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Cany you help me figure out the basic budget for an African Cape Buffalo Hunt: Rifle export and import Airfare In Africa travel Hunting costs Licenses Trophy fees Head or hide export Rifle export/import return Tip I'm sure I missed a bunch. . .What kind of total cost am I looking at? | ||
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Hi Nathan, Welcome to the forum. You might find a visit to www.shakariconnection.com is a good place to start. The site offers unbiased advice on how to research and plan an African hunting safari and comprises about 450 pages on 170 species in 12 African countries. | |||
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Airkine tickets, Parking, Travel Ins. $2500.00 Rifle permits, Depends on which Country, SA No Charge. In Africa Travel. Depends on how much sightseeing you do? Hunting Cost. Plains game is the cheapest. Dangerous Game can be expensive. Licenses & Trophy Fee. Explained when you book the hunt. Hide or Hide export. You can expect tp pay $200.00 or more for Pack & Crate. Shipping is extra. Rifle return. No Charge. Tips, This depends on how large the camp staff is? Also more if hunting DG You can get a Cape Buffalo in RSA + Plains Game for under $25000.00 all inclusive. A Cull Hunt in RSA or Namibia for under $10000.00 all inclusive, This would include some Tropy Animals. A Cull Hunt only would be cheaper yet. | |||
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My rough outline In Zim you could hunt Cape Buffalo +/- $10,000 Airfare/travel related expeneses $2,500 Dip Pack Freight $+/- 2,000 Tip up to you, I would guess $500 to $1,000 All in somewhere in the neighborhood of 15,000 on the low end | |||
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Dont forget about all those "other" trophies fees you will need because you ain't just going to shoot one buff. NRA LIFE MEMBER DU DIAMOND SPONSOR IN PERPETUITY DALLAS SAFARI CLUB LIFE MEMBER SCI FOUNDATION MEMBER | |||
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Here's a couple of specific links that'll help you: http://www.shakariconnection.com/hunt-pricing.html http://www.shakariconnection.com/hunt-budgeting.html Actually, the entire section will be of interest http://www.shakariconnection.c...can-hunt-safari.html | |||
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Buff Hunt $8-$12K Airfare $2K In Africa travel $.5K-$2K Trophy fees (buff) $2K Trophy Fees (other species) $2K-$5K Hotel if necessary $.2K Dip/Pack and Freight $1.5K Visa, ammo taxes, etc. $.3K MedEvac Insurance $.2K Tips $1K-$2K All in anywhere from a low end of $15K to upwards of $25K depending on where you go, whether charters are required, what else you shoot, etc. If you're considering luxury camps in someplace like Tanz the cost will be quite a bit higher. | |||
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You probably could do Zim for around $15,000. My experience in Botswana was about $20,000. | |||
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if you email me I have a spreadsheet you can fill in...all in if you shop around..figure about $15K-19k depending on the country and the other trohpies and minimal taxidermy Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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I suggest you stay away from buffalo for your first hunt, esp if you are on a budget. Buff is about the lowest value-for-money of all the hunts you can do. Very expensive for one species. And for the most part overrated. For $5K you can have a good plains game hunt in Namibia, RSA, Zim (but be careful picking your area) or even Botswana. Shoot the species that are plentiful where you hunt, they will be inexpensive. $2K airfare if you shop. The only other costs are tips and taxidermy/freight, and these are optional. Go for Euro mounts, get them done over there, and you will be out $1000-$1500 no more. $500 tip brings your grand total to $9K. If you have an extra $1K, spend it on an extra trophy or two. That's a whole lot of memories for 2/3 the price of chasing buffalo for a week and shooting one animal. You can do this twice without going over the same ground or running out of stuff to shoot ... eg Namibia one year, Zululand the next. Only when you have done at least one PG hunt should you start thinking about DG. And then I would go for elephant before I went for buff. If you do a management or PAC hunt, you can hunt elephant for half the price of a buff hunt. If you must kill a buffalo to say you have done it, wait for an end-of-season "special". There will be plenty this year, as there are most years. Never pay rack rate for a buffalo hunt. Final caveat: leopard is probably the most difficult species, you may need to go 2 or 3 times to get one. Don't even think about leopard until you have done a couple of hunts and figured out how things work. Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC BigfiveHQ.com, Large Calibers and African Safaris Doublegunhq.com, Fine English, American and German Double Rifles and Shotguns VH2Q.com, Varmint Rifles and Gear | |||
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I'd also have to disagree with Russ on that. Buffalo are usually the cheapest of the big 5 to hunt in most places, and assuming the 1st timer to Africa is a reasonably experienced hunter, I tend to feel a plains game only hunt is to a large extent just a repeat of previous experiences. Sure you're shooting things with different horns in a different country, but a lot of the experiences are similar to what's gone before........and those experiences cost a shit load of money and time. Just getting to Africa is a drama and a big expense, so why not make the most of it once you're here? I think it's a better idea if time and money allows, to make the first trip a combined Buff and plains game hunt. Even if you have to postpone the hunt for one more year, it's much better value for money that way. | |||
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I loved my first buff hunt.I would much rather shoot a buff than a impala blesbuck and one or two others.But first prise would be a buff and plains game hunt. | |||
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I agree with Russ if you hunt SA for your first hunt you can hunt any plainsgame species and you are not restricted to a lisence if you hunt 5 days you pay for 5 and the same for 20days a buff hunt is 15k(excluding flights) + al the extras like gun imports and chaters that you dont use in SA just with that you have saved enough money to shoot 2 more animals if not more if you shoot a buff on your first hunt what do you have left. start small and build it up you can shoot a shit load of species with 15k "Buy land they have stopped making it"- Mark Twain | |||
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I totally disagree with Russ and 375.... Buffalo hunting? God, what a thrill! | |||
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Nathan- I'm setting $20k aside for my 7 day Buffalo Safari to the Luangwa Valley in Zambia. It sounds like a ton of money, but thats what it costs by the time you're home showing the photos to your buddies. And, regardless of what the others may say, if it's a Buff you want on your first safari, go get it. In this economy, who knows which safari shall be our last... Phil Massaro President, Massaro Ballistic Laboratories, LLC NRA Life Member B&C Member www.mblammo.com Hunt Reports- Zambia 2011 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1481089261 "Two kinds of people in this world, those of us with loaded guns, and those of us who dig. You dig." | |||
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You need to remember the cost of getting all the way here is sooooo expensive, so you might as well make the most of your money by doing as much as you can whilst you're here.......... and nothing, but nothing at all, beats the thrill of Buffalo hunting!!  | |||
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Keep an eye out for end of season deals this year in particular. You WILL see "all in" 7 day buff hunts in Zim get close to $7000 at the end of this safari season. Have your ducks in a row and be ready to go at a moments notice. Figure the below as possible this year... Zim Buff Hunt: $7500 Airfare: $2000 (or less) In Africa travel: MAYBE $1000 if you want to see other stuff. Trophy fees for Buff: INCLUDED Hotel if necessary: $200 Buff Skull mount: $300 Buff Hide Tanning: $300 Freight: $1500 Visa, ammo taxes, etc.: $200 Tips to PH and staff: $700 This year is unique. Given that demand has probably dropped off a bit this season, I think you can do it all for under $12-13,000 if you are careful. You can scrimp wherever you want but NOT on the hunt itself. You can shop expedia for airfare too if you have enough notice. I just found a friend of mine rountrip airfare from the western US to Paris for under $600. Play your cards right and you can capitalize on the economic downturn. I think Warren Buffet said "be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful!" Good advice! | |||
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Hi, i haven't hunt buffalo jet but i agree with russ. Go on a PG hunt first and after that you will love africa and will enjoy your buff hunt more. I think it's always better to beginn slow and get the whole value. regards caracal | |||
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I think a ten day Buffalo/plainsgame is hunt is a great first African hunt. You get the excitement of the dangerous game hunt and still have 4 or 5 additional trophies to hunt, hopefully including Kudu or Zebra. If you can't afford a full ten day Buffalo/plainsgame hunt, then I would suggest a 7 day plainsgame hunt. On your first African hunt you should have the opportunity to take 5 or 6 trophies. | |||
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+1 The average man's love of liberty is nine-tenths imaginary. It takes a special sort of man to understand and enjoy liberty; and he is usually an outlaw in democratic societies. | |||
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Must disagree....buff hunting is outstanding but it pales in comparison to elephant hunting. Getting up close to jumbo is an experience like no other. I will definitely hunt buff again, but it is the thought of taking another bull elephant that really gets me excited. | |||
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Wow, lots of great commentary. I would enjoy plains game, but this is really all about doing something totally unique hunting. For me that would be a DG hunt. Of my DG choices. . .Cape Buffalo and the less dangerous Austrailian Buffalo seem to be the most practical. Also, a big point of this for me is getting a DG rifle. Right now, the rough plan is a CZ550 in 458 Lott customized by AHR or maybe a Montana PH action based DG rifle in 458 Lott. | |||
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Good info here, some good things to consider. Many people have mentioned taxidermy as part of the budget. That is certainly a good thing to consider, but not a necessity. Here is what I have done (more times than I care to admit) Shoot what I want with no regard for taxidermy expenses. Send it home and have it all tanned. As I want or can afford, I have pieces mounted. European mounts will suffice while you wait to get your animals taxidermied. I have animals that are tanned and have been frozen for 15 years. If budget is tight, don't let the taxidermy be the one item that prevents you from going. While the mounts are a big part of the hunt, the experience is usually bigger. Hunt what you want. If you want an Elephant, you should hunt an Elephant. I have had numerous clients do their first safari as an Elephant (or Leopard or Buffalo). | |||
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The problem with "Combined Buffalo/PG" is you are paying $1K or more in daily rates to hunt PG, on those days that you are not hunting buffalo. And in many buffalo areas, the PG hunting is just not that good. Very true in Zim, Namibia as well. The areas where both buff and PG hunting are good tend to be well into the four figure daily rates, some as high as $2K per day. Hunt PG for $300-400 per day, why pay more? Any number of countries/places offer superb PG hunting in this price range. And this doesn't have to be a "tame" hunt. I can do a PG hunt where you will see elephant daily, rhino every other day, and probably hear a leopard during your hunt, at $385 per day 1x1. If you are paying four figure daily rates, then spend the time hunting DG. Elephant and buffalo are a fine combo. Add Sable to that combo for the hunt of a lifetime. Or go back for your leopard/sable. Forget Lion and Rhino unless money is no object. And for those who state that Buffalo are the cheapest of the big five to hunt, this is flat out wrong. Buffalo hunts are rather expensive, starting at $900 per day. I can offer you a leopard hunt (with PG) at $550 to $700 per day depending on the area .. I don't know of any buffalo hunts at those prices. I can offer you a management elephant hunt or a PAC elephant hunt at $500 per day. And I would argue that an elephant hunt is way more interesting, and a leopard way more challenging, than shooting a buffalo. Perhaps the enthusiasm for buffalo hunts on the part of outfitters stems from the generous quotas and fat margins they enjoy on those hunts .... Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC BigfiveHQ.com, Large Calibers and African Safaris Doublegunhq.com, Fine English, American and German Double Rifles and Shotguns VH2Q.com, Varmint Rifles and Gear | |||
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I would like to see one of those buffalo jets  "Science only goes so far then God takes over." | |||
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Oh . I really have to improve my english. | |||
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I still dont understand how some people think buff hunting is overrated.Picking up the tracks of some ols dagga bull and tracking him for hours through all terrain and hoping all the time that the wind doesnt change or that he doesnt hear you or see you is far more exciting that plain game hunting for me.All the buff ive shot have been in zim and zambia and i still plan on doing two next year in zim | |||
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That sounds interesting. Will I get tusks? I realize they wouldn't be trophy size, but I would like tusks. . . | |||
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Not on those hunts. | |||
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Water Buffalo hunts can be had in Australia, Texas, Florida, Argentina, and even South Africa on some ranches. I would not going around telling people that water buffalo were less dangerous until I had taken a 100 of each species and could form an honest comparison. PAC and Management hunts don't usually include the skins or tusk. If you forget about taxidermy on this trip, hit Namibia or South Africa you should have no problem keeping under a $10,000 budget. Shooting 5-10 animals on a 7-10 day hunt. $2500 Airfare $500 dip pack $1500 trophy shipment $5000-8500 package hunt $350 tips $500 gifts, taxis, lunch and cocktails in the airport, painted ostrich eggs. | |||
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You might like to visit this site at http://www.africahunting.com where you'll find lot of advices about all aspects of African hunting safaris. | |||
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