozambique Buff, Sable, Leopard, Nyala. Least expensive (wild) lion hunt: Namibia Etosha marauding lion. Worst value for money: Tanzania and Zambia, $2K per day and more. Most overrated/overpriced hunt: buffalo..they are common, easy to find and shoot, and really ugly. Most underrated/underpriced species: Bushbuck and Gray Duiker....very hard to get a good trophy, challenging to hunt, and inexpensive. Most frustrating hunt: Leopard, over bait.

Is the $1300 price you mention for travel at this time of year. Cuz I just booked my flights for next summer and they're about twice that.

17 November 2007, 05:17

Russ Gould

Is the $1300 price you mention for travel at this time of year. Cuz I just booked my flights for next summer and they're about twice that.

Check on Hotwire for prices to SA, I left the departure date open and $1300 came up with Delta.

On my last flight I overheard someone talking about an $800 fare. But I didn't catch where he got it.

Frankly, I don't see the "african specialist" travel agents coming up with any bargains. Working with them I have always got the published rates that anyone can get via SAAs website.

17 November 2007, 10:44

BigFiveJack

quote:
Russ Gould: "Cheapest DG hunt has to be Zim PAC ele 7 days $7.5K ALL IN.

Sir,

Am I understanding ALL IN to mean my USA to AFRICA airfares R/T

and my charters within ZIM and my tips and my assorted fees? Where

can I get exact details and a contract to sign? I want this experience!

If I am mistaking something please point out where I am off track.

Thank you very much!

18 November 2007, 00:05

Russ Gould

Sorry Jack, someone took me to task on this board once before regarding the definition of "all in" and I should have been more careful, but then this posting wasn't meant to be a solicitation...the $7500 includes all your hunt-related costs but not your airfare from the USA nor hotels en-route if necessary. It does include ground transfers from and to camp from HRE, it's only 3.5 hours by road, but if you want to charter a private plane that would be additional. Tips and your visa tax aren't in that number either.

Unfortunately, we don't have many dates left for 2008. There is a week open in the middle of May but I wouldn't recommend that as the area needs to rest between hunts; and two slots early in the season, one in March and one in April. We only do 8 PAC hunts per year in this area and 6 are sold. Need to check with Ben, the PH.

18 November 2007, 20:26

BigFiveJack

Russ,

Thank you for the additional information. Perhaps

the smartest thing to do is to start the '09 list!

18 November 2007, 20:49

gerrys375

What was surprising to this one time hunter to Africa (for Cape buff) was that the general run of prices wasn't very different from when I went in May,'93. That tells me that the people being dealt with are not outrageously overcharging the foreign hunter. I would tell any first time hunter that there are other charges that can jump up and bite you - like in country charter air fares. Nail these down. Don't forget to include tips and gratuities for camp staff in your budget - and don't be stingy.These people depend on you to be generous. How you deal with the PH is your affair but, again, generosity should be the word. My advice to a first timer is to remember that this is the trip of a lifetime -so make it first class all the way as far as you can afford. I never regretted spending the money.