Gents, as see you can see by my join date and post count I have been a silent reader for many years here.

Life changes and fortunes improve by hard work and luck and I am there. I have been bird hunter for a long time and have started to add back big game as my son has gotten older and is now excited to hunt with me.

I took Sig Sauer modern hunter in Wyoming this year and have already planned my western hunt for Antelope for 2025 and after finance discussions with the wife (she is the one who used to negotiate 6 and 7 figure contracts and is the smart money person in the family) that an African safari is doable for my 50th birthday.

So if you ever wonder if your reports and posts inspire others, it is absolutely true and I can't wait to post my hunt trip report in the future.

Good for you and congratulations!

My first trip to Africa was the best. I went when I was 40. I had put it off and finally decided to go. I indeed a trip me and my wife will always remember. It is not just hunting, of course. To see Africa for the first time is really incredible.

Be sure to post your trip and remember, planning is a big part of the fun!

The anticipation I felt prior to my first safari was so intense that I was useless for any work for weeks beforehand, unless, of course, the effort involved planning and preparing for my first safari.

Good luck and best wishes from a fellow New Englander!

Crackerman

Now the fun part begins, you have the opportunity to look at the different countries and determine what you want to experience.

I would suggest that if you have the time to take in a sportsman convention and visit with different booths. Pick up some literature and do some comparisons.

When I take in a convention, I usually have some booths that I want to visit with. I do those first and then move through the floor for a few days looking at others operations. making future plans in my head.

then comes the money part to see what I can afford or how many years it will take to put aside the funds to take the hunt that I want.

Bwanna,

I am actually a member of SCI and the convention this year or maybe next will be a good excuse to get the wife to Nashville. I will certainly be vetting the outfitter as I got burned on a local goose hunt last year and I’m lucky I got my truck out of the farmers field unstock and without getting sued.

Between here and another website reading reports, I’ve got a fairly decent idea of what other people have done. I don’t have dreams yet of trophy animals all around as the dream of sitting in camp around the fire, talking with the pHs and other guests is what I’ve dreamed about for years.

Like you said the fun starts now but I do know there’s a lot of work between now and then too.

do not wait do it now. my first trip was when I was 69 but sure wish I had done it 20 years before when I was in much better shape. if needed credit card the trip and then pay it off you will be happy you did, 2025 is still a long ways off

First one is the best one!

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
The anticipation I felt prior to my first safari was so intense that I was useless for any work for weeks beforehand, unless, of course, the effort involved planning and preparing for my first safari.

Good luck and best wishes from a fellow New Englander!

The exact opposite to me!

Joined a flying school, and had 2 months to kill before that started.

After reading DEATH IN THE LONG GRASS, and looking at a hunting magazine while in Seattle visiting Boeing, saw adverts for African safaris.

Advert was fir Klinebergers.

Went over and booked a hunt in Zimbabwe.

A country I hardly ever heard of before!

Then as the old saying goes, never looked back!

Congrats on your upcoming adventure! I was a member of AR for 17 years before I finally made it to Africa, and it was everything I hoped it would be! I look forward to seeing your report.

"And so if you meet a hunter who has been to Africa, and he tells you what he has seen and done, watch his eyes as he talks. For they will not see you. They will see sunrises and sunsets such as you cannot imagine, and a land and a way of life that is fast vanishing. And always he will will tell you how he plans to go back." author: David Petzer


Congratulations on planning your first safari. Africa is one of life's greatest experiences.

I have been just once and I refuse to call it "the trip of a lifetime" because that would insinuate that I only intend to go once, and I assure you I will go back.

Ironic that we have two threads going right now, one on beginning the dream and one on giving up the dream. I've long thought that the saddest day of my life would be the last day of what I knew to be my last safari. Thankfully, that day hasn't come. Just got back this month and was negotiating the next while I was there (but that's normal).

Congratulations Crackerman on beginning to plan your first. There is only on first safari so enjoy every minute of preparation, the trip over, the hunt, etc. But I warn you. Years ago, at HSC, Craig Boddington said something like if you haven't gone to Africa, don't, take up something less addictive like cocaine or heroin. I think he was right, at least in my case, but I'd already caught the bug.

Enjoy it. There's only one first safari and it's always special

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Ironic that we have two threads going right now, one on beginning the dream and one on giving up the dream. I've long thought that the saddest day of my life would be the last day of what I knew to be my last safari. Thankfully, that day hasn't come. Just got back this month and was negotiating the next while I was there (but that's normal).

Congratulations Crackerman on beginning to plan your first. There is only on first safari so enjoy every minute of preparation, the trip over, the hunt, etc. But I warn you. Years ago, at HSC, Craig Boddington said something like if you haven't gone to Africa, don't, take up something less addictive like cocaine or heroin. I think he was right, at least in my case, but I'd already caught the bug.

Enjoy it. There's only one first safari and it's always special

My taxidermist said that he sees the cycle. The cycle of guys hunting Africa.

They typically go for 12-15 years. Slow down, go a few more times and then are done. Much like my cycle.

Remembering back to the first 5-6. Those were just plain magic.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Ironic that we have two threads going right now, one on beginning the dream and one on giving up the dream. I've long thought that the saddest day of my life would be the last day of what I knew to be my last safari. Thankfully, that day hasn't come. Just got back this month and was negotiating the next while I was there (but that's normal).

Congratulations Crackerman on beginning to plan your first. There is only on first safari so enjoy every minute of preparation, the trip over, the hunt, etc. But I warn you. Years ago, at HSC, Craig Boddington said something like if you haven't gone to Africa, don't, take up something less addictive like cocaine or heroin. I think he was right, at least in my case, but I'd already caught the bug.

Enjoy it. There's only one first safari and it's always special

Funny thing is I actually had dinner with and talked to Craig Boddington at a safari club dinner in Orange County California a long while ago and thought I am never going to get to do this. Well fast forward a while and here I am planning that trip. I hobby cycle every so often but the change to go to Africa, live a dream, get closer to all 7 continents etc,

By god I am excited. and a little into the Bourbon as I write this so excuse the spelling.

quote:

Reply

Crackerman,

Enjoy it!

I am not sure whether it's the same for everyone, probably not; but for me the African bush is a magical place, full of surprises, no two days are the same. The huge variety of birds, insects, vegetation, and of course mammals ensures that there is never a dull moment. The style of hunting is also novel to most visiting hunters. As is the camp experience and the mild weather. And of course holding that big bore rifle in your hands makes your heart beat just a tad faster.

One caveat: all this excitement leads many to shoot too many mediocre trophies, and worse to get them all mounted. For perspective, this is rarely a once-in-a-lifetime hunt, it's the beginning of a journey, the first chapter in a book. So go slow, shoot selectively, and don't mount anything unless it's both memorable and remarkable. If you can't restrain yourself, get Euro mounts and put the savings toward the next chapter.

Crackerman I would certainly hunt a Buff in the wild and you should not be hunting in a camp that has other guests. Generally, you get sole rights to the hunting area

Crackerman,

Russ and Andrew both offer very good advice. I shared a camp on my first two trips and while they were good guys, I decided I'd never do it again.
I also mounted some animals I never would today.
And now I don't have a place for them. I get a lot of Euro mounts now. My last leopard is going to be a flat skin throw over the back of a sofa.

As far as those that say the fire burns out, I've been going for 20 years (generally every other year), still generally plan the next if not while I'm still there, shortly thereafter, and I just bought a rifle for a specialized purpose -- in Africa. Not that it wouldn't work elsewhere.

There's a lot to hunt, a lot to do, and to see.
It's a big continent. You might just catch the bug.

quote:

Originally posted by KevinNY:
First one is the best one!

I respectfully disagree. I feel the best one is the NEXT one.

Enjoy every moment Crackerman; the planning, the anxiety, the airlines, ALL of it.

And welcome to The Club.

Agree with JJ. So this will be your best, until the next time.

As I have gone down the rabbit hole more that Alice ever did in these last few days, I know nada. I appreciate all the advice so far.

I guess I have luck having traveled to Asia, Europe, and most every state in the US, so the long travel is just another day. Animal wise I like antelopes and have a speed goat trip in Wyoming in 2025 already booked, I am a Euro mount fan so your advice is well taken Russ. I have shot a number of birds and don't believe in mounting everything. Lots of pictures though.

I do have an image of what I want the hunt to be and it does seem to be inline with everything you guys describe so I don;t think I am setting my self up to be disappointed.

I will ask, do you need a .375 to shoot Kudu on down or will my .30-06 with good solid copper bullets get it done?

quote:

Originally posted by crackerman:
As I have gone down the rabbit hole more that Alice ever did in these last few days, I know nada. I appreciate all the advice so far.

I guess I have luck having traveled to Asia, Europe, and most every state in the US, so the long travel is just another day. Animal wise I like antelopes and have a speed goat trip in Wyoming in 2025 already booked, I am a Euro mount fan so your advice is well taken Russ. I have shot a number of birds and don't believe in mounting everything. Lots of pictures though.

I do have an image of what I want the hunt to be and it does seem to be inline with everything you guys describe so I don;t think I am setting my self up to be disappointed.

I will ask, do you need a .375 to shoot Kudu on down or will my .30-06 with good solid copper bullets get it done?

30-06 will get the job done 180 grain

As Fairgame said, 180 grain well constructed bullet will drop anything from Kudu down. The animal will never know whether the rifle was chambered for .308, 30 06, or 300 Win mag so long as you don't shoot at silly ranges and hit it smack on the shoulder. Personally, I have always been perfectly happy using a .270 on anything in that class. Having said that, if you are likely to bump into tuskless cows I would be carrying a .375.
If shooting tiny antelope with a 30 06, have patience, wait until it lies down, then aim where the chest touches the ground. The bullet passing underneath will blast gravel up, gut the animal and leaves something for your taxidermist to work with, especially if you want a full body mount of a Blue duiker or Dikdik.

quote:

Originally posted by the Pom:
As Fairgame said, 180 grain well constructed bullet will drop anything from Kudu down. The animal will never know whether the rifle was chambered for .308, 30 06, or 300 Win mag so long as you don't shoot at silly ranges and hit it smack on the shoulder. Personally, I have always been perfectly happy using a .270 on anything in that class. Having said that, if you are likely to bump into tuskless cows I would be carrying a .375.
If shooting tiny antelope with a 30 06, have patience, wait until it lies down, then aim where the chest touches the ground. The bullet passing underneath will blast gravel up, gut the animal and leaves something for your taxidermist to work with, especially if you want a full body mount of a Blue duiker or Dikdik.

Or a 220 grain solid

Quite so, Andrew! If you happen to have some 220 gr solids. My system seemed to work OK on an Oribi with your old .375.

More and more reading and youtubing has been fun.

I picked up a CZ600 Lux in .30-06 to go with my Tikka and now have to work on scoping it.

What is the general idea for scope powers for plains game?

Congrats Crackerman on your upcoming trip to Africa. You’ll love every moment.

I have happily settled on a Leupold 2.5-8 for all of my PG hunting on 375 caliber rifles and lower. I now use a Leupold 2.5 fixed on my 40+ calibers.

As most all animals in Africa hunting are taken at 200 yds. or less, the 2.5-8 is ideal IMHO. It is light, compliments the balance of the rifle, and has a 36mm objective lens which mounts close to the bore axis of the rifle.

I just came back from a highly successful safari (see the thread ‘Dream Safari’ a ways down below this thread) with Andrew Baldry (Fairgame) who has commented three times on your thread. I can highly recommend him, as I have hunted with him (6) times now in Zambia. He is a true professional, and a lot of fun to be around camp, and in the field. He guided me to a 46” Buffalo in Bangweulu just a week ago, and a Black Lechwe, Tsessebe and Side Striped Jackel where upon I was tagged out!

Good luck on your upcoming safari! You’ll never be the same after you hunt Africa on your first trip there.