My wife and I will take our first trip to Africa in a few weeks. I'm new to this site, but did do a search, and didn't notice anyone book through the people we did. So far, they seem very helpful, and after the trip I'll post more details.

By the way, we booked through Steve's Outdoor Adventures. I found them through their show on the Men's channel on Dish Network. The outfitter they set us up with is at www.shingani.com

Paul55
Enjoy your hunt. There are a host of good
operators who never get mentioned on this
site. Give use a report and post pictures
when you get back. I can tell you from personal experance that after you get back. You will spend a lot of time thinking about how
quickly you can go again. Best of luck and lets us know about your trip

paul55,

Welcome to AR and have a great first safari. I'm certain you and your wife will have a great time.

If you haven't already done so, I suggest you read the Tips and Packing List topic on this Forum.

How are you handling the firearms import paper work for RSA? Are you using a service or taking the completed application and support documents with you?

Regards,

Terry

Steve's handles all paperwork for you, including the firearms paperwork. I ended up deciding not to take my own rifle though since my flight is not direct from U.S. to Johannesburg. I'll be using a rifle provided by the outfitter.

Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to check the Tips and Packing List sections.

Paul, welcome to AR... Good luck on Safari..

Mike

Hi Paul!

Since this is your first trip you'll want some trinkets and gifts to bring home. They come and go but during my last visit in April 2005 there wasn't any real curio shops in Ellisras. There are two in Valwater though. The Black Momba is well stocked but higher end stuff, more for decorating and such. There is a neat little shop at the edge of town however that is much more "affordable" and carries more hunting related stock. No doubt your wife will like the Black Momba but you'll prefer the other shop - wish I could remember the name. Buying your gifts there will be a nice diversion on the way to the airport - a beautiful drive through the Waterberg - and it will be cheaper & easier to pack your finds than doing it at the airport. Just to put you in the mood listen in to the local radio station.
http://www.jacarandafm.co.za/index.php?option=com_conte...k=view&id=1&Itemid=2
It's playing here most days and keeps me on my feed.

oupa,

Thanks for the info. We're counting down the days now...

Paul,

Since this is your first trip and in case you don't know anyone who's been before I'd suggest that in spite of the typical good manners of most South Africans and their willingness to make your trip memorable, don't let this prevent you from speaking up about what you want. Be polite about it but we're all different in our wants. Unless you're downright obnoxious your PH would rather know what pleases you than risk losing your business for your next trip - and potentially that of your friends. My suggestion is to treat this like a new friendship rather than an employee/employer relationship. Remain open-minded, hunting is not the same everywhere and those TV shows edit out the unpleasant parts!

Any side trips planned? Pillansberg NP isn't too far. It ain't Kruger but its a nice day-trip. I could go on forever, but to save boring everyone else PM me if you'd like to hear more from me.

This is a beautiful time to be in Ellisras, the weather will be nearly identical to PA. Enjoy, I wish I was going along!

oupa,

Good advice: I can understand the importance of letting the PH know your wants and interests. I'll be sure to politely do that.

We don't have any side trips planned for this first trip that we're taking. We chose a package 'off the shelf' so to speak. We have 5 full days, looking to harvest 4 animals. My wife is planning on taking MANY pictures. She is into photography (as a hobby). I think once we make this first trip, and see what it's all about, we'll look forward to our next trip, and tailor it to our interests, including a few side trips.

Thanks again, and I'll post some pictures when we get back. We leave next week!

Good luck!! I leave for my first hunting trip to Africa in 15 days.

In regard to the photos - TAKE LOTS! Take photos of EVERYTHING, you can sort the keepers out when you get home. This is something that makes digital photos terrific. With just one or two spare memory cards you can take hundreds of photos and don't have to pay to cull out the bloopers. I think my wife brought about twenty rolls of film home from her first trip. Guess who had to pay for the processing? It was worth it though.

My wife is taking a decent digital camera, and we have memory cards for 1000 pictures. She thinks it might not be enough. She likes to take LOTS of pictures.

Digital cameras really eat up batteries. I found a charger with 2 plugs: one for house current (USA, not RSA) and 12vdc. I asked if I could recharge my batteries overnight using the cigarette lighter in the bakke. Worked like a charm.

You poor,poor man. Your first trip to Africa and you are taking your wife. For that offense you will forever live in poverty and drive a rusty old truck. She will dictate that you go back much sooner than you thought possible.

Someone else said it first "envy he is going to Africa his first time"

Dulcinea

quote:

My wife is taking a decent digital camera, and we have memory cards for 1000 pictures. She thinks it might not be enough. She likes to take LOTS of pictures.

Good, 'cause we like to see LOTS of pictures!

If you have your taxidermy done in RSA you can leave larger curios with taxidermist for inclusion with your trophies. There are excellent taxidermists there, and some not so good. Just like here. Bon Voyage!!!

Has anyone here used taxidermists in Limpopo area? I'd be interested in hearing of any that are known to be good (or bad).

I may do a few antler and/or European mounts for my first trip. I'm not sure I'll do any shoulder mounts this time around. Due to this, it may benefit me to just have taxidermy done in RSA instead of dipping/shipping/etc. back to the U.S. for antler/European mounts.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

Check out www.highveldtaxidermists.com. I take most of my stuff there and they deliver a superb service. At one point their turnaround time was a bit slow, but that is not the case anymore.

The best way to assess good taxidermy is to look at the cats...... particularly Leopards which are the hardest of all to get right.

As Chris says, Highveld Taxidermy are very good indeed but I personally prefer Lifeform Taxidermy in White River. Take a look at www.lifeform.co.za and see what you think......

One of the things I especially like about the way Lifeform work is that every client & safari company are allocated an individual staff member to handle all the communications and paperwork etc..... that way, you always speak to the same person and they always know exactly what's going on with a particular job......

Paul55
Wish you all the best on your trip.
I just came back 5 days ago from my first Africa trip in the same area. We were hunting with Sportmans Safaris also located at Ellisras, but their camp and hunting fields are at the banks of the Limpopo close to the Stockport border crossing.
Got six ok trophies in eight days
Young-PH who is a member here was one of our PH´s, and we had a lot of gun talk around the campfire at night.

The bush is still green, lots of foilage, water in the river ( we saw crocks as well ), lots of game, nice temperature, nice people........holy crap, I could have gone back again tomorrow

Enjoy every second of your first African hunt!
I used Natura Taxidermy some years back, and wouldn`t do so again. Some of the work was good, some not so.. I lost a warthog trophy on that hunt, but I haven`t been able to sort out if it was the outfitter or the taxidermist fault..
Good luck! And welcome to the board!

Hi again,

My wife and I just got back from our first Safari. I can't wait to go back. I'm already looking at the calendar to see what dates in May will work for us in 2007.

I took: Blesbok, Impala x2, Gemsbuck, Warthog, Steenbuck, Blue Wildebeest, Genet Cat x2, Babboon x5. I also missed a Jackal and African Wildcat. I will start a new thread later today or tomorrow with a full report and pictures.

Paul

You've done the plains game thing now it is time to move on and of course I can help with that. We have some truly excellent buffalo/plains game safaris at great prices on offer.

Example: 7 days 1x1 to include you, your wife and 2 buffalo in Tanzania $12350. Additional plains game, tips and hotels if necessary before or after the hunt are the ONLY extras. We even pay for the road transfer to camp.

When you put a pencil on other hunts that initially sound less expensive you will find several add-ons that make them not so great and more often than not they only offer one buffalo.

Contact me anytime if this sounds interesting for further details.

Mark

Glad to hear you enjoyed your hunt and welcome back. Post those photos soon.