I am looking at finally getting over "there" in the next year or two. Its been a dream since I was a very young boy reading Field & Stream and Outdoor Life with my dad on the front porch.

I am reading all I can and always researching animals/outfitters/area and such. However I'm still on the fence about HOW I go about my first hunt.

So looking back, what would you guys have done if you could do the first trip over again? Cheap and accessible cull hunt? Basic NAM or SA PG hunt? More exotic PG hunt on a day rate + trophy fee's just hunting and enjoying it without a "shopping list" of package animals? Or would you say screw it, save up an extra year and go for DG the first time over and worry about PG afterwards or on another hunt??

There are few, if any, PG that REALLY get my attention. At some point I MUST have an oryx and a kudu. Maybe later a bushbuck and waterbuck...but really everything else is "meh" unless it happened to just be an exceptional trophy ran across while hunting, ya know? Could care less about kudu honestly. And I would be more excited about tuskless/PAC ele and hippo then buff, crocs or cats.

To all those much more wise then I in this Africa stuff, I'm listening!

Choose a good South African PH and go spend 10 days hunting plains game and getting a feel for hunting Africa. That 10 days will enlighten you and prepare you for a more in depth safari and DG.

Mile High:

I was like you. I wasn't that cranked about DG. But I HAD to have a kudu and a gemsbok. I still think they are two of the more striking trophies in my TR. I think they are more impressive than a sable, but I am sure there are others who disagree.

I would go to Namibia. I did my first hunt there back when it was kind of unknown. You can hunt kudu and gemsbok free range. Plan on a springbok as well. Don't forget about red hartebeeste. I didn't want one when I went over there, but shot one anyway. After shooting a bunch of other hartebeeste, I must say they are the best looking of the hartebeeste clan. Do a shoulder mount at 90 degrees.

Kudu in Namibia don't have the deep curls that Zim kudu have, but that is fine with me. The one shown on my cheesy little web page below has horns over 4 feet measured in a straight line (not over the curl).

I still remember poring over trophy lists, reading about the animals, not knowing what they looked like, etc.

There is only one first safari. It doesn't have to be a DG hunt to be a great one.

I love to shoot buffalo, but as one PH friend of mine said, "It is sort of like shooting a cow unless something goes wrong."

Having said that, buff are more fun than hippos. And for all they say about PAC hunts, I would never do one. Read Ivan's post about elephants. His description of ivory sounds like a porn story, and for good reason.

So what would I have done differently? I would do things pretty much as I did. I would listen to fellow hunters rather booking a hunt just because "Writer X" wrote a wonderful story. Learn what trophies are good for the area you are hunting. For all the 40 inch buffalo I read about, my taxidermist sure seems to have a lot of mid to low 30s...

I would also book through an agent - especially if you do not travel internationally for business, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by MileHighShooter:
Or would you say screw it, save up an extra year and go for DG the first time over and??

IMO, You will enjoy hunting the limited PG on these DG hunts more than on a shopping list hunt.

Personally, I'd take a plains game hunt for several reasons. First, since you've never hunted with a PH, it may come as a surprise to have someone tell you what animal to take; locate said animal from what could be a herd; follow their instructions; and then when to shoot. All the time at any given second they (PH) may instruct you to wait. Some are very calm and patient, while another may be more forceful in their commands and excited. Remember, most of them love to hunt too and enjoy seeing and making you happy, so excitement comes naturally, and that's not always a bad thing. Second, it's not always the "fish in a barrel" that TV can make it out to be. I've hunted areas where the game was spooky, even at great distances. Getting my first Kudu took me nine days, and I saw plenty every day, but I was being selective. It was mentioned already, "experience." That is good advice. Going in after a Cape Buffalo, Elephant or other DG without any knowledge of how to communicate with your PH, even in body language could lead to problems...the bad kind. Hunting these large animals is no joke. Although very few ever have serious problems, it only takes the ONE to ruin your life or take it. I would book 10 days, paying the daily rate and have an open mind as to what game I'd take. No package per se, and certainly no cull hunt IMHO. Go HUNT! Enjoy yourself and gain experience. Then tackle your DG. BTW: Hippo's and Croc's make for some exciting dangerous game hunting and usually are more affordable. All the best, David

Don't know what your financial situation might be, but I know that if I was ever able to go to Africa and do a hunt, my priorities would be and in this order:

Cape Buffalo
Eland
Greater Kudu
Gemsbok

Or if I had the funds and it was legal, I would like to shoot Cape Buffalo until I got sick of it.

I say pick out the species that interest you the most and concentrate on taking those.

If I were starting over, I'd start with a buffalo hunt and just pick up PG species as I went along.
Do you are consider yourself an experienced hunter right now? That could make a difference.

I would suggest choosing a reputable outfit in SA or Namibia and do a 7-10 day hunt. Focus on the animals that interest you but open yourself to the possibility of taking animals that you may not have considered at first. Read all you can about Africa and enjoy the preparation.

If you do it right you will think about nothing but returning to Africa for more.

My first hunt in Africa was for Cape Buffalo in the Selous. While I have since hunted SA, a fun hunt not unlike a ranch elk hunt, I can only look forward to returning to Tanzania.

While I was successful with Cape Buffalo and the usual PG with a 10 day hunt, It was every thing else associated with hunting where dangerous game was present. You will not hear Lions all night in SA, late one evening we saya leopard slip into the bush. I have pictures of a hyena slinking away. I woke up one night to a strange noise that was a bull elephant grazing next to my tent. Seeing some hippo run across a sand bar into the river while stalking a bull was amazing.

If at all possible, save your $$ and go for the gold.

My recomendation would to book a buff/cow elephant/plains game hunt in the SAVE with Brooklands Safaris.

The SAVE is one of the best hunting areas in all of Africa for the above game.

Book as many days as you can afford.

If I had it to do over again, I would call up Wendell Reich and have him book me a buffalo hunt in the Selous for ten days. I'd buy a good .375 H&H, scope it with a 1.5-5x20 or a 2.5-8 Leupy, and shoot about 500 rounds through it offhand after zeroing it. I would take what plains game appeared, but I would go for a decent Selous buffalo.

You are going to be very green. Reading up on African hunting is a far cry from being there. Going after buffalo is not like shooting a cow, unless you do it over a water hole, which some do, but I will not.

Spot and stalk for buffalo can be very frustrating and very rewarding, as well, and the knowledge that, uless you place your shot properly, you could have a problem on your hands, always gives the hunt a different flavor.

The Selous is a good place to start. Hunter's heaven, and very few 40-plus inch buffalo, but who cares? Plenty of wart hog, impala, and Lichtenstein's hartebeest around.

It's the real thing and your knowledge will increase exponentially day after day. I would save my money and do the Selous. Maybe later, if you have the urge and the money, you can do a hunt in Maswa or Kitiangare or Rungwa, but the Selous is a good place to start. There are plenty of hippo, but they aren't on a ten day license. Two buff an a few head of plains game, and if you can get close enough to take a Nyassaland wildebeest, you'll be dong better than most.

Enjoy.

And, BTW, I recommend Gracy Travel for bookings. Debbie Gracy can keep you out of trouble and help you out if you get stuck somewhere. That is, unless you are an experienced continent-jumper.

Milehigh

My recommendation is to come over to SA and spend some time on the ground getting the feel of things.
Go after a few trophies, forget the shopping list as i believe you end up chasing so hard that you miss out on the real hunt experience.
I would also say that a trip to Africa is not complete without going after some baboons, jackal and the real prize , Bushpig.

Throw in a bit of wing shooting and you would have burned enough powder in Africa to have the time of you life and to settle you into the place and all it is about.

Then for round two go after Buff and maybe an Elephant, but dont trade in a hard working buff hunt for the sake of having time to look for elephants. There is more than enough fun to be had spending some real time on buff and getting up close.

All said I think that your biggest mistake would be to try and cram too much in, and end up being raced around the countryside so some outfitter can get the most money out of you in the time you are there. Their responsibility is giving you the best experience he possibly can offer, money has corrupted what is supposed to be a purist sport. Pic the right outfitter and you will be a step in the right direction.

Good luck
Ian

IMHO, you guys have not asked the most important question: How old are you?

I got a late start, I was fifty-nine by time I went. I was not sure, being a Type-II Diabetic, and a disabled Veteran; if I would ever get to make a return trip. Cape Buffalo were my fifty year dream. So, I did the DG hunt first. My eyes have stabiliized, and my health is actually getting better. Africa showed me what I needed to to (work out and lose weight) make a second or third Safari.

Second most important question: what animal haunts your dreams? Do you see a forty-plus Buffalo, or a sixty-inch Kudu when you close your eyes?

Rich

I'd advise hunting buffalo and plainsgame in Zim or Moz for slightly less than $1k per day for 7 or 10 days. Bring around $6k in cash for trophy fees, $2k in cash for tips and pursue something like 6 trophies from the buffalo on the high end to impala on the low. Compared to my annual alcohol/ on line porn bill inexpensive and I suppose much more healthy.

I have found the daily dagga boy tracking hunt with a side bet of eland/ kudu/ bushbuk and all to be very exciting.

I agree with Rich (wow!).. Go with what turns your crank.. Be it a big Kudu, oryx, buff...

I started young (moved to RSA at 22 for a yr to get my Africa "career" started off right by being there full time).. 10 years later this year, I am off to safaris 6 and 7 this year. All were good, fun and have provided me with a lifetime of memories. I've since hunted in New Zealand, Aus, Mexico, Canada, etc, but I am drawn to Africa like a moth. I cannot get enough. It is a lifetime sickness for some. Be prepared for that!!

If I were to start it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. I see it as a graduation, or progression if you will.. From Blesbok to Kudu to Eland to Buff to Elephant, etc.. I would hate to miss out on ALL that Africa has to offer to all of us as hunters. There is so much over there. And its all good times.

After this year with a hunt this May in the East Cape region of RSA for PG that ONLY occur there (ie. Vaalies, Cape Grysbok, bushbuck, etc) and then another trip to Zim in Oct for buff and ele, I will start to look for the more "exotic" locales in which to hunt in Africa.. NW buff in Benin or Camaroon with a Western Roan and a smattering of west Africa PG thrown in is really high on the list of to-do's..After that, I may take a hiatus in Africa for a number of years, save my pennies, and do the Tanzania (or maybe even Ethiopia) hunt of my dreams with a bag of lesser kudu, gerenuk, Grants, Roberts and Tommy gazelles, and then the enjoy the buff, ele, BIG buff and leopard on the same license..

Most of all, ENJOY it!! You only get one 1st time!

quote:

Originally posted by Scott Powell:
Choose a good South African PH and go spend 10 days hunting plains game and getting a feel for hunting Africa. That 10 days will enlighten you and prepare you for a more in depth safari and DG.

I agree with Scott.

Skip RSA. My first trip was there, and while I shot great trophies, the experience was cheapened somewhat by the "game ranching" that exists there. The kudu hunting was great, and the property was fenced on three sides. The other plains game was fenced.

If you are "nervous" about Africa, hunt Namibia or Botswana. If newspaper stories don't scare you, hunt Zimbabwe. You'll get more for your money and you'll have a feel for hunting "real" Africa. The game can go where they want, and you can't.

Do you think this will be your once in a lifetime hunt(?); then shoot your dream, whatever that is. Don't go plains game only, if you dream of shooting a buffalo or elephant. Do it, to the extent you can afford it. If it means pissing-off your kids education, you need to put your dreams on hold. Hunting Africa is like that Harley or Corvette you always wanted. Believe it or not, you can live without it. Later, if things work out get the Harley, the Corvette, and the trip to Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:

Compared to my annual alcohol/ on line porn bill inexpensive and I suppose much more healthy.

Having been to Dillingham, I can understand the high "personal" bills.

quote:

I would be more excited about tuskless/PAC ele and hippo then buff, crocs or cats.

The answer to your question is right there.

MileHigh Shooter.
I have heard this story many times. The problem is most guy want to go but never pull the trigger. They get close and then the make excuses and then bail.
It really make's no difference what you go for or where you go. YOU just need to go. Africa will take care of the rest and lead you to your next safari adventure. Trying to pre assign the best hunt in Africa is like trying to pick the numbers of POWER BALL. The thing to remember is hunting Africa will be great better than you can imagine, so just go.
You will go back no doubt
My 2 cents
Larry

An easy ridin hunt is good for your first trip, as many have said, to get used to seeing and identifying game, working with a PH and so on.

Before you decide where to go, get very familiar with your rifle, especially if you are using a larger caliber. I don't know your hunting experience, but you won't be sitting in a tree stand taking one shot at a buck in three days from a steady rest.

You will be picking out an animal from a herd and shooting from sticks, or making a quick shot of opportunity on a fleeing warthog.

As to where to go, Namibia will be a good choice. A little harder to get to, but very charming and easy to enter and leave. More like Wyoming to hunt, vast open areas, great vistas, and in general sparse vegetation.

If you choose to go to South Africa, the terrain really depends on where you choose to hunt. In general, and with exceptions, you will be is denser bush- again depending on what time of year you go, it will be brown and thin or thick and green.

Many hunting experiences- with exceptions, in South Africa, consist of driving along a road, pulling into a gate, and driving into a farm of variable size, closing the gate behind you and staying there.

You may find your hunt consists of driving on roads to other farms to hunt this or that species, then driving back to your base.

If I were doing it all over, I would have gone straight to Zim for a PG hunt in an interesting area with only a top notch outfitter.

Your next trip, and mine, in my do over world, would have been long and extensive with DG on the menu.

These days you can also consider Mozambique or Zambia for an extra flavor of Africa, or if you can swing it, Tanzania.

Best of luck and let us know what you decide.

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:
If I were starting over, I'd start with a buffalo hunt and just pick up PG species as I went along.

I agree with that, but more because of where you find buffalo rather than the buff themselves. I'd already booked my first safari (10 day Namibian pg)when I found a short buffalo hunt in the Selous I couldn't say no to. Since then, I've been very glad my first African experience involved a tent camp with hippos in the river and hyenas and lions arguing in the dark. I was also pleased to note that the wilderness hunt did not reduce my enjoyment of the farm based pg hunt at all.

Enjoy working out your plan,
Dean

Wow you guys are great! A lot of good advice, from many different angles. I guess I DO need to supply more info....

First off I am 28 and in fairly good shape. I have been hunting in CO since I was 12. I have more experience with elk in varied rough terrain then anything else. I have also hunted open plains fro antelope. Been using various 300 mags since I was 19, currently a weatherby. No kids, no wife, and I rent my parents extra house with my brother so my bills are also not very high. I don't make a large sum of money now, but my company is new and I expect normally a 8% raise each year.

If I go PG my first, I have always had my sights on Nam in the desert region. But again I also picture myself tracking elephant through the thick stuff, and stalking the river edges looking for feeding hippo. I am realistic though in that this hunt maybe should be saved for later as I am NOT that experienced with big bores. I will be buying one thiss year when the new M70 Safari is on shelves, in 375 (later to be turned into the 404-375 located in the wildcat forum). I am not recoil shy, but I've only been up to about the 40 ft lbs area before with a 6lbs 500 S&W rifle.

I don't really have any hunting partners who are in the same point of life to be able to plan a hunt so its likely going to be 1x1. I have 1 friend who is going to SA next month and I am trying to convince him we need to do a DG hunt maybe in Caprive or Selous lol.

My advise would also be to skip the south africa thing. I am currently working on my fourth safari and I think I followed the "typical" progression. Our first hunt was a 10 day plains game in south africa, 2'nd was a 15 day leopard buffalo in the Save, 3'rd was a 21 day selous safari in Tanzania.

If I was starting over again I would definately skip the south african safari. I personally feel like south africa is like a PG rated version of africa (many will differ I'm sure). Its still africa but not really wild africa. Zimbabwe/tanzania/Mozambique are the real deal R rated africa. South africa is quite tamed compared to the other safari destinations. You will constantly be seeing fences, and much of the game is put and take.

If you have a modicum of experience here in North America I would suggest going straight to a Buffalo hunt. Plains game will always come in conjunction with the dangerous game. But the DG is what africa is all about.
I don't think a beginner could do any better than the Save for a first hunt. Pick a good outfitter (zambezi,brocklands,whittles come to mind) and book a buffalo or pac hunt there. It will be much more like the africa you (and all of us I think) are dreaming about. Lion spoor thru camp, hippos in the water, leopards stealing stuff from the skinning shed, seeing elephants every day, etc...

All of these things are probably not going to happen in RSA.

Make your first hunt buffalo. During the hunt you can also take various plains game as you go. See something you like...shoot!

You will not regret buff hunt. as a matter of fact, you will talk about the buff hunt the rest of your life.

If money is a prime concern, then I would do a plains game hunt in the Save conservancy in Zimbabwe. The availability of plains game is excellent with the added bonus of running into buffalo,elephant,hippo, croc and a good chance at seeing some cats also. You wouldn't be hunting DG, but at least you would be coming in contact with them in an authentic eviroment.

MHS,

First off I agree. Just go! I don't agree that going on a plains game hunt in RSA or Namibia is somehow compulsory to get you ready for a more extensive hunt re: DG safari later on. To my mind a PG hunt in RSA or Namibia is far removed from a "Classic" safari experience where you will encounter the Big 5 daily, hear lions roar and the lunatic cackling of the hyena. It just ain't the same.

My advise if you can afford it is to do a buffalo/plainsgame hunt of at least 10-14 days. You'll thank yourself later. I did.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MileHighShooter:

I have more experience with elk in varied rough terrain then anything else.

A six point elk, taken on public land, is IMO a lot better trophy than a run of the mill buffalo. Almost no one fails to get a buffalo in Africa. The same is not true of 6 pt elk.

A packstring hunt in the Rockies is IMO almost as good as a tented African hunt. I am toying with doing another one this fall.

Don't knock plains game at all, it can be plenty challenging and there are so many unique species! You would do well to book a tuskless and a few plains game species. Zim is a good place to go for this and trust me, as you are hunting you will see animals and want to add them to your bag.

First, go.

Second, when you go, hunt what YOU want to hunt.

However, I do agree with most of what has been said here. I did two PG safaris in RSA and a niche safari in Cameroon before I moved into DG. If I had it to do over, I would go straight to Zim on a buffalo and PG hunt.

I refer you to another poster's hunt report of his first safari (booked by Mark Young no less). This, to me, is about a perfect introduction to safari hunting.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/9161098911

I also forgot to mention that I spent 2.5 years traveling and working in India, Sri Lanka, and various parts of NE Africa/Medaterranean countires, so I'm an experienced traveler on my own, less then modern countries that may scare some people doesn't bother me in the least. I know how to travel safely and discreetly.

I really appreciate everyones view on this, exactly what I was looking for the "if I could do it again....".

Maybe I need to start looking for a PAC or tuskless hunt! I truly want a gemsbok, but I also wouldn't be adverse to booking a DG hunt first, especially since I have seen some shorter hunts, and then spending a few days else where going after my gemsbok.

Where are some places where I may be able to get an affordable PAC/tuskless that may also hold eland?

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:

quote:

Originally posted by MileHighShooter:
Or would you say screw it, save up an extra year and go for DG the first time over and??

IMO, You will enjoy hunting the limited PG on these DG hunts more than on a shopping list hunt.

X2

Perhaps a buff hunt in a place like Nyakasanga, which has more PG than most DG areas. Or Chewore South, where tuskless are available, it is just a fantastic place.

If the thought of an elephant hunt gets your blood pumping, just go ahead and add a tuskless... you won't regret it.

I killed two elephants on my first trip.

quote:

First off I agree. Just go! I don't agree that going on a plains game hunt in RSA or Namibia is somehow compulsory to get you ready for a more extensive hunt re: DG safari later on. To my mind a PG hunt in RSA or Namibia is far removed from a "Classic" safari experience where you will encounter the Big 5 daily, hear lions roar and the lunatic cackling of the hyena. It just ain't the same.

I have never agreed with "to get your feet wet in africa". Mark said it all.

milehigh - Everyone has their own ideas, and I assume that's why you posted here. Being an avid elkhunter/professional registered outfitter here in New Mexico myself, I think your elk hunting experiences in Colorado are great preparation for an African adventure.

Try and make a list of what really floats your boat first. If time and expense can be handled to fill that list go for it.

Don't think plains game will not be a challenge. My 1st four Safaris were for plains game with a bow and arrow. I know the "bow hunter haters" here will not think it was much of a challenge and no fun was had. But since they weren't there have no real idea. I doubt they have touched a live bull elk, pronghorn antelope or whitetail deer with their bare hands while hunting either? To me that is about as exciting as it gets. What I am getting at is plains game hunting is what YOU make of it.

That said there is nothing wrong with a DG/plains game combo hunt. The only drawback could be that lots of time the DG part can take more time than planned, leaving the other things to fall by the wayside. I personally would choose one or the other. My first DG hunt was for Buff only, had a great time, was successful and really enjoyed the experience. Was glad there was not a rush, rush to get on to something else involved.

Make your plans a reality, go for it and enjoy the African experience along the way.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Cape buffalo as your primary animal and then plains game as you find it.

The second animal I ever shot in my life was a buffalo (the first was an impala).

While you are buffalo hunting you will run across all sorts of other game; just take what mother nature gives you.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:

Compared to my annual alcohol/ on line porn bill inexpensive and I suppose much more healthy.

Having been to Dillingham, I can understand the high "personal" bills.

Having been to Arizona, and being familiar with some of your other posts, I am not suprised by your snide remark regarding my humor and my home.

I would book this hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...2100588/m/7661025421 and hunt plains game at the Save when done.

sent PM.
Africa is a great destination and with it TONS of different outfitters and opinions.SA can be the greaTEST BUT GO WITH THE WRONG GUY. youll spoend all day driving.
go with a reputable guy. find out what 2 expect.
good luck need any help give me a shout.
dave

I think you will find it is not a coincidence that the Save has been mentioned by about 6 posters so far,
and to answer your question a good place to get a tuskless and eland the answer is .... the Save!

I would ( and did ) start with a 10 day multiple plains game package. Make sure that the animals you are looking for are in the plan.Talk to as many people as you can. Ask lots of questions and after picking a good & reputable PH - follow his adivse. Before going
train for your hunt by walking and a regular execise plan. Shoot as much as you can off sticks and offhand, even a 22 rf will help, get lots of trigger time. Ask members here for the
help you need. There is a wealth of knowledge here.