Accurate Reloaders, I would like to ask for suggestions for a family-friendly plains game safari. I have attempted to search these forums for an answer but have not had much success. We are looking for a place to go in the next year or two that is politically stable and safe, where we can all relax and enjoy ourselves. My wife and daughters, currently 8 and 4, don’t need malls and amusement parks to have a good time; they love the outdoors. Here at home on our 100 acres in Mississippi I frequently have to go out and hunt for the girls at dinnertime. We just would like a fair-chase hunting setup with decent (less primitive) accommodations and something for the women to enjoy. Maybe fishing or riding, game watching, etc. Possibly my oldest daughter will be ready to take a shot at something by then, or maybe the girls can just observe for a day or two. I can take up to two weeks away from work so I anticipate a 9- or 10-day hunt. It will be my first trip to Africa. We were thinking Namibia might be a good place to start but we are certainly open to any good suggestions. Any advice appreciated. Thanks, MMM.

Talk to Steve Robinson(Shakari) or Philip A. on here. They might be able to tailor a hunt for you in Uganda it's a wonderful place. NO 5 star hotel camps but if the family is OK with tents and possible a day or two with out showers it's well worth it. they will see the real Africa not a tourist trap lots of road travel and local interaction

MMM,

One place to look at would be the Matetsi areas if Zimbabwe.

On Victoria Falls doorstep, one of the most spectacular sights in all of Africa.

Diverse species, no fences, and big 4 abound.

Close to an international airport - no brutal drive to camp or expensive charter.

Zambezi river - think you would like tiger fishing?

I took my family of 5 in 2006. In spite of some bad publicity, Zim was safe and stable enough for us. And it has only gotten better.

You are in for such a treat. Planning the hunt/trip is half the fun!

Best of luck to you,

Try this in Namibia.
best place i have bin
http://www.rengu.eu/index.shtml
hunt safe wisent

You will probably get a lot of advise here. We went with these folks in 2008, and had an absolutely outstanding time.

www.cruisersafaris.com/

They cater to a lot of families. Do a search on here, you will find several reports. Also, you could add on a nice visit to Krueger national park.

I do think you could find what you are looking for in either Namibia, or RSA. Good luck on your search.

In case you couldn't find it, here is a link to my hunting report.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...=304103498#304103498



Mad Dog

You may want to look atCruiser Safaris, my wife and I went there in Aug/08. Mad Dog went there with his son in July/08. If I knew how to post a link to my trip report I would, but you could do a search for Cruiser Safaris with my name or Mad Dog as the author, and find the trip reports.
I would also look into Infinito Safaris, as they can offer hunting and fishing.
When my wife and I feel our 9 and 6 year old boys are ready for this type of trip, and can do some shooting, these two outfits will get serious consideration.
I hope this helps.

Good idea below! P.M. sent with some thoughts.

quote:

Originally posted by Jack D Bold:
MMM,

One place to look at would be the Matetsi areas if Zimbabwe.

On Victoria Falls doorstep, one of the most spectacular sights in all of Africa.

Diverse species, no fences, and big 4 abound.

Close to an international airport - no brutal drive to camp or expensive charter.

Zambezi river - think you would like tiger fishing?

I took my family of 5 in 2006. In spite of some bad publicity, Zim was safe and stable enough for us. And it has only gotten better.

You are in for such a treat. Planning the hunt/trip is half the fun!

Best of luck to you,

I'm in the early planning stages of a family trip to Namibia. I hunted with Johann Veldsman (link). I found Namibia to be very safe. There are some cultural items to keep the wife and kids busy while I hunt. Planning to spend a couple of days in Etosha and, if the budget allows, take a side trip to Vic Falls.

Folks, thanks for these great suggestions, you are very generous to reply so quickly, this is why Accurate Reloading is the best. I will check them all out.

For a family friendly outfitter / PH I would suggest Pieter Kriel. Not only is he a top notch PH, but he is patient, educated, and very family oriented.

You can read my last review on AR at First African Safari. I depart May 13th for my second safari.

CharlesL

You might like to visit www.shakariconnection.com for unbiased and sales free info on how to research your coming trip.

MMM,

I recommend Jimbah Safaris in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, especially for a family plains game hunt!

PM sent with more thoughts

Les

I would recommend our friends Hannes and Geraldine DuPlessis' place in Namibia. http://www.bergzicht-hunting.com/index.php

Their place is quite comfortable and they deal with families often. They have two girls themselves. The farm is about an hour from Windhoek and Geraldine can arrange tours and sightseeing for you. Furthermore, Namibia is an easy country to do a self driving tour after your hunt if you wish.

Good luck.

George

quote:

Originally posted by CharlesL:
For a family friendly outfitter / PH I would suggest Pieter Kriel. Not only is he a top notch PH, but he is patient, educated, and very family oriented.

You can read my last review on AR at First African Safari. I depart May 13th for my second safari.

CharlesL

Second nomination for Pieter Kriel for a family safari. He is also a tour guide and can combine a tour of some interesting sights in South Africa either before or after your hunt. He is also extremely flexible in putting together a hunt for you if you want something outside the standard package deal.

We have hunted with him several times and enjoyed the touring every bit as much as the hunting.

PM sent.

If I were planning a family safari, my first choice would be RSA. It is very safe, and I would have no problem taking the wife and kids.

Hop over to www.24hourcampfire.com and drop JJ Hack a line. He's an American who is also a PH in RSA and the moderator of their African hunting forum. He runs a top notch operation in RSA (Limpopo area) and many folks on that forum have hunted with him. Everyone has had nothng but positive things to say about his operation. I've hunted with him twice and both hunts have been great.

Contact these folks
Mafigeni Safaris

A great place to take you family. Not too far fro Kruger National Park. A wonderful setting and the folks who run this operation are top notch.

MMM- PM sent.

MMM,

PM sent

MMM,

You will get a number of great suggestions and I can add one and highly recommend Keerweder Safaris in Namibia. Perfect for the first hunt. Easy to get to, stable and safe and they can help you add to your safari with some additional sightseeing which I strongly suggest you consider. See

Keerweder Safaris

PM to follow. Good luck in your search,

Paul

MMM,
While there are all very good suggestions here. I think the bottom line is you should Stick to SA or Namibia for your first family safari. You may be a tough Mississippi family (and I know a few) you are still visiting a foreign country with a 4 year old What I am saying is you need a lodge style hunting camp NOT tented, and a ranch style hunt, you don’t need long days and long distances.
From what I know of AR if a name is mentioned they are probably quite good or they would get beaten down pretty fast. As a PH I know a lot of other guys but Bobby Hanson Safaris spring to mind he is a great guy and has 2 girls around your kids age and I believe they stay at his hunting property.

mcdjph, that's exactly what I am thinking, it will almost certainly be either Namibia or RSA, we are leaning towards Namibia. We really appreciate all of the great suggestions from everyone. My wife is really enjoying browsing through the websites.

Was very satified with Jan Oelofse safaris in Namibia. Also has a Guest non hunting lodge and is about 3.5 hours north of Windhoek. Has been in business for over 30 years and once guided for John Wayne when he was shooting the movie Hatari.

Great accommadations and they have a main 55,000 acre area for Plains game. Also additional hunting on several other very large ranches that you can go twenty miles in any direction and still be on property.

Good Gemsbock, Kudu, Zebra, Warthog, Blue and Black Wildebeast, Hartebeast, Blesbuck, Springbok, Nyala, and if your wallet can stand it Leechwe and Sable.

Has Rhino, Elephant, Hippo, and a two pride lion compound, on the property.

Leopard and Cheetah are also on properties.

Great food and staff and the Owners are very good people.

MMM PM sent.

quote:

Originally posted by MMM:
mcdjph, that's exactly what I am thinking, it will almost certainly be either Namibia or RSA, we are leaning towards Namibia. We really appreciate all of the great suggestions from everyone. My wife is really enjoying browsing through the websites.

MMM,
Both Tanzania Wildlife Co. and Tanzania Game Trackers in Tanzania do a lot of family safaris. And I can tell you for sure both places would take stellar care of your family and give you a great hunt.

Don't get me wrong either...I am sure a lot of the places recommended already are good choices as well...I am just saying don't just throw out Tanzania.

PM me if you would like a contact.

If you are considering South Africa, I have no reservations at all about rcomending Tollie Jordaan. First class. Totally family oriented.

www.safari-in-africa.com



.

We do lots of family and group safaris that involve a mix of hunting and non-hunting activities. We work with a company in South Africa that specializes in non-hunting excursions to put these trips together, and they have brought us nothing but happy customers since we started working with them a few years ago. It works for most folks because they have such a wide variety of options they can create a truly custom itinerary that suits almost anyone's interests. Of course, we also have some darn good outfitters who can take care of the hunting part, too.

quote:

Don't get me wrong either...I am sure a lot of the places recommended already are good choices as well...I am just saying don't just throw out Tanzania

Both companies are outstanding and camps that are among the best. not the place for a 4 yr old. Tsetse Fly! long hunting days. 10 days is a long time for a kid to be in one place. in SA etc the hunting camps will have TV, swimming pools, running water, I understand you have this at home but it helps to have this to fall back on. If your youngest was 8 it would be different.

MMM,

Our first trip to Zimbabwe in 1994 was in an area that had leopard and plainsgame, but no lion,elephant or buffalo. We had a great time but did not realize what we were missing until we hunted an area with the Big 4.

Regardless of the country or outfitter you book your hunt with, I would seriously consider being in an area that has lion,leopard, buffalo and elephant. When you and your family are sitting around the campfire in the evening and hear a lion roar for the first time, the memory will stay with your children forever.

Best of luck on your decision and hunt.

quote:

not the place for a 4 yr old. Tsetse Fly!

I bet my son goes to Tsetse fly belt by the age of 4!!!

quote:

Regardless of the country or outfitter you book your hunt with, I would seriously consider being in an area that has lion,leopard, buffalo and elephant. When you and your family are sitting around the campfire in the evening and hear a lion roar for the first time, the memory will stay with your children forever.

This is very good advice.

Let's clear up some misapprehensions/misrepresentations about safety in the various Southern African countries.

1. South Africa is the most dangerous by far. Like going to Iraq.
2. Zim is far safer than South Africa but you have to put up with some "discomforts".
3. Botswana and Namibia are the safest, as far as crime is concerned.

From a "comfort and convenience" standpoint, RSA is no 1. Namibia/Botswana are no 2 and 3 tied. Zim is no. 4.

From a health risk standpoint, RSA is the safest bet only because most areas are malaria and tsetse free, and there are half decent medical facilities there. Namibia and Botswana have little health risk but limited medical facilities. Zim is last. No health backup systems, malaria, tick bite fever, tsetse, etc.

From a "family vacation" point of view, I would say, summing it all up, go to the Eastern Cape. This would be my last choice if hunting were the main consideration but overall, for a family with young kids, it's the easiest/most healthy/most comforts/most things to do and see. Take in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, perhaps the Garden Route, and stay the heck away from Jo'burg.

I can not honestly suggest anyone take children through the airports in J'Burg or Harare.

I have no experience with any others so cannot comment.

MMM, pm sent to you.

Please PM me if you'd like some wonderful suggestions. Took the family on a trip of a lifetime in 2008 and not much has changed since then.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:
Let's clear up some misapprehensions/misrepresentations about safety in the various Southern African countries.

1. South Africa is the most dangerous by far. Like going to Iraq.
2. Zim is far safer than South Africa but you have to put up with some "discomforts".
3. Botswana and Namibia are the safest, as far as crime is concerned.

1. Bullsh%t - It is only like Iraq if your hunting Outfit is in Soweto township.

2. There is nobody there to commit any crime...All in S.A...lol

3. Yes, because it is all the countries adjacent S.A that commit the crime in S.A...lol

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:
1. South Africa is the most dangerous by far. Like going to Iraq.

You'll excuse me for saying so mate but that has to be one of the most ridiculous statements I've heard in bloody years.

If someone wants to take a young family that need to be entertained, one of the very best places would be somewhere in the Pongola area of Kwa Zulu Natal. It has great hunting and no end of non hunting activities that range from cultural centres to fishing to riding to pleasure cruises on the Pongolapoort dam.

[/QUOTE]
If someone wants to take a young family that need to be entertained, one of the very best places would be somewhere in the Pongola area of Kwa Zulu Natal. It has great hunting and no end of non hunting activities that range from cultural centres to fishing to riding to pleasure cruises on the Pongolapoort dam.[/QUOTE]


And Shakari, don't forget about the North West Province in South Africa

Yup, NW & Limpopo provinces also have their attractions as well.

Why I suggested Pongola/KZN is really that it has such a lot to do in a reasonably short distance...... even or perhaps especially, the game capture unit at Hluhluwe is well worth a visit with youngsters.

I'd put RSA as top of the list for a 1st time/family safari. Maybe not the Cape though.

AMEN...