Hello all, well this is my first post on your excellent web site. I've been a lurker for a little while and have really enjoyed your community. I hunt on the east coast of the US and have taken trips to AZ and Utah(lived there for a while) hunting predators and elk and deer.At home I've mostly hunted small game and some deer. I have two small business that are seasonal spring to fall. I am passionate in my pursuit to one day hunt in Africa a good friend and hunting compadre has been twice, and I'm a few years away from my first trip. The info i've gathered from this forum is that South Africa may be in turmoil within the next few years and Zimbabwe is unsafe for travel according to the US travel agency. So if you were two years or so away from a safari were would you put effort into going. How's Namibia for travel on a first safari and is hunting good in Feb or March. Thanks for your input. Tim

Tim,

Welcome to AR, glad to have you aboard.

First, your assumptions are understandable. I personally don't think that RSA will be in trouble in 2 years, furthermore, they have been sounding the death knell on ZIM for several years. I went to Zim 2003 and am headed there this season. No hunter has been harmed in ZIM (except for getting stomped by a buffalo) since the ZIM mess started. I take my wife to ZIM, she loves it. There are no absolutes in Africa, but don't summarily eliminate any venue.

Having been to RSA twice and never to NMB, I am limited in my experience. I did go to RSA in March, on my first safari, and I found it too wet and green for ideal hunting conditions. I can't speak of Nambia. Hunting season in Nambia runs from February 1 to November 30. In RSA, it is legally allowed all year long. Given that NMB is more arid than RSA, an early season hunt in NMB may be better than one in RSA. I wouldn't recommend an early season in ZIM (too hot, wet and green).

The prime hunting periods in southern Africa are May through September. Much better hunting (and weather) if you can schedule your safari during this time period.

In my opinion (just my opinion), the worst mistake I made was not hunting buffalo and plains game on my first safari. I know, everyone starts with plains game and (if lucky) go after buffalo on their second safari.

I understand the hesitantcy of some to pursue dangerous game on their first safari, but it really is the "real world" when it comes to African safaris.

If it were me, I wold look at booking (and two years ahead is not too much time) a buffalo and plains game safari in ZIM with one of the larger outfitters for your first safari. I will guarantee you that nothing you will find in RSA will compare to the Zambezi Valley.

If you are set on a plains game only safari, I would head toward NMB before RSA. Just based on what I have read (but not personally experienced - having not been ot NMB), I think NMB will give you more of the "African experience" than the ranches in RSA.

Most people don't realize how developed (and first world) RSA is. It is similar to ranch hunting in Texas, not really the true Africa IMHO.

Basically, you can't go wrong no matter where you choose to hunt (assuming you pick a good outfitter), because Africa will seep into your system and infect you. You will have a life-long disease, worse than malaria. It's called the "African Bug".

Regards,

Terry

Hey Tim,

Welcome to the real world of hunting. I will warn you in the beginning, that Africa is a narcotic that should be regulated by the federal government. If you can try cocaine one time and then get off of it, you can hunt Africa one time. But, I must warn you, Arica is a habit worse than any drug you will ever experience. I'm planing my fourth safari at this time.

I had several people tell me to hunt only plains game on my first trip. But, can you asure me that your first trip will not be your last trip? Go for the gusto! Hunt what you desire and can afford each time you go. I killed my first cape buffalo in the first hour of my first safari...I was ruined for life. But, there are no guarantees of tomorrow. If you want something, go after it. Listen to what other experienced hunter have to say...but, make up your own mind about what you want to do.

Personally, I think that if you want only plains game, Namibia is probably the place to go. If you want some dangerous game, ie., buffalo, leopard...there are some excellent opportunities in Zimbabwe. Book with a reputable safari operator and let him take care of the details.

If you want a real African experience, look at Tanzania with Mozambique coming in a second.

South Africa has some excellent opportunities to take some unique trophies but, for the most part, they will be in fenced enclosures. Although you will in fenced-in areas, most are from 10,000 acres or larger so fences/gates are only occasionally seen. However, most of the tophy fees are higher than in other countries. But, on the other hand, the daily rates are usually lower.

Remember, this is just my opinion...there are several outfitter/booking agents representatives that frequently use this forum. Search for them and ask them some hard questions. Also, look at "T Carr's" postings regarding questions to ask of outfitters/booking agents in other areas of the forum. Enjoy the process...planning a trip is a part of the safari experience I really enjoy.

Bull1

Hello Tim and welcome to AR! Get a good comfortable chair, you will get addicted to this site!

First thing, I'm one of those jerseyites too, I'm up in Hunterdon County and I do have to agree with you about the "perfect together" shit.

I have been to Zimbabwe on 5 safaris, I started going before the land BS, I have to say that I've never had a uncomfortable moment while in Zim. I was just there this past June, and I have a safari booked for this coming September. Which I will be finalizing in Reno. Don't believe what you read in the news, remember one thing, "Bad news sells!"
As for RSA, and Namibia, I've had clients hunt there in the past few years and had nothing but great trips.
If you have any questions about booking a safari company this is the place to be, there's alot of good people on this site that will be more then willing to help out!!!

Good Luck!!!

Thanks for the replys guys. I must say this is one of the best sites on the web, I'm in the fishing business and we have a good fishing site I advertise on. I can spend hours browsing here but i always hang out in the africa rooms. I am already addicted to Africa and I have not been there yet. I have videos and watch all the OLN and the OTC when anything africa is on. I am a little reluctant to pursue dangerous game on my first safari, I don't believe I'll be a one and done safari guy although the wife may think differently. Im in my early 30 so i plain on doing alot of huntin over there, especially when a safari can be the same as an elk hunt out west.

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especially when a safari can be the same as an elk hunt out west.

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For some of the hunts this is absolutely true. The shame of it is a guided elk hunt is for one animal only.

Bull I'll be down in NC this week doing a swan and sea duck hunt on the coast as long as we don't get snowed in NJ. Widow NJ is brutal on us hunters and fisherman. DEP chief wants this state to be a park with chemically sterile animals so they can control all the game and no huntin allowed, but not without a fight. Thanks again guys for the reply I still have alot of research, but RSA Zim or Namb seem like they all will provide good hunts. Tim

Tim,

Good luck on your hunt to the NC coast. It might be a little chilly out there as this storm blows out to sea but, it will not be anything like you guys are having up north.

I've been hunting in Montana every year since 1980 and have endured some good weather and some bad. I like cold weather but since I started hunting Africa, I don't like the cold quite as much. Instead of taking everything I own with me to stay warm, I've grown very fond of hunting in a pair of shorts and t-shirt.

While you're in eastern NC, inquire about the possibility of a bear hunt there next season. Some of the largest bears in North America come from that area. In 1999, I tok one there that weighed 530# and squared 6'5".

Bull1

Hey Tim!

Yes there is a real A__ hole up here in the DEP. I copied a bunch of letters, envelopes,stamped them and I have everyone that comes into my studio read and sign one. To date I have sent over 200 to Trenton.. We need make some "Big" changes down there!

How much snow do you have? We are up to 15 inches and it's still coming down pretty hard! It's 8:10 am......

Good luck on your sea duck hunt!

hey, if you ever want to sit down and talk Africa - - hunting, give me a yell, and come on up to Hunterdon County!

Thanks guys, Bull never knew NC was known for big bears guess I always thought of BC and anywhere north and cold. I used to love the cold but had to have neck surgery and the cold can bug me, plus my brother is going to hunt with me and the only request is we hunt were its not to cold and I only have off in the winter to hunt. I think next year we may be going to Texas to hunt hogs and predators. just starting to check it out now. Widow you guys got hammered with snow up north, my wifes mom lives in brick and she got dumped on. we got hardly nothin, our problem is it started to pour rain early evening then it froze and snowed on top now we got 45mph winds. I'd love to talk africa some dayI'll get in touch with ya Thanks Tim

Tim,

Namibia should be no problems. I was there last March/April and had a great time with no safety issues to speak of. If you go in February it will be HOT. It was plenty warm in late March, but we planned a few days shark fishing on the coast in Swakopmund where it was considerably cooler. Might want to try something similar as the cool air was a considerable relief!

K