How old were you when you went on your first safari?
I am now 28 yrs old, I decided that I would go on safari two years ago after dreaming of Africa my whole life. The trouble is Africa is still a few years off.
I just wonder how long it took some of you guys before you actually got there. Did some of you get to go as kids with your dad or granddad? Or did you slug it out a few years first?

I was 32 with a one year-old at home when I went the first time.

I was gone four weeks, and when I got back, my daughter didn't recognize me at first!

Go as soon as you can. I've never met anyone who regretted going, but a lot of people who regretted NOT going.

George

[ 10-07-2003, 22:00: Message edited by: GeorgeS ]

I can't remember that far back, but I will tell you that 95% of the people that go to Africa for the first time are well into their 40's and mostly in their 50s...They are retired or simi retired with kids out of school and they are enjoying the fruits of thier labor....

Wise1,

Welcome to the forum.

Like my friend George, I was 32 when I went on my first safari.

I had a break of 11 years before I managed to go again.

Ever since then, I managed one safari a year, and on one year I was lucky enough to go twice.

Now it has become an annual trip.

Been dreaming of it all of my life and still trying to get it together. One day!

Doug

I'll be 26 next summer. God willing I will be in Namibia June 11-24.

I've wanted to go since I was about 12 (magazine got me). It became more real in college when I started meeting people who had gone. I started saving as soon as I got my first post-college job, and *poof* 3 1/2 years later I'll be there. I've also managed to arrange my income so that I can make it an annual or semi-annual trip, until something drastic changes in my life.

I was 45 (actually closer to 46) and it was a life-changing event. I have to thank Jeff Cooper for the inspiration to take the plunge.

Haven't gone yet, but I'll be in Namibia at the same time as Travis: June 12-23. I'll be a couple weeks shy of 30 when I leave. My little girl will be a year and a half by then. I hope she remembers me when I return. I'm dragging my dad along for his first safari - he'll be almost 54. With some luck, I won't have to wait 'til then to go on my next one!

I plan on a DG safari in 2007 or 2008, then another plains game safari with the wife and kid(s) some time after that. I doubt the finances will allow more frequent trips than that, but we'll make the best of the ones we go on!

I was 38 on my first trip....I am now 40. I wish I would have went sooner and I can't wait to get back. I have been able to make two trips so far....It is like no other place on earth. Don't miss this if this is something you wish to do...I sat in the hospital last week... while in my room...all i did was plan my next trip. Don't wait for "some day"...it may never come.

urdubob

My wife and I made our first trip this September, I turned 40 in May, she is ??? What? Do you think I'm crazy enough to post her age She might read this

Africa '05!!!!

I was 23 when I went to Zim in 2002. I talked my father into going with me on his first safari. He was 47. I saved for 1.5 years befor I left and I am still paying off the taxidermy bill.

I am hoping to go again in 2006. After my first safari all I think about is my NEXT safari.

Wise1,

Well, 32 seems to be a popular age for first safaris. I was 32 when I went on my first one to Namibia.

Rich Elliott

I was 45-2 months shy of my 46th birthday.

49 year old. Buffalo and plains game in Tanzania. Next May, it's leopard and plains game in Namibia. Don't wait as long as I did!

29, and I turned 30 on safari. I just turned 34 and will be going on my 9th and 10th safaris this coming season. It is very addictive.

As some have said 50+ and semi retired. I was 55 and my wish that I can go back again.

I turned 50 in RSA in Sept. My wife bought me the trip because she knew that I had been dreaming about it for 25 years. We are planning Tanzania or Namibia in 06. You can see my hunt report in the Africa Hunt Report section. My advice- don't wait!
Blacktailer