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Looking to go to Africa in the next year or 2. And have been doing alot of researching myself. My Qustion is how many of you use a bookong agent. I have a outfitter in mind,Hopefully some of you PH's will chime in. Is it a added fee that the outfitter pays the booking agent or do you get a better rate through some booking agents as the hunter. Not looking to see someone make out with work I've already done.I have never used one for any hunts within the U.S. but I know many people use them to go to Africa. Any help would be thankfull. | ||
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You have a PM Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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Thanks for all the PM's. I know that using a agent is not a added cost on my part. But what are the benefits of a agent if I already have a outfitter in mind. | |||
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The outfitter is going to take care of you once your feet are on the ground at your destination. A good agent is going to take care of all of your questions or concerns from the time you put down your deposit until you receive your trophies. They can make your trip far more hassle-free especially on your first safari. That said, stuff can and does hit the fan occasionally but an agent will do his best to help you out and in my experience are available just about 24/7. Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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if you are a first timer they can make the paperwork and other stuff you have to cut though to get there and back without any problems a brezze. Susan Robinson was a life save for me when I went to Uganda. and there web site has a A$$ load of good free info | |||
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I think he also meant to mention the website address which is www.shakariconnection.com  | |||
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Sorry for the dumb question, But are the outfitters in Africa, not so hands on like in the U.S. I would think that any good outfitter should help handle things mentioned. Thanks | |||
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I haven't used an agent before; just happened that the outfitters I used didn't have any US representation. I think that if nothing else US agents can be easier to get in touch with than the outfitters, and you don't have to worry about the time differences to do so. I have heard of some holding fees in an escrow account which could be helpful as well. Caleb | |||
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Yes and no. Some outfitters are also PH's so they may be out in the bush for a week at a time and may not have internet/ phone service. Also as Caleb mentioned the time difference can slow things down so getting an answer to your question du jour can take a couple of days to a week. Also outfitters do not necessarily know the best worldwide airline connections you need to make or what port to ship your trophies through. An Agent can usually answer this stuff or tell you where you can get the latest info. Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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I went to africa for the first time 1-1/2 years ago and used L David Keith. And as stated above I could call him any time and ask questions.He told me everything that I needed to do as far as paperwork and what to expect when I got there and while hunting, so when I got there everything went as planned. It took a bunch of the stress out of the whole process. He was there from before booking until well after I got my animals back to the states. Also it is alot eisier to get to an agent here in the states then a PH in Africa if things go bad or if they misrepresent the hunt I was lucky and had a great agent. Now not only do I have good booking agent for my future africa hunts but also a good friend. | |||
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None whatsoever. The main thing is that you are comfortable with whoever you are booking with. Some people who have hunted with a specific PH before, and know him well enough, tend to book hunts with that particular PH. Regardless of whom he works for. | |||
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Saeed, You are the man, but I must disagree with you One thing an agent can do is exert force on the supplier. I am still waiting for a refund of my 2010 (or was it 2009?)leopard hunt, cancelled due to the cancellation of leopard hunting in Namibia. I am quite sure I wouldn't have had these issues with an agent. | |||
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If you use a "good" Booking agent it should cost no more than booking direct. I use them if I did not have direct knowledge on a company or area. | |||
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You might be right. But, having read some of the reports from some of our members, who have hunted with what seems to be reputable outfitters. And having had endless problems later. I have booked through agents, and I have booked direct, and frankly, I have not noticed any difference in the performance whatsoever. | |||
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Mate, I think that would all depend on the agent and indeed the outfitter. There are good, bad and indifferent agents and outfitters etc out there and quite honestly, all it takes to become an agent is a phone line, an internet connection and the ability to set up a website which can be done in an hour or two. A good agent can indeed be worthwhile but not all agents are good agents and a good outfitter makes an agent unnecessary. As to whether an agent could have helped in your particular situation......... in all honesty, that would depend entirely on who the agent AND the outfitter was. | |||
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As a barometer, check with the outfitter or some references as to how good the communication was when they were getting ready to hunt with them. I think I am like Andrew Mclaren, and send out an inordinate amount of constant comms leading up to a safari. it is after all, my business and with forums like this, screw up once, and everyone gets to hear about it  With regards to flights and connections, there are a number of really great travel agents who are on the ball, and I suggest that they be used. Good Hunting, Harris Safaris PO Box 853 Gillitts RSA 3603 www.southernafricansafaris.co.za https://www.facebook.com/pages...=aymt_homepage_panel "There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne." - Karen Blixen, | |||
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If you are new at this, that is Aa hunting. A booking agent can add considerable "comfort" factor to the process. Someone like Saeed that hunts there every year already knows the questions to ask and he knows what to expect although each Safari has it's own twists and turns. I am going to Namiba to an area and ranch with a Ph I have known for over 5 years and a booking agent really isn't needed. However, last ysummer I went to Australia on a water buff hunt, I used L. David Keith, the information and advice he provided was invaluable. The remoteness of the area meant the Ph was out in the bush for long periods of time where he could not in a timely manner answer my questions and after hunting there,,, I fully understand "remoteness"! The booking agent was a huge help on that trip. The same issues with using a travel agent,, yes I can book a flight but Steve Turner, Total Travel Solutions had a "book" or travel document that walked me through every stop and every permit and every transfer situation that was going to arise. Invaluable! It took us 6 flights to get where we were going,, get professional help!!! you can make more money, you can not make more time | |||
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Thanks everybody. It is all very helpfull and definitely gives me a place to start. The outfitter that I have in mind was recommended by a acquaintance who had hunted with them a couple years ago and he did refer his booking agent. Not ever needing one before I thought I would see what was really needed. I see now that the paper work and trophy shipping would definitely go smoother with a agent Thanks again | |||
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Also, a good agent can be very helpful sorting out money problems both prior to and after the hunt. | |||
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I know a good'un  and there hard to find anyone care to guess his name  | |||
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HuntNBGame I am stuck in Houston en route to Atlanta due to bad weather so thought I would give you my two cents worth as a PH and Outfitter. Personally we do not see the benifits of an agent whatsoever. We have never used an agent and are unlikely to in the future. I feel that the more people in the loop the more chance of a "misunderstanding" or a "misinterpratation".Having said that it will cost you no less or more using an agent. Check your references on your PH and so long as he has good communications, and in this day and age most decent companies have good back up in an office and staff. We pride ourselves on emails been answered with in 24 hours and even if we are in the bush Kirsty our secetary can radio us daily to get an answer to a question that she may be unable to answer. In this aspect we are certainly not alone. Regarding travel there are excellent travel agents who will cover every aspect of your trip. I reccomend Gracy Travel. Should there be an issue with your safari you have more chance of sorting it out with the Outfitter/ph directly then an agent sitting on a different continent. Best of luck! Cheers Buzz | |||
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I have to respectfully disagree with those who advise against using an agent. I have been on a lot of trips and almost always use an agent. First, i would rather pay an agent that sort through a bunch of references, many of which might not be real. I don't have the time or interest to deal with it. A good agent often knows instantly if an area/safari company is good or bad. The reality is that sometimes things go wrong. Having an agent on your side is immensely beneficial . It has happened to me before. My agent, John Barth of Adventure Unlimited, has always sorted it out. For example , the Zim government closed an area after the first day of one of my hunts.John was all over is. In the end, I had a great hunt and a great time. I would have had no clue what to do or who to call. John did. John is always up to date on what is going on and can advise me on what areas to stay away from what areas are really producing. When a deal becomes available, I always get the call. He knows of things that I could never know about. I have booked several hunts after these calls. In short, my agents provides me with a lot of information and assurance that I would never have on my own. I have never once regretted using and agent. There have been a select few tines that I didn't use one. Some of those trips I regret not using one. | |||
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I have done it both ways and it depends on the circumstances. I am comfortable booking on personal recommendations with an outfitter directly. But if it is a situation that I want and am unsure, I prefer an agent. Case in point I presented a situation to Mark Young where I wanted to take my newbie brother and wanted to do ele as well. Turns out after all the constraints I placed on Mark, it wasn't doable. He worked his tail off and sorted through a lot of chafe. The end result was I wasn't able to book this hunt. But I did book an ele hunt in 2012 through Mark. I could have booked this direct, but that wouldn't be cool as Mark represents this gentleman also. So next time I am looking for something, guess who the first person I am going to call is? On the other hand I have a former friend who delighted in going behind the agents back after the leg was done and booking direct with the outfitter to say a few bucks. I did say former friend... Jeff | |||
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Thankyou Buzz, I am glad to here it from a PH. | |||
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I have done all of my own research for all my past hunts from throughout the US and Alaska. I do not mind it,as if anything were to go wrong I would only have my self to blame.Most U.S. outfitters I know would rather go direct. I already know what area I want to hunt and game. Right now the reasons I would hire a agent would be mainly to help with travel and export issues, other than that I feel I have a good PH lined up. Thanks for the post. | |||
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I have used a booking agent on one hunt and dealt directly with outfitters on five hunts. So long as you pick your outfitter carefully, check references and focus on someone with a good reputation, good communications and someone that has been around for a while, I see no reason to limit yourself to considering hunts only booked by agents. To the contrary, considering only hunts booked through agents will cause you to exclude a number of excellent outfitters that have chosen to not use agents. That seems unduly restrictive to me. Mike | |||
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Many benefits to using an agent. One in particular that most overlook is variety. When you call a ph or safari operator, they are interested in selling you "their hunt". With a good, full time agent, their should be variety. For example. In Zimbabwe alone, I offer 6 different Buffalo hunts. Not to mention the Buffalo hunts in all the other countries. There are other lots of other benefits, just thought I would chime in and list one that I think is very important in selecting a good hunt. | |||
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As an outfitter I certainly value the work my good agents do and do not begrudge them their commission. The main agents we use are Global Adventure Outfitters, Hunting Consortium, Global Hunting Resources, Henley & Delamere and Atcheson & Sons... all are great professional agents who offer quality hunts around the world and back-up with reliable service for the clients. A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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