I'm looking for some advice on where to go for my next safari. When I came home from Zim in June, I was met at the door by a very out-of-sorts girlfriend who really didn't appreciate being left at home for three weeks taking care of the dogs while I was halfway around the world having the time of my life. That being the case, I told her that she could come with next time.

So here's what I'm thinking. She's terrified of snakes, bugs and most forms of wildlife. She also doesn't like blood. Since that's pretty much what safaris are all about, I need to find a very comfortable camp complete with a swimming pool and full bar in case she decides she doesn't want to go out with me when I'm hunting. Shopping or other sight-seeing activities within day trip distance would be a good idea too. And, if there were a few other women around to take her places if necessary that would be great.

From a hunting standpoint, I still have a lot of plains game species that I haven't hunted/taken yet including gemsbok, springbok, vaal reebok, reedbuck, bushbuck, nyala, ostrich, caracal, dik dik, grysbok, etc, so I'm thinking Namibia or SA is probably the way to go. I wouldn't mind shooting birds for a couple of days either or doing some fishing.

My guess is that once she experiences it, she'll be more than happy to come with me on the truck every day, but I want to hedge my bets.

So in a nutshell, I'm looking for a cushy lodge with good hunting close to other activities for non-hunters. A place even a girly-girl will enjoy.

Any thoughts?

Pete

Shameless plug here for my friends, Corne` and Nic Kruger, and their new place about an hour from Windhoek. It is definately top shelf.

http://www.omujevesafaris.com/home.html

The wife and I are talking about Alaska or Canada for our next trip. A little hunting with hopefully some northern lights and cruise back. That is after we get back from our first safari. We leave in 2 weeks.

Check out Africa Thirstland Safaris with Kobus Honiball in Namibia.

Great lodge, very safe environment and my family loved it. My wife is much to the tune of your girlfriend. I posted pics on my hunt report.

I too have been to Zim a few times and my wife says she would never go there. But, I did get her to Africa!

TJB

quote:

Originally posted by talentrec:
So here's what I'm thinking. She's terrified of snakes, bugs and most forms of wildlife. She also doesn't like blood. Since that's pretty much what safaris are all about, I need to find a very comfortable camp complete with a swimming pool and full bar in case she decides she doesn't want to go out with me when I'm hunting. Shopping or other sight-seeing activities within day trip distance would be a good idea too. And, if there were a few other women around to take her places if necessary that would be great.

From a hunting standpoint, I still have a lot of plains game species that I haven't hunted/taken yet including gemsbok, springbok, vaal reebok, reedbuck, bushbuck, nyala, ostrich, caracal, dik dik, grysbok, etc, so I'm thinking Namibia or SA is probably the way to go. I wouldn't mind shooting birds for a couple of days either or doing some fishing.

So in a nutshell, I'm looking for a cushy lodge with good hunting close to other activities for non-hunters. A place even a girly-girl will enjoy.

Any thoughts?

Pete

So I'm guessing my would-be suggestions of Central and Western Africa would not be in the running?

The easiest thing to do is get rid of the girlfriend!

I took my wife in June for her first African experience and chose Quagga Safaris, owned by Eric Visser. We spent a couple days at Kruger National Park & did some shopping locally; the hunting camp was extremely nice with a great bar (sorry, no pool), excellent food, & great evening activities. Eric's wife & one of the PH's wife provided the women in the camp plenty to do on the days they didn't want to go on the hunts. It was a very friendly environment for anyone who wants to experience Africa, but is not a hunter. If this girl didn't enjoy the trip with Quagga, I, too, would consider replacing her ..... but, hey, she may have other redeeming qualities that would merit keeping her around.

Magnum Hunter needs to take his thinking one step further......An alternative would be to get someone here to keep the girlfriend happy, or at least occupied while you hunt......pictures would definitely be a plus

Lemco in Zimbabwe. www.mazungasafaris.com

I will gladly talk to her about this place. Send me a PM or call.

She will LOVE Africa once she gets there.

Check out www.keerwedersafaris.com
Brian can will take care of the hunting and Ina will make sure your girlfriend has a good time too. They are about 1 1/2 hours from Windhoek.
There daughter Esmarie and son-in-law Bennie are helping to run the farm now.
They've got a hottub but no pool.
Robert

quote:

Originally posted by Magnum Hunter1:
The easiest thing to do is get rid of the girlfriend!

+1

Try Falaza (sp) in Natal, they have a spa that caters to the ladies, in fact the day after I hunted out of there last year they had a large ladies group comming in for a "spa" weekend.

My girlfriend hated the outdoors, had NO interest in wildlife (filed her nails through Kruger Park) loved to stay home and look after the dogs, just wanted children....

She was named for the "Huntress Dianna" and often sponsored a hunt for me....

So, with all those qualities...........
......................


I married her, had 4 kids and go hunting with my buddies (and oldest son nowdays)
She gets a trip to Sun City every two years for about three nights, and is happy as a lark.

Just lucky I guess

Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

Pete

I took my wife here on her first hunting trip in 2006 she had a great time! These are wonderful people.


www.safari-in-africa.com/

Ok, talentrec I've now really been giving this matter some thought.....

Clearly you respect this girl otherwise you would'nt even be asking, so DON'T compromise on this trip. Take her EXACTLY where you would go even if she wasn't with. ie. YOUR ABSOLUTE DREAM SAFARI.

Now I'm thinking that you are not the easy-life, luxury seeking hunter. My thoughts are a 35 day fly-camp in a particularly swampy part of Mozambique after trophy buff or 80lb ivory. Give her something she'll REALLY appreciate!

Most importantly. let her know the truth about your "great time" in Africa. Take her to a luxury lodge, and you'll NEVER get back to Africa on that dream wild safari again. The picture will always be a "luxury cruise" not a malaria risking, sweat & tears affair.

IMO, book the dogs in a doggy-motel and send her to Hawai next time you want to safari. You will both be happier in the long run....

John X Safaris

My taxidermist and his family hunt with them all the time and my uncle and my cousin hunted with them in 00 or 01 and they all have had a great time. They were supper plush when my uncle and cousin went and I've heard that they have done nothing, but get more plush since then. The moto is "Not the cheapest just the best." I believe they are also close (not sure how far) to Port Elizabeth which I've heard is a beautiful city to visit/shop.

http://www.johnxsafaris.co.za/

Brett

1 hour from Port Elizabeth. Check out the main lodge!!

Blaauwkratz, They have great hunting nice accommodations great people and they are close enough to town so she can shop, go to the ocean, casinos or wildlife parks all while you are happily hunting away.

I hunted a camp that borders Erindi in Namibia.
Erindi would be a great place to take a non-hunter.

Then again, LRH270 might have the right idea.

Stephen-

I follow your line of reasoning. I actually thought about taking her on a lion hunt and watching her lose her breakfast the first time the bait barrel is opened up.

But then I remembered that 21 days with an unhappy girlfriend would leave EVERYONE unhappy...

Talentrec

I apologize in advance for being a naysayer BUT

I have tried to bring people on hunts in the past, people who otherwise did not have a burning desire to go, and I did so because I didn't want to leave my wife at home again, or to show my son and brother something I really enjoy..

If I were doing it again, I would not bring them. Like you are thinking about doing, I planned trips around what I think they would like, or what they would enjoy. They were trips I would not otherwise have taken, I likely would have gone off to a more remote area and pursued something interesting, but I passed on these.

None of these three, my wife, son, or brother, have really talked much about their trips, or expressed a desire to return.

With all respect to your girlfriend and your relationship- you must go and do what you want. If necessary, put the dogs up in a nice boarding arrangement, send her off on her dream vacation, and stick to your guns and hunt exactly where you want.

There is no avoiding bugs and snakes and dirt in Africa, as you know. I think if you compromise, you will diminish your hunt and your gal really may not have that great a time.

My 2 cents.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Originally posted by Magnum Hunter1:
The easiest thing to do is get rid of the girlfriend!

+1

I have no doubt your lady friend is intelligent, smart, responsible, athletic, absolutely lovely in every way.

I also have no doubt she's not the last one out there. +2