Ladies and Gentlemen,

In 4 days my wife and I will be boarding a flight here in Southern California bound for Kwa Zulu Natal in RSA. I have a hunt set up with Ally Robins. This will be my first trip to the continent after a life time of dreaming. I want to thank all of you on AR for giving me an online education as to what to expect and how to physically get myself to Africa. The posts you have all provided...the good and the bad...have helped me immesurably. I look forward to posting a report (with pictures!!) when I get back. Again thanks so much!

Steven

Good luck to you.

After you do it once. You'll try very hard to go back again. That's where I am after finishing my first trip over there. It was seriously worth it.

Honestly, I don't want it to be my trip of a lifetime. I wanna go back!!!

I hunted Rhino with Ally Robins in August. Have him show you my pictures. You will enjoy hunting with him. He is a great PH and his accomodations are wonderful.

Have a good trip, look forward to your hunt report. As has been said, it is very addictive. On your flight back you will probably start planning the next trip to Africa.

Well bro., I told you all I could about Ally and how you will be treated. Give my best to Elane and the boys and ask Ally if he misses me yet!!! Make darn sure you take pictures and a note pad...While your sitting at the watering holes, you can draw little dumb pictures while Ally is carving silly wood hunting "Gods." Best of luck to you and your bride and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Tom B.
P.S. Yes, once you have been bitten by the Africa bug, it's hard to resest another trip.

Steve and your better half, I started Africa in Natal also with my wife on our first safari in 02 and Africa has given much more back to me..
Go and enjoy every minute and just soak her in...Expect only a good time and nothing more..

Make the shot,

Mike

Congratulations! There is nothing like your first safari to Africa. Cherish every moment and remember, this is only the first round!

Steve: What will you be hunting with Ally? There's great red duiker, livingston's suni and fantastic nyala in the area as well. I know that Ally hunts all of these plus many other species. Are you flying into Richards Bay?

Welcome to the Dark Side. Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated. There is no one more fortunate or more blessed that someone going to Africa for the first time. Have fun, be safe, start saving for the next trip.

Good luck and good shooting on what will be a wonderful hunt.

I also started my Africian hunting in Natal near Hluhluwe. It is great and I am planning on a return hunt next year. If you look at the trophy fees for Suni you will find pound for pound they are probably the most expensive in RSA, but don't let that deture you they are great trophies.

Yes, the trophy fees for livingston's suni are expensive, but they are darn well worth it when you shoot a great suni. The same with red duiker and trophy nyala. And, after visiting with two other hunters that had been on multiple hunts for suni and red duiker, for me getting them both in this last hunt made it even more special. So, Steve, if you can do so, do it. Ally is the man and he hunts the same area that I did this year for suni and red duiker. There's still some wonderful trophies there.

Envy you the trip and the hunt. Natal is likely to be warm and maybe even humid this time of year. Enjoy the event and listen to those talking about the joys of hunting the "Tiny Ten." Regards