Has anyone hunted with these guys. All the PHs are Indians, Arabs, or African. Prices are wonderful though!

quote:

Originally posted by D99:
Has anyone hunted with these guys. All the PHs are Indians, Arabs, or African. Prices are wonderful though!

Can't see where the PHs make any difference. Traditional Safari with out an African staff would take something away from the experience.

A non African tracker, game scout, camp staff?, not sure about that

Did you read what I wrote?

I didn't say anything about the staff being anything other than black. I am talking about the PHs.

This is the only reason for the low prices that I can see. I know the head PH has a lot of experience in Africa. I just don't have any references.

I am probably going to go to Zambia and hunt with Mark Young's outfitter there.

I just want to know what the deal is with Usangu, not make a civil rights or African classes issue.

Do a little research, Usangu has a great reputation. Check out Hunt Reports.

You say that you do not want this to be civil rights or class issue, then say "[t]his [the fact that the PHs are black] is the only reason for the low prices that I can see." They are a great outfit with a great reputation and have been around for years, regardless of the race of the PHs.

The problem is I don't know why their hunts are cheaper. I am assuming (making an ass out of you and me) that is the reason their hunts are cheaper. I am not 100% sure that is the reason.

It appears they own most of the concessions. I took a look on hunt report and got 10-15 posative hunt reports. Maybe they are cheaper because they aren't paying a concession owner rent?

I want the details if anyone has them.

Again, Zambia croc, buff, and hippo, on a ten day.

D99,

You may want to PM Bwanamich, apparantley he has an opinon which he wasn't brave enough to share about Usangu a while back.

surestrike,

1- In 2004 a vehicle belonging to TAWICO with 2 european clients accompanied with an UNLICENSED ph was apprehended 30+km inside a concession of another outfitter. This after they had shot several plain game and hung up 4 baits for lion. this is documented!

2- In the sme year, their vehicle (without clients) was apprehended at least 3 times in the course of approx 3 weeks scouting and hanging lion baits up to 5 km inside a neighbours concession. This is documented.

3- Several years ago 2 clients hunted with them. lion shot was done AT NIGHT WITH SPOTLIGHT. A THIRD LEOPARD was shot because one of the other 2 that was shot DID NOT QUALIFY. This is documnted!

4- This past season they shot 15 buffalo from their Natron conccession alone. That is MORE THAN THEIR ANNUAL QUOTA ALLOWS. This was disclosed by a PH that hunts through them there.

I'll stop here

P.S. TAWICO has been sold so there is no issue anymore.

For those that are booked with them I strongly recommnd you visit them at the shows to revie your booking ith the new management. From what I understand, USANGU will continue to operate and honor all previous TAWICO bookings but you ned to check the areas and dates again.

I think Tawico has been purchased by Jack Bittingham from the US and will be managed by Leon Lamprecht. Leon and Jack will undoubtably run a tight ship with an emphasis on conservation and quality. I think Leon will be working from Arusha. Does that square with what you know Bwanamitch?

I hunted with Usangu in 2003 and have nothing but good things to say about them. I hunted in the south in the Usangu area for Buff and plains game for 13 days and then went up north to their concesion in Natron for Thompson and Grants before going home.

I am booked to go back in the fall of 2007.
If anyone wants further info please ask, or if you want to share comments please do so.

quote:

All the PHs are Indians, Arabs, or African

quote:

All the PHs are Indians, Arabs, or African. Prices are wonderful though!

How can there possibly be any correlation between this and prices????? I fail to understand the sociology behind this??

In East Africa there are large Indian communitites. Many are Muslim, hence the 'Arab' names. In East Africa there are also black people (no...really!), some off whom also like to hunt, even in their own countries (really, I though just Americans hunted in Africa...mmmmm...a real conundrum?).

Oh yes, I was going to buy a rifle from this guy who says he lives in the Southern Ozarks...he has one tooth, big ears and very narrow eyes.....but damn his prices are low.

I hunted with USANGU/TAWICO in 2004 in the Rungwa Ikili concession.I had an outstanding hunt that exceeded all of my expectations.
The Mulla family are Baluchistanis (SW Pakistan/S. Aghanistan) that emigrated to Tanzania over 100 years ago.They are diversified into farming,gem stones,and the safari business.I booked directly with the company and had first rate service.
My PH and the entire camp staff were Arusha area born and raised--3 had spent time in the U.S. with Cotton Gordon in Colo. (they don't miss the snow!).
I recommend visiting directly with Zahir Mulla in Dallas (he's lived in the States for over 15 years) or Bill Fronterhouse in Fairbanks for specific information. Good luck!! Bwana Dogo

Kayaker,

Amen!

Mike

Hmm, Good and some very very bad.

I think I will pass and go back to plan B with Zambia for less money and more animals.