As Africa evolves it stands to reason you will see more and more native "black" African PH's throughout most concessions. With that said my question is as follows: cultural differences aside do you feel that Native Blacks have what it takes to make a good PH? I think most of us would agree that a good PH is more than just a guide, or tracker. It's a full package of attributes that tend to endear us to good PH's.

Does the racial makeup of a PH even matter to you?
Interested in hearing your thoughts.

If a man can do the job and do it well, take the animal that you came for what does it matter what color he is. His rep will be and is on the line . If he don't produce he won't
be in busness long.There are some in busness now
Bretta's Sarfai show had one on he is a very good PH .

As with all PHs of whatever race, colour or creed some are good and some are bad ......and a very few are truly awful.

We have one black PH who works with/for us in Tanzania and he's one of the best PH's I've ever had the pleasure to come across. He's cultured, well educated, well travelled, good company, 100% honourable and absolutely steady when the shit hits the fan......and over the years has also become a good friend.

There's a lot more to being a GOOD and "professional" Professional Hunter than just being able to hunt, track, fix dodgy rifles and do any and all of the jobs in a hunting camp.

There's also a wide variety of things such things as the ability to keep up with the conversation at the dinner table or in the hunting truck etc. And many of the white PH's I've come across can't do it all.

We always make a point of telling the client(s) before they book their safari who their PH will be and giving them a brief resume of their background etc. If they have a choice of PHs we give them details of each one.

Don't forget that two of the very early PHs in BEA (now Kenya) was a white man called Black and the other was a black man..... hence the expression "White Hunter"

Carmelo,

Skin color does not really matter by itself but any PH must have some understanding of his client's culture and be able to speak at least English fluently.

Regards,

Mark

Mark, that often will exclude our french comarads in chad and car as they speak poor english.

I had the pleasure of meeting a black PH in the Kalahari of Botswana in 2003. His name is Robert, although I can't recall his last name.

I found him most interesting with decades of stories to tell around the campfire at night. When he was much younger he was a tracker for Capstick.

I didn't have the fortune of having him for our PH, but each day he returned with his clients and excellent trophies.

I wouldn't have had any reservation in having him for my PH.

There is a black PH that hunts Zambia. I think his first name is Peter (could be wrong) but I do know his last name is Chipman. He has been on some of the Safari TV shows and I think a few people who post here have hunted with him.

In any event, everything I have heard or seen of him seems to be first rate. If I were considering hunting in Zambia, I would definitely consider him as a potential PH.

Tim

I hunted with a black PH in Namibia while hunting with Jan Oelofse Safaris his name was Naftali Amooloongo and I cannot recommend him enough. I believe he and another PH working for Jan were the first Black PH's in Namibia. They were Jans trackers for some years also. First rate all the way.

I HUNTED WITH A BLACK APPRENTICE PH NAMED THOMAS WITH SHANGAAN HUNTERS IN ZIMBABWE. I THOUGHT HE WAS FANTASTIC. HE WAS POLITE, SPOKE ENGLISH WELL AND KNEW THE ANIMALS AND THEIR HABITS. BECAUSE OF HIM AND HIS PERSISTENCE IN STALKING, I WAS ABLE TO SHOOT A WILDEBEEST THAT PROVED TO BE THE TROPHY OF A LIFETIME. I WOULD HAVE NO RESERVATIONS WHATSOEVER HUNTING WITH THOMAS AGAIN.

quote:

Originally posted by UltraMag:
I hunted with a black PH in Namibia while hunting with Jan Oelofse Safaris his name was Naftali Amooloongo and I cannot recommend him enough. I believe he and another PH working for Jan were the first Black PH's in Namibia. They were Jans trackers for some years also. First rate all the way.

The other P.H. you are thinking of is Philipus. Both Naftali and Philipus are excellent.

quote:

Originally posted by Shumba:
There is a black PH that hunts Zambia. I think his first name is Peter (could be wrong) but I do know his last name is Chipman. He has been on some of the Safari TV shows and I think a few people who post here have hunted with him.

In any event, everything I have heard or seen of him seems to be first rate. If I were considering hunting in Zambia, I would definitely consider him as a potential PH.

Tim

Tim the PH you are speaking of, is indeed Peter Chipman, and he is not only a Black PH, but is the owner of Kwalata Safari Co.,and is the concession owner of the very good concession in the Luangwa Valley, the LOWER LUPANDE! He also has his nephew who is an aprentice PH, and his father, and grand father were Ivory hunters, and PHs as well. Peter's father was killed by a cape Buffalo. There are several PHs I would trust with my life, and Peter Chipman is one of the best, IMO!

Yes Mike that is correct and yes he is excellent as well. I would have no reservations hunting with either of them. Also alot of my friends who have hunted with Jan also speak highly of them.

Have hunted many places, but never Africa. WOuld have no problem hunting with any one who is competent and fun to be hang out with. THe best two guides I have ever had were women. One was on a backpack hunt and she toted over 100# out on her back just like i did. I expect a guide to be competent, but at least as importantly is how much I enjoy the conversation during the slack time. Merit and personality are all that matter to me.

I am curious how the black camp staff would treat the PH's? Now this is all second hand info but I have heard so much about tribalism in Africa and that many of the black staff will behave deferentially toward white clients but treat a black client with much less respect. So I was wondering about that aspect?

Only good experiences?

I know of one PH who would only hunt for 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening and took off to his village every midday, especially if there was meat to sell. He also hid in the Landcruiser while the client went into thick riverine bush to finish off his wounded lion alone.

There is a black elephant tracker in Zimbabwe named Magara. He actually has his PH license but works as a tracker because his English is not so hot. He specializes in elephants and is a genius on the track. I would not hesitate to hunt elephants or other big game with him without a white PH (although Magara typically hunts with a white PH). However, if Magara were running the camp, he might not know when to serve white wine versus red, how to install a new ring and pinion in the Landcruiser, or which client jokes require hearty although affected laughter.

I have always wondered why the hunting community doesn't do more to enocourage African Americans to hunt. We need to be as inclusive as possible. Look at the NRA: they don't care if you are gay, female, black, white, or anything. What matters is your position.

There are plenty of famous African American hunters. One that comes to mind is The Mailman, Karl Malone.

Interesting comments and pretty much what I figured.

Thanks all for the input.