Anybody have any experience with Johnny Vivier? I met him this last month, and noticed upon further research that he does all the "big 5" hunts for SCI. Anything you could share would be appreciated!

quote:

Originally posted by Gran Cazador Blanco:
...he does all the "big 5" hunts for SCI.

What do you mean?

the "big 5" or "big 7" dream hunts that are raffled or auctioned by SCI is all I know...looking at these websites.

http://www.silcom.com/~safaris/Vivier.htm

http://www.johnnyviviersafaris.co.za/01profile.htm

SCI will auction anything, even an illegal hunt, so it would be a mistake to view an SCI auction as some sort of endorsement of quality.

It looks like this company hunts South Africa, which is fine for plains game (mostly fenced). But it is difficult to find a dangerous game hunt in South Africa that is fair chase or conducted in true wild conditions. In fact, SCI will not accept into its record books a lion shot in South Africa.

If you want a big 5 hunt (other than rhino), better to go with Tanzania, Zimbabwe or Botswana where you will get a real fair chase hunt.

Johny Vivier hunts RSA,and ZIMBABWE for all spicies. In Zimbabwe he has Local PHs join his hunts for the game there! JJ Van Hearden was his PH on the PAC hunt, not that he is any endorcement. Johny did the Big five draw hunt done by SCI-PAC about 5 yrs ago, and it turned out nicely. If you want to see this film it is, or was available from SCI-PAC. It was classic big five hunt in both RSA,for W/Rhino and Elephant, lion, Leopard, and Buffalo in Zimbabwe! The lion wasn't much, but the rest were top notch.
Ive talked to him a few times, but have never hunted with him! He seems nice enough, but you know what that means! I haven't, however, heard anything bad about him. If there was much to hear, we all would have heard the gossip, I'm sure! It doesn't seem to take much evidence for that to come blasting out!

Mac,

Why would a rational man pay for both a South African and a Zimbabwean PH, when he could just hire the Zimbabwean directly? That would seem to add a lot of unnecessary cost to the hunt, and more people on spoor is usually not better.

quote:

Originally posted by Gran Cazador Blanco:
Anybody have any experience with Johnny Vivier? Anything you could share would be appreciated!

I have also met Johnny and have kknown of him for years. I also met him in Africa at teh airport witha satisfied client( as I asked teh man when I got him alone).

I have never heard one word negative about him.

I would hunt with him.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Mac,

Why would a rational man pay for both a South African and a Zimbabwean PH, when he could just hire the Zimbabwean directly? That would seem to add a lot of unnecessary cost to the hunt, and more people on spoor is usually not better.

500Grains, what ever gave you the idea anyone who hunts dangerous game in Africa, is rational?

I think he works that way so he has a wide choice of concessions to hunt, by inlisting the folks who have those areas! As long as the Client is sattisfied, it's fine with me!

GCB,

Johnny Vivier was the outfitter for my 21 days hunt in Selous, Tanzania in 99. He has a special arrangement that we could hunt 3-4 blocks if we wouldn't interfere with other hunting parties. Guy Rowe, was camp manager and ph, during this time. Now he is with Wengert Windrose in western Tanzania.

My hunt was very successful, good three camps, and good food. Maj, Guy's wife, ran a tight ship as camp manager. Johnny was up front in all dealings before and after the hunt.

Think now he hunts mostly plainsgame in SA. A good reference would be Fred
Williams, who is very well known in the SCI.

Dak

I have hunted with Johnny Vivier 4 times. I hope you are paying attention to what I am about to say. HE IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!!! You can trust him with your money, you can trust him with your hunt, you can trust him for one of the greatest experiences you could ever ask for. You can trust him with you LIFE! He is first class. In fact....we have a saying, "When you've tried all the rest - come to the Best"! I am going back to Africa for 4 months this summer. I am only sorrow that I can not spend some of that time with Johnny. Just ask John Sharp what he thinks of Johnny. They always share a booth together at SCI.
Feel free to contact me personally. Brennan Colyer

Thank you for all of your replies...they are greatly appreciated! He seemed like a great guy when I met him and had dinner with him and his wife and daughter. Just wanted some addn'l input. Thanks again!

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
....In fact, SCI will not accept into its record books a lion shot in South Africa.

They have a separate category but they accept entries of R.S.A. lions

500grains,

You don't hire 2 PH's in the situation described in this thread. You pay the same daily rate and the PH's split their daily fee. I had a similiar situation with my elephant hunt this last year in Botswana. Garry Kelly arranged the hunt and he and Ronnie Crous from Johnan Calitz Safaris both accompanied me on the hunt. I found their combined knowledge to be very beneficial and there seemed to be no professional jealousy. I liked it very much.

Regards,

Mark

Mark,

Although it may be transparent to the client, the daily rate must be artificially high to cover 2 PHs from 2 different countries. If it were not, then one or both are being underpaid.

So it should be relatively easy to negotiate a better deal if booking direct with the PH who has the concession rather than going through a third party PH. The better deal may be a lower daily rate, more days for the same total rate, or more animals/animals that would not ordinarily be available on that hunt.