I'm thinking of taking my son on a plains game hunt later this year and know very little about setting it up.

Here's a list of my thoughts. Please jump in with any suggestions or recommendations you may have.

A 6 or 7 day hunt to include 4 or 5 of the typical plains game animals. Kudu, Gemsboc, Impala, etc.

Probably both of us with one PH as I think it would be a lot more fun for us to hunt together. When a safari company publishes prices for a 2x1 hunt with 4 or 5 animals, does that mean we'd share that number of animals or we each can take that number? I guess we'd each get that number, but it isn't clear to me.

I'd take my Chapuis 9.3x74R with a 2x7 scope and my son would bring a Ruger No1 in 7mm Mag. Also with a variable scope. We could swap rifles as needed depending on circumstances. ????? Sound like a reasonable plan?

I'd really like to hunt with someone that would pick us up at the airport and drive us to our hunting camp. I want to avoid transferring planes, guns,etc.

Time of year? I know rain can be a big issue. Would July or August be a reasonable time to avoid too much rain and have decent weather in South Africa?

Airlines?

I understand there are companies that walk you thru travel with firearms. Is this a worthwhile expense?

Trophy's. I can't spend a bundle on mounted heads and I'm not really interested in them anyway. We'd just ship back the horns on skulls. I think they call those European mounts? Has anyone here done that?

Any recommendations for Safari companies?

Thanks.

You really need to speak with a booking agent and there are a number of reputable ones here on AR. You might do better to look on the Africa Big Game Hunting forum - it's the first one when you open AR.

A 2x1 would be the way to do a father/son PG hunt. And give serious consideration to having the hunt filmed professionally. Euro mounts are a good option, but if you have it filmed, you really may not need the mounts at all.

Absolutely awesome plan.
I go with my dad and always 2x1. I want us to share and remember every highlight and experience.
Number of game - depends on game and number on quota for the area. Sometimes we go for the same game, lately we get one of something between us instead. Mostly to do with money and space to put the mounts.
European mounts are nice but is plan on taking the skulls and capes for possible shoulder mounts. You can always just have Euro mounts done when you get them home.

Post this in African Hunting forum. You'll get hundreds of responses.
Congratulations on a great plan

MACD, Not sure where you live, but there are some direct JoBurg flights out of JFK, Dulles (Wash DC) and Atlanta by Delta and South African Air. Sounds like the makings of a great trip.

Macd
Get on the web and look up van wijk safaris. Andries is a wonderful PH and has some great concessions in SA. They have nice accomodations, great food and he loves to kill stuff. They will pick you up and deliver you back to Johannesburg. You will Have a great time and his wife Steffie is also a PH and is a very nice young lady.

Hello;
We have hunted twice with Kolobe Safaris, and had a great time in 2009 and 2011. Suggest you contact Daniel DuToit at kolobesafaris@mweb.co.za

Whatever you decide, I am sure you and your son will have a wonderful trip.

Hugh

Sir,

I would like to give you some advice here on the forum so that everyone can chip in, and then I would like to offer you a hunt, via Private message

"I'm thinking of taking my son on a plains game hunt later this year and know very little about setting it up."
Do not fear when Infinito Safaris is near Sir! South Africa is one of the easiest countries to travel to in the world, with or without a gun!

"Here's a list of my thoughts. Please jump in with any suggestions or recommendations you may have. A 6 or 7 day hunt to include 4 or 5 of the typical plains game animals. Kudu, Gemsboc, Impala, etc."

If you want a decent , fair chase Kudu bull, a serious Safari operator in South Africa would book you for a minimum 10 day hunt. That is one day arriving in South Africa, and travelling to the area, 10 days solid hunting, and 1 day travel back to the airport.

"Probably both of us with one PH as I think it would be a lot more fun for us to hunt together. When a safari company publishes prices for a 2x1 hunt with 4 or 5 animals, does that mean we'd share that number of animals or we each can take that number? I guess we'd each get that number, but it isn't clear to me.""

It is much better to each hunt with his own PH. That $100 r $50 per day more is well worth it. The hunt you are talking about is 4-5 animals each. Be careful of the CHEAPEST option out there Sir!

"I'd take my Chapuis 9.3x74R with a 2x7 scope and my son would bring a Ruger No1 in 7mm Mag. Also with a variable scope. We could swap rifles as needed depending on circumstances. ????? Sound like a reasonable plan?"

Both are perfect for what you would like to do, no need for extra or swapping!

"I'd really like to hunt with someone that would pick us up at the airport and drive us to our hunting camp. I want to avoid transferring planes, guns,etc."

Yes, I do that, free of charge! Do the firearm clearance, meet you at the arrivals lounge in the airport, AND drive you to the hunting area!

"Time of year? I know rain can be a big issue. Would July or August be a reasonable time to avoid too much rain and have decent weather in South Africa?"

Spot on Sir! I would come in July if I were you. Dry, nice sunny days, with colder evenings. Leaves are down and animals start to concentrate around waterholes!


"Airlines?"

Delta or South African is the easiest out of Atlanta, direct to Johannesburg I believe.

"I understand there are companies that walk you thru travel with firearms. Is this a worthwhile expense?"
I believe not if your end destination is South Africa. I do it free of charge!

I believe not if your end destination is South Africa. I do it free of charge!

"Trophy's. I can't spend a bundle on mounted heads and I'm not really interested in them anyway. We'd just ship back the horns on skulls. I think they call those European mounts? Has anyone here done that?"

It works out about $100.00-$200.00 per head on most animals, and about that much per head for the shipping. So 5 animals should cost in the region of about $1,200.00 and about $1,000.00 for the shipping.

Any recommendations for Safari companies?
Why look further? I will give you the email addresses of enough folks here, on AR to tell you what a good guy I am, and how much I enjoy providing a fair chase hunting experience for TOP trophies!


I am a Plains Game Outfitter in South Africa and also a registered Professional Hunter. On Accurate Reloading there are about 20 people that has hunted both DG and PG with me in South Africa and Mozambique that will give testimony on how good a job we do.

Some other interesting info for you:

Where do I start?

Choose the outfitter and sort out dates.
Now book the airfare.
Send your deposit to the Outfitter as he requires. your bank will walk you through the process. It is ussualy easy. I have a bank account in the States if that helps.
Make sure you get your customs clearance certificate from US customs to be able to birng your rifle back into the US. I think it is form 4750? I cannot remember, please help guys!

Do not pack to many clothes! We do daily laundry!

How much do I tip? About $500.00 for your son, and about $500.00 for you shoudl see you through everyone, the PH included on a PG Safari.

What surprises will I get on my invoice?
If you hunt with a reputable outfitter...NONE. The cheap hunts ussualy have a couple of nasty surprises hidden somewhere.

How do I settle my bill?

A lot of folks these days sends the whole projected cost of the Safari before they arrive, with a little bit of cash for extra trophy fees. My advice, that I have seen works, would be to send all the day fees at least thirty days before your departure to the Outfitter. Then also send half of the trophy fee monies as well. The balance, and your extra pocket money goes with you in cash in USD.

We have credit card machines.

You are welcome to visit our web-site to look at all the information there.

I would gladly assist in any way to book your hunt.

Looking forward to sharing our campfire with you and your son!

Kind regards,

l can highly recommend Charl and Fred at infinito. l've had 3 good friend from here in Oz have plains game hunts with them during lasy year. Their stories and animals were exceptional. l'm hoping l can get there next year with them.