Anyone know anything about the Outfitters Cabelas books for in South Africa and Namibia.

They have a very nice couple of packages for $7000.

Package hunts give you some focus. I liked the way it worked out on my last safari. I was on a package and it kept me from shooting every Zebra that came along.

quote:

This one also operates in Namibia.

Two concessions in Namibia, actually. One up north near Etosha Park named Trudia. The other is 900 miles south, east of Keetmanshoop named Daweeb.

Be aware that, at least, for this operator, Cabelas has incorrect info in their handouts, unless it has been corrected since 9\'04. Cabelas said they had wildebeest and blesbok. Fred Burchell, the owner and my PH said they tried over and over to have Cabelas change their handouts, to no avail. Luckily this mis-communication did not affect me as these animals were not on my agenda.

But it DID affect my hunting partner who very much wanted to take a blue wildebeest in his 8 animal package deal.

Cabelas reputation has soured in my book. And I'm not the only dissatisfied patron. So let the buyer beware!!!

I agree with Dave, having used Cabelas service a couple of times I have learned - there are better booking agencies out there. I also did the southern and northern Namabia hunt with Fred's outfit nothing to brag about in my opinion.

D99

You have a PM!

Les

Wasn't Cy Angelloz a big part of Cabela's booking agency? I believe he has left Cabelas.
San Miguel

Regards,

Terry

I never met Cy, but we talked a few times. He didn't try very hard to help me when I booked for 2005. So I didn't try very hard to book with them.

Not sure why he left Cabelas. I know Cabelas isn't owned by Dick and Mary anymore. Or at least I heard that. Not 100%on that one.

The problem with booking agents is they come and go.

Bigger less likely to go.

http://www.cabelas.com
http://www.huntingconsortium.com
http://www.safari1.com
http://www.diana.dk

Don't want to repeat this years drama. I get a lot of good reports on Gras Hunting Farm. Not sure about how I am going to go. This is going to be a Father and Son kind of thing. Dad wants to try this Africa thing before he runs out the clock. I am saving for 2007, but it will more than likely be 2008.

What really suprises me that if you whack a gemsbok in Namibia it will be about $500. That same gemsbok in South Africa is $1100. Kudu in Namibia are $600-750, in RSA they are $1100-1700. Daily rates in RSA are almost always $300-500. In Namibia they start at $175 and usually stop at $350.

What's really stupid is things in Namibia are much more expensive than they are in RSA. So how does this work?

I wondered about the same, hunts seem to be significantly cheaper in Namibia, is it a bigger hasssle to get your firearms there?
Being Canadian, we can't fly through the US, so British Airways can fly me to windhoek, but the flight from Johannesburg to Windoek is on another airline(comus i think). do I have to do the gun declaration thing in South Africa if Namibia is my final destination?

Namibia is a newfound hunting treasure for most Americans. Their hunting numbers has exploded in the last few years. Most of the increase is from Americans. This increase is probably because of.....
1. High fences in RSA, not many in Namibia.
2. Hassle to bring firearms into RSA,none in Namibia.
3. Cheaper hunts because the smaller outfits don't use Agents/Outfitters. I think they get around 20% of the Safari cost. The people who do not use Agents/Outfitters can pass part of the 20% on to the hunter.
4. Average quality of the animals are better. I think this is because the hunting pressure is less.
Here's the down side.....
1. Smaller outfits, fewer frills. You may have to stay in a German Bed and Breakfast instead of a fancy Lodge. (I don't go to Africa to sample the wine, I go to hunt.)
2. Unknown PH. It's a crap shoot. Do your homework.
3. Not much DG available except in the Caprivi.
My son and I hunted in Namibia and RSA last year.
In RSA we hunted on what I think is typical areas,(5 different ones). Large acreage with a 12' electric fence enclosing it. (Largest was 80,000 acres.) We hunted in the Limpopo area. I didn't see many low fences there. We left 2 days early because we weren't impressed. The Outfitter was one of the larger ones. They did a good job. The PH was a good guy. The quality and amount of animals were not as good as Namibia. I'm sure this is not true in all areas.

Here's what we paid.....
2x1 $200USD
Kudu $750, shot 2, 1 made Rowland Book.
Gemsbok $420, 39 1/4"
Red Hartbeest $480, shot 2, 1 made Rowland Ward.
Springbok $310, shot 2, 1 made Rowland Ward.
Duiker $200, shot 1, made Rowland Ward.
Steenbok $200
Warthog $360
Baboon Free
Jackal Free
Birds Free, shotgun and ammo provided.
Prices have increased a bit I'm sure.
For PG, I doubt RSA can beat that.
We will be going back to Africa, it will be Namibia.

I represent 3 outfitters in Namibia and all 3 are complete hunting operations with guest facilities on the premises not a separate b&b.

One of them that I represent used to work with Tony DaCosta before he retired. We put together similar packages that are exclusive to me. You will definitely NOT pay more booking one of these packages. They really offer an awful lot of value.

The outfitters I represent in the Eastern Cape SA are wonderful as well. Great facilities and excellent prices.

I will disclose the name of any of the outfitters to anyone who contacts me by email or through my site. So you can speak to them yourself if you choose to.

Take a look and compare: http://www.tjsafari.com.
TJR

Todd:
Welcome to AR.
First, I'm not an Agent/Outfitter. I'm just an average guy who went to Africa.
Your prices are considerable higher than the ones I quoted. Is the difference in price because of your percentage or is the quality of animals better?
Thanks.

STAY AWAY FROM CABELLAS AS A BOOKING AGENT!!!
Do your own research and go with one of the many outfitters recommended to you from AR members.DD

TJ,

Thank you for the welcome to AR. Just an fyi I have been around here as trathner for a few years, but don't post alot.

When you compare my package prices to what you quoted I think you will see that my prices are good. They include everything including transport from the airport etc. One of them even includes transport from the Khomas Hochland to the Kalahari which burns a lot of fuel!

The daily rates and tropy fees I have on my site are directly from the outfitter, I have added nothing to them.

I don't represent outfitters solely on the cheapest price. I need to make sure I rep folks that have great facilities and most of all excellent trophy quality.

The folks I am working with were all people I knew personally or was recommended to by someone. Then I hunted with them or spent a few days touring their facilities and looking at game.

I did not get involved with folks solely on price. I got invloved with folks that I think will take care of my clients.

The trophy quality of at least one of my outfitters in Namibia is incredible. The gemsbuck, springbuck, hartebeest and steenbuck they are taking in the Kalahari are top notch.

All of the others are generally trophy quality which I consider to be Silver Medal (by NAPHA standards) or better.

Even my Management (cull) hunt offers two trophy animals per species.

I specialize in packages, the tropy fees are up there for comparison purposes and for folks who may want to add animals.

I think we all know that everybody has different taste, some guys want to figure out all the details of a hunt themselves ( I tend to be lke that) and others may not have the time or knowledge to, and would rather buy an all inclusive package. I am hoping that I can help that second category have a great hunt at a good price.


Todd

Good answer Todd.
Thanks.

You are welcome TJ. Please come visit me at SCI if you are going to be there. Booth 1534.

TJR

D99, I did a father/son hunt in Namibia with my dad in June 2004 with Vaughan Fulton. We had a wonderful time. I looked closely at the Gras as well (plus Lochi Lochner and Bethaven in RSA), but eventually chose Vaughan because of the wide open, no-fences, nearly half-million acre concession (since grown to over a million IIRC). I posted a full report in the appropriate forum (a search should bring it up). PM me if you want to chat more about it.