Well, I will actually be finishing law school in the near future, so, it's time to start planning my trip to Africa...

My father feels his health isn't up to going to Africa, so it's now going to be me, maybe my brother and a friend of mine, or two.

Is there a non "Type A" way to hunt Africa? I want to see game, and for there to be a real hunting opportunity, but I'm not hung up on trophies, or checking off a list, etc -- my buddy is interested purely in hunting birds and fly-fishing, so I'm thinking mainly about Namibia and RSA. I'm also quite fond of hunting birds and fly-fishing, and maybe some antelope (I admit, the "tiny ten" seem like a great deal of fun.)

I guess the main concern is the stress level -- everyone that might go gets more than enough stress at work. (The last time we took off, it took a few days for us to stop trying to compulsively check email, etc...)

I imagine this has been addressed before, but I haven't been able to find it.

Is this just the wrong mentality to have for hunting in Africa? One of us regularly heads to S Amer. or NZ to hunt and fish, and has argued that it might be a better choice, but the running joke was that if I ever finished law school, we'd head to Africa...

quote:

Is this just the wrong mentality to have for hunting in Africa?

If you are talking about MENTAL stress then yes it is the wrong attitude for hunting ANYWHERE.

I learned to just forget it all, it took time and effort but after a bleeding ulcer at 32 years old I learned. Life is much better now.

Worry about what you can fix and smell the roses, lots of roses.

I say you and your family should go tigerfishing in Zim with Buzz Charlton. Get everyone out into the real wilderness and not a cushy fly fishing lodge in RSA. You can have all the comforts of home....AT HOME! I also don't know your father's health situation but I say get his passport in order and surprise him with a plane ticket.

http://www.fishingzambezi.com/tiger.htm

I fished out of this Tiger Odyssey camp and it was honestly one of the best and most relaxing five days of my life. Got to watch the wife catch her first fish ever on this trip (10 pound tiger). After I caught my big fish of the trip, she said I hadn't looked so happy and relaxed since our wedding day.

Why not book a 7 day Buffalo hunt in Makuti with Buzz and then spend some time on the river? It's a magical place.

Fly to Namibia via Frankfort. that will break the flight up some.

Hunt a large ranch. Stay in a stone guest house with a king size bed.My ranch even had a hot tub. breakfast at 7, hunt 8 till dark.
It is legal to shoot from the truck there, if you dad has a walking issue that may help.

You won't see any dangerous game at most ranches, but spend a day or two at Estonia.

This is a vacation that involves hunting.

JD
JD

Maybe a Namibian cull hunt. No trophies to get home, no taxadermy just a good relaxed hunt. Add some birds and fish, plus seeing the sjghts.

Keith

Tuskless cows are a non-trophy hunt, and the stresses are not like law school.

Any trophy stress you suffer is probably self-inflicted beyond taking a mature animal. Of course it is still real.

I am not a "Type A" and enjoyed Africa.

Just be up front with your outfitter and PH. They are used to tailoring a hunt to fit their clients wishes. Give some thought to the experience that you want, the type of hunting and fishing that you want to do and communicate it. As far as your father goes; if he can handle the travel he can handle the hunt. Neither He nor you will have to go on a forced march. You are the client, they will work to give you the experience that you want for one simple reason: they want you to come back.

Thanks Guys -- that Zambezi lodge looks down right 5 star compared to the coast. Is there any way to try and find out if malaria drugs have interactions w. other drugs? (He's a diabetic, who's had a stroke and a heart attack, so he's on a pretty good pharmaceutical cocktail.)

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:

Is there a non "Type A" way to hunt Africa? I want to see game, and for there to be a real hunting opportunity, but I'm not hung up on trophies, or checking off a list, etc -- my buddy is interested purely in hunting birds and fly-fishing, so I'm thinking mainly about Namibia and RSA. I'm also quite fond of hunting birds and fly-fishing, and maybe some antelope (I admit, the "tiny ten" seem like a great deal of fun.)

I guess the main concern is the stress level -- everyone that might go gets more than enough stress at work. (The last time we took off, it took a few days for us to stop trying to compulsively check email, etc...)

Offers a wide variety of hunts , great folks amenable to clients needs--
Recommend without reservation--

http://www.tomkinsonafricansafaris.com/guides.html

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
Thanks Guys -- that Zambezi lodge looks down right 5 star compared to the coast. Is there any way to try and find out if malaria drugs have interactions w. other drugs? (He's a diabetic, who's had a stroke and a heart attack, so he's on a pretty good pharmaceutical cocktail.)

Best answer of course is to ask his doctor. There is the Physician's Desk Reference, but I would call the doctor. He would need a prescription for the meds anyway.

And the advice about talking to the PH/safari company about what you want is good.

Aglifter, there are several African countries that could "fit the bill" your inquiring about. All offer great sight seeing, culture shock (lol), hunting and fishing at your leisure, fantastic wing shooting (waterfowl, upland and pest birds) with no pressure to do anything but have the time of your life. If you seriously are considering this adventure, give me a call and I'll be glad to give you plenty of options. BTW; many American's do not realize how great the saltwater and bass fishing is in Africa. One of my Outfitters owns a series of large lakes full of sow bass. It is not unusual to catch a 10 lb+ Largemouth. Some of the best big game fishing in the world lies off the coast of Africa. Great White's on a flyrod anyone? Just kidding, we mainly target billfish and other speedy critters.
Cheers,
David

For birdshooting, why not Kenya ?

If you are looking at RSA, check out Katzke Hunting Safaris near Kimberley. Took my wife there last summer. He has 10+ miles of the Vaal River on his land, and I had great fishing for largemouth yellowfish flyfishing. Katte has a great guide who knows the river well. I didn't bird hunt, but he has shooting available nearby. Great game on the ranch, huge herds of eland, great wildebeast, impala, etc. He has a number of rhino on the property which were great fun to stalk and photo. Also has a herd of buffalo. Katte is the incoming president of PHASA and a great host. I hunted exclusively with my double, so we stalked up close. Here's report from last year. http://forums.accuratereloadin...=418106388#418106388

PM me if you need contact details. Good seeing you at the Bayou Rifles shoot. I have tons of pictures from RSA if you're in Houston and want to see more. Bob

The Kalahari should be good for fly fishing? Right? I hear the scorpions run in July.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by csxcs:
For birdshooting, why not Kenya ?

I'll second that. I've had some great sport in Kenya.

The fishing is pretty good too. Flyfishing for trout in the Aberdares - watch out for the bongo. Big game fishing on the coast from Watamu or Malindi.

If you are stressed while hunting in Africa, something is wrong with you. Other than some travel hiccups here & there, the only stress you'll have is what you create.

My first trip was a year out of law school and I had a blast.

Go! Take your dad, if it's safe to! and maybe even if it's not. I didn't go for 20 years after law school. Lost all those years. They (the years) are limited, even if you don't think that way at your age. I'm wondering how many trips I have left. Read a very sad story in one of the many magazines I get (can't remember which). The author was thinking this was his last trip to Africa. Now that's sad. I never want to acknowledge that. I'd rather die there, and my wife knows not to spend the money to bring my carcass back if that were to happen.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
I'd rather die there, and my wife knows not to spend the money to bring my carcass back if that were to happen.

Amen to that!

PM sent!

Here's a nice relaxed afternoon of fishing last September, Tanzania-style: