I'm going on a 12 day (10 actual days of hunting) safari. I plan to take 5 animals. Some of the reports I've read had guys taking three animals in one day. That got me to thinking. If I should have an extra three or four days what would you recommend for those days (I'm 44 and am travelling solo)? I'll be in the Limpopo area of S.A. I read where Victoria Falls is nice but there is nothing else around there. A thought I had was to take a short trip to the coast. Again, what are your thoughts?

Start right now! Save, borrow steal or sell somthing to take cash for additional trophy
fees with you. It will save you from kicking yourself until you can save up for your second trip to Africa. Your are hooked, you just don't know it yet.

The first thought, that comes to my mind (and I guarantee your outfitter's mind) is to do more hunting. The Limpopo can be very thick, so there is no guarantee of 3 animals a day.

My suggestion would be continue to hunt. If you go to Vic Falls you'd have to deal with Zim customs and possibly taking your guns in there, and then sorting out a place to store them.

If all else fails, you're probably not going to be that far from Sun City in RSA, and some time there would probably be very nice.

I would probably relax and take pictures. Maybe head back toward the airport a bit ahead of schedule to be sure I had lots of time. That is what I did in Zim, plus taking a couple of unscheduled side trips in the locale.

Honestly, I think you should worry about that if it happens. It isn't a problem, after all, just a sign of a very successful trip. If you are doing any taxidermy over there maybe the PH can take you by Lifeform.

My son and I just got back from the limpopo. We hunted ten days with JJHACK....we killed fifteen animals between us. The last day we just stayed in the bush taking pictures and just enjoying Africa. Like other posters here, I suggest taking more money! Impala and warthogs are cheap and fun to hunt, if you fill your bag on other stuff, just hunt a really big pig or a really big impala? We had more fun than you can imagine and can't recommend Jim [JJHACK] highly enough. He and his staff made our hunt the hunt of a lifetime.

Bluefin,
Last year I was up in Limpopo for what was supposed to be a 6 day hunt for 5 animals.I ended up with ten, including a 16" bushbuck, a 30" waterbuck, and a 39 1/2" gemsbuck. Somehow I still ended up taking a day off to tour a park with my wife, and go to town to act touristy. I won't be doing that again, I still resent the lost day of hunting.
Take extra money and just go hunting with extra time.You can't count on the three animal days, but they do happen. If you get ahead of schedule you can always raise your standards.
I leave for RSA then Zimbabwe tomorrow.

I'd beg borrow or steal some more money for trophy fees, if you don't you will regret it. Make a loan, whatever...don't short yourself after all you are going half way around the world to hunt, so hunt and worry about the rest later....Figure one animal per day.

bluefin,

Just the time in the Limpopo bush will be an adventure in itself. Even if you decide to stick to a set wishlist which I think is a mistake on a first safari you can spend extra time looking for excellent specimens. Also there will probably be a shotgun in camp and you can pop some guineas for dinner. I can't imagine you'll be bored.

Mark

I totally agree with extra funds for taking an additional animal or two, but think about taking one or two days and visit Kruger Nat'l Park. Take plenty of film. Otherwise, Mark's suggestion on the shotgun will fill the bill. There are plenty of upland birds and waterfowl in Limpopo. You'll need to make sure the seasons are open and expect to pay around $10 per box of shells but they will be worth every cent. Birding in RSA can be unbelievable. Good hunting, LDK

More hunting and a visit to Kruger.

I would highly recommend a visit to Krueger before your safari. It gets you used to spotting game in the bush and may give you some more ideas on what you want to hunt. Just don't expect the animals you are hunting to stand around like some of them do in Krueger. Have fun! Also a tour of LifeForm is well worth the time.

Thanks for all the replies. It will be my first safari so I'm trying to think of all the different possibilities. But, I have to admit that you guys have me scared! I don't want to bring S. Africa back home with me. I'm not Noah. I don't have to have one of each animal. I guess my thought was to check out Kruger, maybe Victoria Falls and what I was really thinking was to go to the African coast to see what that was like. Has anyone here been to the African coast? What was it like and what area would be recommended? Thanks again.

I may be completely wrong (have never been to africa, but will go in 08) but the bird hunting in many places is strong and affordable. Me, I don't like killing birds or fish, but I bet you could get into some mean fowl shooting with little effort. I am sure there would good fishing where you are headed. Otherwise hire out a driver to take you places and drink beer along the way. Have a good time and don't get too hung up on taking pictures. I have never wanted to record a lot of the best things because I have a habit of making them better in my memory over time. Have fun and I hope you get some good animals.

Take the shotgun and shoot some birds. I did it there and it was fantastic.

I would spend some time with a good camera getting the perfect picture of a Lilac Breasted Roller flying in the last light of a Limpopo sunset. I have that picture on the inside of my forehead...... I just wish everyone else could see it too.

As far as bringing back trophies is concerned, If I had it to do all over again, I would just bring back bleached skulls and horns. If I still had the money I spent on mounts, I would be going back on safari sooner.

Have Fun

Elmo

Go to the Victoria Falls- it is a must, and you wouldn't belive the activities available. - elephant back safari's , walk with lions, bungee jump off the bridge, helicopter and microlight flights, sun set cruse, white water rafting (most fun I have ever had with my cloths on) two days isn't really long enough

For a painless and hassle free experience contact cansaf. I taught the boss Chemistry back in my university days and the two girls in the office ( Beth Carpenter and Kylie?) are fantastic. They will taylor your safari just for you- book you on which specific activities etc and even take car of awkward things like visa's if you need to go into Zambia for a cheeper helicopter ride etc

They are on beth@cansaf.com or phone 263-13-43352

If you don't want to take a bunch more animals, make sure you you are ultra picky about the ones you shoot. It is a bunch of fun walking away from animals looking for a bigger one, and it makes your hunting last longer.

Other than that, the Blyde River Canyon is definitely worth a visit. Rent a car. Depending on where you start from, you can probably spend about a day in the Blyde area - including a hike into the canyon. Watch out for the mambas

Krueger Park is a must. I like the area around Oliphants Camp - the camp is very spectacular, and south of the camp seems to be one of the better areas for game watching. You should easily be able to spend 2-3 days in Krueger, if you have extra time on your hands.

- mike

I'm with mho on this; since you've got time, go for the best trophies, not the first you see. I also think Kruger is a good option and would add that a trip to LifeForm Taxidermy in White River might interest you.

Try and make it to Hartebeestportsdam if possible. A shoppers Mecha. There are hundreds of road side and booth vendors everywhere. Much fun to be had.

2) Tour a diamond mine, they are lots cheaper there than in Austin.

Grab a flight to Zim if you can leave your guns with your outfitter or in bond at the airport. See the Falls and have Ganyana's contacts set up an adventure activity for you. Even a sunset Booze Cruise on the Zambezi is worth the effort. Two days is quick, but it can be done and the Falls are inexpensive and a "Don't Miss" sight if you have the opportunity. Flights witnin Africa are affordable. Have your outfitter meet you at the airport with your firearms or get them out of bond when you depart for home. Zim is easy to get firearms in and out of, especially compared to RSA, but it would be an unnecessary complication on such a short trip.

Grab a flight to Durban and see the Indian Ocean. That coastal area is beautiful and I know a tour guide who can take you to see a Zulu village and dancing, a crocodile farm or tour the aquarium which are all worth the effort. A day drinking and relaxing at the beach isn't a bad way to spend the time. Lots of "sights" to see if your old heart can take it.

Perry

If I ever get back over there and find that I have some free time on my hands, I think I will take a short trip back to Harare. There was this little sidewalk cafe there owned and operated by this exquisite little lady of Greek ancestry...Met her in 2005 and still having dreams about her…

Brian

If you are in the south, see Cape Town either on the way in or out. The first couple of trips, I blew in, hunted, and flew out. Remember, you will be back. Pick out somewhere to visit like Cape Town or perhaps Vic Falls. In Namibia visit Etosha Park. After you spend all that money getting there is makes sense to spend a couple of days somewhere to see the sites. We stayed on the cheap in Cape Town at a B&B. Also, I suggest getting someone to go with you. Trips are always more enjoyable when you can enjoy the many unexpected adventures of travel.

Venado

Bluefin,

You don't have to get all the trophies mounted, skull and shield and take nice pictures a lot you will save a lot an have enough for more hunting. Sightseeing is nice but your main aim is hunting isnt it ?

It will also be much cheaper if you sightsee on your own hire a car and bring a partner much more ejoyable and concentrate on sightseeing and not hunting.

Basically use this chance to bag nice animals and dont pass up good chances. It is much cheaper to come back sightseeing than hunting.

If you have some days free, hire a car and visit Kruger. But what would I know I haven't been there yet! The plus side of visiting any National Park is you get much better live wild animal photos. All these dead beasts with tape measures draped on them are only so exciting. A good live animal photo kills any dead animal photo, especially for the folks back home. Take some video too. (puns intended)

As has been mentioned there is lots to do at Victoria Falls. Leave your rifle with the PH if he is willing or leave them at the security office at the airport. I left a vintage double rifle there for three weeks and thought I would never see it again, but thankfully both doubles were still there.

I have white water rafted down the rapids in the Zambezi three times so can recommend it.

The sunset cruise above the falls is OK with good sunset photos. Surprise!

Good photos can be done with a small aeroplane scenic flight over the falls. Best way to see the falls.

Never tried bungee jumping in Africa.

Obviously visit the falls on foot in the Victoria Falls Nat Park, but the Falls can also be viewed very nicely by crossing into Zambia and walking along the top of the falls to where the first "deeper" water starts.

Elephant back safaris sound like fun. Never tried Ganyana's "walking with lions" though.

Just hunt some more animals. I had a seven-day package with five animals. I actually shot eight. I didn't shoot some of the five in the package. If you're "all done," shoot another zebra for a rug, or something different. If I had had another day, I could have perhaps gotten an eland or a red hartebeeste. I almost went bird hunting the last day, but instead got my second impala and a zebra that day.

Stay within your trophy budget. People can easily shoot their way out of another hunt by throwing lead at animals they really never intended to kill in the first place. My trip next year is essentially free because I've stayed calm on previous hunts.

The guys that recommend Kruger are definitely on the right track I think.

In the Vic Falls area spend a half day (morning) fishing the river above the falls for tiger and tilapia. In addition to the fishing you will see lots of game.

In the afternoon take NitroX advice and cross into Zambia.

Going to Kruger Park is a great idea and going to Kruger before the hunt is even better. The other poster was correct, the area around oliphants is wonderful. We spent three days in the park and didn't find it excessive. Getting your body acclimated to the time change and your sleep patterns adjusted is almost as important seeing the various animals in their normal habitat. Victoria falls is also a world class destination. Consider staying at the Vic falls hotel.(old colonial atmosphere) The sundowner cruise on the Zambezi as previously mentioned is a memorable experience. United touring co. handled our itenerary and we also did Hwange Park and the Safari Lodge. It is too far and requires too much effort to just fly over hunt a few days and fly home. Two weeks or a bit longer works for us. Adrian