I have a group of 10-12 including myself that are going to book our first African safari. I’m looking at several operations and would like several more if possible. “Any help would be appreciatedâ€
Thanks
Justin

Justin,
You may get a better response if you narrowed down your questions to the type of hunt your looking for and where.
It's like asking where to hunt deer in the Americas.

We would like to hunt plains game. To be honest I'm clueless about Africa.

Welcome to the forum. Give it a few hours and you'll get plenty of options offered to you here.

Basically, most will boil down to plains game and maybe a bit of Dangerous Game in SA, Namibia or Botswana, mostly in large fenced areas, (Namibia and Botswana will also have unfenced areas) or dangerous game hunts that can if you wish be combined with some plains game in countries such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Tanzania in unfenced wilderness areas.

Really it's a matter of deciding what species you want to hunt, and how much you want to pay. The same as any other kind of hunting, or for that matter, most other things in life.

The first thing to remember is that the more you pay, the better the product you'll get and it's never a good idea to buy a safari on price alone.

Feel free to e-mail or PM me if we can be of help with advice or anything else.

Interesting website by the way...... looks like it gets damn cold in your neck of the woods!

quote:

Originally posted by R&K Hunting Company:
We would like to hunt plains game. To be honest I'm clueless about Africa.

A good an honest thing to admit that you are 'clueless about Africa'. Would you agree that if you want to really hunt Africa you SHOULD become at least a bit clued up on Africa? Then go to my home page and read a lot about (South) African hunting and how to go about planning the adventure.

Also ask specific questions on this forum - you will get some very good advice here!

Enjoy planning.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Several years ago, I had the "fortune" to spend a few days in RSA, one of 10 guys, 8 of whom were first time Africa hunters. Dale Bundy (1115) was with me, come to think about it. Three guys brought their wifes to make it more interesting. Since Dale and I were really just "stopping by" the concession inbetween two other hunts and I was a gratis guest of the owner, I never really considered the logistics involved until I arrived.

Here are some questions/comments about the possible joys and sorrows of the experience:

1. Can the facility comfortably sleep all the folks. I snore and don't like others snoring so I really prefer single accomodations. With ten hunters, in most operations, folks will be doubled up at least. Is that o.k.? On this adventure, Dale and I actually slept at a family member's place down the road. It was quite comfortable, but inconvient to get taxied around every morning and evening.... and if one wanted a nap after lunch, there was no bed for us at the primary ranch. Alas! A bigger place would have been better and, actually, the owner has built several more rondovals.

2. For anyone to get a good experience, I'd suggest at least 2x1 PH's. Again, depending on the concession, your primary operator may have to "shake the bag" to find enough PH's and a couple may be marginal, at best. That's where your "primary" PH/operator's experience with large groups will pay off. Matching PH's to hunters is an important part of the experience for big groups, too. It doesn't make good dinner conversation when a couple of guys have a bum PH and the rest are jam up. RSA is as different in places as Wyoming is to Florida. Hunting methods vary among PH's, even on the same dirt. Getting everyone (PH's to hunters and hunters to hunters... assuming 2x1) compatible is a task for a very good trip organizer (you) and a very experienced PH... Make sure to discuss the preferences of your guys with the "senior" PH before you arrive.

3. Equipment is an issue. Will you be using "safari cars" that are owned by the operator or will the (probable) visiting PH's be providing them. What will be the quality? Trust me, there will be some pissed guys when a PH's vehicle breaks down and there is no spare.

4. In RSA, you should have no problem with your PH (operator) having enough land to hunt. Even if the place where you sleep is of liminted size, most companies have a network of business partners, neighbors or relatives that have adjoining or nearby concessions that can be driven too in an hour or so. In other words, the hunters may have breakfast at the "main" lodge and then drive to a nearby ranch to hunt a particular species. Some folks may not like this as you lose some of your Africa experience driving through a pretty modern town, say, Ellisras, on the way to another concession. Your whole crew should be prepared for this, if it is the plan.

5. Fences: I once rode around 500 fenced acres of pretty open country looking for two zebra stallions that were in there. In five hours, we never saw them until the next moring when we were just driving through the "paddock" enroute elsewhere. Still, looking at fences sucks.

5. Finally, all this is moot if you go to a concession that has experience with large parties (many host corporate gatherings), lots of individual quarters, 20,000 hectars or more (big enough for 10 hunters not to constantly bump into each other, IMHO), and multiple species of game you are after. There are RSA PH's here that have access to this type place, even if they do not own it. Since the individual PH you hunt with is such a great part of the experience, I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with a guy who "rented" a concession for your hunt if he used the concession often, he had a sterling reputation and he (and others) could vouch for the physical plant/equipment, the quality of game and the food and wine!

Remember, RSA, in many respects, is not a third-world country. You'll ride on really nice "interstate" type roads, see more BMW's than you can count and mechanized farming will remind you of Nebraska. (Go across the border to Zim if you want to see folks hoeing with sticks.. you gotta love Brother Robert). Yet, on a good concession, you'll forget that there is a quality hospital 20 miles away, that RSA was first in heart surgery for years and years, and its military probably even developed a nuke 30 years ago.

RSA for a first safari... I think it can be a great idea. You don't have to change a lot of planes, the gun permit stuff isn't a problem if you just follow the rules, really great PG animals are available in pretty wild circumstances, posh camps are available, it is still pretty affordable and the South African hunting community is full of folks that are experienced and ready to give you the time of your lives.

RSA is safe, has no real fuel, logistics healthcare or political instability problems. I love it, still, even though I'm running out of toes counting the times I've been to "wilder" Africa.

Don't try to get all the African experience on one trip. Start with reason and then make it more adventurous the next trip, ' cause you'll go again.

I'm glad you have begun your homework and admit the lack of knowledge. Here is a great place to start. We owe Saeed a lot for that.

It will be great fun learning. You can lose some friends if you just assume that planning such a trip is routine... or forever be bonded to the other 9 guys if you provide them an opportunity to learn to love Africa. Your anticipation will grow daily. It's lots of fun and one of the best parts of going to Africa.

Have fun and get your friends involved so they know what to expect and can anticipate with you!

The good thing about your situation is that if you do your homework you will almost certainly have a life changing experience. This is especially true concerning what you will do with your free time and disctetionary income going forward.
I have hunted with Huntley Ferreira safaris in the Limpopo province of South Africa and can recommend them unequivocably. The bushveld along the Botswana border there is wonderful country for game and produces excellent horn growth with some of the best kudu, gemsbok, bushbuck, (don't overlook the bushbuck, it's a great hunt) and waterbuck to be had. Their ranch is several thousand acres and they hunt several adjoining properties both high fenced and cattle type fencing. Huntley also offers dangerous game hunts both in S.A. and Zambia with Moz. a possibility. Hopefully you were able to attend the big hunting show in SLC just 2 weeks ago if not you missed a good bet to meet and talk with some quality outfitters. Don Heath was there and Boet Nell and his wife were in attendance. Don is editor of African Hunter magazine and a freelance PH in Zimbabwe and a great contact for Zim. Boet offers great Plains game hunts in Namibia. If you care to feel free to call or PM I always have time to BS about Africa.

I've got some nice options in Namibia and South Africa for plains game. When were you planning to go?

Justin,

There are a lot of options open to you and a lot can also depend on your group how many have been to Africa before or not. South Africa for example as many different areas with different species, not all the animals can be found on one area.

We ourselves have access to quite a lot of areas at different areas in the country and love to cater for bigger groups.

So email or PM us anytime for any questions or advice.

JudgeG,

Thanks for posting such a balanced and very accurate observation for the benifit of a first-timer to Africa. Justin, I do recommend that you pay particular attention to what JudgeG said. As a Hunting Outfitter with more experience than most, including the handling of big groups, I judge JudgeG's observations as very accurate and worthy of serious consideration.

Enjoy the planning and preparation - it's part of the fun!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren.

A couple of more things..

There are several ways to book your safari. You can do so through a reputable agent (and we are blessed by some of the very best here on AR), you can book directly with an RSA Safari Company who usually owns the actual land upon which you'll hunt and who has "resident" PH's or you can book with a PH who will find the concession(s) best suited (in his opinion) for your hunt (considering your budget, numbers, hunting style preferences.... ancillary things you wish to see, etc.). Not every PH is licensed for all areas, btw., but, as described below, there are ways around that.

What way is best for you and yours? I don't recommend anyone more than the other. If you are a delegator, the outfitter/booking agent way can be turn key... just tell a good guy (or gal... can't forget Ann... she's my bear hunting and fishing buddy!) what you want and forget it. They can even arrange the transport/tickets. If you want to do the research, find and communicate with a concession/landowner company that fits your needs... and, if the personal contact of a PH who might well become a friend for life is important, find someone who is a brother-from-another-mother and go do it. I've used all three and, if I don't croak, certainly will again.

On a "happenchance" trip to RSA, all I wanted was a really good Black Wildebeest ( I had some unexpected time in Johannesburg after an elephant hunt and I didn't want to waste it.) I called a friend and he told me that he didn't have any really amazing wildebeest where he could hunt, but he said he'd contact some friends. Less than a couple of hours later, he showed up at the Afton House and we drove to an 8000 hectar concession that had the animals I wanted to hunt. We both were "guests" and it was a great time to visit with no pressure. Somehow the fees remained the same as the internet price at the concession, my friend was happy with his "commission" for bringing me and I had a wonderful three days finding a great animal (and shooting a bunch of cull blesbuck along the way)....

As an aside, there were a half dozen captive lions on the property and the exterior wall of my lodge was one of the "fences". It did take a couple of hours to go to sleep that first night, listening to lions roar just a few yards away.

Have at it! It will change your life.

Contact Lieb DuRaan of Ingwe Safaris at ingwesafari@lantic.net or Brad Rolston of Brad Rolston Safaris at rolston585ae@iafrica.com You won't be disappointed in either one and they can accomodate your group with no problem. Both are located in South Africa, and both are plains game specialists.

JudgeG, Do you have a phone number that I may contact you at?

Thanks
Justin

Justin:

I believe that my e-mail is at my "public profile". Just double click my name to the left of the screen and it will direct you there. E-mail me and I'll respond with my phone number.

BTW, I just thought of a great method to make sure you "get it right"! Hit your guys up for a few hundred bucks each and this summer go do the research in person. Double the assessment and I'll go with you.

Justin:

That recon trip JudgeG suggests is a great idea, especially considering the size of your group, and I suspect the extra bucks to take him along would be repaid in spades.

I'd strongly recommend you stay in two SEPERATE CAMPS though....... The Judge snores like a damn chainsaw!

I can always recommend Tino Erasmus of TG Safaris and he can cater larger goups.

PM me if you want details or try the link below.

A good friend of mine is headed to Africa this year and suggested the same I idea that I hit everyone up for some recon money, however no one could agree to this.

Thanks for all the response
Justin

I can strongly recommend Tollie Jordaan in South Africa, he can handle this size group. He is represented by T. Jeffrey Safari Co. in the U.S. Check out T. Jeffrey's web site and give Todd a call. He is in Arizona.

I was I had had the Judges advice when I started researching my first trip.

Alot has been said, the number one question is..how do you see Africa in your mind's eye? Are you going to be ok with a high fenced hunt in South Africa or do you want the real thing: old Africa? The latter most often will include a Cape Buffalo Hunt. Nothing wrong with that for a first timer - we have done that hundreds of times. Main thing is for you not to be dissappointed on your first safari. It is always easy to go back to high fences later after you got the real experience as opposed to being totaly scared off by the typical ranch hunt. The choice is yours, depending on your needs. We cater for extremely exciting hunts in South Africa,Namibia, and Botswana (fenced, private land) and Tanzania (wild, unfenced public land ranging in size from 200000 acres to 2000000 acres)
Live The African Legacy with Ondjamba Safaris / Game Trackers Africa. Contact us at: jaco@gametrackersafrica.com or ondjamba@iafrica.com

Hi Justin,

JTEX is right, our outfitter in RSA can accommodate your 10-12 group. They have about 200,000 acres available for hunting and they have 4-5 star en-suite lodges.

They can also set up day tours/trips for your non-hunters.

The staff is great, the PHs are amazing and the food will definitely put some weight on ya'!

PM me, email me: Shannon@tjsafari.com or call me at 866-470-0470 if you want more information.

I can put pricing together for you if you'd like.

In a big group it's crucial that everyone knows what animals they want specifically.

The anything I can get attitude is NOT helpful! Pick at least four animals as primary goals or buy a package deal.

Also be honest about how you want to hunt, and how long per day. (yes some people really can't handle hunting ALL DAY!)

Be honest about it.

Justin, I'll be glad to answer any questions via email, phone or PM.
Good hunting,
David

I know that either Gordon Duncan or Glen Stockil can accomodate you at either Doma or Senuko, Zimbabwe. In my estimation you could not do better!

Justin: I see you live in Utah. Wonder how far you are from St. Lake? There will be a Sportsman's Expo Show there next month, March 13 - 16th. My best friend has his own Safari Company and is a PH out of South Africa. It is called 'Spies Safaris'. Now....I DO NOT have a dog in this hunt, and his business is not made or broken by one group of hunters. So...If you want, and have the time, and live in close enough proximity, and have the inclination. Stop by the booth. Ask for the AR guy (me, Brennan) I'll spend as much time as you need to do my best to answer questions face to face.
I give you my word we will not try to sell you
a hunt!! Everyone on this forum has given you good input and information. We try to watch out for our own. You are NOT READY to contract for ANYTHING yet. Keep on educating yourself.
Keep on asking questions. If you can not think of more questions...I'll give you some to ask.
Your first trip to Africa is just that....'YOUR FIRST TRIP". Do everything in your power to make the right decisions....If I had it all to do over....I wouldn't change a thing....but I'd give a king's ransom for it to be my "first time" again. One of the things that keeps me going is the thought that very soon, I will be taking my grand-daughter on her "first trip" to Africa. I'll get to re-live the excitement with her! DO NOT SCREW THIS UP...YOU ARE DOING GOOD...KEEP DOING YOUR HOMEWORK.

I've enjoyed reading this thread since I am in the same "boat". I have started looking into my first trip to Africa (probably not until 2010 so I have time to plan) with PG hunting. I will also be taking my wife so it is inportant in my case to find a spot that will also "entertain" her when she doesn't want to come along on a stalk.

bcolyer

I will attend ISE in SLC, I might even purchase a last minute booth. Also just an FYI the best SLC show you can book as an exhibitor is the hunt expo http://www.huntexpo.com/

Justin: I will look forward to meeting you in Salt Lake. Please just walk up and introduce yourself. AND....IF FOR ONE INSTANT....ANYONE IN THE BOOTH ATTEMPTS TO COERCE, BRAINWASH, SWEET TALK, SUGAR COAT, MANIPULATE, OR INFLUENCE YOUR EDUCATION PROCESS I WILL TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. Then, it will be your duty to get back on this forum and tell the guys (and girls), that I am the biggest damn liar that ever posted on this forum.
By the way....IF YOU are taking the responsibility of some day in the future making a recommendation to...or taking the lead in the decision process for as many as 10 to 12 others, you've got the guts to hunt Cape Buffalo with a spear. But I wouldn't recommend it.

For a group this size all hunting at the same time, you need a 50,000 acre plus piece of property. That rules out 90% of the RSA outfitters. And while the properties are bigger in Namibia, the game densities are also lower so that's not really an apples to apples comparison.

We know of only one ranch in RSA that can accommodate a group of this size and do it professionally. It's 30,000 Ha (75000 acres) in one block. There may be a few more. Note, when an outfitter says "We hunt 100,000 acres", it's usually 6 or 8 different properties and they are usually not contiguous.

There's no need to go on any scouting trips if you keep your wits about you.

Good luck with it and remember your firearms safety.....the worst thing that can happen on a group hunt like this is someone getting shot.

Hello Justin: I just got back from the Salt Lake Show. MAN IT WAS SLOW !!!! Lots of tire kickers...but very few takers. About the only thing most people could talk about was the economy. EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO TO AFRICA....but....you know the rest of the story.
ONE QUESTION for you right here in front of everybody....Was I true to my word or not?? Trust we helped with your education.
By the way....GOOD LUCK trying to fit together the budgets of 8 other guys.

Talk to the Dallas Safari Club 2008 Outfitter Of The Year: Ondjamba Safaris - Game Trackers Africa. They have a great 33000 acre concession near the Kruger National Park where they could easily accomodate a group of that size without you loosing a bit on the true African experience.
You can contact jaco@gametrackersafrica.com