AR members,
I figured this would be the best place to get some sound advice on an African trip. I was offered a trade for a 7 day / 5 animal hunt in South Africa. I'm trying to see if it's something I can afford to do. What will be my other expenses cost? Flight, shipping trophies, taxidermy, ect.? Looking to plan a year in advance.

New guns

Seriously though: probably, some new clothing (but not too much), tips for staff, hotel depending on connecting flights, customs broker for trophies.

Have fun!

I'd figure about $2-2.5K per person for the flight to Joberg and around $2-3K for shipping the trophies home. This does not include the cost of taxidermy which you can easily check with your chosen taxidermist. You can save a few $$ by having your mounts done in Africa, but any savings on the taxidermy will most likely be eaten up by increased shipping costs.

Personally, I'd get the mounts done in the US or do like I do and just bring home some good pictures and put the $$ you'll save towards another hunt. The shipping and related handling charges have really gotten out of hand.

I guess what is the most economical way possible to do this trip.

Cheapest way is to shoot the outfitters rifles and leave the animals there. Second cheapest way is to bring back only the skulls. Flight is $2000, minimum. Incidentals and tips.

Who is the hunt with? Have you looked at their web page?

Seems like your trophy fees are included for the five animals. Will you be happy w/the five animals or are there others you might want to shoot?

Are the day fees included too? Read the fine print. What all is really included ie trophy prep and delivery to taxidermy yes/no etc

Cheapest way to do trophies is hides on felt and european mount the skulls. You will have pictures as mentioned above.

Airfare-you need to book as early as possible for the cheapest flights (in most cases)

If you've got at .30-'06 you've got all the gun you need for plains game. Get a good SKB case. Dark/brab color clothes are all you need.
You need to find out if camo is legal where you will be and what pattern works best.

One of the cheapest ways to go to Africa and hunt is to buy a package deal for a set amount of animals that some of the companies offer. Another option might be to attend a local NRA or SCI banquet. They almost always have donated hunts from African hunting companies and usually they are a pretty good deal. You need to know about the company that donates the hunt but you can usually look them up before the banquet.

$2,000 minimum for flight.

$500-1,000 for tips (optional).

$1,500-2,500 for dip/pack/shipping/customs - low end if you only ship back skulls for euro mounts (all optional if you leave your trophies there).

Taxidermy can be as high or low as you want.

$500 for incidentals during travel.

So you could do it for as little as $2,500, or up from there depending what you do with tipping, trophies, and taxidermy.

One thing to take into account is the costs are spread out over about 2-3 years.

Here's some advice; change your mindset on penny pinching a wee bit. When folks from say Pennsylvania contact you about hunting on your place, is it a little absurd when they try to get you to lower the price twenty bucks if they suggest you serve them kool-aid and PBJ samiches? Or that they plan on hitchiking out to Texas to save bucks?

I'm not saying mortgage the farm, but maybe talk to the credit union about a couple grand. Like the previous poster said the costs are spread out for a couple years.

You got a chance to go to Africa hunting! Do it! Shoot lots of stuff and enjoy yourself. Take the significant other with you as a non-hunting companion as she will love it. These African hunting outfits really now how to take care of clients. My non-hunting wife became a hunting wife after I took her to Africa on my third trip over there (I had to show her video tape of the bathrooms to convince her to go with me).

This life is not a dress rehersal and there ain't no pockets in the forthcoming funeral smock.

You've received mostly good advice. I presume that you're being offered a "swap" hunt in exchange for a hunt which you will provide. In that case, your host will probably be fairly generous with the trophies you are allowed (just as you can afford to be generous with him.) Take advantage of the opportunity to take all of the trophies you can and wish to. Pay for the extra ones if you have to since you'll never again have the opportunity to get them so economically.

I think that full blown taxidermy is somewhat overrated, as well as expensive, and most of us don't really have a place to properly display it, anyway. I only had horns/skulls shipped (which were prepared free of charge by my host) along with some hides that I had tanned over there (very much cheaper than tanning here!) The quality of the hides was outstanding.

Shipping itself is not all that expensive; it is the stateside "clearing agent" who will rob you. Not five minutes ago I talked to a young man who was skewered by the "clearing agent" on a red stag from New Zealand. If you do want to ship some trophies home, shop for customs brokers and arrive at a fixed figure for X number of boxes of trophies.

But high quality photographs, which you can get these days from a $50 digital camera, give you 90% of the satisfaction that the trophy itself will. Most African guides are magicians at setting up photos of the trophy.

To minimize your costs try to arrange your travel so that you have no layovers or overnights away from your hunting destination.

Certain hard-to-get items may be appreciated by your guide more than money. We didn't leave anything with our hosts in cash, but did leave them with a scope and a couple of other items, then shipped them several things they wanted, including a rangefinder, after getting back to the States. If you can find out first what your guide is in need of, taking it to him as a tip may work out best for both of you.

Mostly good advice...
I have my taxidermy, when I want a shoulder mount or full body, done in Africa. Costs more to ship but I still save versus what a US taxidermist would charge for same mounts.
Airline service to Joburg is apparently rigged so you must spend a night there.
Get confirmation of what animals and quality (say SCI min) you are allowed to take.
Plan on budgetting $$$$ for animals not on your pkg thay you just can't pass!
Gracy Travel (Shawn Kennedy) does an excellent job of finding good priced airline tics....and preclearing firearms.
Coppersmith has never screwed me on trophy import clearance.

I'm thinking it may be best to wait a few years and save for a real good trip. It's seeming to be more costly than I imagined and I would like to at least get everything shoulder mounted. It would be too heavy a burden this year I'm afraid.

You don't need to get them all mounted at once. I am doing one at a time. Get one done and pay for it and then start the next one. I keep the skull and horns in the trophy room until it is time to go to the taxidermist.

Don't go to Africa; it is the most addicting place ever. You will regret not going. Having been there and had some really good trips to Canada and Alaska as well as in the states they all pale in comparison to Africa. Find a way to get it done. You won't regret it!

the first thing you need to understand is that only certain individuals qualify to hunt in Africa. If you will check out some of the other threads in this section you will see that only a select few individuals are qualified to book a hunt in Africa, and if you experience any difficulties it is due to your own inadeqacies as PH's are only out ranked by God.

To each his own, but if you're trying to save money, without doubt, the biggest item is shipping and taxidermy. Short of cash? Take plenty of pictures and leave ALL the body parts there.

Shipping and taxi can EASILY equal the cost of the rest of the trip, including airfare. If it's an ego thing ("look what I shot") or you just don't think you've been there without heads on the wall, then choose the one or two that look most impressive to you and try to combine shipping with someone else. Basically taxi over there is probably cheaper, and shipping will be more. You can save a little this way, but IMO, African taxi. is flat not up to decent US standards.

I know this is a minority opinion, but I've got African mounts in boxes and in a barn that I've never bothered to hang. They just don't mean anything to me. I can remember every detail of every shot and that dead head on the wall is just a dust catcher and space user. In retrospect, one of the dumber moves I ever made related to hunting was shipping them home and having them mounted. There went the complete costs of a quality plains game hunt including airfare.

You didn't say where in ZA your going. Is Jo berg your final destination? or are you flying on to somewhere else?

I went for my first time this past April. Airfare was $1760 from JFK to Jo-berg, to Bloemfontein on SAA. I didn't need to overnight in Joberg.

You can use Gracy travel or some others to arrange your flights, meet and greet, etc but I did my own flights using Kayak.com and saved $350 over Gracy's price. My outfitter provided a meet and greet service in Jo-berg for $65, which was money well spent.

I planned on taking 6 animals, I ended up taking 8... Impala, Blue Wildebeest, warthog, Kudu, gemsbok, zebra, blesbok, and springbok. $7,800 (do a search on my posts for the details and some pics)

Taxidermy in South Africa. I'm getting 2 shoulder mounts (Impala and springbok) and the rest skulls and flat skins tanned. My taxidermy bill for this is $3,200 plus shipping which should be around $1000 - 1300

I tipped the 11 trackers and skinners $300 to split (recommended amt by PH) and $600 to the PH. Plus I gave my favorite tracker my knife and R100, and I left my extra clothes, boots, toiletries and stuff for the rest of the trackers.

Besides all that, I think I spent maybe another $200 or so on souvenirs, and stuff at the airport. I didn't need to buy anything while with the outfitter.

IF I WERE YOU, and I'm assuming from the tone of your post that your on a tight budget, I would plan on taking at least three more animals if the opportunity presents itself (because it WILL). Buy a REALLY good camera. At least 16 megapixel so you can make 16 x 20 prints without degrading the quality, and just get European mounts and skip the flat skins tanned(unless its a zebra). shipping on skull mounts should be cheap, it's the skins that add the weight.

I would also plan to stay at least 10 days if at all possible. I went for 10 days, and regret not staying for 14. There is more to see than your brain can process in 5 days. I've been back for almost 4 months and am still processing the memories!

Once you go, you will be hooked, and will not look at hunting in the U.S. (and the services you get from U.S. and Canadian outfitters) the same way ever again. And You WILL go back.

So as many others on this site have said...

GO NOW! You can borrow money but you cannot borrow time!

quote:

Originally posted by aoudadhunter:
I'm thinking it may be best to wait a few years and save for a real good trip. It's seeming to be more costly than I imagined and I would like to at least get everything shoulder mounted. It would be too heavy a burden this year I'm afraid.

I missed this post. Don't let the taxidermy bill hold you back. If you just have everything "dipped and packed" and shipped back, you can put off the shoulder mounts for years if necessary, or just have them done one at a time.

I hope that helps.

I agree on the 10 days of hunting. Having learned from experience I would never go to Africa for under 10 hunting days. 12 would be ideal. We are all different; I could never leave them there. They have to come home no matter the cost. The memories on the wall are worth their weight in gold to me and yes they are a bunch of money but I would not have it any other way.

Be sure to have enough money saved so you won't be looking through the scope and saying to yourself, "can I afford to pull this trigger?" That will give you a much more relaxed and pleasant trip.

..oh yeah...ask about the bird hunting possibilites too!

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
the first thing you need to understand is that only certain individuals qualify to hunt in Africa. If you will check out some of the other threads in this section you will see that only a select few individuals are qualified to book a hunt in Africa, and if you experience any difficulties it is due to your own inadeqacies as PH's are only out ranked by God.

uh....what?

Ted-

Just ignore him. He has never hunted africa and and apparently has no plans to do so. He just likes to haunt the African Big Game Hunting forum and insert his knowledgeable opinions.

Lionhunter, I was not the one that started the stuff about people not being cut out for Africa. Whether or not I ever go to Africa, it is my choice to make. That does not prohibit me from having an opinion and stating it.

AoudadHunter asked a legitimate question and apart from my comment all the advice being given is good advice. His ultimate decision as to whether or not to go, or when to go is something he has to decide for himself.

I threw my comment in to the discussion simply because there seems to be a trend developing that the only "Real" hunters out here are those that have hunted Africa. I do not agree with that assessment.

You have been given some good advice, let me pile on a little,,,,do not go on a 7 day hunt,, make it at least 10 days. The trip over is a beast and coming home is worse so make it worth it! The first 2 days you will be walking a little shaky due to the jet lag. My first trip I shot every good trophy animal that I could,, and did the shoulder mounts on them as well,,, problem is,, the taxidermy cost me more than the hunt/trophy fees/and airflight. Now I take really good video and pictures and make rugs and skull mounts. The cost won't be as bad as you think, if you dip and ship the mounts and them mount them one at a time as you can afford to do them, the more you dip and pack,, the more the shipping is. The "REAL" cost was not the first trip but feeding the addiction that Africa can give you to go back again and again!

Lots of good advice already. ZA main season is May thru September--this is when airfare with be the highest--as said above this will be between $1650 and $2100. You could go earlier (rainy) or later (Hot) and the airfare could be around $1200 to $1300.

Transfers-- you should check if they pick you up. Shipping back trophies is around 2,000 if you dont go crazy...I'd say other than the raw hunt you would have in:

Airfare $1850
Tips (option for a good hunt) $600
Travel expense $400
Shipping of trophies skins and horns ect. ( $2000)
Do the taxidermy when you want or just enjoy the euro mounts.
$4850--or so

Make it a SKI trip----Spending Kids Inheritance

My first one is 23 months away don't really care what CHC thinks either way I have always wanted to do this and cant wait to get over there

Ted - you have a PM enroute.

quote:

My first one is 23 months away don't really care what CHC thinks either way I have always wanted to do this and cant wait to get over there

Ted, I think it is great that your going to Africa. more power to you or anyone else that makes the decision to go.

My issue is not with folks going to Africa.

It is with the comment/concept that ANYONE, is "Not Cut Out For Africa".

A I stated, you nor anyone else is going to hear or read the PH's/Booking Agents/Outfitters express that opinion.

I wish you or anyone else making the trip nothing but the best for an excellent and successful adventure. That does not mean that I cannot state my opinion on a comment like the one concerning a persons being " Cut Out For Africa" or not.

Doubt that I'm cut out for any place in this old world

Africa, like Texas just takes money

quote:

Doubt that I'm cut out for any place in this old world

Africa, like Texas just takes money

Any place anyone goes to hunt takes $$$$$.

Hunting has become an expensive undertaking. Some folks take the neccessary steps needed to go on out of state or out of country hunts, while for others it just isn't that important. I applaud those that have the desire and drive to take those hunts and enjoy seeing their pictures and reading their reports. I guess a problem I may have, is that I feel the same way toward those that are satisfied with staying home and just going hunting for whatever is in season and are happy and satisfied with anything they kill.

CHC....I am just fine killing a freezer full of deer here in Missouri.....our rifle season is a very short one so I hunt in other states to quench my urge.....
I do it for me and nobody else.

Looking forward to leaving my footprints in another country

Looking at what your tag line says, you might also consider just shipping the skulls back and getting capes off of some of the local exotics for the taxidermy as you feel the urge.

Look at it as you are saving $5-7K by doing it as a exchange hunt. If you think that opportunity will be there in the future, you can certainly wait as South African game ranch hunting isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

I don't know your personal situation, but doing a short plains game hunt and see if you really like it is not a bad way to go. I agree that it's "better" to do a longer hunt, but if you are worried about finances, by keeping it short you will have less likelihood of running in to an extra trophy that you "have" to have.

Airfare is probably going to be somewhere around $1500 give or take based on time of year you go. If you are a big user of credit cards and have some flexibility with time, (and spend that kind of money on them...) you might be able to get your flight with airline miles. I have not been able to do this, but I know some folks who do.

Tipping- you are in the business. Do what you feel comfortable there.

Incidentals- I always have tried to keep about $1K for things that I didn't plan on spending- sometimes I come home with all the money, sometimes not. That is what I use for knick knacks and stuff in airports, etc.

The dip and pack costs as well as shipping costs are something which the outfitter should be able to give you a good idea on what to expect. Make sure that you explore the option of sending the stuff by ship as opposed to air freight, especially if you have it processed there.

Meet and greet is pretty much essential for those of us who have not been there enough to feel comfortable standing up to folks in authority with their hands out. If your outfitter offers this free, fine, otherwise they probably will offer it for a fee, so you can ask them.

Similarly, you may have to overnight in a hotel on the way in/out. Ask the outfitter and get prices.

I would encourage you to go and try it. Sounds like you are saving a bunch of money as is, and if its doable, if nothing else you will have a reason to go back.

Someone here has a tag line about you can't make time, so go now. You don't know what the future holds... You can always save a few more years and go back for a 15 day hunt later. It is one of my bigger regrets that I did not try and go sooner than I started going.

quote:

Looking forward to leaving my footprints in another country

Nothing wrong with that, and that is why I am still contemplating a hunt in Africa.

I appreciate all the input and after much talking and being offered a trade hunt I think I should hold off a few years till I get the family settled. It has always been a dream of mine to go to Africa however, it looks like this trip will still cost me over 10k and thats too much of a burden to put on the new family ( were expecting our first January 5th) and I believe that I'm going to hold off for a few years till everything is stable and I can afford to kill more. I appreciate all the advice and am looking forward to Africa around 2014-2015.