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One of Us |
I am just curious what some of you guys paid for daily rates, trophy fees, etc. from decades gone by. My first safari was in 2011 so I have nothing to compare too. Just curious about what the good ole days cost.... | ||
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LittleJoe, This is from a post I did in 2006. Posted 27 December 2006 02:15 While going through old boxes from the Chicago Chapter of S.C.I., I found a brochure from Safari Outfitters when they were located in Downtown Chicago. I thought you might enjoy these prices for the 1974 hunting season. Check out the Bongo price in the Congo. Angola-Angola Safaris-30 day hunt-$7500-$10,300 Special license-lion $327,elephant $260, leopard $392,sable $131 Botswana-Ker, Downey & Selby-30 day hunt-$6,000-$6840, Concession fee S.A.R. 500, lion $530,sable $270, eland $140 CAR-Claude Vasselet Safaris-30 day hunt-$9,000-$10,500 Ethiopia-Tom Mattanovich-30 day hunt- $9,000-$10,500 Kenya-Hunters and Guides (K) Ltd.-30 day hunt-$7800-$9300 Mozambique-Mozambique Safariland-28 day hunt-$5750-$7675 Simoes Safaris-28 day hunt-$7265-$11,480 Sudan-Sudan Safari Tours-30 day hunt-$7500-$9,000-Giant eland-$150,leopard-$150,lion-$150 Zaire (Congo)-28 day hunt- $7508-$8953-elephant $260, bongo $60 Zambia-Amalgamated Zambia Safaris-28 day hunt-$8960-$$11,760 Rhodesia-10 day hunt-$1500,(on private ranches) Tanzania-The safari situation in Africa, and especially in East Africa, is steadily deteriorating. Now there is a complete ban on hunting in Tanzania and elephant hunting in Kenya is forbidden. There was tremendous poaching in both countries for ivory due to fantastic prices on the foreign markets where $76 per pound of ivory was paid. Kathi kathi@wildtravel.net 708-425-3552 "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." | |||
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1987 - $350 | |||
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You can't go back, that world doesn't exist any more. Dave | |||
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Early 80’s 21 day safari, elephant, 2 buffalo and all sorts of planes game - I think total was over 20 animals. Two figures seem to stick to my mind. 13,000 and 17,000 dollars. I cannot remember if this includes airfare for 2. Early 90’s one could pay something like 4700 dollars all inclusive buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe. | |||
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Someone wrote that the cost of a safari was about the cost of a new sedan or pickup. It seems that has tracked fairly well for the last 50 or 60 years. Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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In 1997 I paid $8800 for an all inclusive 2 buff, 7 day hunt in Tanzania with Luke Samaras that included one observer. Plains game could be shot for the trophy fee. No other dangerous game were on quota. | |||
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In 1977 I was booked for a 15 day buffalo hunt 2x1 in the Nanyuki area of Kenya. $150 a day. A month before I was to leave the country shut down their hunting. The booking agent switched me over to South Africa at $200 a day 2x1 for ten days with a lion and a leopard being available. The trophy fee for a lion was $1,500 and the leopard was $650. The chap from California who was supposed to be my partner shook my hand upon meeting me and said that he did not want to hunt with me. I felt like Mark Sullivan.  (forgive me) So I had to pay $250 a day and did shoot a big leopard on day 5. This was before the days of everything high fenced and the lions were not hunted successfully on that trip. I did see a big pride but no male. Three years later I paid a trophy fee of $2,000 U.S. for my big lion. Best two grand that I have ever spent.. | |||
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The only one I remember distinctly was my 2nd safari with Mokore in '96. The daily rate was $650 per day and observer $150 for a 14 day 2 buffalo/leopard/plains game safari. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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I remember an add-on bull buffalo for $2000.00 (2004). BH63 Hunting buff is better than sex! | |||
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In the 1990's there were the Tony DaCosta "huntpaks". Our first safari to Zimbabwe in 1994 with Paul Jelonek (Bundu Safaris Zimbabwe) was $5,000. Ten day hunt for leopard, kudu, two impalas, and one warthog, all trophy fees included. Observers were $100 a day. Husband added four days at $350 a day to give himself extra time making it a 14 day hunt. If no leopard taken, $1500 refund. Kathi kathi@wildtravel.net 708-425-3552 "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." | |||
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In 1983 Botswana 10 day buff and 7 plains game, all trophy fees, airfair from Phoenix and air charter to camp $7000 Perception is reality regardless the truth! Stupid people should not breed DRSS NRA Life Member Owner of USOC Adventure TV | |||
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1989 - Zim Buff + PG 500/Day TF - Buff - 1000.00 (Chewore) TF - Kudu - 650.00 TF - Tssessebe - 450.00 1991 - 15 Day Lion + PG (Kasibi) 650/Day TF Sable - 1250.00 TF Waterbuck - 600.00 TF Zebra - 500.00 TF Lion - 2500 (No Lion Taken) | |||
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Well it also depends on if you are European or US. I have had two different PHs confide in me that the first thing European booking agents say when they call up is "I am not paying US prices". Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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My first safari, back in 1983, was a bit unusual in that it was offered by the Matetsi Research office of Zim Parks & Wildlife. They wanted a new computer system, with everything spec'ed out. In exchange for buying the equipment, they were donating, along with Peter Johnstone of Rosslyn Safaris, a 21-day full bag safari including all trophy fees, for everything except lion, but including 2-Buffalo, a leopard and elephant bull. I extended the hunt to 24-days (should have done 28 and added lion, as I'd have shot a great lion if I had)and bought a short 5-day safari for my then fiancé. It was the first safari in the Deka Safari Area in the last 12 years and hunting was phenomenal. It was the safari of a lifetime as I took a good leopard and elephant, 2 big Buffalo and some fantastic plains game. Total cost, excluding airfare, was $27,000; which was what the computer system and add-ons cost. | |||
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Thanks to everyone for sharing. A computer for a safari. Awesome sauce. Great story there. Interesting to see the past. | |||
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Same safari outfitter in Zim Tshabezi Safaris 1988 daily rate: PG $300/day. DG $500/day. Observer $75/day. 2003 daily rate: PG $450/day. DG varied with which animal was to be hunted. Viz; Elephant, $950/day; Leopard, $750/day; Buffalo, $750/day. Observer, $150/day. 2018 daily rate: PG $600/day. Elephant, $1500/day; Leopard, $1000/day; Buffalo, $900/day. Observer, $250/day. 1988 trophy fees. 2003 2018 Elephant $5000 $10500 $15000 Buffalo $1200 2000 4500 Leopard $1500 3500 6000 Kudu $500 1000 1600 Waterbuck $750 2000 2000 Zebra $500 800 1250 Eland $600 1200 2000 Impala $75 200 350 Wildebeest $500 750 1000 Hippo $1000 1500 5000 Hyena $200 400 800 Warthog $125 300 500 Thirty years... | |||
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In the late 70's the NRA was offering Buffalo hunts (through an affiliated outfitter) for $1,500 including air fare but I can't remember what country it was in. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
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1988, Botswana, Okavango, Joa Camp, Chobe region, 10 days, buff, kudu, sable, wild, tssessebe, impala, warthog, zebra, $7400 all in including trophy fee, observer, charters, etc. Best decision I ever made in my life. | |||
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Zambia Safaris I believe. | |||
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Seems cheap, but what did you make in 1980? | |||
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Interesting the Rhodesian prices. There wasn't an industry as such here then, and hunts would be guided by landowners or Parks and Wildlife staff. The Rhodesian dollar was stronger than the US$, and only the hardier, like Larry Kelly from Mag-Na-Port would come here to hunt during the bush war. As a civil servant, I could buy a PAC bull elephant for $70-something, and a cow for less, with strictly enforced restrictions on tusk size. It would be really cool to know what Hemingway and Ruark paid!
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No, it doesn't. But they were better days and well worth remembering! 
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Shortly after TZ reopened their "big" license was $270 and included three elephants along with a host of other big game and lesser game. Will J. Parks, III | |||
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There are certainly some amazing deals to be had in days gone by. However, when you plug in the numbers with inflation (see link), they were still high: https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ | |||
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There are bargains out there, but safari hunting has never been a poor man's sport. | |||
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Thank you! Some folks just don't seem to grasp that fact. | |||
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In 1996 I bought a 9 day safari in the Eastern Cape of SA at an SCI convention in Atlanta. I don't recall what I paid for the hunt (it was on a silent auction) but I doubt it was over $500-$600. I took two of my sons who were in high school at the time, and they shot half my license on observer rates. The package included one hunter and one observer; I paid for the second son to be an observer as well ($150/day). Included also were all accommodations, meals, drinks, transportation to/from P.E., and trophy fees for a red hartebeest and a black springbok. In addition to the included animals, we killed a kudu, zebra, gemsbok, cape springbok, impala and black wildebeest at published trophy fees, for a total of 8 animals. The kudu, zebra and gemsbok were $800 each, the impala was $300, springbok $150, and black wildebeest $650. I gave the camp staff $150 in gratuities. I don't remember what I gave the PH; $200 is probably about right. The total safari expense, not including airfare for three and the cost of the auction, was $4830. I had all the taxidermy done in RSA and the cost, plus shipping, was as much as the safari. Factoring in today's dollars vs. dollars in 1996, I didn't really get much of a bargain. The trade-off was, of course, that I shared with my sons an incredible trip, and for that, it was worth every cent. LTC, USA, RET Benefactor Life Member, NRA Member, SCI & DSC Proud son of Texas A&M, Class of 1969 "A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" Robert Browning | |||
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That sounds about right in the 1990s! I did a seven day package hunt on the Luangwa river a few miles from Mfuwe Zambia in 1992 with Malombo safaris that included one each of cape buffalo, Hippo, impala, zebra, Cooksons wildebeest, wart hog. All in for $6K including airfair, and the shipping of my Trophies cost only $800 ! By the time my trophies were mounted I had spent only $9K. Hell, now the air fare would be almost as much as that whole safari and taxidermy! ………………………………………………………...   ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith  | |||
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I have a letter from the late & great Joubert Van Ingen who was a famous taxidermist in India (& must have been a VERY tough man) in which he tells me that at the end of WWII he was released from being a prisoner of the Japanese & soon after went on safari to what was then Tanganyika (now Tanzania) where he hunted without a PH and paid £100 for a licence which allowed him: 2 elephants 10 buffalo 20 zebra 2 greater kudu 2 sable 2 roan 4 lions and no limit on warthog, leopards and small plains game. His 2 elephants were 96 & 85 lb & 78 & 65 lb His safari lasted 2 months. | |||
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Can I have dozen of these licenses please STEVE? And you are cordially invited to join us too  Just imagine, a few licenses and one able to shoot 100 buffalo!! I will start loading right now! | |||
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If it were within my power you'd have a FEW dozen Saeed & I'd be delighted to join you.  He must have been a tough old bugger though.............. He survived being a POW of the Japanese in WWII & then went on a 2 month safari soon afterwards. That REALLY is something!  | |||
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In 2006 (Through the Da Costa's) my friend and I did a 2x1 in the Selous. Per Person: $7800 7-day including 1 buffalo 2nd buffalo: $1500. PG available for trophy fees. We did have to split an air charter. If the price were the same today, I'd be there NOW!! | |||
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I sold my first 7 or 10 day ( not sure which) Buffalo and PG hunt specials for $3800.00. PG hunts in So. Africa for $90.0 per day plus trophy fees that were a bit high..another for $150f per day and trophy fees were low. Worked out about the same, still does as a rule... I sold my Buffalo hunts on AR back in the day for $4800 for 7 or 10 days?? included buffalo and 5 or 6 head of PG..A second buffalo was unbelievably inexpensive but don't recall that number off hand..I have and old and I mean old, old Brochure with Will on it with a awesome drop horn Buffalo on the front page. That was a Barry Van Heerden brochure. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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This is a really neat list. Thanks for posting! | |||
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Tanzania resident hunting license at independence cost 100TZS. Exchange rate at independence was $1/7TZS, around 1970 it was $1/14TZS. The license allowed the holder over 50 animals as I recall. There were supplemental license for the following: Elephant - 600 Lion - 250 Leopard - 250 Sable - 100 Rhino - ??? Most expensive but I don't remember a number. There may have been other supplemental animals that I don't recall since they didn't live in our area. ie: gerenuk. 3-4 elephant licenses could be bought per year. Extra buffalo license cost 10TZS each. There was a nonresident license that cost 50TZS. This license probably predated independence and may have been for Commonwealth members only. Only 10 or so animals were on this list, but it included impala, zebra, warthog and buffalo. Friends from Malawi would buy a license, go hunting with us, load up their truck with meat and return home. I can't help with the trophy hunting fees and/or outfitter costs from those days. | |||
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ZAR 350 (South African Rand) for big kudu bull including venison. Hunted between Alldays and Pontdrift. Well, that I paid as a resident but still, it's interesting to look at the price. Obviously the ZAR was much stronger then than now. | |||
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I recall a package hunt with John Hunt in Zim that included 12 days,TF's for a leopard, kudu, zebra, warthog and impala for $6300. I think this was in 2004. | |||
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