I know there are some guys on here who hunt Africa a LOT.

Just curious if you hunt w/ the same outfitters or do you prefer to hunt different areas of Africa.

I have not been a lot, 6 times, but 3 of them with the same outfit and PH. We're now close friends and I don't see me going anywhere else....Tom

Like Tapper2, 10 safaris, 6 with the same PH. The relationship is about friendship as well as business. I've had him arrange and accompany me on three safaris beyond his "home range". He is far more knowlegeable than I about opportunities and Ph's in other countries.

Pretty much the same as Tom and Brice. Hunt regularly in Namibia and South Africa and with the same game farm owners one of whom holds a PH and Dangerous Game license.

Regards

I have hunted twice each with two different Nambian outfitters,Vaughan Fulton and the Gras Ranch (great cull hunts), twice with an independant SA PH, Francois De Kleerk, and am leaving for my fifth trip this Friday with the same Zim outfitter, CM Safaris. I have liked them all, but switch around as I want to try different areas. I look forward to going to the Omay and hunt with Martin Pieters within the next couple years, health and finances willing.

Hunted Zim twice and Tanz once with same wonderful friend, John Greeff, hunted Zam twice with same great friend, Peter Chipman and RSA several times, all over RSA with same very good friend, Kruger Human...still maintain occasional contact with my first Zim PH, David Amyot and would hunt with him again anytime....just a creature of habit I guess....but next trip will be with a new to me outfitter and PH---Bots for Ele. But it was arranged by my "neighbor" and great friend, Wes Hixon!

I have hunted Africa 16 times... to hunt a number of countries and different concessions means different outfitters... I've hunted multiple times with Buzz Charlton, Martin Pieters, Russell Lovemore in different areas and they are excellent. But I have hunted once with Chifuti Safaris, Makadi Safaris, the late Ridge Taylor, Muchinga Adventures, Simon Rodgers, John Greeff and Club Faune and have had superb hunts as well. The key is to do your research on the area and animals you want to hunt and then look for the outfitters who hunt there. Follow up on references, AR Hunt Reports and the Hunting Report. Narrow your selection and talk to the outfitter and/or PH. Book the guy you like the most!

First three = Three different outfitters and PHs

Last three = Same outfitter and same PH

Next Two = Same outfitter and same PH

2013 = Different outfitter and same PH

quote:

Originally posted by Tapper2:
I have not been a lot, 6 times, but 3 of them with the same outfit and PH. We're now close friends and I don't see me going anywhere else....Tom

Similar story here. Seven safaris. First two were with different outfitters. Last five have all been with Buzz.

I always hunt with the same PH -- but always in a new and different location. Sometimes that means I have two PH's -- as when we hunt someone else's concessions or in countries where he is not licensed -- and therefore double gratuities, extra air travel expense etc.

But, I so enjoy hunting with the guy -- and he's always done so well for me -- that the extra expense is but a small price to pay. I doubt that I'll be changing my routine anytime soon.

Each to his own.

I think once you find someone who you really enjoy and trust, you're only limited by that ph's ability. Like previous posts, I've had some incredible opportunities, come about because a ph/company that I've spent multiple trips called me and say "hey are you interested in one of these?"

I have had trips with new people, and I can tell you, once you've found someone you like and a standard at which they operate, I've found myself thinking, well, this isn't up to par. I think I was fortunate to get in with a top notch company from the beginning. I know, there are lots of horror stories about first timer or even second timer hunts. I've had a few interesting trips myself...so I'm much more confident dealing with people I truly feel have my best interest at heart.

SO...my advice is look around, get in with a reputable safari company, find a ph you like and make a friend for life! And if there's something they don't specifically offer, ask them to help you make it happen.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
I have hunted Africa 16 times... to hunt a number of countries and different concessions means different outfitters... I've hunted multiple times with Buzz Charlton, Martin Pieters, Russell Lovemore in different areas and they are excellent. But I have hunted once with Chifuti Safaris, Makadi Safaris, the late Ridge Taylor, Muchinga Adventures, Simon Rodgers, John Greeff and Club Faune and have had superb hunts as well. The key is to do your research on the area and animals you want to hunt and then look for the outfitters who hunt there. Follow up on references, AR Hunt Reports and the Hunting Report. Narrow your selection and talk to the outfitter and/or PH. Book the guy you like the most!

Sir, you have hunted with the best of the best.
I'm jealous and envious.

And your suggestions are well noted.
Thank you.

More often multiple hunts with particular PHs such as five times with Stu Taylor, twice with Matt Stanton and twice with Ian Gibson.

I've hunted with a number of different PH's. Two of them I have hunted with 3 times each, another one twice. But, I have found that it is good to make new friends, learn new methods and ideas, and have new experiences. They're all friends and remain so.

Went to Zimbabwe 8 times all with the same outfit. When you are satisfied and become friends what else do you need.

4 Safaris with one outfitter and 2 with CMS. Going back with CMS again next year. Also going to Moz with a new outfit the following year.

Never hunted with the same PH or the same area twice. I have a limited budget and limited time off and I want to see as much of Africa as possible. If I don't run out of time or money there are a few PH's that I would love to hunt with again, but there are a few more places I would like to hunt first.

4 hunts all with Mark Kyricou Big Game and Bird Safaris. All in the same area of the Okavango Delta. Same PH, Glenn Munger, for the first three hunts, then Glenn left Mark to guide on his own ranch.
Twice I added a hunt in the Kalahari on ranches.
If the Delta wasn't largely closed I'd be going back next year. Instead I'm huntingZim with a new outfit.

Per my signature below, I've hunted with some really good PH's including a few more than once (Buzz Charlton 4 times in 6 different areas, and Martin Pieters twice). I also hunted with the same outfitter and PH (Fred Bezuidenhout) twice in the Caprivi, and stay in contact with the first PH I ever hunted with from South Africa. I enjoy seeing new areas and hunting different environments, but it is also nice to hunt with the same guys and support team including the trackers, especially when traveling and hunting solo. I wish I had more time and more money!

I have several clients who return to hunt with us . We try to make each experience different and whilst they hunt with us and often with the same PH, they have often hunted different areas and different species.

I am glad to see that quite a few of the people on AR have become friends with the PH and or outfitter that they hunt with. This is in my opinion one of the most important facets in enjoying your hunt. If the PH and the client get along well, this makes a hunt so much more enjoyable for everyone concerned and in most cases everyone looks forward to a reunion at a later date.

I recently had a client who returned to Zim for the second time. It was indeed a great trip as he got along with the PH and myself like old friends. The 14 day hunt was a great time for all concerned and much laughter, hilarity, teasing and general camaraderie made for a great time for all concerned.

Try and establish a personal relationship with your PH and outfitter as it can only lead to good things

I have hunted with Mark DeWet six times all others single hunts. Some because of dissatification and others because they were specialized hunts.

6 with Gordon Duncan

I've been on five hunting safaris on three different trips and a different PH/Outfitter for every one.

While I like to be "friends" with the PH during the hunt, to me, a friend relationship doesn't involve having to pay a friend.

I would re-book with Karl Stumpfe of Ndumo Safaris if given the chance. Plus have a look at one of the others too.

I've been twice and used different PH's both times. Would use them again if I go back to those countries. I've got somewhat limited means, and want to go to as many different countries as possible.

Guys,

I've never hunted more than twice with any outfit. For me there's just too much differnt and wondeful out there to hunt numereous times with the same safari operator.

Mark

Four times in South Africa with same PH (Danie Van der Watt)- Will not change.
Two times in Namibia with same PH (Roger Coomber of Vieranas Safaris) - Will not change.
Each one, with it's own caracteristics both in the field and out of it.
The learning curve has been amazing, and that's what I look for while in the bush.