I'm considering a hunt for plains game in Africa during the summer of 2018 after I finish grad school. I'd like to primarily target plains game. Any recommendations for guides or anything else to consider?

My desire to hunt plainsgame is minimal these days but that said if I was looking for a plainsgame hunt I would look long and hard at Tholo in Botswana. Everything I have heard from folks that have hunted there is positive. The fact that it is Botswana and not the typical South African or Namibian plainsgame hunt would be a big plus for me too.

1: would you like to hunt on a game farm or concession in a more remote part of Africa?

2: are you looking for a basic quality hunt or luxury accommodations?

3: do you have a country in mind?

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:
1: would you like to hunt on a game farm or concession in a more remote part of Africa?

2: are you looking for a basic quality hunt or luxury accommodations?

3: do you have a country in mind?

My preference would be fair chase with no high fences. I'd be open to anything from a basic hunt to luxury accommodations but have to desire to pay $1,000 for a daily rate as the luxury aspect isn't worth it to me.

I don't have a country in mind, so I'm open to suggestions.

It kind of depends on what species you want to hunt.

Most of my hunting has been in conjunction with a dangerous game safari. I did do a pains game only trip a couple of times, but they were for really unusual animals, so not typical, but that said, I have shot a bunch of PG animals.

South Africa to me has a feel pretty reminiscent of the western US... Lots of farms and more infrastructure than other areas. It also tends to have nicer permanent camps. SA can also work out more touristy stuff easier if you have a wife/girlfriend coming with.

Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania all have a "We're not in Kansas anymore" feel to them. More culture shock than not having people around- some areas of SA you wont see many people either, but the infrastructure is a step up.

Most of the DG outfits will also do some PG hunts also. Usually, they are substantially less than the DG hunts, even if they are in the same locations.

The wild outfits do have quotas that you need to be concerned about, so its possible to show up and not have an animal you wanted to hunt all of the sudden be off limits.

If you want to get the typical southern desert species of the south (Springbok and Gemsbok) you need to book in SA, Nambia, or possibly Botswana.

The classic east african species are pretty much Tanzania and now Uganda... Lots more money, but I suspect you know that.

Kudu, warthog, and Impala you will find anywhere in the common hunting countries.

If you are truly on a budget, you could try talking to operators for cull hunts on managed properties or wait till late in the season (which means you can't really schedule it) and try and do a quota clean up hunt.

What I would suggest is first deciding on what your ideal bag would look like, then contacting a few of the south african outfits or look at some of the package deals they have; do the same with Namibia, and since others are saying Tholo is a good spot, check them out also, and then contact some of the Zambia and Zimbabwe outfits and see what they can put together for you. I doubt that they can get as low as the package deals, but they may get close enough for you to want to do that instead if that is your preference.

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Originally posted by Rich-:
I'm considering a hunt for plains game in Africa during the summer of 2018 after I finish grad school. I'd like to primarily target plains game. Any recommendations for guides or anything else to consider?

You are sitting on the finest research tool in the world, the Hunting Reports section. There are hundreds of plains game hunts in literally every place available. After reading through a hundred or so you'll likely notice an operator that seems to be providing your kind of hunt. Contact them.

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Originally posted by MJines:
My desire to hunt plainsgame is minimal these days but that said if I was looking for a plainsgame hunt I would look long and hard at Tholo in Botswana. Everything I have heard from folks that have hunted there is positive. The fact that it is Botswana and not the typical South African or Namibian plainsgame hunt would be a big plus for me too.

Agree 100%.

I took my son, my father and a nephew on a family hunt at Tholo in 2012. It was great. Easily the best plainsgame hunt I've experienced. The eland hunting was really fun. It reminded a little of buffalo hunting. We'd look for tracks crossing the road, then bushmen would track them down. It took about 3 hours to catch up to the bull that I shot.

It is a really big, big place. It think over 300,000 acres of Clive's land, and I think they have access to another big farm near by. You will not see a lot fences. We had a couple evenings where the drive back to the lodge took 40 minutes.

We shot a couple big kudu, 56 and 57 inches. We saw white rhino.

They have shotguns available for bird hunting. We went for 10 days total. We hunted 8 big game for 8 days, and birds for 2 days.

Similar to Mike, I don't have a lot of drive to do a strict plains game hunt, as hunting elephant and buffalo have ruined me for plains game. However, Tholo is the one place I'd go again, especially with hunters new to Africa. Actually I can not imagine a better place for a first time hunter to Africa. Their 7 day packages are very reasonable.

The Bubye Valley Conservancy is one that you should look hard at. The PG is beyond believe but you will be seeing and hearing lion everyday, LOTS of them, during your hunt you have a good chance of seeing rhino and you will see elephant several times. Buffalo are common. Just to see these animals adds so much to the hunt. The Save would be a place to check out, some what similar to BVC. The Duckworths, Whittals and CMS are excellent outfitters in the Save. The BVC has 4 or 5 PHs that hunt it and will do a good job.

I am sure you will enjoy hunting with Richard Tabor of Richard Tabor Safaris.

Save a few more dollars and take on a buffalo. Look at the AR hunts offered forum for later season discounts.

Consider the additional costs - dip & pack, travel etc

There are many here who will advise you well.

quote:

Originally posted by Bama15:
The Bubye Valley Conservancy is one that you should look hard at. The PG is beyond believe but you will be seeing and hearing lion everyday, LOTS of them, during your hunt you have a good chance of seeing rhino and you will see elephant several times. Buffalo are common. Just to see these animals adds so much to the hunt. The Save would be a place to check out, some what similar to BVC. The Duckworths, Whittals and CMS are excellent outfitters in the Save. The BVC has 4 or 5 PHs that hunt it and will do a good job.

The Bubye Valley Conservancy (BVC) would be an excellent choice for all the reasons noted above.

I can highly recommend a hunt there with PH Nigel Theisen. www.safari5africa.com

I hunted Nuanetsi in Zimbabwe last Sep for buffalo. Everyday we saw tons of plains game to include eland, kudu, wildebeast, giraffe, nyala, impala, duiker, baboons, zebra, waterbuck, bushbuck, warthogs, etc. About the only thing missing were roan and sable.

I hunted with Lin Stanton of Mbalabala Safaris.

You might want to check with him.

BH63

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Save a few more dollars and take on a buffalo. Look at the AR hunts offered forum for later season discounts.

Consider the additional costs - dip & pack, travel etc

There are many here who will advise you well.

The buffalo idea has crossed my mind a few times and as I start to finalize details it may end up going this route.

If I were to hold off and do a buffalo/PG combo hunt which countries are my best bet and who are the recommended operators to go with?

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Save a few more dollars and take on a buffalo. Look at the AR hunts offered forum for later season discounts.

Consider the additional costs - dip & pack, travel etc

There are many here who will advise you well.

The buffalo idea has crossed my mind a few times and as I start to finalize details it may end up going this route.

If I were to hold off and do a buffalo/PG combo hunt which countries are my best bet and who are the recommended operators to go with?

I would start with Fairgame, who gave you the recommendation to hunt buff. I have heard nothing but positive reviews in regards to his operations. If I was to do a 3rd safari, I would look there!

I would hunt for pg in Tholo, Botswana

I just wanted to go on a plains game hunt also, looked hard at Tholo, Kanana before it closed, and several outfits in Namibia. After much research I decided to go somewhere with Dangerous game and the Big Five present. Booked with the Duckworths and went to the Save last September. Ended up shooting a great buff and a pile of plains game. Saw and heard lions, elephant, rhino, wild dogs, croc, hippo, and a metric $h++t ton of plains game everyday. You can go to the Save and have a great plains game safari and see Big Five in the process, all for very reasonable rates.

Good luck and enjoy the process, a lot of great of advice on here, I am grateful of AR for steering me in the right direction.

quote:

Originally posted by Gale Johnson:
I just wanted to go on a plains game hunt also, looked hard at Tholo, Kanana before it closed, and several outfits in Namibia. After much research I decided to go somewhere with Dangerous game and the Big Five present. Booked with the Duckworths and went to the Save last September. Ended up shooting a great buff and a pile of plains game. Saw and heard lions, elephant, rhino, wild dogs, croc, hippo, and a metric $h++t ton of plains game everyday. You can go to the Save and have a great plains game safari and see Big Five in the process, all for very reasonable rates.

Good luck and enjoy the process, a lot of great of advice on here, I am grateful of AR for steering me in the right direction.

I'm convinced this is what I'll do. I'll push it back until '19 but will take a buffalo and PG while I'm there.

Ill give a vote for Tholo too. Fantastic operation. Planning a return trip now.

If you want Buffalo, then go somewhere like Munyamadzi in Zambia. PG everywhere, and his Buffalo are fantastic.

Those are my two favorite choices.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Originally posted by Bama15:
The Bubye Valley Conservancy is one that you should look hard at. The PG is beyond believe but you will be seeing and hearing lion everyday, LOTS of them, during your hunt you have a good chance of seeing rhino and you will see elephant several times. Buffalo are common. Just to see these animals adds so much to the hunt. The Save would be a place to check out, some what similar to BVC. The Duckworths, Whittals and CMS are excellent outfitters in the Save. The BVC has 4 or 5 PHs that hunt it and will do a good job.

The Bubye Valley Conservancy (BVC) would be an excellent choice for all the reasons noted above.

I can highly recommend a hunt there with PH Nigel Theisen. www.safari5africa.com

I also like BVC a lot. In August of 2015, I took the same group to BVC as I did to Tholo. We hunted with Shaun Buffee. BVC is an incredible place, but it is a lot more expensive than Tholo. I shot a two buffalo bulls, while my son, father and nephew hunted plains game. They had great eland and waterbuck. We saw lots and lots of lions. During a couple nights, the lions were so loud and so close to camp, they woke us up in the middle of the night. During one afternoon buffalo stalk, we bumped into a Black Rhino. I also saw my first and only black mamba (still creeps me out). Of all our family hunts, BVC was our favorite.

So if you are on a budget, I'd go with Tholo. Their 7 day hunt packages are very reasonable and you will get your package animals.

If you can spend more, BVC would be a great choice. At BVC, you'd get a glimpse of what Africa was like 100 years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Blue Devil:

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Originally posted by Bama15:
The Bubye Valley Conservancy is one that you should look hard at. The PG is beyond believe but you will be seeing and hearing lion everyday, LOTS of them, during your hunt you have a good chance of seeing rhino and you will see elephant several times. Buffalo are common. Just to see these animals adds so much to the hunt. The Save would be a place to check out, some what similar to BVC. The Duckworths, Whittals and CMS are excellent outfitters in the Save. The BVC has 4 or 5 PHs that hunt it and will do a good job.

The Bubye Valley Conservancy (BVC) would be an excellent choice for all the reasons noted above.

I can highly recommend a hunt there with PH Nigel Theisen. www.safari5africa.com

I also like BVC a lot. In August of 2015, I took the same group to BVC as I did to Tholo. We hunted with Shaun Buffee. BVC is an incredible place, but it is a lot more expensive than Tholo. I shot a two buffalo bulls, while my son, father and nephew hunted plains game. They had great eland and waterbuck. We saw lots and lots of lions. During a couple nights, the lions were so loud and so close to camp, they woke us up in the middle of the night. During one afternoon buffalo stalk, we bumped into a Black Rhino. I also saw my first and only black mamba (still creeps me out). Of all our family hunts, BVC was our favorite.

So if you are on a budget, I'd go with Tholo. Their 7 day hunt packages are very reasonable and you will get your package animals.

If you can spend more, BVC would be a great choice. At BVC, you'd get a glimpse of what Africa was like 100 years ago.

You can count on one hand the places where that is even possible anymore...that is worth a lot.

quote:

You can count on one hand the places where that is even possible anymore...that is worth a lot

In the not too distant future I'm afraid it will be priceless

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Blue Devil:

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Originally posted by Bama15:
The Bubye Valley Conservancy is one that you should look hard at. The PG is beyond believe but you will be seeing and hearing lion everyday, LOTS of them, during your hunt you have a good chance of seeing rhino and you will see elephant several times. Buffalo are common. Just to see these animals adds so much to the hunt. The Save would be a place to check out, some what similar to BVC. The Duckworths, Whittals and CMS are excellent outfitters in the Save. The BVC has 4 or 5 PHs that hunt it and will do a good job.

The Bubye Valley Conservancy (BVC) would be an excellent choice for all the reasons noted above.

I can highly recommend a hunt there with PH Nigel Theisen. www.safari5africa.com

I also like BVC a lot. In August of 2015, I took the same group to BVC as I did to Tholo. We hunted with Shaun Buffee. BVC is an incredible place, but it is a lot more expensive than Tholo. I shot a two buffalo bulls, while my son, father and nephew hunted plains game. They had great eland and waterbuck. We saw lots and lots of lions. During a couple nights, the lions were so loud and so close to camp, they woke us up in the middle of the night. During one afternoon buffalo stalk, we bumped into a Black Rhino. I also saw my first and only black mamba (still creeps me out). Of all our family hunts, BVC was our favorite.

So if you are on a budget, I'd go with Tholo. Their 7 day hunt packages are very reasonable and you will get your package animals.

If you can spend more, BVC would be a great choice. At BVC, you'd get a glimpse of what Africa was like 100 years ago.

You can count on one hand the places where that is even possible anymore...that is worth a lot.

No doubt!!! BVC is an incredibly special place.

One morning we checked a water point for buffalo tracks. We found buffalo tracks, and lion tracks, and elephant and black rhino tracks,...and all the tracks were headed into the same area of thick bush. As we walked into the bush,...talk about having your head on a swivel!!!! During that stalk, in a small area bush, and in about 20 minutes of time, we bumped lions and saw a small group of elephants up close, and I shot an old non-trophy buffalo (with one broken horn). It was awesome!!!! That was the coolest stalk I've ever experienced. Dang it!!! Just typing this makes me want to go back!!

I can heartily second going to a place where you can see some real wild Africa!

I have not been to BVC, but did a Tuskless Elephant/ Buffalo hunt in Matetsi, 2012 with Brent Hein, who hunts BVC. Excellent PH with a great team. I have looked at the BVC price list, and it is out of my price range. Like way out, last time I looked. But Brent hunts other areas, too.

You can find good deals on Buffalo in the Save Valley. This place is on my list for sure. I also want to hunt the Luangwa Valley in Zambia. I am looking to hunt as many 'wild Africa' areas that I can afford.

I think a Buffalo/Plains Game hunt in Zim would be hard to beat, in terms of experience and price.

My STRONGEST suggestion: Start by picking a GREAT PH, tell him what you are after, and then ask him for ideas on where to go. Many outfitters will let a PH bring a client to their area. I learned this from booking agent Jack Atcheson. He set me up with Brent Hein, and Brent made inquiries based on what I wanted to hunt.
You can get all the leads you need on AR. Check recent references, go to Dallas or Vegas during the shows to meet up if a PH you're considering is there.
Getting 'assigned' a random PH, once you arrive in camp, is a crap shoot. You can hunt with the best outfitter out there, but the PH is the person who will conduct your hunt, and is a HUGE component in your success and enjoyment.

Brent is a solid guy.

So is Save going to be the best mix of quality and price for a buffalo?

I did not see a budget but assuming graduating from grad school the budget is restricted.

Tholo plains game package

Andrew Baldry ar group hunt

Save or bubye on a limited plains game package

Don't do any taxidermy.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
I did not see a budget but assuming graduating from grad school the budget is restricted.

Tholo plains game package

Andrew Baldry ar group hunt

Save or bubye on a limited plains game package

Don't do any taxidermy.

Mike

$10-$15K all inclusive would be about where I'd want to be for a Buff hunt with some PG.

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:
So is Save going to be the best mix of quality and price for a buffalo?

Save buffalo are expensive - $20-$25k all in

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:
So is Save going to be the best mix of quality and price for a buffalo?

Save buffalo are expensive - $20-$25k all in

Mike

What are my options for <$15K?

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
I did not see a budget but assuming graduating from grad school the budget is restricted.

Tholo plains game package

Andrew Baldry ar group hunt

Save or bubye on a limited plains game package

Don't do any taxidermy.

Mike

$10-$15K all inclusive would be about where I'd want to be for a Buff hunt with some PG.

Labat has a great save deal

But add in airfare, tips - you will exceed your budget.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:
So is Save going to be the best mix of quality and price for a buffalo?

Save buffalo are expensive - $20-$25k all in

Mike

What are my options for <$15K?

Forget buffalo.

Go to tholo and hunt eland by tracking.

Hunt hartbeeste, wildebeests and kudu.

Spend $1k-$1.5k get a ruger number 1 in 375 h&h or bigger and hunt it like you would with a double.

Mike

I think Tholo's 7 day hunt is only $6K for Kudu, Wilderbeast, Oryx and Eland.

As Mike mentioned hunting the eland by tracking is great hunt. We took also took some really nice kudu. Bird hunting was great also.

You can probably get airfare below $1,500. Easily all in below $9K.

I do like BVC better, but the costs are much higher. You will have a quality experience at Tholo.

Forget taxidermy

You could go to bvc or save and do a limited hunt - shoot like an eland, kudus and some impala.

Tholo would give you a better bag for the $$

Bvc or save would give you better Africa experience

All trade offs but I would focus on the experience more and less on the trophy bag

If you like it you will be doing more trips. If it is your first and last trip you don't have to worry about trophies.

Mike

Zimbabwe - the Lowveld with Mokore Safaris or Thierry Labat - actually there are a handful of really good guys operating there, check the hunt reports section. Rather save up and hunt a better area with a good operator than go cheap for now.

Zambia - Munyamadzi in the Luangwa probably has some good options. Maybe Andrew Baldry at Royal Kafue can put something together for you. Both can be done without charters.

Nothing against Tholo but in my opinion the BVC, Save, Nuanetsi, Zambia will offer a better all-round experience.

10-15K all inclusive is not going to get you a top flight area for wild buffalo. (I am assuming you mean everything except your airfare.) Transfer to camp in wild areas, tipping, souvenirs, dip and pack, and trophy fees will eat that up in no time.

You can just leave the trophies there, which will save some (I couldn't do that) but just the Buff Daily Rates and the Buff TF will eat most of you money without shooting anything else.

Maybe if you wait until quota clean up sales, you might find a deal then.

Frankly, if you are thinking one and done, (yeah, right) saving up and going when you can afford it for buffalo is probably a better plan.

If you just want to get started on hunting Africa and you already know you will do multiple hunts, I would do the plains game first route.

Its your first trip, and you might as well avoid unnecessary stress on yourself by doing a PG hunt first and getting that experience first. You will learn a lot that will make things less stressful, and hurrying along trying to achieve every goal rather than taking it a day at a time will cut you out of some of the joy and wonder of the "first safari."

The biggest thing I would say if you are committed to buffalo is avoid going on a 7 day (or less) buffalo hunt if you can for the first hunt. The time pressure on that can be horrible. 10-15 days is much better and will give you time to get into the flow of safari hunting.

The physical hunt of eland is quite similar to buffalo, but minus some of the adrenaline for concerns if you screw up. If you do that and enjoy it, you will enjoy buffalo and maybe will find the extra spice of a potentially dangerous animal makes you an addict like many of us. If Tholo is doing it for 6-7K as noted above, that would be ideal.

If you have concerns about being able to go repeatedly, then I would put it off until you can afford to do it without compromising on the hunt area.

I would also talk with some of the better agents as well. Sometimes they can save you money in the long run.

Good advice, it's appreciated.