Gents:
I'm not a fan of flying with all the airport hassles, fees, and rudeness from some airline employees. And, I get a bit nervous taking a vintage double on international hunts. In 2005 I flew over and took a nice PG hunt in SA and then up to Zim for big game. This June I will hunt again in SA for a pair of buffalo and PG, up to Zim for hippo and plains game and then a quick hunt on a friend's ranch for more plains game (all with my .600). Taking multiple hunts on one air ticket seems to save time and money and with fewer headaches. Any of you gents with African experience under your belt do this? Just curious. And, are there any downfalls I am not seeing?
Cheers, mates.
Cal

I've done exactly the same thing on several hunts. It hasn't been a problem other than you still have deal with airline BS if you are flying between SA and Zim and back.

While I haven't done this, I've certainly given it a lot of thought. The only downside is that you'd have two short hunts vs. one long hunt. And on longer hunts, you have greater chances for success on really nice animals or species you cannot hunt on a shorter duration trip.

I guess I may have done a version of this, though I considered it one long hunt. Took a 15 day safari in Charara, and left there a couple days early to go to Matetsi, where I shot an elephant. Total hunt was 15 days still, and I ended up with 2 buffalo, the elephant, a bushbuck and klipspringer. 13 days of hunting lion and buffalo, and one day of hunting elephant with a travel day in between. We finished up by going camping with Roy, Rene and the kids in Chobe National Park for a few days.

Thats what I did on my first hunt-16 days in Zim then down to RSA for a week of hunting. Worked super.

I did this on my only trip over. Both PG hunts. First in Eastern Cape, then in Limpopo. I think it is great to see a lot of varied country in one trip.

I've done it, and will do it again. It makes sense as long as the cost of one airline ticket saved offsets the cost of you being gone from work (assuming you're not retired). I've done 3 hunts in 3 different countries on the same 30 day trip (2009)and didn't have a single problem and saved big on airfare. I'd say go for it.

quote:

assuming you're not retired)

then you can't afford it

I'll be doing a two-country African hunt this summer, but with the same outfitter. I'll fly into Harare for a cow Buffalo and small predators hunt, then drive to a camp in Moz. for XXL (hopefully!) warthogs and bushpig. Fly out of Moz. thru Joberg back to starting point, JFK. Then a nice ride to my rural home in Pa.

Cal,

To my mind if you can take the time multiple countries and areas on one safari plus some touring is the way to go. It's cheaper in the long run since it costs the same for the travel regardless of how long you stay. Personally Sadie and I have decided to go less often but stay longer. Just being in the bush now is almost as important as the hunting.

Mark

I agree with the mindset. I've done two country trips on two different safaris. RSA and Bots on one and RSA and Zim on the other. I think its nice to spend a few days (up to a week) in RSA to get acclimated and then head on to your DG destination. I have also done the traditional one country trip but I actually prefer the two country safari. Yes, more travel but I get itchy feet and love seeing as much country as possible.

I've also used the logic, that business class air fare is much more economical doing two safaris.

Did it in 2007----24 days in Zim and 14 days in Bots.

Again in 2009----14 days in Zambia and 7 days in RSA.

I'd definitely do it again.

Best regards, D. Nelson

Travel to and from Africa is such an expensive and uncomfortable part of the experience of African hunting that this seems like the only way to do it!

My single trip to Africa consisted of a PG hunt in one country and a buff hunt in a second country. Two completely separate hunts, different objectives, different styles of accommodations and hunting, different scenery and people, different flora and fauna...it was like getting two "trips-of-a-lifetime" back to back. Having done it this way once, I would never even consider going back to Africa again to visit only one area.

I have personally found when I try to mix too many things together none of them tastes as good as each one separately. I go for the experience and I can savor it more if it is not mixed all up with different countries and such. For me a serious amount of the fun is in the planning and I would rather spend the extra plane fare and do two complete trips, rather than a single one trying to cram as much as I can into it.
I have found if I even try to combine a bow hunt and a rifle hunt on one trip I end up not enjoying either as much as if I had concentrated on ony one weapon, but that's just me.
Camshaft

I did it in 08. 14 days in Zim and 7 days in RSA.

Same here....10 days in the Caprivi for Ele and Hippo, and 12 days further south for Plains Game.

2010 -

7 days self touring Namibia
7days hunting Namibia
7days hunting the Luangwa Valley of Zambia.

Great first tour across the pond and enabled us to compare a ranch hunt with a bush hunt.

Worth the time and effort.

Did it 4 times. Not sure I would do it again. You get a little used to camp life and the hunt after a few days. A fresh trip is always a special event.

I am doing it this year.

I had already booked my hunt with a friend and his son. Two days after I got it all sorted out an dI sent in my deposit Charl Van rouyen with Infinito drew my name in his annual drawing.

So I am hunting in the NW Province with my friends for 4 days then headdign off with Charl in the Limpopo for 4 days then back to finish my original hunt for 4 days.

Should be a blast.

I am trying this for the first time this year. Going to spend 3 days hunting PG at Serapa in northern South Africa and then spend 15 days chasing trophy elephant and leopard (talk about a weird combo) with Brian Van Blerk in Zimbabwe.

The real limiter for me is getting the time away from work. If I had unlimited time, I could easily see spending 3 months over there and hitting 3 countries.

I'd love to do it but time is my most precious asset right now and it's hard enough to get there for a hunt.

I've been considering an extended safari, multiple countries, once I retire. Assuming I can still afford it. Issues I've considered, but not worked out, are ammunition, rifles, rifle storage between segments if there is some time spent just wandering about, etc. But I think it would be a great experience just before my last yellow fever vaccination expires.

yep , i've hunted 2 countries,fished 3 countries and went sightseeing in a 6th all in 1 trip.

usually i do at least 2 countries per trip if only 2 sightsee in the 2nd. last trip was the only time i've done 1 country.

i would recommend having taxidermy and trophies shipped from the respective countries they were killed. trying to consolidate is too much of a pain in the ass. paperwork,transport and cost.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Gents:
I'm not a fan of flying with all the airport hassles, fees, and rudeness from some airline employees. And, I get a bit nervous taking a vintage double on international hunts. In 2005 I flew over and took a nice PG hunt in SA and then up to Zim for big game. This June I will hunt again in SA for a pair of buffalo and PG, up to Zim for hippo and plains game and then a quick hunt on a friend's ranch for more plains game (all with my .600). Taking multiple hunts on one air ticket seems to save time and money and with fewer headaches. Any of you gents with African experience under your belt do this? Just curious. And, are there any downfalls I am not seeing?
Cheers, mates.
Cal

Cal, done it like this many times myself. May as well get as much done as you can, without going back/forth. I think you already know of any/all potential problems, but hopefully you don't encounter any of them, and it all goes smooth.

Good luck with the .600, I can't wait to see all the critters you take with it. Unique to say the least!!!