I would like to plan a father and son hunt in South Africa for 2011. I recently returned from a 10 day hunt with Tim Rudman in the East Cape area and had a wonderful time, however I would enjoy seeing some new country and combining a trip to Krueger Park as part of the package. Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions? we would be interested in plains game and a hunt of 5 or 6 days plus a few in the park.
thank you in advance for your help.

Hi Mike,
I took my son to the East Cape last year and it was one of the best hunts of my career! Congrats on introducing your son to Africa. I hunted the Hoedspruit area in the Limpopo with Russell Lovemore who can also arrange Krueger tours. You can find his website at http://www.safari-international.com/

While he is based in the EC, he hunts all over the RSA and Mozambique as many South Africans do... I also have heard great things about Gary Kelly from several friends of mine though I have never hunted with him. Try and pm Mark Young who posts here. I believe he represents Garry. Good luck!
Cheers,
Russell

There's no end of good operators in SA but I'd suggest you choose one close to whatever park you finally settle on.

If you want the KNP then pick a nearby operator and if the want Hluhluwe/Umfolozi in KZN then choose an operator in that area.

Doing it that way will save you a considerable amount of time and money.

Michael, here is who my son and I hunted with, in 2008. They are located in the limpopo, about 3 1/2 hrs. north of JNB. They have some very attractive pkgs., and are super to hunt with.

www.cruisersafaris.com/

Mad Dog

I would suggest roaming a little farther afield. For instance do a 2X1 hunt on Clive Eaton's ranch in Botswana and add a day or two touring the Okavango delta. The ranch hunt is competitive with SA hunts and the delta is spectacular. Clive has great kudu, a classic African trophy.
Why limit yourself to SA?

Michael,

I would suggest Johan Spies (Johan Spies Safaris). He lives near Gravelotte, which is about 30 miles west of the Phalaborwa gate of Kruger, and has access to lots of concessions in the area. It would be very convenient to hunt that close to Kruger. I have done it twice and combined a visit to Kruger on the same trip - it really worked out great. I never get tired of Kruger. He can also take you into Kruger or you can do the Kruger part on your own with a rental car from either Phalaborwa or Nelspruit. He also has access to some great properties north of Polokwane, if you want to venture farther west of the park.

If you pm me I'll give you his contact info. He's a very good PH and a very good guy.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
There's no end of good operators in SA but I'd suggest you choose one close to whatever park you finally settle on.

If you want the KNP then pick a nearby operator and if the want Hluhluwe/Umfolozi in KZN then choose an operator in that area.

Doing it that way will save you a considerable amount of time and money.

Michael, also not a bad idea...your choice, but S.A offers very good hunting operators...

Do the park before the hunt.

That way you get to use the park visit as part of the hunt preparation lessons. You can let him study behaviour, discuss shot placement etc. There really is no better place to teach hunting than in a park.....

How old is your son?

I agree with Stephen Palos, do the park before the hunt, for the reasons he stated. Also, it gets you excited about the hunt. Another reason is that if you do the hunt first, then when you're in the park you will probably wish you were still hunting!

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Palos:
How old is your son?

It doesn't matter. My son and I went at ages 56 and 32, but I wish we had gone at 36 and 12, and hope we're still going at 85 and 61! A hunting trip to Africa with your son is both precious and timeless.

Stonecreek, wish I would have had a Dad who could have taken me at 32!
Now that I am almost 68 and didn't get to go til I was 58. would you adopt me and take me on a few trips. I will provide my really want one of those lists!

We have a hunt specifically designed for a father/son team, and the outfitter goes out of his way to make these hunts work. Here are the "unique aspects" of this hunt:

1. Tented camp with hot/cold water, flush toilet, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Overlooks a water hole in the river bed below the camp.
2. All hunting on foot. Vehicles only to get to start point. You can hunt right out of camp on foot, but no hunting in immediate vicinity of camp.
3. The hunter hunts, rather than following behind the PH. The PH stays back while you make the final approach.
4. High game density, top notch Nyala, plenty warthogs and impala, red duiker, some bushbuck and reedbuck, BWB, Zebra, baboons, gray duiker, kudu. Leopard and waterbuck. Riverine bush as well as more open acacia ridges. Broken up country, varied vegetation.
5. Inexpensive. You can self cater if you prefer and that really cuts the daily rate. Fully equipped outdoor kitchen with LPG appliances.
6. 30 minutes by surfaced road from Richard's Bay airport.
7. You can combine with Tiger fishing and/or salt water (offshore) fishing for a variety of exciting gamefish.
8. Near several National Parks eg Hluhluwe, as well as St Lucia.

This is where I took my son on his first hunt. He shot 5 animals in 4 days with 6 shots. BWB required a finisher. The others dropped in their tracks.

I would agree with Mad Dog, I have hunted twice with Cruiser Safaris and they are a great operation with great people and fantastic Trophy animals.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Palos:
How old is your son?

It doesn't matter. My son and I went at ages 56 and 32, but I wish we had gone at 36 and 12, and hope we're still going at 85 and 61! A hunting trip to Africa with your son is both precious and timeless.

Being a 37 yr old son and having just been on a African hunt with my 70 yr old father, a first for us both, I can't even begin to tell you how much it meant to me to just share the experience with him. I can assure you that your son will feel the same way regardless of his age. On the flight home, my father told me " I wish we had done this sooner"

Good Luck!

Adam

"Being a 37 yr old son and having just been on a African hunt with my 70 yr old father, a first for us both, I can't even begin to tell you how much it meant to me to just share the experience with him. I can assure you that your son will feel the same way regardless of his age. On the flight home, my father told me " I wish we had done this sooner"
Good Luck!
Adam"

That about says it all.

We went when I was 41 and Dad was 65. Great time!!!

Me, my waterbuck, My Dad, and Nigel Theisen.



Dad & Nigel taking it easy at lunch.

These pics are in Chewore South.

Heed the very good advice by Shakari.

Kruger National Park is probably now better than Ndumu! [See thread about invasion!]

The only good operators I know near Kruger NP[or can think of right now - there are most probably many more] are luan and 375 fanatic. PM both of them about dates etc. Oops, of course there is also shakari in White River - right next door to KNP! Sorry Steve, my slip.

I can and will offer a great father and son hunt in the Free State grassveld . But, in honesty I have to admit to being many miles from anywhere where you can see big 5 in a natural or even near natural environment!

Enjoy further research, planning and then the hunt!

Andrew McLaren

My son and I had a great hunt with Nihan Engelbrecht of www.huntersgame.co.za

We did the 7 animal package over 10 hunting day instead of 8. We also went to Pilansberg Nat Park but had flight delays of two days so we wer eonly there for one day.

My son was 18 when we went.

My advise is go to Africa. It lies north of the Limpopo.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
My advise is go to Africa. It lies north of the Limpopo.