A few years ago I decided to make my first hunt in Africa..a safari. After doing much research and primarily hunting with a bow and arrow I chose to go to RSA for 7 days and consintrate on just a few animals.
I did my research reading every item I could find online and book about traveling to Africa/RSA. I came away with being nothing more than overwhelmed and confused on most of it. To the point of becoming parinoid of the travel and getting "ripped off" bring any trophies back home.
Finally departure day came and I was off! Ten days later I was back at home. Nine months later I had my hides/skulls at my taxidermist in my home town.
If there is one item I can suggest to 1st timers it is just go...all my research left me parinoid ...things wentr as planned and expected. Do not allow all the SAA flight talk, customs,expeditors,etc. scare you off or talk you into leaving your trophies in "Africa"...you won't be sorry!

BB,

I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER IN 2000 WORDS.

GOOD MAN!

Mark

I agree with Mark, I couldn't have said it better myself. Alot of folks tend to obsess on what could go wrong instead of what WILL go right! And there is enough information available to really get confused, but in the end it's very simple. Go to the shows to talk with PH's or use a reputable agent to recommend an outfit, check references, use a recommended travel agent for flights and enjoy yourself! I have made eight trips over, am leaving on my ninth in June and already have a deposit down on number ten for 2006. I can say I have NEVER had a bad trip in Africa. Some things happened I had not planned on, I rolled with the flow and trusted my PH and they always worked out! African safaris today run on average, much smoother than North American trips. I've been more disappointed in N.A. outfits than African outfits not delivering what they promise.

This year I am traveling with two first-timers and am looking forward to watching them experience their first safari. There is nothing else like it in the hunting world, so if you are confused and suffering from "paralysis by analysis" trust me, get off the fence and go! You will never regret it, Ballbuster as my witness!

I agree, but it is still good to read all of the information you can. AR provides a wealth of information and answers questions that are hard to get answered anywhere else. Plus after 5 minutes reading on AR, you are back in Africa reliving those great moments. And it makes you salivate at the mouth until you can go again. Then you get to come back and make everyone elso suffer with envy.