What is the main reason that more guys dont hunt Africa? Is it MONEY.Do you think that you are getting good value for your money here or are other destinations better.I am Running a bowhunting special $5400 all inclusive 10 nights including flight to the ranch,one Kudu,Impala,Warthog and three of the foll.Zebra,Blue wildebeest,Gemsbuck or Rooihaartebeest.Is this good value compared to what you guys can shoot back home.
Happy Hunting!

I think one of the main reasons more people don't hunt Africa is they just have no interest in it. At least that's the reason I hear a lot at my local gun club. The other reason is fear of the unknown. Remember some time back when there was that outbreak of Ebola Virus in central Africa? My wife and I were in Kwa Zulu-Natal at the time. When we returned to the states, the hospital she works at didn't want to let her return to work, until she had been in quarenteen for the virus. What a fiasco that was! Many Americans have no idea how large a continent Africa is, and believe that an uprising in Congo is just around the corner from South Africa. So much for our education system.

Money!!! I can't spend what I don't have or I'd have done be to Africa.Thats the only thing holding me back.

MISCONCEPTION, and misinformation about Africa.

They think Uganda is next to South Africa so if must be starving and not safe to go there.

I don't know really where most of the countries in Europe are, and don't care, anymore than most people don't know that Namibia is right next to South Africa, and they think that South Africa is a region, not a country.

They also believe that there is no way they can afford it.

Guilt is probably a part of it.

Even though on a per-animal basis, Africa is the best game in town (assuming someone is prepared to go on a fairly pricey guided hunt, like elk or brown bear) many hunters see Africa as a rich man's playground, and don't think they can justify spending the money while their kids are in school, car needs to be replaced, mortgage is only a few years old, etc.

When hunters are "dripped on" long enough by us Afri-fanatics they usually come around to the understanding Africa is a very affordable option.

I think if we pitched to the spouses we'd get more people to Africa and, better yet, back for more trips.

The one thing that keeps me from going more often is the trip itself. First off, it's expensive, you don't want to spend $1500 in airfare just to shoot one or two animals, and then on a longer hunt the trophy fees pile up. Second, it's LONG, especially on the way back. Add to that the hassle of dragging guns halfway around the world, and it makes me tired just to think about it.

Nitro Express about hit the nail on the head as far as I am concerned.

For many people it is a combination of money which is the biggest part, and lack of knowldege. When you add flight costs, tips, time off from work in there, and the major expense of trophies (dip and pack, shipping to US, mounting, building a new room, divorcing wife, etc) in, which most newbies seem to want, it becomes beyond the reach of many, who are not willing to sacrifice other areas of their life for an African hunt. I understand that many people can afford to go, if they make the necessary sacrifices, but many people can't or won't make those cuts in order to save.

For me, it is mostly the flight. I've flown to Argentina/Uruguay at least a dozen times over the years for dove/bird hunting and the 9 to 11 hour flight down there is just about all I can stand. Add 6 to 8 hours to it and it becomes a real pain in the ass, literally.

However, all that said, I'm off to see the African wizard in May. Pass me some of that restoril.

Prove that I am wrong but to me Africa is a mess safety and health wise. Maybe it was always that way but now there is so much information on everything.

Now Africa is not the only trouble spot. We know a lot of school teachers to have the time to travel and they get sick in Russia etc. too!

I could afford a safari to Africa but I don't have a ton of extra money. What with the hassle there and all of stuff I already have my plate is full.

I think I will go and get a .375 out and look at that John Hunter book.

From talking to some of those I know who hunt it comes down to money, they are mostly deer and bear/boar hunters,its close to home and they don't see the reason in spending that type of money to hunt over seas,
I on the other hand am chomping at thr bit!!!!!!!!!

Savage99, Don't forget the expenses for getting your trophies back to your Taxidermist. Dip & packing, Freight cost Africa to US, Clearing house and customs, Freight from New York to Mo.
Ran almost $1800 for 9 trophies.

I'm planning on africa for first time.The guys I hunt with say its to expensive. Same guys spend $ 4500 on Alberta whitetail. $9000 for BC moose & caribou. Also $6500 for Mountain goat.Most of these are for 1 animal. In my research I fond safaris for 4- 12 animals in these price ranges.When I go on safari,I'm planning " Euoropean" mounts on most every thing. Would like shoulder mount on Gemsbuck, and full body on Babbon.

HI,

Very easy answer MONEY. Thanks,Kev

I guess I will have to chime in and say money also. Africa isnt cheap. It is however the most bang you can get for the buck not to make bad puns. Truthfully, I had never considered Africa to be within my comfort zone. Like many guys who dont have any real info or exposure I thought it was out of my price range. Luckily I met up with some folks who took the time to show me just how wrong that was. Im hooked. It is also as some have said a lack of knowledge on the geography, social and political climate as well as health issues. None of which are an issue 99% of the time.

Knowledge, enthusiasm, health, time and money.

The same things (or some combination thereof) that are required to accomplish most things in life.

FEAR!

Some fear the travel.

Some fear that they will fail not being in their own element.

Some fear sucess.

Some fear adventure.

Some fear the unknown.

Some fear living.

And I think some evn fear they will have a good time.

It is the best deal going! I don't know why any one wouldn't try it once. A package hunt in RSA or Rhodesia(oops, Zimbabwe) is less than a guided elk hunt here in Wyoming. And you only get one elk, maybe, you could hunt a week and not see a single bull elk. Not the case in Africa. When the wolves get done here in NW Wyoming you will be lucky to see an elk on your hunt.

I think Terry's MISCONCEPTION, and misinformation about Africa.
says it for a lot of folks.

I thought I couldn't afford to go until I saved the money and went. I took my wife with me. She took picutres and I hunted. We had one hell of a nice time. We were taken care of, cooked for, and put onto lots of game. To heck with the trophies, my wife wanted to bring back the cooks!

Now it isn't cheap to hunt there but neither is being dropped off on the side of a mountain to hunt Elk. Anyone ever priced a big horn sheep hunt? We're talking shooting just one animal.

Now the airfares aren't economy class tickets, but getting to some of the places in the states isn't either. Here is a trick my wife and I use. We use our American Express frequent flyer miles. We try to pay for everything with American Express, you pay it off every month and you have frequent flyer miles that don't expire.

Like most great adventures it takes planning and money, however the rewards are well worth it. Sharing a campfire with your PH beneath the Southern Cross drinking a Castle beer is well worth the price of admission.

Castle is good but I like the bonfire with a cold Zambezi!!!!!!!!

Some of you guys must be whacked out on stinkweed. Fear and guilt? It's lack of enough money,pure and simple.

I have no desire to support a Marxist, racist, obscenely corrupt government (which are the majority in Africa) with my hard earned ca$h.

Talking head - Stinkweed? What?? did I hit a nerve???

No, I think there is something deeper. Money is just an excuse.

I know a lot of guys guys tha claim poverty. Then they buy a new truck every other year, buy snowmoblies, ATVs, Harleys, etc. etc.

I'm not a rich man but, I saved for 3 years to get make my 1st trip in '01. If all goes well I'll go next year. I did it by brown bagging, cutting down on my driving, making do with the hunting equipment & tools that I have, etc., etc.

I had one friend tell my he had no interest in going there. He's one of the most hard core deer hunters I've ever meet. When I told him about my hunt I could see it in his eye how much he'd like to go there.

Truth is he's scared to fly.

I have a friend who has dropped over 25 grand on elk hunts, and has yet to take anything better than a 4 X 4. He keeps telling me how expensive Africa is.

I do have a new friend who has been to Africa twice in recent years for plains game. He has a bunch of little animal heads in the basement no more really than the deer antlers I have at the camp or the royal bull elk antlers here. His Kudu or greater Kudu mount is very impressive however.

It is a lot of money but he got a call from his PH there that a culling hunt was underway on buffalo with no limit for just the plane fare and some very low price per day. He almost went but he is unemployed right now. Yes the money!

I believe it's two things: money and time. First, even if you can hunt several species of animals for $5K, many just can't set hunting that high of a priority for their income. Not everyone in the U.S. goes on guided hunts chasing after elk or deer. A very small percentage of hunters ever make it to Alaska. Most are content with hunting deer, bear, boar or whatever in their own backyard on the weekends to fill their freezer and enjoy being outside. Let's not forget, the average working family doesn't have a lot of money saved up for their kid's braces, the mortgage, car payments, and monthly bills.

Second, is the time. I'd say that most adult hunters are married and taking the week or two or more, to hunt Africa would severely interfere with their family's vacation plans, their children's ball games, fixing the house, or doing ohter less expensive hobbies.

Just one reason may be enough for a lot of people, but when you combine both, money and time, those are two things that are preciously short in nearly working stiff's life as is.

Then again, lots of folks are plumb happy with deer, boar, quail, dove, squirrel, rabbit hunting and fishing. And there is nothing wrong with that.

$$$$$$$$$$$!
wort

I think money is the key.
It's all a question of priorities : I am not a rich man, but I hunt Africa. Maybe a guy much richer than me can not afford hunting Africa because he just bought a new Porsche...

On the other hand, one opposite example:
My father is what you call a very rich man. For about 15 years now, he has plenty of time. He really is a serious hunter. But he has never hunted Africa.
Why? I am still wondering. He says hunting has to be related with fall and winter, and that hunting a warm place would not really match with his conception of hunting (but he hunts roe deer and wild boar here in the summertime though). Very well. He tells me too that he has no interest in dropping 3 tons of meat with a single shot.
Okay. I showed him my pictures from last year's safari, and guess what? Next year he will be celebrating his 70th birthday with his 3 sons, IN THE AFRICAN BUSH . I absolutely want my dad to hunt Africa at least once in his life!

I think quite a few people mask the reason as money when it is other things. Before I went for the first time, I thought the reason I hadn't gone was money, until I booked the for the very next year one month after returning. Hmmm, all of a sudden money wasn't the factor. Sure there are some that can't afford it, but I think there are probably an equal amount that really "can" afford it but choose not to. Heck, I have friends that eat lunch out every day, go to the bar Fri and Sat and probably blow $300/month doing so. Heck, in 2 years they would have saved enough to go. Some friends have two 40k vehicles in the driveway and say Africa is to expensive and yet some go on 6k moose hunts but can't afford Africa. I'm sure there are there are valid reasons not to go, but I think the $$$ issue isn't always the correct one.

Well, I fit into everyone's category of young, with a relatively modest income, and married with child. I've been married for a year and we just had our first kid. You know what? I'm going to Africa in 2004! You know how? It's simple. I quit making excuses like "It's too expensive" or "It's too far" or "It's too dangerous." That's all a bunch of bull. All I had to do was decide that I could sacrifice my nearly new truck with a $500/month payment. I cut one payment out of my life, started a savings account, and in just over a year, I'll be hunting in Africa.

I don't make a lot of money, I'm not rich, I've never hunted outside the US. But just by making the choice to go, and willingly making some small sacrifices, I'm planning the greatest adventure of my life. You know what the best part is? I get to take my dad, who is over 50 years old and has never hunted outside the country either. Tell me that's not awesome.

I think the biggest excuse is just pure lack of motivation. If someone really, and I mean REALLY, wants to hunt Africa, the opportunity can be created. I know, I'm doing it. So to all you naysayers - quit whining. Make this happen. Drive a junker, eat bolagna sandwiches, stay out of the bars every weekend, and start saving your cash. Do the math yourself. Add up what you spend on "extras" now and you'll be surprised how fast you can scrape up the money to hunt Africa. Look at me. I saved $500/month on a truck payment, plus nearly $100/month on insurance and at least that much on gas. That's $700/month. Over the course of a year, just one year, I'll have saved $8400! If you do that, you can buy your 10-day African safari and pay for your airfare.

How's that? No more excuses!

Some people wait for things to happen....

Others make them happen!

For me it's NOT the money.Like the poster above
I just make choices and save.Why I don't go to
Africa is simple:
1 No dall sheep
2 No stone sheep
3 No big horn sheep
4 No elk
5 No moose
6 No mulies
7 No antelope
Well you get the idea.There are enough adventures
here in NA to keep me happy and busy for awhile.
A few months ago I booked my first NWT dall sheep
hunt,I'm like a little kid.Can't wait.
I love to read the stories here,that is satisfing
enough for now.Maybe someday I'll get the bug to hunt Africa.I have thought about a buff,kudu and
gemsbuck.Although I'm not driven with obsession to hunt these animals like I am about sheep etc...

In the end as long as you strive to achieve what
ever dreams you have,you are living.When you just
stand by the side and hope,you are already dead.

Jeff

DesertRam, after you go you'll even start looking at price tags in the U.S. differently. Hmmm, should I buy that new bow? Nope, that's 1/3 the cost of my airfare. New fly reel? Nope, that would cover a Blesbok. The one I'm mulling over now, Hmmm, should I spend $2000 remodeling the guest bathroom or can I make it just as nice on $1000?

I hear ya about the truck payment. My truck is paid off and a new one sure would be nice, but I can get about another 2 years out of mine so there is another $6500 a year. Well, what do ya know, enough for Africa every year

Like Anne said, it is all about making it happen. A couple years ago I was one of the people complaining that "it sure would be nice", talking get's you no where though. You'll never save enough if you don't start.

To help myself feel better about it, I have a seperate bank account for Africa. That way I don't feel bad taking money out of my wife's and my joint account. If the money is in my Africa account it is free game, no need for feeling guilty. My new Tuffpak will be here in a couple weeks, courtesy off my African account

DesertRam, I'm right there with ya!

Most of the people I've tried to talk into going who have the money just don't know enough about Africa and have very little sense of adventure outside their circle of comfort.

Don't forget the AIDs factor. RSA has the highest incidence of AIDs virus carriers, per capita, than any other country in the world. One of every five South Africans is an AIDs carrier. You don't want to get injured in South Africa, and need a blood transfusion.

GMaxson, You are right on with that one. That is the way I look at everything. I figure everything has a cost. That includes monetary, time, and the choices given up to pursue the item chosen. Somehow Africa is winning out a lot lately. I also tend to look at things not in dollar cost but in the amount of overtime I will have to put in.
I asked around to people I know after seeing this post. I still say the perception of money is a key but what it reall comes down to is lack of information.

[ 03-04-2003, 03:51: Message edited by: Mike Smith ]

That flight back was a KILLER for me 36 hours with lay overs.What started out as a $4200.00 10 day hunt is now up to over $10000.00 and its a nother 8 mounths to get my trophys back from the taxidermest.

In order: time, money and fear. Dollar for dollar Africa is a bargain if you just look at the hunt portion. I think the problem many Americans have is the lack of vacation time. Because of the distance I believe you must add two days on each side of the trip for travel and recouperation. that makes a 10 day trip 14 days. Regarding the money. Once you add the shipping, travel cost, and taxidermy a $5000 hunt can easily double. Fear is also a factor, I have heard a lot of horror stories about poor PH's, lost guns and suit cases, lost trophies in transit, etc. Of course I have experienced bad guides in the US.

Still want to go but it is at least three years away.

Cherry boy said:

quote:

---

Don't forget the AIDs factor. RSA has the highest incidence of AIDs virus carriers, per capita, than any other country in the world. One of every five South Africans is an AIDs carrier. You don't want to get injured in South Africa, and need a blood transfusion

---

First off other countries in Africa have higher HIV/AIDS infection rates than South Africa. Second, how many people do YOU know who have needed blood transfusions? I would bet that you could count on one hand the number of visiting hunters who have contracted HIV while in Africa in the past decade(not including those who had sexual intercourse with prostitutes, which is dangerous in any country). I would be more worried about getting struck by lighting than contracting HIV while in Africa.

Boy, I sure read some silly shit on this forum.

Jason

I did add 2 days going and 2 days to get home for a total of 14 days.But for what they pay for every thing and every one over there and the way the economy is going.They are going to have to come up with a LOT BETTER DEALS for me to go back.

I hear a lot of guys talking about trophy costs. My question is: Why do you have to get everything (anything for that matter) mounted? Since I'm on a budget, I've opted to get only the kudu (if I get one) mounted. The rest I'll either have done as skull (European) mounts or rugs (zebra). These can be done in Africa for considerably less than full taxidermy over here. If that gets too costly, I'll leave the critters there and just bring back a bunch of good photos and memories. Nobody says you HAVE to bring back trophies. Sure, it's a nice bonus if you have the cash, but it's not necessary. If the choice is to go and come home with "only" photos/memories, or stay here because you can't bring home trophies, the decision should be simple.

Life's too short to worry about the little things. Just commit to the idea of going, open a special savings account and make regular contributions, leave it alone for two or three years, then book a hunt. It's as simple as you want it to be. To paraphrase the above --- "Make it happen."

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DesertRam:
[QB]Well, I fit into everyone's category of young, with a relatively modest income, and married with child. I've been married for a year and we just had our first kid. You know what? I'm going to Africa in 2004! You know how? It's simple. I quit making excuses like "It's too expensive" or "It's too far" or "It's too dangerous." That's all a bunch of bull. All I had to do was decide that I could sacrifice my nearly new truck with a $500/month payment. I cut one payment out of my life, started a savings account, and in just over a year, I'll be hunting in Africa.

I think the biggest excuse is just pure lack of motivation. If someone really, and I mean REALLY, wants to hunt Africa, the opportunity can be created. I know, I'm doing it. So to all you naysayers - quit whining. Make this happen. Drive a junker, eat bolagna sandwiches, stay out of the bars every weekend, and start saving your cash. Do the math yourself. Add up what you spend on "extras" now and you'll be surprised how fast you can scrape up the money to hunt Africa. Look at me. I saved $500/month on a truck payment, plus nearly $100/month on insurance and at least that much on gas. That's $700/month. Over the course of a year, just one year, I'll have saved $8400! If you do that, you can buy your 10-day African safari and pay for your airfare.

How's that? No more excuses.

Desert Ram has hit the nail exactly. I drive an old car, take my lunch to work everyday, no beer, lottery tickets, or Mc Donalds, and he right, one can save up a lot of money fast.

Do you smoke? Quit, and in a year you'll save the equivalent of at least 50% of your plane ticket to Africa, AND be a lot healthier.

Put all your loose change in a jar at the end of the day--don't make change out of your pocket, even if the bill is 2 cents into the next dollar. You'll save enough in a year to pay for a springbok or a warthog.

Save your one dollar bills. Pay for everything you buy in stores, restaturants, etc with cash, and only use five, ten, twenty, or one hundred dollar bills. Avoid credit card purchases and write checks only for bills you mail in. Any one-dollar bills you get in change: keep them, don't use ones for anything except tips at restaurants. At the end of every day, put your ones in a jar. In a year you will have hundreds, if not a couple of thousand, dollars.

If you REALLY want a safari to Africa, or just about anything else, and don't want to borrow the money or deplete your savings, you will find a way.