I am looking to take my wife and two boys for a hunting trip to either Namibia or SA in 2008. I would like to hunt for 7-10 days for plains game to get our feet wet in Africa.

I would like any imput on recommendations.

Thanks,

Though possibly a little biased, my input is change your destination and come and hunt with Roger Whittall Safaris in Zimbabwe's Save Valley. You will not regret it.

You have virtually unlimited options. I would suggest first defining what you mean by a plains game hunt in Africa. Are you talking about a tented safari or would you prefer to sleep indoors? Do you want unspoiled bush or are you happy hunting on a private ranch? Do you want a desert environment or mopane forest or wetland? What species of plainsgame would you most like to hunt? Do you want to be in an area where you are apt to see elephant, buffalo, lion or other dangerous game even if you are not going to hunt them? Do you want your wife, and/or Boys to be able to sightsee or shop while you hunt? Do they want to hunt also? Would you like to do some bird hunting or fishing while you are there? Do you want to add a side trip to, for instance, Vic Falls, the Okavango Delta, Capetown, Sun City, Chobe Game reserve, etc?
All of these options, and more are available. Defining which you are interested in will enable you to refine your search. Namibia, SA, and my favorite, Botswana, all offer wonderful hunts. Tanzania doesn't appear to offer much "stand alone" plainsgame hunting. Zim has long been a favorite of many who post here. I'm sure that you will be contacted by some of the outfitters and brokers who post here. They can be a great resource, but I'd suggest that you have an idea of what it is you want to buy before you go shopping.


TerryR

Great advice Terry

I'm in the planning stages for my 2nd trip (1st for buffalo) and the amount of options out there is overwhelming !

Paul, I can reccomend where we went for our plainsgame hunt http://www.frontiersafaris.com/frontiersafarisframe.htm which we booked through Cabelas

Good luck!

Since your taking your Wife and boys, consider the Eastern Cape of RSA. The Indian Ocean is beautiful; big game fishing, over 40 species of game to hunt, shopping in Port Elizabeth or Cape Town, varied flora and game parks. If the Ocean isn't your family's thing, up in the northern part of the country you have the Limpopo River, Kruger Nat'l Park and more excellent hunting. I'll be returning twice in the spring. It's another great African country to visit, hunt/fish or vacation. Good hunting, LDK

For a family first trip I think Namibia is a great choice. Okanduka Seibe is one of many great outfitters there.

What makes this request different from the normal first time request is the fact that Paul wants to take his two boys hunting as well as his wife. He doesn't say how old they are or whether they are experienced hunters. That will have some influence on the type of hunt. Young kids are often not very patient and they can't carry a big heavy rifle for miles in the African sun. Pushing them too far outside their comfort zone or physical abilities will turn them off and I am sure that's not exactly what Paul has in mind.

The other thing that I would like to point out is that if it were my kids, I would want them to have a quality hunt with a little walking (not too much) and some good stalking. NOT the shoot-em from-the-bakkie hunting style that too many operators employ. Ethics are a big part of learning to hunt. I would also want to be their mentor and teacher, not the PH. I think passing on rifle and hunting skills is a father-to-son thing, not something you can outsource to a stranger.

Now Mom...let the PH teach her to hunt. That's probably a smart move anyway. If she doesn't want to hunt, then be sure to find a place where there is something for women to do, a couple of special activities.

I would also want some private family time around the fire in the evenings, definitely no other boozing cussing hunters around and preferably a low profile host. If Mom has to have brick walls, then I would try to find a place that has a two bedroom chalet with its own sitting area to serve as a surrogate home. If not, I would try to get a two tent setup, Mom and Dad in one, kids in the other (if they are old enough).

Finally, this could end up being a spendy hunt if there are 4 hunters, so price is a consideration. You might want to look for a hunt that offers non-trophy animals at a discount to normal rates. Focus on the quality of the hunt, not the length of the horns.

So having said all that, I would be looking for a destination that welcomes families and has some empathy for the father-son thing.

If this makes sense to you, Paul, PM me and I will point you in the right direction.

Paul:
I'd try Van Heerden Safaries in Namibia. My son and I hunted with him in 2005 and had a great time. He will hunt anyway you want to. He does tent or farm hunts. No high fences. He doesn't chicken shit around and charge for bird hunting, jackals and baboons. Their all free, and he provides the shotgun and shells for the birds.
I think he has a website now.
You deal directly with him.