I booked my hunt in January of 2012, and have been waiting ever since for my first safari. My hunting boots are good and broke in, and I will be finishing a shooting school tomorrow at the Texas Pistol Academy. Ill be taking my dad with me, and I hope it'll be a trip of a lifetime. Id also like to add that I have lost almost 100 lbs since booking the hunt. Being lighter and feeling better has made my most recent hunts a lot more enjoyable.

Get ready for many more trips... I turn 40 in 2 years...If I am lucky I will be on my 6 th safari by the big 4. 0.. I leave in 4 days for number 5...it is quite an addiction!

There is nothing like your first one though!!! Have fun and drink it in!!!!!

Congratulations on the weight loss, that is a major accomplishment. Where are you headed and what are you hunting for?

Yeah, tell us more!

Great accomplishment on the weight loss. Congrats on that too.
Man, wish I could drop about 80 of what I've put on in the last 18months. Not being able to do anything and still love to eat don't help on the scales, clothing bill, nor looks either.

Good luck with the hunt and be sure to take lots of pics and share them along with your report.
George

quote:

Originally posted by tx308:
I booked my hunt in January of 2012, and have been waiting ever since for my first safari. My hunting boots are good and broke in, and I will be finishing a shooting school tomorrow at the Texas Pistol Academy. Ill be taking my dad with me, and I hope it'll be a trip of a lifetime. Id also like to add that I have lost almost 100 lbs since booking the hunt. Being lighter and feeling better has made my most recent hunts a lot more enjoyable.

WOW!! I'd say it's already been a successful Safari.

BRAVO!!
Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by tx308:
I booked my hunt in January of 2012, and have been waiting ever since for my first safari. My hunting boots are good and broke in, and I will be finishing a shooting school tomorrow at the Texas Pistol Academy. Ill be taking my dad with me, and I hope it'll be a trip of a lifetime. Id also like to add that I have lost almost 100 lbs since booking the hunt. Being lighter and feeling better has made my most recent hunts a lot more enjoyable.

WOW!! I'd say it's already been a successful Safari.

BRAVO!!

Jim

Big + 1

Thats great on the weight loss, I am glad your dad can go with you . shoot straight , be safe , have fun, and take lots of pics.

Awesome - savour every minute!

Congrats on both. First trip to Africa is something you both will never forget.
I still remember flying back from my 1st safari in 2002, Thinking how in the hell am I going to afford this again.
Last nov. was my 16th or 17th safari I have lost count, but the 1st one was very special. Glad your father can join you. Please give us a full report.
Safe travels and good hunting

There is no man on the planet who is to be envied more than the man planning his first safari!

Please post pics and a report - look forward to hearing all about it.

Nothing like a first safari... the sights, sounds, experiences will make it a very special event in your life. Even more so when shared! Savor every moment and post a hunt report!

Josh,

Are we getting excited? Big congrats on the weight loss. A 100# is incredible without some surgical help. I think you have a great itinerary packed into your 14 days and I think you'll have a load of fun.

Mark

Great start already. Take lots of photos, more than you think you need. If possible take two cameras. I usually give one to the PH and ask him to take many photos of me especially candid ones. The candid ones are always the best and will bring back many good memories.

Thanks for all the help Mark. Im hunting for Cape buffalo and sable, and whatever plains game we come across. I'm hunting with Terry Anders, in zim. I'm not exactly sure of the exact area well be hunting, but I have faith that I'll have a good hunt. I'll be 36 in oct, and hope to go on a bunch more safaris in the future. The best part abought the weight loss, is my 2 boys aske me to get them some weight. My six year old asked me when I thought his 6 pack would come in.

Awesome on all counts. Going with your dad will be irreplaceable. To have this as a new experience for both of you at the same time, WOW!
I have hunted with Terry, you will be well taken care of and have a great time.

Congratulations on the weight loss and the safari!

TX the condition is going to make this a very special time. A first safari with your Dad. The best and "make the shot."

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by tx308:
I booked my hunt in January of 2012, and have been waiting ever since for my first safari. My hunting boots are good and broke in, and I will be finishing a shooting school tomorrow at the Texas Pistol Academy. Ill be taking my dad with me, and I hope it'll be a trip of a lifetime. Id also like to add that I have lost almost 100 lbs since booking the hunt. Being lighter and feeling better has made my most recent hunts a lot more enjoyable.

WOW!! I'd say it's already been a successful Safari.

BRAVO!!
Jim

No kidding. Great job.

I saw a guy that must have been 350 in the KLM lounge in AMS yesterday eating all there was to offer in that club - which is plenty. Made me completely lose my appetite.

The best thing I did was hire a good trainer. He has helped keep me motivated along the way. I still have about 25 more lbs to go get back to my old playing weight. When I do my report, ill post some before and after pics.

Look forward to seeing your report. Your post is inspirational, as I need to lose quite a bit before my next one in 2015. You proved it can be done.

Great to hunt in Africa with your father. Wish I could have done that. May Diana smile on you.

I'm going to a weight loss specialist this Thur.
Need to lose at least 35lbs.
As I've gotten older losing weight has gotten harder.

quote:

Originally posted by tx308:
I booked my hunt in January of 2012, and have been waiting ever since for my first safari. My hunting boots are good and broke in, and I will be finishing a shooting school tomorrow at the Texas Pistol Academy. Ill be taking my dad with me, and I hope it'll be a trip of a lifetime. Id also like to add that I have lost almost 100 lbs since booking the hunt. Being lighter and feeling better has made my most recent hunts a lot more enjoyable.

It WILL be a trip of a lifetime!

Enjoy every minute of it, not just the hunting part.

Best of luck to you and your dad.

I'm just out of the shower, awakening my sleeping-beauty wife and getting ready for her first experience with elephants on foot. We've seen a couple of hundred on game drives, but today we'll try to slip up on a big ol' bull and get some good pictures. Seems as if we won't have to walk too far. There were eight bulls within 60 yards from the outdoor shower while I was scrubbing up!

This is my 25th, or so, safari and Sandy' s first. I don't know who's having the best time!

Funny thing though.... we're already anticipating our next one. It just doesn't get better than Africa!

Saeed is absolutely right. Enjoy the whole experience... the anticipation, the "doing" and the memories. And all that with a family member! You're doing it perfectly, Tx308!

BTW, I'm on my Kindle and can't upload a picture of the elephants out the door. We're at Candy Pieter' s Nehimba Lodge for, alas, our last day. It's a perfect place for a non-hunting wife. Sandy flies home tomorrow and it's off to Matetsi III for me. I'll miss my wife, of course, but hopefully there's a tuskless lady awaiting an up close and personal encounter that'll lessen the separation anxiety a bit.

A very exciting time ahead.

Savor every minute, even traveling to and from.

Congrats on the weight loss. I tried to get my son to come with me on an elephant hunt last year but he would have to be able to walk some. He is very heavy and I hoped that would be his motivation to lose the weight but he said no. It's sad. Enjoy having your Dad, time is SOOO precious. Looking forward to hearing about your hunt.

Enjoy every second, the up's AND the downs. They are all a part of the overall experience. Soak it in, and best of luck on your adventure!

quote:

Originally posted by Jack D Bold:
There is no man on the planet who is to be envied more than the man planning his first safari!

Please post pics and a report - look forward to hearing all about it.

Jack has said it all

Go for it brother and savor every bit of it

Congratulations on the massive weight loss. I can still remember my first safari in 1998 and only wish I could recapture that feeling. Keep a daily log/diary of your experiences and it will be one of the best memories of your hunt. I look forward to hearing of your trip results. Have a great time. Just remember, you "will not be in Kansas anymore". Try to enjoy everything you encounter. There will never be another "first time".
Bull1

Make it a very memorable trip. Your first trip usually leaves you filled with anxiety about having to leave, wondering when you'll get to return, who to get the taxidermy done by, etc.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did/do

Good for you on the weight loss. You and your PH will enjoy your hunt all the more. I bet you feel a heap better in general now too and your kids will like you being able to run around with them more.

My suggestion is pick something else to train for after your safari like another one or a fun run, ride etc so you have something to keep you motivated.

Good for you and enjoy your hunt!

Lots of luck my friend, what an exciting time for you!!!

One thing you might consider to enjoy your safari even more. Africa in general doesn't run on a strict time table like we are used to in the States. Relax, don't hold everything to a strict time frame and you'll have a better time.

My wife's of Irish descent so I was somewhat used to this concept before I went the first time, but Africa takes it to a new level.

Some camps, on the other hand, run like a military operation. I still like that best, but even then, outside of camp, it all happens on Africa time.

Let it happen when it is meant to be. Good luck and have a great time.

Congratulations on the weight loss. I hope you have a great trip with your dad and the hunting is good. I trust the Save issues have been resolved.

My first trip has been postponed to next year. I was due to leave on 19th Sept but now it will be Aug 2015.