Hey Guys,
I'm not sure I can swing it yet, as a safari wasn't on my list of "to dos" for another couple of years.
As it is, I don't have a passport, nor my shots...(There is a real possibility of correcting this in time for the hunt).

A good friend of mine has booked a hunt with http://www.aahsomeafricansafaris.com. They are somewhat local to us, my partner feeling that they are OK.

He has invited me to join him on a trip that leaves in 18 days. It would be a rush for me, but I think I could get everything together to go in time.

Now, I just have to decide if I should go, and if I should go with these guys. I'd probably go with the plains game hunt, then add an animal or two.

Does anyone have experience with these guys, or do you feel the pricing is in line?

Thanks for your insight!

What hunt?

The website should be adventures not safaris.

I'll guess ...

However I would choose my Zim outfitter carefully and also ensure the concession or private land they are hunting on is legitimate. I wouldn't rush it. Maybe there is no problems, but let the buyer beware.

I have hunted Sondelani but not recently.

Stokes,

Have you checked the Africa Hunting Reports Forum here on AR? Have you checked over on ;
http://www.nitroexpress.com ? 24 hour campfire ?

What list of references (past hunters) do you have for these folks beyond your query here?

DB

Hi Nitro,
You are correct on the website, sorry for the mistake. The trip I was considering was $5K, 11 Plains Game animals.

My partner who has already booked says that with that package you can also add on other, more interesting animals. I haven't actually contacted the booking agent yet, as this contemplation has happened just today. My information might not be accurate.

Just in the last hour, I've read quite a bit here. I was totally unaware of the problems with hunting in Zim on the political level. Those would easily kill any plans.

Dungbeetle,
I couldn't find anything in Africa Hunting reports, but my browser is acting a bit slow this evening. A cursory glance produced nothing, but if you have any links in mind, I'd certainly appreciate it. I'll check the other sites as well.

For my smaller problems, it looks like the vaccinations will be easy to take care of, and I think that the expediated Passport service would get me the documentation in time. Flights look like they'll run about $2200 and are available.

I've not commited, nor laid out any monies yet. Just something I have to decide on in the next few days.

quote:

Dungbeetle,
I couldn't find anything in Africa Hunting reports, but my browser is acting a bit slow this evening. A cursory glance produced nothing, but if you have any links in mind, I'd certainly appreciate it. I'll check the other sites as well.

Stokes, these folks have been in business, how long? How many safaris have they booked, total? What are the Personal references and how many? They are "local to you" but you haven't asked these basic questions of them and you're about to spend ~ 10K$ on a moments notice?

No slam meant here to you, just observations on your posts. There's many long, detailed lists here by T. Carr that give one all they need to know to evaluate an Outfitter/Agent, what to pack, documentation, etc. Good place to start.

You've now got nearly 60 views on your post and no yeas or nays on these folks yet?

DB

Couldn't open that web page, so don't know who it is, but before booking a hunt in Zim, I would email the association zatso@mweb.co.zw and see if the operator is registered. They will tell you if the operation is registered with government only or is also a member of the association. The outfitter has to be registered with government (Zimbabwe Tourism Authority).

2) Who is the professional Hunter and what is his number.

3) What land will you be hunting on? Parks safari area, CAMPFIRE (tribal land) or private farm land? In the latter category there are some big warning flags but some areas like Save, and localised other ranches are fine.

If you can give us the details on the forum they are easy enough to look up though.

Is this the website http://www.aahsomeafricanadventures.com/

If so that is the website of a new member of AR who goes by "safariman"

Regards,

Terry

Stokes,

With the info T. Carr just gave, it would be easy to get safariman here for all of us see what he offers. The price of that hunt seems really good and I'm sure safariman would chime in and advise us all, give us some history, references, etc. Contact him via PM and invite him over.

DB

The website explains that it books for ZimAfrica. I hunted with them in 2004 out of the Milendi camp. Send me a P.M. if you want my experiences to consider.

I'm sure that Ganyana knows the Steyns and can tell you anything you need to know about their operations.

...just for info only; Basil Steyn is Sean Steyn's father, and Rebecca is Sean's widow. You all may recall Sean was killed last year in SA, while riding a motorcycle.

I recall when that incident occurred.Good things were said about the family at that time.Wish I had more info to give.

Gentlemen;

I was unaware that I was a topic of interest on this forum! I have just been made aware and am pleased to reply. As some of you have learned from viewing my site, I book for Zimafrica Safari's, owned by Basil and Rebecca Steyn. As I state in my website, I had been in the hunt booking business for a number of years but left it until I became aquainted with Sean Steyn and later Basil and Rebecca. I will pull no punches here. I am new to booking Africa and have only a modest number of hunters 'under my belt' so to speak. I am marketing and booking for the Steyn's out of my friendship with them, my experiences with them, the experiences my hunters have had to date (excellent) and my desire to see an excellent Safari Company with many terrific camps and area's continue after the loss of Sean. Much of the Plains game hunting is done in the TULI area and at Zimafrica's very beautiful private ranch south of Bolawayu, Sondelani. Some Dangerous game hunting is done in the Northwest near the Gwayi area, but Basil and Rebecca have never dealt with the war vets who have sold off quota animals to South African Operators. Hunting on Private Ranches near there is done, but only in legal area's where they have had working relationships for a long time and where there is verifiable legal quota available. The Steyns are very jealous of and protective of thier excellent reputation and I have been very pleased with what they have provided to date. Financially, I do not need to book hunts for anyone and would stop all marketing activities in a moment if I felt uncomfortable with a situation. I also enjoy seeing hunters new to Africa go and experience thier dream hunt and have everything exceed expectations. Sending others and helping to work out details of a hunt enables me to be in Africa year round, viacariously. The Steyns are a good and proud family of Zimbabwe that I am pleased to market and book for. I will keep a closer eye on this forum now that I am a topic !

I forgot something important: Mr. Stokes, thank you for the inquiry and the invite to this topic. I have been hoping for an opportunity to get aquainted with everyone. I have been a rather quiet member of this forum for a while. Listening and reading much, learning much, posting a little. I am trusting that the old timers around here, particularly the other bookng agents, (several of whom I have personally booked hunts through) will be tolerant of someone newer who comes to this for good reasons and with high integrity. While new to African booking, I have booked hunts in Alaska, Montana, and Colorado since the mid 80's and have found that much of what I learned there has served me well in this endeavor.

These guys look like they have good hunting areas, I only beg off hunters to show more respect to the animals after the shot and specialy when the foto's are taken. Sitting on an animal is not nice, try not to grab the animal by its horns (that was his pride when still alive).
Enjoy your hunting take good foto's, your grand children will remember you by them.

Wimpie

safariman,first welcome to the board,your postings at campfire,seems to stand you in good stead,so hope to see more here

Welcome....... The more information we get the better it is for all of us.