My wife and I are planning our first safari to SA. Possibly with some friends as well. This sight has been a HUGE wealth of information, and I wanted to thank you all for sharing your experiences.

I chose SA for the species available, and the sightseeing we want to do after the hunt. I have settled on Mabula Pro Safaris in the Limpopo region. They have plenty to keep her entertained while I'm out having a blast. I can't talk her into joining me for the hunts yet, or a tented safari (I would love), she "doesn't want to see dead animals". Oh well. This will most likely be our once in a lifetime trip to Africa.

A bunus is one of their PHs (very nice couple, and does great work, looking at his trophy room) lives and runs a taxidermy here in Denver (Elephant Head), and has an import license. So I can have my trophies sent straight to him. His prices are twice that of another local taxidermist that I use for elk here, but he specializes in african game. The cheaper one does "some" african game. Do you think it is worth twice the price for the trophies? ie. $1350 compared to 6-700 for a kudu.

After doing a lot of research, and pricing I have come up with the following. Maybe you could tell me if any of this looks like too much or too little. Plus it should help someone else looking into a safari. This kind of money will take us awhile to pay off, so a second trip would be in the far future. Hopefully we will have a lot of it saved up, but you know how that goes (plus theres moose, red stag, mt lion, etc. etc. etc....).

I am planning a 7-9 day safari to hunt plainsgame, plus 3 days sightseeing trip through the Kruger National Park. I am not looking for world records, but a nice representative of each species, and the experience:

1000 gemsbuck
1450 kudu
1600 waterbuck
300 blesbuck
250 impala
900 black or blue wildebeest
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5500
3150 9 days daily 1x1
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8650
825 3 days daily sightseeing
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9475
556 14% VAT on 1x1 and sightseeing
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10031
450 pack and dip 120+50ea
750 shipping
150 import broker
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11381
2600 x 4 large mounts x 650
750 x 2 medium mounts x 375
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14731
1900 flight
400 tip 10% of daily
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17031 total

+

3300 12 days x 275
462 14% vat
1900 flight
330 10% tip
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5992 for the wife (+ shopping money)

So how does it look? Should I tip that much for the daily sightseeing fees? Does the shipping and import broker look ok? Are the mounting prices reasonable? Are ther any other recommendations for taxidermists in the Denver area? The sightseeing fees are all inclusive including food, lodging and transportation through the Kruger. As well as the other sights close by. It would actually be cheaper for her if she would just go along as an observer on the hunts. She may just come out later for the last few days of the hunt, then the Kruger. We'll see.

I'll be using my trusty Tikka M695 (pre T3) in 30-06. It shoots true and every time. It's actually the most accurate rifle I've owned. It really likes the 180 grain Fail Safes. What else should I try, and what grain should I stay above? Because it likes the 165 grain FS even better.

I've already printed out the great information from T.Carr. I am ready to go NOW! But we'll have to wait until next year. Is SAAirways really that bad?

Thanks for any input

trophy fees are sure lots higher than in zim, taxidermy is also about 50% more than what it is costing me here. I'd also add some more into the trophy fee portion, cause there lots of stuff there you're going to want to shoot once you see them.

Blue....First and foremost, congratulations on planning your Safari and taking the plunge. I personally feel that the planning and logistics of any Safari, are almost as exiting as the actual hunt itself. As far as the expense portion of your Safari, I can only suggest that you be flexible, as things often change once the Safari is underway. Unlike other countrys that have strict quota systems, you will have more options in the RSA, and may take Trophys that you did not plan on. With regards to the SAA, you get what you pay for. If I could recommend anything with regards to Air travel to Africa, regardless of the airline, it would be this. Book your tickets through a full time Travel Agency, such as Gracy Travel, that specializes in African destinations. Should you need to change your plans while in Africa, a simple SAT phone call will take care of everything. Its almost impossible to reach SAA by phone in the USA, never mind in Africa. Again Congratulations and Good Hunting Bwana.

Do not take the Airbus!

I think the trophy fees are on the high side. The taxidermy is also pretty stiff. I would definitely negotiate that $275 per day observer fee unless some unusual pains are being taken to entertain your wife.
The above comments aside I congratulate you on your thoroughness in preparing and wish you nothing but the best luck!

Sorry, I did not notice the Kruger entertainment for your wife when I made my earlier post. I was quoted $350 a day for an extension to a safari sigtseeing in Kruger. I would still try to get the daily observer rate in the $125 to $150 per day range with an appropriate daily upcharge for Kruger. Your wife may actually prefer going with you and may only go to Kruger for a day or two. That way you only pay for actual Kruger upcharges.

The one big mistake you are making is thinking this will be a once in a lifetime trip.
Not a chance, you will be bitten by the worse bug you have ever expericenced!! Especcially since the missus is going, she will be the one that dictates your return. Good luck.

Dulcinea
Namibia 07

Blue, I too am going in 2007 (11 days) - this is what I have been quoted, contracted and told. By the way I CANNOT WAIT either!!! I know a guy that has hunted three times with Mabula - he really liked the outfit and gave them high marks. One other thing, I was told it is okay and normal to think about your SAFARI everyday until you get there. I guess I am normal for once!

Okay this is what I have on my contract:
Your VAT should not be on your trophy fees - only the daily rates at least that is how my contract is structured. The observer rate varies and my wife's is averaging $225 daily, but includes 4 or 5 days of excurisions including Krueger. Basically, the excursions are $100 USD over the base rate and that includes her transportation, food, drinks, and admissions. She wants to go with me about half the time.

My trophy fees are pretty similar to yours except I added Nyala which is my expensive animal and the others are within a $100 of yours. Kudu, Nyala, Bushbuck, Wildebeest, Blesbuck, and Impala.

Dip and Pack for me is $140 + 50 an animal

Shipping and Import Broker seem about the same with what I have found.

The taxidermy seems a little on the low side from what I have found - Gemsbuck, Kudu, & Waterbuck I have been seeing in my area in the $750 - $900 range. The Smaller animals were in the $450 - $550 range. I have gotten pricing from a couple RSA Taxidermists which is inline with your pricing and then factored shipping and it was a wash for me (Shipping was estimated in the $1500 - $1800 range). I am going to use Brush Country Taxidermy - Both my wife and I really liked their african animal work at DSC. I should have them Aug/Sep 2008.

We were told to expect $1500 - $1600 for airfare and that when they drop price in Sept - Oct after the busy season to buy for 2007.

Tip amount seems about what people have given with my Safari Operator and fits with what TCARR has stated on this forum.

My total cost is inline with yours and it looks like we are doing the same type of safari. Should be loads of fun!

You are exemted from VAT on trophy fees, unless you wound something and cannot find it, in which case you technically would have to pay VAT on the animal as well. Dayly fees taxed @14% as you mentioned.