I do not hear much about the hunting in Zambia. I have not been to Africa as yet however all the kids are out of college this May, The House is paid for and I have allot of time off. I have planned on three hunts in Africa over the next 6-10 years; CAR / Camaroon, Zimbabwe / Zambia, and Namibibia (spelling?).
What can you tell me about the quality of Buffalo relative to comparing Zambia to Zimbabwe. I understand the best Sable are in Zambia and would like to combine that with Buffalo.

EZ

Eezridr,

First of all, welcome to the forum.

It's not quite as easy or as clear cut as all as your post suggests you think it might be and every country has good and bad areas and it's own problems etc.

You might find it useful to visit www.shakariconnection.com for at least some of your research.

First and foremost, I wanted to thank all of you for the warm reception to this forum.
I have hunted all over North America, but have never stepped foot in Africa. I started hunting with my father at probably 6 years of age and now am approaching my 52 nd birthday.
I have raised a few avid hunters with strong young legs that may take my place on mountain goat hunts.
I have been thinking about Africa for all my life but seriously for the past 5-6 years.
I began think about species I would be interested in hunting years.
Buffalo, Greater Kudu, Waterbuck, Sable, Western Roan, Giant Eland, Nylaya, Sitatunga, Bushbuck, Grants Gazelle, springbok, Wildebeast, Lechwe, Buffalo and Buffalo and Buffalo!
Gemsbok are great but we cam kill monsters in New Mexico for $5K and just 500 miles away. (I live in Dallas, Texas)

I would like to Hunt Leopard and Bongo as well but I realize how specialized those hunts are and probably not realistic.

From what I have been able to determine is that a hunt to the CAR or Camaroon would be for Western Roan and Giant Eland and perhaps Sitatunga. I suspect this would be my first hunt simply because it appears the most physically demanding, and I am not getting any younger (although I still archery hunt for Elk every year.
Second hunt would focus on Buffalo and that is where I was questioning Zimbabwe or Zambia and perhaps the chance of getting a good Sable, Lechwe.
The remainder of the game I was leaning towards Namibia.

I am always open to suggestion. I still have quite a bit of research.
I did atend the Dallas Safari club show on Friday (I have been going to this show since it started: It has grown incredibly) and am going to Reno in a few weeks (First visit). Doing my homework!
Any suggestions as to guides I should visit would be appreciated.
I really appreciate the link!

EZ

For buffalo and sable (and leopard too) you could speak to Buzz or Myles at Charlton-McCallum Safaris. They hunt in Zimbabwe. I hunted with them in 2007.

I hunted with Classic Safaris in Namibia in 2005 and I think Vaughan Fulton will be at Wendell Reich's booth in Reno. He was in Dallas.

There are a lot of reports in the African Hunting Reports part of this site including hunts with many good companies and PHs with which I have not hunted. Read some to get a feel for what the countries and outfitters are like.

Enjoy the search for you first trip.

Edit: Some reports from Zambia.

I did a search for "Zambia" in the title only so there are probably others.

Welcome to AR!

I would suggest doing a Plains Game hunt first before moving onto the Big and dangerous stuff. Sort of wet your feet first!

We will be more than happy to assist you. Please e-mail us at info@infinito-safaris.com to chat to us a bit.

Regards,

I went to Zambia this past year.....awesome. PM me and I can give you some input, as well as direct you to at least 4 other clients of the folks I booked with.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

i do believe the luangwa is my favorite place in africa.

I agree with Charles regarding Zimbabwe and Charlton-McCallum Safaris. Buffalo, Sable, Leopard, Elephant as well as plains game.

I have read some not so good things about Zimbabwe on these boards with respect to getting trophies returned. We all know about the Gov. issues in that country (currently). I guess it is not unlike most African countries over the past 25 years; They all go through turmoil.
I realize there are some outstanding safari companies in Zim. and I had it targeted until what I would call dealing with a possible nuecence factor. That is when Zambia crossed my mind and I asked the question.
It would appear both countries are good potential targets for what I am looking for. Now to look a little closer into the safari companies them selves.

EZ

EZ,

Believe your best two choices are Namibia and Zambia.

If you really want sable and buffalo first then Zambia is it. My first hunt for 4-footed critters was Zambia in the 80s and I was incredibly fortunate to take a 45-inch sable first and a 40-inch buffalo the next day. Yes, even today the sable are big, but the biggest buffalo seem to be in the impossibly expensive Tanzania.

As you see I did not follow the advice to start with plains game. Reckon I should have as seen when I failed hunting elephant a few months later. Did not shoot well and turned into an awed spectator when the bull ran past us...

Namibia is really good for acquiring the feel of African hunting, but you must hunt on a very large property and dodge those who insist on shooting from their vehicle, the "supermarket trophy hunter" group of Namibia PHs and game farm owners. The country also has some canned lion fanciers, a most unsavory type. Some in Namibia hunt leopard with dogs, legal, but a matter of considerable controversy in the Namibian Professional Hunters Assn. as in the hunting community at large.

Bottom line: Due diligence is required and this Board can help.

Regards, Tim

I see no reason to begin with a plains game only hunt. Most of us can only afford so many safaris and if your heart is yearning for dangerous game - get after it.

I would highly reccommend Zambia as a hunting destination for the majority of animals you want. When I hunted with Muchinga Adventures alongthe banks of the Luangwa, my PH was Alistar Norton. Alistar is a great PH. I have also heard good things about a young PH named Terry Van Rooyen. I have met Terry and he seemed like a great guy.

terry is great - enough so that we're going back with him in august for buff and spots

I have been hunting in Zambia for a couple of decades now with Mike Heath, who runs an outfir called Wildcat Safaris (wildcat@zamnet.zm). He, his wife, Val, and his son, Ross, who is also a ph, have a big (6000 sq km+) concession in the northern Luangwa. They don't advertise, but their book is pretty full. They usually go to SCI.
The place is beautiful and the game has been getting better over the years. He's always provided me with buff, one of which was 47"! Also, very good cats and lots of plains game, big kudu, waterbuck, bushbuck, etc, etc. I've recommended a few friends to him over the years and all have been well satisfied. Well run camp, well maintained vehicles, good cooking and a bottle of champagne to celebrate the hunt's best catch.
You need to charter a plane to get there, but it's well worth it.

Ahhh....the banks of the Luangwa.....brings a tear to me eye.....it hasn't been that long ago that I was there, and I miss it!

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

I've hunted buffalo and Sable twice in Zambia with John du Plooy of Muchinga Safaris. Can't say enough good things about the quality of the animals and the satisfaction of hunting with John. Zambia may well be my favorite destination. No big Red Tape hassles coming or going either. Zambia is stable, and as safe as anywhere in Africa.

butchloc....I understand that Terry is coming to the states with John and Laura for the SCI show. If you go, say hello for me. I didn't hunt with Terry but spent quite a few days in camp with him....and I agree that he's very good.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

Welcome to the forum. Lots of very knowledgeable people are here to help. That's really the great thing about hunting Africa - those who have gone before are extremely generous with hard earned advice. About your gemsbok...I know you can shoot them in NM and in South Texas, both. But there really is no substitute for hunting them in Namibia or SA. Over here they are curiosities - in Africa they are part of the land. Have fun with your plans.

Zambia get my vote as well. Not as expensive as Tan.

EZ,

What ever you decide. Tell us what you considered and why you made the decision you did. And of course be prepared to tell us all about your trip. We all benefit from your experiences and decision making process.

Tim