I just turned 61 years old. Although I've visited Africa four times (Kenya twice, Ivory coast once, Egypt once), I've never hunted in Africa, and I doubt that I ever will, given my financial situation as a low-paid journalist.

But suppose something were to change and I had access to an extra $50,000 that I could use for African hunting. Has anyone here gone on safari at 60+ years of age? How did it work out?

Lloyd,
My dad first joined me on safari when he was 65. He has been three times since and will be traveling with me and a buddy to Zim on an elephant hunt in July. He turns 70 in April and is still going strong! Hope you find that $50,000! Don't hesitate to go if you do!

You don't say how high your physical conditioning level is. That is important for you to evaluate in order to determine whether or not you would be wasting your $50,000. If you have doubts, why not try a smaller hunt, say like a plains game hunt where you go for a week or so and take three or four species? That would give you an indication of what you can handle.

I am 62, and planning my second trip for next year in May. I hope it is not the last. I hunted British Columbia for moose and mountain caribou last September, and my feeling is that if you can stand up to that, much African hunting is a piece of cake. The key is to keep active and do a bunch of walking so you are able to do what is necessary. It is much easier to stay in shape than to whip yourself into it.

I've got 5 or 6 regular clients who are in their 60s and 3 in their 70s and all manage perfectly well. Part of being a good PH is to assess the clients abilities and hunt accordingly and never expect him to exceed his capabilities.



One of the 70+ came to Tanzania last year and despite having 2 dodgy hips & diabetes etc, he managed to take some great trophies including 2 Cape Buffalo in an hour and an East African Eland that will be a new #4 in the Rowland Ward Book and (if he enters it) a new #1 In SCI.



This gentleman (and I use that word in it's purest form) had never held a rifle until he was 65 and since then he's had at least 20 overseas hunts in various countries. (he tells me he's spending the kid's inheritance!)



The only time you're too old to hunt in Africa (as he says) is when you try to spread your arms and your elbows touch wood Do it while you can, cos you're a long time dead......



The other good news is that you don't need to spend US$50K. There's lots of ways to still have a quality hunt and not spend a fortune. For example you could opt to hunt 2x1 with a buddy and if you're happy to hunt early or late season you will save even more money........ keep an eye on this forum and I'll be giving a good example of this later this week.

Lloyd,



It appears we have two things in common -- age and the low-paying journalist status.



Actually, I'm now 62 but took my first hunt in RSA last June for plains game. Piece of cake for the most part if you're in decent physical shape.



And I say that from the perspective of a guy with a mostly decent body but terrible lungs, marred by 45+ years of smoking Camels. So as long as I didn't have to climb mountains, which I still do in AZ often, Africa was easy. It helped that I also suggested my PH move at MY pace and thus he would not risk getting shot in the knee to put us on equal footing.



Obviously, the type and location of a hunt will make some difference, though. But my suggestion: Do it ASAP because you won't be getting any younger! -TONY

LE270, go for it I was 61 on my first Safari to Tanzania, am going to SA in April and am booked to Tanzania in October 2005. That should tell the story
If your not in shape at all, see your Vet, tell him what you want to do. With his/her approval, start walking. I think I walked half way accross the Selous stalking buffalo and other plains game.
If getting into serioius shape is not possible, most PH's will adjust the program to fit your conditioning.

And why wait for $50K to be available? A buff hunt can be had for $10K� including airfare. Plains game hunts in SA can be had for $4K� plus airfare.

LE270

I took my first safri for plains game at 61 and am going this June at 65 for leopard, buffalo and sable. Normally it is not hard hunting but you should be able to walk a fair distance carrying your own rifle. I am just average in physical conditioning but I do try to walk frequently and keep my weight down. As was mentioned, start with plains game you can find a good hunt at very good prices one that will not take your life savings. Consider using a consultant to help match your physical and financial needs with an appropiate hunt and an understanding PH. They do not charge for the service but make their money from the outfitter. E-mail some of the consultants/outfitters on this forum they can give you specifics. Go as soon as you can you and hunting conditions can change rapidly. Good luck.

CFA

Gee, you can go for a lot less than $50K. A lot less than $10K. If I had waited unitl I had 50 G's I never would have gone.

LE270 - Don't allow age to weigh too heavily on your mind. Get yourself into decent walking shape and be straight up with your "PH". You'll be 17 again, until you board for home.

I'm 55 and doing my first this September. Don't think it will be my last. Bob

I have gone every year for the last umpteenjillion years I suppose and I will be going again this year in August with our host Saeed...I will be 70 years old on that hunt and I will be hunting Africa until I die, or cripple up, it looks like..I still enjoy it, and am looking forward to this years hunt with Saeed, Walter, Horst and Ann Marie, Alan,Dwight and a newbie this year...I always enjoy my time with my son Pierre.....

There are those who want things to happen and those who make things happen, the ones who make things happen live longer and better lives, trust me on this one...been there done it....

LE270,



My mother was 58 the first time she went hunting in Namibia.

She was in pretty good walking shape, but was (and is) definatly not "superwoman". Just make sure you walk enough to get into decent shape beforehand and you'll have no problems. It is a good idea to walk with some weight on your shoulders, to get used to carrying your rifle. A backpack can be an idea, or a bag with a single shoulder strap if you have one. Moneywise, as it's been said above, doesn't have to be as big an issue as $50.000! Far from it!

Save up, and go for it. I'm sure you won't regret it!



Erik D.



www.dunia.no

I made my first safari at age 54 and my last in 1998 at 64.Beteeen those I had a three level back fusion which slowed me down a little but it didn't reduce the experiance one bit.Although i have quit elk hunting,as the mountains have all grown taller and steeper in the last few years,I intend to make at least one more safari before I have to hang up my rifle.

Bravo

One sure thing in life is that no matter how long you wait you won't get any younger. That leaves two options in my mind. Lay on the couch and wait to die or get out and give life everything you have. Go for it.

Jeff

my first safari was at 57.....and I'm going again at 59.....and as often as I can from there on!!!!

LE270, I know a man who has been going every year since he was 18, he is now 83 and hunts elephant with a 500 jeffery. You only live once...

Sevens

My first was in 2000 at age 61, again in 01 and 02 all plains geme in RSA and Namibia. Missed last yr and went to UK to stalk deer. When tax season is over 4/15/04 will go under the knife and get a new knee. I am talking with Vaugan Fulton about a Leopard hunt this fall. I am hoping the rehab. will progress well enough to do the hunt. My knee has been bum since day one in Africa, you just grit thru. A good PH will adjust to your abilities. Yes you may come up short sometimes, but you gave it your best. It is much better than just reading about safari, eh. Like the man said you are a long time dead!

One of life's tragedies is that while we are young and in great physical shape, we usually don't have enough financial resources to do the stuff we can afford when we are older and much better off. I would have loved to go hunting in Africa when I was in my thirties. I can afford to go now that I am in my sixties. Darn, but I'm enjoying it now. I wonder if I would appreciate it this much if I had been doing it all my life?

WHAT WILL SAID!
Don't wait to save 50K. Get your feet wet in RSA/ZIM/NAMIBIA for a LOT less. Heck, there was a two cow elephant hunt advertised recently for $10K with Buzz Charlton.

Best,

JohnTheGreek

BTT

Talk to your outfitter or PH about any physical limitations you have and he can accomodate you. I always have to compensate for my inability to sit still, you might be in better shape than you think.

LE270,

What your actual date of birth is, is not the important thing, but how you refer to the number of years that have passed since is very important. I was born in 1945, and that makes me 58 years YOUNG. If you were born in 1942 and you are now 61 years YOUNG, then I would like to take you on a decent firts time plains game hunt in South Africa. If, having been born in 1942 makes you 61 years OLD, well, I'll still take you on a decent safari, but, like many posters have said, the pace will be so adjusted to suit your actual physical ability.

I have many clients booked who are 60+ years young, and they generally keep up to my preferred pace.

Anoyher thing, the absolutely all included cost for a really nice plains game safari is somewhere between $5000 to $10000, much depending on your actual trophy selection. E-mail and get to know more to start your planning.

Best of luck with getting your "loose" $50000 though!

Verewaaier.