I believe most of us who spend $30K- $100K for these hunts embark on quite a bit of back ground searches (references) and general due diligence prior to making hunting decisions. I spent years researching areas/regions where I thought I had a reasonable chances of taking good representative of the game I wanted. I spoke to many safari companies and am fortunate to reside in the Dallas area and can visit with many tenured DSC members on their experience in Africa and their guides.
This forum is about as good as it gets for like information.
Making a decision on where to hunt is NOT a shot in the dark. These is so much information on this subject if you do a little research.
Check references......

I have only been on four African trips so far....

But! I do not want 5 stars or even 4.....I want an African camp!

I want good solid food and a fire in the evenings. Cold beer, ice for whiskey ( damn I'm a wuss ) stars to look at and animal sounds to listen to.

I want to be in the middle of Buffalo, every day all day. Talk about alive, that's what is meant by Alive!

I want to see animals that we don't see at home! Make friends and share stories.

My wife has accompanied me on all of my trips and she feels the same! I am a lucky man.

Clean, comfortable and friendly!

The only "stars" we need are in the night sky!


.

quote:

Originally posted by JTEX:
I have only been on four African trips so far....

But! I do not want 5 stars or even 4.....I want an African camp!

I want good solid food and a fire in the evenings. Cold beer, ice for whiskey ( damn I'm a wuss ) stars to look at and animal sounds to listen to.

I want to be in the middle of Buffalo, every day all day. Talk about alive, that's what is meant by Alive!

I want to see animals that we don't see at home! Make friends and share stories.

My wife has accompanied me on all of my trips and she feels the same! I am a lucky man.

Clean, comfortable and friendly!

The only "stars" we need are in the night sky!


.

Good attitude.

I've spent 67 days hunting in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Every night, I have slept under canvas. Of those, 5 nights were in an 'upgraded' accommodation that had a canvas tent connected to a modern changing room and bathroom, but the other 62 nights were in traditional canvas tents. Spiking out in the Kalahari for a few nights, I even slept in a small 2 man tent, sleeping in a sleeping bag on a foam mattress.

And I agree with JTEX, the only stars I need are those in the night sky. Nothing better than sitting around a fire, eating your dinner with a cold beverage, while enjoying the night sounds and gazing at the Southern Cross. Simple, hearty food that's well prepared, enough cold drinks, don't really need much else.

I prefer to be in traditional tens over fancy accommodations. I'd much rather see leopard tracks around my tent in the morning than to walk out of a fancy chalet in a fenced in compound. I wouldn't want it any other way.

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
I've spent 67 days hunting in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Every night, I have slept under canvas. Of those, 5 nights were in an 'upgraded' accommodation that had a canvas tent connected to a modern changing room and bathroom, but the other 62 nights were in traditional canvas tents. Spiking out in the Kalahari for a few nights, I even slept in a small 2 man tent, sleeping in a sleeping bag on a foam mattress.

I prefer to be in traditional tens over fancy accommodations. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Absolutely. A good shitter, hot water and an impala fillet goes a long way.

Fairgame, my wife absolutely influences my hunting decisions, and vice- versa. I have learned more from her than I could ever write about.We are each others' #1 hunting partners, we just celebrated our 30th year together dining on dugga boy heart, toungue, and balls (!) in the Save. We were absolutely fortunate to share the moment with Barrie & Bertie Duckworth. They are , to us, the epitome of the happily-married, shared-experiences couple. God Bless them.

Andrew, it depends entirely on how much I'm paying. But if I have a minimum comfort level, it would require good food, a decent shower and a stout tent.

Incidentally, here's a great piece by Stewart Edward White on the subject of English vs. American tastes in safari hunting:

The Englishman's point of view is that he objects to "pigging it," as he says. "Pigging it" means changing your home habits in any way. If you have been accustomed to eating your sardines after a meal, and somebody offers them to you first, that is "pigging it." In other words, as nearly as I can make out, "pigging it" does not so much mean doing things in an inadequate fashion as DOING THEM DIFFERENTLY. Therefore, the Englishman in the field likes to approximate as closely as may be his life in town, even if it takes one hundred and fifty men to do it. Which reduces the "pigging it" argument to an attempt at condemnation by calling names.

The American temperament, on the contrary, being more experimental and independent, prefers to build anew upon its essentials. Where the Englishman covers the situation blanket-wise with his old institutions, the American prefers to construct new institutions on the necessities of the case. He objects strongly to being taken care of too completely. He objects strongly to losing the keen enjoyment of overcoming difficulties and enduring hardships. The Englishman by habit and training has no such objections. He likes to be taken care of, financially, personally, and everlastingly. That is his ideal of life. If he can be taken care of better by employing three hundred porters and packing eight tin trunks of personal effects - as I have seen it done - he will so employ and take. That is all right: he likes it.

But the American does not like it. A good deal of the fun for him is in going light, in matching himself against his environment. It is no fun to him to carry his complete little civilization along with him, laboriously. If he must have cotton wool, let it be as little cotton wool as possible. He likes to be comfortable; but he likes to be comfortable with the minimum of means. Striking just the proper balance somehow adds to his interest in the game. And how he DOES object to that ever-recurring thought-that he is such a helpless mollusc that it requires a small regiment to get him safely around the country!

Both means are perfectly legitimate, of course; and neither view is open to criticism. All either man is justified in saying is that he, personally, wouldn't get much fun out of doing it the other way. As a matter of fact, human nature generally goes beyond its justifications and is prone to criticise. The Englishman waxes a trifle caustic on the subject of "pigging it"; and the American indulges in more than a bit of sarcasm on the subject of "being led about Africa like a dog on a string."

--Stewart Edward White, The Land of Footprints, 1913.

I'm kind of a mixture myself.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Andrew, it depends entirely on how much I'm paying. But if I have a minimum comfort level, it would require good food, a decent shower and a stout tent.

Incidentally, here's a great piece by Stewart Edward White on the subject of English vs. American tastes in safari hunting:

The Englishman's point of view is that he objects to "pigging it," as he says. "Pigging it" means changing your home habits in any way. If you have been accustomed to eating your sardines after a meal, and somebody offers them to you first, that is "pigging it." In other words, as nearly as I can make out, "pigging it" does not so much mean doing things in an inadequate fashion as DOING THEM DIFFERENTLY. Therefore, the Englishman in the field likes to approximate as closely as may be his life in town, even if it takes one hundred and fifty men to do it. Which reduces the "pigging it" argument to an attempt at condemnation by calling names.

The American temperament, on the contrary, being more experimental and independent, prefers to build anew upon its essentials. Where the Englishman covers the situation blanket-wise with his old institutions, the American prefers to construct new institutions on the necessities of the case. He objects strongly to being taken care of too completely. He objects strongly to losing the keen enjoyment of overcoming difficulties and enduring hardships. The Englishman by habit and training has no such objections. He likes to be taken care of, financially, personally, and everlastingly. That is his ideal of life. If he can be taken care of better by employing three hundred porters and packing eight tin trunks of personal effects - as I have seen it done - he will so employ and take. That is all right: he likes it.

But the American does not like it. A good deal of the fun for him is in going light, in matching himself against his environment. It is no fun to him to carry his complete little civilization along with him, laboriously. If he must have cotton wool, let it be as little cotton wool as possible. He likes to be comfortable; but he likes to be comfortable with the minimum of means. Striking just the proper balance somehow adds to his interest in the game. And how he DOES object to that ever-recurring thought-that he is such a helpless mollusc that it requires a small regiment to get him safely around the country!

Both means are perfectly legitimate, of course; and neither view is open to criticism. All either man is justified in saying is that he, personally, wouldn't get much fun out of doing it the other way. As a matter of fact, human nature generally goes beyond its justifications and is prone to criticise. The Englishman waxes a trifle caustic on the subject of "pigging it"; and the American indulges in more than a bit of sarcasm on the subject of "being led about Africa like a dog on a string."

--Stewart Edward White, The Land of Footprints, 1913.

I'm kind of a mixture myself.

Good reading thanks.

I am of the group who removes the luxury and puts that money back into the pocket of the hunter. Good food, feather pillow, ice and a cold beer cost little and is mandatory.

Good hunt, fun PH, happy trackers and all the other camp help general happiness is a must.
And of course in my case affordable, being just a regular guy that always has to save year or two for the hunts.
I think , overall basic clean accomodations and plenty of game will do the trick everytime.

Some people prefer 5 star, some people prefer spike camps, some people prefer high fence with many shooting opportunities, some people prefer the wild places with varying opportunities; each to their own. What hunters don't want is to be LIED to. Good times and good hunting can be attained with whatever preference one chooses as long as he is dealing with good honest people! I can't stand liars and thieves and if a person is one, more often than not he is the other as well.

quote:

Originally posted by DCS Member:
I'm good with anything. In Africa, I was treated well. South America is another thing. There's nothing quite like coming back to the lodge after shooting a few thousand shells and getting a massage from a nice looking Argentine gal. Don't read too much into that, fellas.

After doing that much shooting (especially if you've been loading your own guns), a massage becomes a necessity!

I was fortunate enough to make 8 safari's in Zimbabwe before health and finances took over. I actually made all 8 with the same outfitter and was totally satisfied with him. During those times I stayed in Tent camps,lodges, nice camps,not so nice camps,farmhouses,estates and in the outfitters home. All were satisfying in their own way. Never did accomodations affect the enjoyment of the hunt. I am diabetic and pay careful attention to diet. This was excellantly catered to also. The one thing I required of the safari was the total honesty as to cost,game,accomdations offered by the outfitter. I always recieved this and as a result the outfitter/PH and his family have become lifelong friends. I don't know what more one could expect from a safari.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:


Fillet of Sitatunga with peanut butter and piri piri sauce. And a cold beer.

No table or cloth and we ate with our knives.

If you give me meat prepared off a fire and a cold beer, cant see what more I need

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
What is it that attracts you to Africa and really what are your expectations?

Classic safari for big game with classic rifles and a tented camp is ideal. Lots of canvas!
Oh, and that griller of yours full of Steak or Boarvorst with some beers in hand would be great.


Setting up camp at my favourite spot with Lion roaring in the back ground;

Honest fair dealing

My first safari to zim/africa was with save safari - leon duplessis amd mike payne. I paid a deposit and went and had a great hunt. After everything was done i was given a bill and told to wire the money when i back home.

I left zim with only 25 percent of the final cost paid. I wired the money the day after getting back. But the act of trust to me was as good as the safari.

Andy hunter handled my trophies and shipped them before i even wired him the money cause he had the right spot/shipping time ect. I have never meet andy hunter - but i can say i will always do business with him.

Whem i went back to hunt with save safaris i wired them all the money upfront and got back $20 bucks at the end of the safari in cash.

My view is if the person is honest about money they will be honest about everything else.

I do need hot water - that is one of my requirements. Looking forward to one day hunting or visiting zambia with andrew. Also this peanut butter on meat is questionable - peri peri is awesome.

I will gladly stay in a field/bushcamp if the hunting is good, I wanna hear the lions and frankly dont give a damn about luxury while hunting..

I have frozen and been soaked in the wilderness so many times but if the hunting is good, never mind..

Frankly I love the smell of dust, diesel, sweat and gunsmoke....its all addictive..

Its great to see an Outfitter/PH ask this type of question. I believe great accomodations are probably over sold and in reality, most of us are happy with less than 5 star lodging.

I have only been once to Africa; it was a 17 day hunt. I had never experienced a guided hunt before and had never ate or slept like I did either. I did not expect to have such great service and food. I am returning again next June.

My expectations are that I want to go and have a good time. If we get a flat tire, I want to just laugh about it, if I do not get the trophy of my dreams, I do not really care. I am there for the overall experience, not just the hunt. Having fun with the PH, laughing at each other when there are "screw ups" is part of the experience. Its all about the whole adventure. I like taking the hunt "day by day"

I can honestly say that I am not out to impress anyone, with any trophy. As long as I am hunting and have some opportunities, I am happy.

Andrew: After reading your recent posts, you sound like the exact type of person I would like to hunt with!

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:
Its great to see an Outfitter/PH ask this type of question. I believe great accomodations are probably over sold and in reality, most of us are happy with less than 5 star lodging.

I have only been once to Africa; it was a 17 day hunt. I had never experienced a guided hunt before and had never ate or slept like I did either. I did not expect to have such great service and food. I am returning again next June.

My expectations are that I want to go and have a good time. If we get a flat tire, I want to just laugh about it, if I do not get the trophy of my dreams, I do not really care. I am there for the overall experience, not just the hunt. Having fun with the PH, laughing at each other when there are "screw ups" is part of the experience. Its all about the whole adventure. I like taking the hunt "day by day"

I can honestly say that I am not out to impress anyone, with any trophy. As long as I am hunting and have some opportunities, I am happy.

Andrew: After reading your recent posts, you sound like the exact type of person I would like to hunt with!

Jason,

Sounds like we are peas in a pod.

Under no circumstances am I implying that there is anything wrong with luxury or 5 star accommodation rather there are many who would pay less for the basic amenities if the hunting is good.

Also it is my experience that most of you enjoy the complete contrast in lifestyle that Africa offers and many revel the dust and the thorns.

In the old days safari hunting was tented and mobile. Dining was done under a shady thorn tree and there was no facility to make ice. However these safaris were considered luxurious and could offer great bush cuisine, white table clothes and a hot bath.

Have not some of our best memories and hunting stemmed from roughing it and some very basic camping?

While being in a "lodge" in Africa is better than not, I much prefer tented camps. Believe me, I can do a 5-Star hotel better than most anyone I know. That is just not what I want on safari. The one thing I won't be without is ice. Just non-negotiable for me.

I've never stayed in a tent without an en-suite bathroom. I don't think it would be a deal-breaker for me but it would definitely be a hassle to get dressed and be alert a couple of times during the night just to tinkle. Since it would be dangerous game country, I'm thinking you'd probably have to carry a gun. I realize that I have to be fairly alert even in the tent and always check out the area with a flashlight first, but that would still be more convenient/less disruptive I think.

I enjoy fine dining, but am a country girl at heart. I want to eat game as much as possible in camp. So long as I have meat and some type of starch, I'm usually good to go. I want vodka for a bloody mary. I usually bring my own tequila and need limes or lime juice, as well as pineapple or orange juice to go with that. Lots and lots of bottled water - I drink it throughout the day and night.

I also like to learn while on safari. That includes the local language, the flora and fauna, etc. I enjoy participating as much as possible and think that's the way to really get the most out of the experience. Having a professional hunter and staff that understand and are okay with that is really important.

Other than that, I want what I think everyone else does: a good area with lots of good game, opportunities for shots at the game I came for, a professional hunter who understands I want to hunt hard but also enjoy myself and the countryside, pictures of more than just dead animals, good company around the campfire, etc.

Really not that complicated.