OK, here's the situation. I am one of a group of 4 guys that is looking to book a group safari for Cape Buffalo and Plains Game in 2012. We have been doing extensive research. Went to SCI in Reno and talked with several outfits there and have talked with a number of friends who have done similar trips. We have narrowed it down somewhat but we are still looking for input.

We are all in our 30's and in good physical condition. We are Canadians that grew up on farms and have hunted all of our lives. We have never hunted anything in any type of high fenced environment so we don't think we would enjoy that type of hunt.

Obviously the super wild, old-school safari in Tanzania sounds great to us but that's where the problem of budget comes in. We know we are not going to be able to do the hunt we want on the cheap but Tanzania looks out of reach at this point. Zim looks like the best combination of wild hunting and reasonable price.

The only one of our group that has hunted Africa before had a very good Safari last year with an outfit along the Zambezi in Zim. We are considering that outfit for our group hunt but it is a bit uncertain if we can get the plains game quota we would like to go along with the Buffalo with a group our size.

The Save looks like a great option as far as Buff and Plains game hunting goes but we are a bit concerned with how "wild" the area really is. We will be getting a proposal from at least one Save operator.

We would appreciate advice that any of you have. I have been watching and saving Hunt Reports off this site for outfits that we are interested in but I have likely missed several of them, so if you have a report posted on here that you think I might be interested in please post a link in this thread.

Thanks very much!

The Save is plenty wild . It may be your best bet for buff and PG.

If you want Buff and a variety of PG with a party of four and for three of you it is your first trip over and you do not want to spend a fortune, you are going to the Save Conservancy in Zim. Congratulations, have fun.

Check out my friend Dave Diven's first safari: http://forums.accuratereloadin...161098911#9161098911

Save Safaris with Leon duPlessis is pretty hard to beat also. They are coming off there best year aver for buffalo. I killed a 44 there last year and I have killed a 45 there also and 2 41 inchers. Last year I think their average buffalo was a hair over forty. I spoke with Leon last week and I know they have at least 4 buff tags left and plenty of plains game. It is good that you are in shape because the buff hunting will be on track and there will be plenty of it. Just google Save Safaris and click on the contact to shoot them an e-mail.
Feel free to call me here at (713)465-7388 if you want any info about them first hand. I have hunted in the Save 9 times.

Ben

My Dad and I hunted the Save in October 2008. We hunted with Zambezi Hunters and had an awesome time. Saw lots of game. Its such an huge area to hunt and we only hunted probably 5% of the area. Below is my report from the trip.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...621020121#1621020121

Another option is to hunt two areas. Last year I hunted with Mokore Safaris on Coutada 9 concession in Mozambique. No fences and as wild as it gets. We transfered over to the Save and hunted the Mokore concession on the conservancy. The Coutada 9 area in Moz is on par with my Selous hunt in Tanzania. Between those two areas you will kill more than you can afford. I shot a 49" buffalo along with a second buffalo and a ton of palins game between the two areas.

Mark Young books for Mokore and is a regular poster on here.

Another option would be with someone like Martin Pieters on his Omay concessions. Two million acre of unfenced area. He has plains game on his concession but surely could also set something up on Lemco which as I understand is very similar to the Save.

Martin Pieters also post on AR.


Both of these hunts can be done without charters.

In my expirence plains game is generally an add on to a dangerous game hunt. Animals of opportunity, with the possible exception of Sable. In the Zambezi valley, there is ample plains game, but if one believes they will go there and "rack and stack" the plains game while hunting buffalo, I think there'll be some general disappointment.

If you really want buff, don't plan on a ton of plains game, if you want plains game, book that the first year and go back later for dangerous game.

Sent you a PM on my thoughts. I just booked with Zambezi hunters for 2012 myself.

I generaly agree with Bwanna.
What's the hurry to hunt DG??? One trip to Africa is impossible! Hunt PG to get the feel and thrill of Africa, then book a Buff/Leopard hunt!
But if you must do it all, PG and DG, on your first, Lemco or SAVE are probably best for the buck....errr....Loonie.

quote:

If you really want buff, don't plan on a ton of plains game, if you want plains game, book that the first year and go back later for dangerous game.

You haven't seen the Save then. You can whack n stack plainsgame there and hunt buff until you legs ache. If you were doing a ten day buff hunt I would think at least 8 plains game trophies would be reasonably achieved at the same time.

Chez, I don't know if you 've considered or realize that the Canadian government will not allow you to take your firearms to Zim.

Rental/use of the PH's gun is something that must be considered on a Zim hunt and four guys might drain a PH's arsenal!

And the US gubmint didn't allow me to hunt Matetsi 6 but I did
Book your trip to Jo'burg. Then when you get there, decide to fly to Bulawayo with a return to Jo'burg. You never left RSA.....except for a tourist tour of ZIM....

Yes Tom, that is how you can circumvent the firearm transfer but I believe it is still illegal. I'm not totally sure of this. Not likely you will ever be brought to task. It depends on if you are comfortable in going this route.

Mozambique may be a bit more $$$, but is truly "Old Africa". Lots of Buff up in the "swamps" (flood plains, mostly dry in the hunting season", and Sable, Nyala, Suni, Red and Blue Duikers...a very game-rich country around the Zambezi.

Don't pay DG prices if you want to hunt PG ... keep your DG buff hunt to 7 days, then switch gears (and area) and hunt PG at $350/day for as long as you can stand it.

It's always a challenge with 4 hunters to satisfy everyone's shopping list. Very unlikely to be able to do that in one of the safari areas. You are better off on private land for sure.

There are some private areas that can do both buff and PG. Save is certainly a good choice. There are a couple in RSA that are big enough, similar to Save, maybe a little cheaper, and easier to get to.

Note, Save is embroiled in a dispute with the Zim govt at this time and officially, they have no quota to sell. At least that's the last I heard.

PM me if you want some more specific advice.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:
Note, Save is embroiled in a dispute with the Zim govt at this time and officially, they have no quota to sell. At least that's the last I heard.

Big statement. Care to elaborate?

Russ,

So the hunts that some of the most respected and long standing safari operators in Zim are offering are what? Caution! Let's not step on our dick here.

Mark

I was in the Save in 1992 (a long time ago) and to me the lowveldt of that area screams Africa. It is as wild as you would want.

It would make a great destination for you and your mates especially as your other friend has already been to another location. This will be new to you all and if he can refrain from making comparisons it will be somthing you can all share.

You can negotiate rates and prices. Simply ask if you can have cheaper rates for your plains game hunt or a package deal. Explain you know that plains game rates are cheaper. I ask 'what can you do for me' and you may be pleasantly surprised at the reply.

Most operators are happy to retain a paying client and a civil exchange of expectations and wants will also help them prepare a hunt/experience to your specifications.

A bubye valley hunt maybe what you guys are looking for.

http://www.john-sharp-safaris.com/areas.htm

http://www.john-sharp-safaris....e.htm#Anchor-10-3800

Ed

I hunted the Save with Mokore, and I think that you can do what you want to there, but another option that maybe a bit more money (but not Tanzania Masailand money), but also good would be seeing if you can book both Chanjuzi and Nayaminga camps with John DuPlooy in Zambia. The concessions adjoin, and camp visiting is easily done. There may be some others that can do this also. Lots of room for 4 hunting groups to work, and really good buffalo. You should also see a lot of PG there, with some less common species. Additionally, I don't think anyone has an arms embargo on Zambia.

The one big PG thing would be that Kudu are usually not as large on the Luangwa as they are in the Zim Lowveldt.

"Among those reportedly at the forefront of resisting indigenisation are operators in Sabe Valley, Bubi and Malilangwe conservancies. Chiredzi, Bubiana, Midlands Black Rhino and Gwayi are, on the other hand, understood to be at various stages of indigenisation although marked with reluctance from the operators.

The Masvingo administration has since resolved, following a meeting with Government, to support the suspension of the issuance of new hunting permits until new and resident conservancy owners come up with joint applications.

Parks chairman Mr George Pangeti emphasised that new permits will only be issued to those in clear working partnerships with locals"

Some of the Luangwa blocks might be an option and for the variety of plains game offered there:

Hippo
Croc
Kudu
Bushbuck
Cookson's wildebeest
Puku
Waterbuck
Hyena
Zebra

and a host of lessor species including warthog, impala, grysbok, civet etc.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Some of the Luangwa blocks might be an option and for the variety of plains game offered there:

Hippo
Croc
Kudu
Bushbuck
Cookson's wildebeest
Puku
Waterbuck
Hyena
Zebra

and a host of lessor species including warthog, impala, grysbok, civet etc.

....and 300% wild wilderness with tented camps!

Brett

HI CHEZ

WE CAN ACCOMDATE THIS HUNT ON THE BUBYE VALLEY CONSERVANCY.1 MILLION ACRES OF LAND WITH 7 CAMPS ON.EACH HUNTER WOULD HAVE A CHANCE AT A GOOD BUFFALO AS WELL AS 20 OTHER SPECIES. PLEASE CHECK OUT wwwbrentheinsafaris,FOR MORE INFORMATION.
CHEERS

BRENT