Hi All,
I've been a lurker for a while and read with interest most of the stuff you guys talk about. I'd like to educate myself a little bit without wasting some poor outfitter's time. So, with that in mind . . .
1. I expect to be able to put aside maybe 1.5k to 2k per year for this purpose. I would like the basic Africa experience but don't need to go after any dangerous game. So, a basic plains game hunt is what I am after (I think). I have no use for a fancy lodge. I talked to an African outfitter at an Anchorage outdoor show and asked him what the total cost would be, excluding airfare. His response was $7k. I would appreciate input on that. I don't appreciate the subtlties of daily rate, license, trophy fees, etc. etc., so if you guys could provide an estimate of an all inclusive cost (i.e. all of the above plus tip, bribes, shipping, food, etc. etc.) that would be great. I also don't want to hunt in a small fenced enclosure. I also want to hunt in a good season in at least a decent area, so lets not talk about off season hunts or the like. I know it costs more, but this may only happen once.
2. I would have thought that somebody would have written a book by now informing people such as myself how to go about this, but I am unable to locate one. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have a lot more questions, but answers to number one and two may sort a lot of this stuff out and save some time. If there are links in the archives that provide this type of info, please point me in that direction.

Jim Hackiewicz known on this board as JJHack has written such a book. It's called "First time in Africa". Available from Amazon.com

JvinAK
Namibia is the place to hunt if you are looking for affordable / wild hunting. In April I hunted on a huge ranch for $145 a day + trophy fees. ($50 a day for my wife) 20 days hunting @ $145 =$2900 Trophy fees Kudu $600, Oryx $400, Eland $1050, Mountain Zerba $600, Steenbok $250, Springbok $350 Impala $440,Warthog $316 Total $4006 Cost of a great hunt $6906. I posted a detailed description of my hunt in Hunting Reports - Africa section of AR

JvinAK First post and your from Anchorage, I live in Soldotna give me a call sometime. Robert 907-262-1416

Will definately try and get the book. I searched there before I posted but evidently "Africa, Hunting" isn't specific enough. Mr. Johnson - yes I will have to give you a call. I was kicking around fishing for reds down on the Russian on Friday and thought about stopping by the only Dairy Queen in Alaska while I was down there (how did that end up in Soldotna anyway? Same with the only Olive Garden in Alaska being in Juneau.) I hear the reds are smoking hot. I hate crowds, but if I go upstream from the parking lot I might lose some of them. Thanks for the advice so far.

The reds are in, It will be very crowed! I have a fishing charter in the morning, but I will be home after 1 pm. If you come into Soldotna give me a call, I live one block off the main street.

JVinAK,
I've hunted almost every year in Namibia since 1984 and can assure you that it is the place to go for plains game hunting at just under $10k including air fare (unless you take a spouse...). Whatever you do, read JJHack's book because he seems a sensible fellow. Do not go to the big machine places of controversial reputation. (Board members can advise you when you get further into it.) While Namibia does have "supermarket trophy hunter" outfitters who promise 10 animals in 7 days, it also has some serious people who hunt on foot and give you the most marvelous experience above and beyond the money you spend. You can get that elsewhere but you pay much more for it...
Regards, Tim

quote:

Originally posted by JVinAK:
So, a basic plains game hunt is what I am after (I think). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

My suggestions are - go ahead and throw in at least 1 DG animal, maybe leopard or buffalo.

There are a lot of good books out there, but I would get a copy of African Hunter II, it will give you lots of ideas.

You might also like to read "African Experience" by Craig Boddington. It's a great read and you'll learn a lot about all aspects of African hunting..

Jim Hackiewicz' book is titled "Africa the First Time."

Another book I have on the subject is "Safari Guide..A Guide to Planning Your Hunting Safari" by Richard Conrad. This book leaves me with the impression of a guy who went once and decided to right a book about it.

Thanks for the book suggestions. I should be the proud owner of "Africa the First Time" in a couple of days. I will check out the rest as well. Thanks again.

JVinAK,

It sounds as if you are looking for exactly what I began looking for about a year ago. I wanted an economical African hunt but on large open range with indigenous species and out of a traditional tent camp. I am happy to say that I found exactly what I was looking for through Wendell Reich (http://www.huntersquest.com/index.html) who books for Vaughan Fulton (http://www.fultonclassicsafaris.com/). I just returned from hunting Vaughan's Etosha area concession and had a great experience. Here is my report: https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6321043/m/822107082

You can see the daily rates and trophy fees listed in the links. I spent just over $7,000 total for airfare, trophy fees, daily rates, VAT, etc. The only other expenses I had were one night in Windhoek ($80), tips, dinner for me and my PH after the hunt, curios, etc.

Shoot me a PM if you would like any additional information.

George

Tim Carney, you have a PM. Bobc

Loved the hunt report. You are correct, a hunt like yours seems pretty much exactly like what I am looking for. How many days were you hunting?

Another very nice little book suitable for first-timers is: AFRICAN HUNTING. Book one; Southern Africa. It was written by Alex van der Post, son of the famed Sir Lourence van der Post. It is particularly the concise description of the most commonly hunted species and hunting tips that make it really worth your while.

In good hunting.

I like "Safari" by Peter Capstick. Its a little dated in parts, but over all its pretty good. I find Capstick writing and story telling style more entertaining than many simple "how to books"..He gives alot of good advice about equipment and organisation ect but tempers it with stories and anidotes that just make you want to hunt there "right now"...

Regards,

Pete

JVinAK,
I lurked around this sight for about a year. Finally signed on and set my sights for my first African hunt two years following that.

My Safari was May this year, 2005. The books are good and recommended, but the information is all available right here on AR and first hand. You will get different views and strategies from which you can pick out what works best for you.

I didn't have any snags during my first visit to South Africa thanks to all of the folks who are willing to share on AR.

Fred