My official retirement date is 01/01/2026. I am seriously considering a plains game hunt with either Buffalo or Leopard or maybe a tuskless to spice it up. At what point should or can I book a hunt for 2026?

Don’t.

Too far away.

Early 2024 will be early enough. Booking 5 years out is too early as a lot can change in Africa in that time.

Mark

If you are retired and have the time and cash then wait to the last minute. There will be good deals with excellent operators that will pop up from time to time due to cancellations and unsold hunts. Consider waiting as part of an unknown adventure to come.

I am taking deposits into the next century.

Seriously book the year before.

It is waaaaaay too early. Many things can happen that you have no control over. A country may change hunting laws, operators may no longer be in business, possibility of war or destabilized countries. Air travel issues and much more. Save your money, shot your guns and prepare physically. Then when it’s closer you can book with more confidence and enjoy your first safari.. you may not know it but there are many here who envy you. The first Safari to Africa is something very special that you will always remember.

That depends on the outfitter...but I suggest a year or two will get you your hunt..I always hesitated to get too far out as too many things can change over the long term, so its not wise to tie up your money like that..Just good business IMO.

Thanks. I didn’t think 5 years out would be a good idea. Who knows if they would still be in business by then. Lots of research to do in the mean time and planning

Depends on the hunt- what you are describing, I'd start talking with folks 3 years out and actually book 1-2 years out.

But for things like sheep with top outfits in top areas, I have been told when looking that they are 5+ years out (partially due to the pandemic).

Things like Mountain Nyala are multiple years out, but may move up based on cancellations... I had to book 4 years out.

quote:

Originally posted by pacecars:
Thanks. I didn’t think 5 years out would be a good idea. Who knows if they would still be in business by then. Lots of research to do in the mean time and planning

m

That research and planning is part of the fun. Enjoy the time and you may find that your idea changes and you book differently than you would now.

My advice would be to book early 2024 for a hunt in 2026, especially if you are interested in a leopard and to hunt with a specific PH in the better areas. I agree for Buffalo you can always wait to the last minute so to speak and do a late season reduced rate hunt and still have great success. For leopard it’s about location, location, location, time of yr and PH. Cheers

2 years is plenty

5 years out the outfitter could be out of business, retired or dead. Heck, one outfitter I was involved with owed me thousands of dollars from trophies not shot and the trophies themselves of the game I had shot. He got sick and died and I was left with no recourse. His heirs ignored my calls and emails. Lesson learned.

Not to mention the hunting conditions in the targeted African country could change. Concessions get re-awarded every few years as well so someone having a concession today might not in 5 years.

I agree send no money this far out but there is no reason not to contact the outfitters and tell them your intentions. Yes in 5 years he may be gone but staying in touch will let you know he went under and you can search for another.

M

If retirement is exspected 5 years ahead and You want to fulfill a dream, the best advise is to do right now and not to wait until 2026.
You never know if Your health and physical condition will remain strong and You will be able to travel overseas.
Even with the impedimentum of corona restrictions You can manage an Africa safari and this year You will definitely find very attractive offers.
You can borrow money, but You can not borrow time !
Live Your dreams now, and dream of it, when You are retired ( or go on safari again!).

Pacecar,

Hemingway 416 may have given you the best information of anyone. Go now if you can. Who knows what the future holds for you or African hunting.

Cheers,

Mark

Things can change so fast that it’s wasted effort to start planning now. Hell, I don’t even buy green bananas!

I agree it is good advice to go as soon as you can. I am in what we call DROP. I am retired but still working for up to 5 years still making my salary and getting raises but the Delayed Retirement Option Plan pays my retirement benefit into an account with guaranteed interest that can be given to me in a lump sum or rolled into my regular retirement account when I leave DROP. It is a sweet deal. So at the end of 5 years I should be able to go on a nice Safari

Hemingway 416 got it right there. I'm 66 did a lot of hard hunts when I was in mid 20's to 50's as A late booking agent used to say do it early.Last march before Peru shut down I detached my achilles tendon hiking.Recovery has not gone well. My saving grace in all this I have no regrets. Do those trips now.

quote:

Originally posted by pacecars:
My official retirement date is 01/01/2026. I am seriously considering a plains game hunt with either Buffalo or Leopard or maybe a tuskless to spice it up. At what point should or can I book a hunt for 2026?

Would you buy an African country sovereign debt 5 years out as an investment ?

Would you invest in a small business 5 years out ?

Would you invest in a agents business 5 years out ?

If not then don’t look at hunts 5 years out - too much can happen. 2 years out is the max I would go for specialized hunts.

For my boring hunting in Africa I hunt with Mokore or Save Safaris (mike Payne/Leon duplessis) with those guys I am comfortable looking out years but I know the guys for over a decade.

Mike

Several years ago, I booked a safari two and a half years out.

Because of the global financial crisis and my own lack of foresight, the safari never happened, and I lost a very significant deposit.

Now I only book, with more or less trepidation, no more than one year out.

quote:

Originally posted by hvrhunter:
Hemingway 416 got it right there. I'm 66 did a lot of hard hunts when I was in mid 20's to 50's as A late booking agent used to say do it early.Last march before Peru shut down I detached my achilles tendon hiking.Recovery has not gone well. My saving grace in all this I have no regrets. Do those trips now.

I hunted a Swiss gentleman who at 76 told me it was his last safari. 5 years later he rang me up and told me he was coming over to hunt Buffalo on foot! He had not even booked!

Generally I book for next season.