Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'm planning my first safari, and will be hunting in South Africa in 2007.

I'll be hunting for kudu, gemsbok, zebra, implala, and warthog. I've chosen my outfitter, and the next step is for me to select my dates.

Was looking for some recommendations on what time of the year to go. Although my schedule is quite flexible, I would prefer to go a bit later in the year (no earlier than July) so that it will be a little cooler and the leaves will be off the trees.

It comes down to a choice between July/August and September. If I choose September, I'll end up with a little bit of a discount from my outfitter due to hunting in the late season.

Suggestions? thanks.

The seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere.

June and July are the 'dead of winter' down there. They are also the peak of the safari season.

George

ON my two South Africa safaris I went in late September and October. It is sometimes a little warm in the middle of the day, cool to cold in the early morning. It was fine, the PH's are relaxed as most of the season is behind them.

I hunted Namibia in June of 2004 and SA in August 2005. If I were to do it again, I'd probably split the difference and go in July. If that didn't work, I'd probably shoot for August again. I've never hunted later in the season, but have read some reports on here about guys having great success in September/October.

I have hunted twice in SA in October. It is a bit hot, a couple of time got close to 100 degrees, but it did not seem to affect the hunting.

prime times are june july and august, however don't overlook the first part of september. It is hotter then but sometimes you get into off peak airline ticket prices.

Avoid the snakes and the bugs for the most part and book for July or early August.

If you are looking for dates to take on safari, I would suggest you first look in their gunsafe for bigbore doubles. Failing that, reject any that have Sierra club or PETA memberships

I went from the last week of May to the first week of June and the weather was nice for hunting. I was in RSA.

Thanks for the advice. Spent a lot of time talking it over with the wife last night (who wouldn't be happy if I took a date, Blacktailer ), and I think we're going to book it for July.

The lower rates in September are tempting, but this is my first safari, and we've agreed that saving a few hundred dollars is meaningless when it comes to something I've dreamed of for two dozen years.