Hello there -

As you can see, I am new around here and just getting my feet wet regarding what is to be expected traveling from the US to Africa. I am looking at a very short range trip out to SA and what to make it clear that I am a very average guy on a very average budget. I have to mind my wallet and want to be sure that when I travel to Africa I am aware of as many of the potential costs that can popup outside of your standard airfare/daily rate/trophy fees/dip + pack costs. I've done some searching and reading around on here, but really am having a hard time finding a consilidated topic about this issue.

For our experienced travelers (from anywhere to Africa), what kind of unforseen or added expenses should a very new traveler be ready to face?

Thanks for all of your help,

Luis

Same as you,just a regular guy trying to have a little fun....

Standard stuff for the hunt;

Airfare
Possible baggage fees,depending on airline etc.
Day rates
Trophy fees
Pocket money

Here are some things to look for;depends on operator,and often makes a cheap day rate turn expensive;

Some outfitters charge a airport pick up charges,others role that into nights booked,some on 1/2 day charges,some a flat fee.

Some charge a per animal skinning prep fee.

Some charge a delivery fee to a taxidermist.

The always arguable topic of TIPS....really depends on a number of factors.It is typical on African hunts to tip;PH,tracker,skinner,camp staff(cook,laundry,etc)How much is a factor of location,animal type(PG vs DG),services provided.

Alot of smaller operators charge for booze,others often include beer/wine in modest amounts.



After you get home;

Dip and pack/taxidermy

Freight bill to the states; air or sea

Customs clearance/brokerage fees

Freight to your door or your taxidermists.

Wooops forgot;

Gun assist at the airport;

Over night stays before the hunt starts,and/or on departure.

AND ALL OF THIS SHOULD BE IN A CONTRACT!!!!

Check your PM's

"over weight" baggage fee

Have copies printed out, day before trip is best if not that day, of airline you will be flying on regs about weights, travel w/guns, gun case measurements

A safari is like building a house or having someone do work on your house, plan on a cushion of 10-30% more. Here is a little breakdown as I think of it for my May 2009 Safari.

Airfare

Day room in Germany and the day spent in Frankfurt cost me probably $250-$300

Daily rates

Trophy fees, it is my impression that this is where some big additions can come in. I shot 7 animals on a 7 day hunt but that included 2 days of shooting nothing. I could have easily shot a dozen, the more you shoot the happier the PH is.

Lost Animals, say you budget $1250 for your Gemsbuck and you wound it and lose it and decide to take another and you have now spent $2,500 on one animal.

Dip and pack came in around $700 or $100 per animal so add $100 to every trophy in your mind.

Shipping home is brutal, I paid almost $2,500

Taxidermy is brutal, for some reason African Animals cost 50% more then North American animals to have mounted. You can EASILY drop 4-5K on shoulder mounts and at least 2.5K on a couple mounts and some European mounts.

Tips add up fast since there are so many people in camp.

The hunt and trophy fees aren't all that bad but the airfare, shipping and taxidermy alone can set you back $5,000-$7,000 without any first class tickets or full body mounts which can be $2,500-$5,000 EACH. These things really double the cost of your hunt.

I like shoulder mounts but personally I think the shippers and Taxidermists are pricingn themselves out of the market. Shipping shouldn't be more then $1,000 tops and there is no reason a Deer costs $450 and a Kudu costs $800!

Tips/bribes at the airport.

quote:

Originally posted by GeoffM24:


I like shoulder mounts but personally I think the shippers and Taxidermists are pricingn themselves out of the market. Shipping shouldn't be more then $1,000 tops and there is no reason a Deer costs $450 and a Kudu costs $800!

I used to think the same,until I have spent alot of time in a taxidermy studio.African work requires alot more work.There is more finishing work(a ton more) and mannakin modifications for most forms.That's because there are hundreds of whitetail deer poses and sizes,but far fewer choices for most African game;and far fewer for unique game.

There is also the fact that tanneries charge more because of the extra work in tanning African work.Hence the pricing on say shaving a zebra vs. a bear rug.

A proper fit of tanned skin to form often results in many modifications for proper fit.Short hair on the mounts means more time fitting and hiding stitches compared to long hair animals....

Course this is based on proper work,and not some hacksadermist...your mileage may vary.

Cool what you can learn by watchin'

Thanks for all of the good info. It seems that much of the expenses and tipping is about the same as it would be in the states. I'm looking at some other small services like a permit service and some trip insurance, but overall, this is looking straight forward.

My best advice, and I'm a relative newbie to African hunting, only 5 trips so far, is to VERY VERY CAREFULLY choose your outfitter. The use of a good well recommended US booking agent will almost certainly save you money and potential grief.

Consider carefully AHEAD of time whether you REALLY WANT or need (and have room for, kudus take a lot of space for example, usually at least 6 feet from bottom of plaque to tip of horns) African trophies on your wall. You can almost pay for another African hunt if you choose NOT to dip and pack, ship, and mount all of your trophies if you shoot much. This is a personal decision but it has a big financial impact. Your call. If you're hunting with someone, and want to have some trophies, consider trying to split a shipment with them, both of you will save money.

Think ahead and choose what and how you want to hunt(all walking, no walking, etc), some of the package hunts are on smaller tracts and you may well drive to spot most of your animals and then get out and make a short or non-existent stalk. It's your hunt, so be clear on how you want to hunt with your outfitter/ph BEFORE you pay any deposits.

Also, depending on the animals you want, you might consider Namibia instead of South Africa. Both have their pluses and minuses.

quote:

Originally posted by dinsdale:

quote:

Originally posted by GeoffM24:


I like shoulder mounts but personally I think the shippers and Taxidermists are pricingn themselves out of the market. Shipping shouldn't be more then $1,000 tops and there is no reason a Deer costs $450 and a Kudu costs $800!

I used to think the same,until I have spent alot of time in a taxidermy studio.African work requires alot more work.There is more finishing work(a ton more) and mannakin modifications for most forms.That's because there are hundreds of whitetail deer poses and sizes,but far fewer choices for most African game;and far fewer for unique game.

There is also the fact that tanneries charge more because of the extra work in tanning African work.Hence the pricing on say shaving a zebra vs. a bear rug.

A proper fit of tanned skin to form often results in many modifications for proper fit.Short hair on the mounts means more time fitting and hiding stitches compared to long hair animals....

Course this is based on proper work,and not some hacksadermist...your mileage may vary.

Cool what you can learn by watchin'

The problem I have is how much to I want those shoulder mounts regardless of how much work and effort it takes.

Figure:

$100 dip and pack per head
$300-$350 shipping per head
$800-$1,000 mounting per head

Is it really worth $1,200 to $1,450 EACH all in? This time around I am mounting 3 but next time I think I'd rather go on another safari.

quote:

Originally posted by GeoffM24:

quote:

Originally posted by dinsdale:

quote:

Originally posted by GeoffM24:


I like shoulder mounts but personally I think the shippers and Taxidermists are pricingn themselves out of the market. Shipping shouldn't be more then $1,000 tops and there is no reason a Deer costs $450 and a Kudu costs $800!

I used to think the same,until I have spent alot of time in a taxidermy studio.African work requires alot more work.There is more finishing work(a ton more) and mannakin modifications for most forms.That's because there are hundreds of whitetail deer poses and sizes,but far fewer choices for most African game;and far fewer for unique game.

There is also the fact that tanneries charge more because of the extra work in tanning African work.Hence the pricing on say shaving a zebra vs. a bear rug.

A proper fit of tanned skin to form often results in many modifications for proper fit.Short hair on the mounts means more time fitting and hiding stitches compared to long hair animals....

Course this is based on proper work,and not some hacksadermist...your mileage may vary.

Cool what you can learn by watchin'

The problem I have is how much to I want those shoulder mounts regardless of how much work and effort it takes.

Figure:

$100 dip and pack per head
$300-$350 shipping per head
$800-$1,000 mounting per head

Is it really worth $1,200 to $1,450 EACH all in? This time around I am mounting 3 but next time I think I'd rather go on another safari.

I hear you there,hec I live down the road from my taxi-man and it ain't free for me neither.I was just trying to address why it would cost more for a Kudu than Whitetail,shipping aside.

Next trip I may not bring anything home at all,except maybe a skin for a rug and a skull or two.....maybe nothing but some pics?

Luis,

If you book through a reputable booking agent he will keep you abreast of all charges. There will be no unpleasant surprises and he will fill you in on a myriad of details you would have never considered.

Mark

If cost is an issue, think twice about shoulder mounts- African animals, kudu, eland, are huge mounts- can you even display them? I have more mounts in the garage, attic and still in crates than I have up in the house...

better to do cool european shield mounts..

The shipping of our skulls, horns, and tanned hides from Namibia cost just about what the Namibian shipping agent said it would. The rip-off came from the charges of the U.S. receiving agent. I suggest you contact a few U.S. import/clearing agents who handle trophies for pre-hunt quotes -- and tell the ones like ABX in Houston to shove it if they quote outrageous receiving fees.

By the way, foregoing the shoulder mounts leaves you with some fabulous backskins. And the European skull mounts are much easier to display in and around your home. We had our hides (two mountain zebras, six springbok, one red hartebeest) tanned in Namibia -- the price was incredibly cheap and the quality of the work is flawless. I don't know the name of the tannery because our host took care of it, but he charged us nothing for salting the hides and drying and cleaning our skulls to perfection. Well, I say nothing. He added the princely sum of ten Euros per amimal to cover all of the gutting, skinning, drying, salting, etc., the proceeds of which went to the skinners/trackers as their tip for the work. My comment was if they'll do that for fifteen bucks, I want to bring one of those guys home with me for deer season!

This link: http://www.shakariconnection.c...an-african-hunt.html and other parts of the site will help you in researching how ALL the costs work.

Feel free to contact us if there's anything you can't find.

You guys are great. I've just booked my flight today and will be continuing to read up on things as you guys bring them up. So far, the booking agent I'm working through has me very relaxed about the situation and made me aware of many of the same little tips/bribes that may be encountered in the airport and other places as I work my way to the outfitter.

As for the mounts, I do actually have a vaulted entryway in my house are some large walls that are totally bare right now. I will probably start with the smaller ones and get the larger ones finished as I get a sense of the sanity regarding the space they consume. I've already worked out the details with my taxidermist for long-term storage.

Hi Luis.
Is that Bellevue Nebraska? In some cities you can easily clear your own trophies. No need for a broker. After ten safaries I wish I had done euro mounts for some of my earlier trips.
Brice

Luis, most of all try to relax and enjoy. Hope, if you have the proverbial "better half" on board as she approves of using all those entry way walls for all of your "dead eyes". I bring this up only because I continue to have such discussions as the taxidermist sits twiddling his thumbs in the entry way!

quote:

Originally posted by Brice:
Hi Luis.
Is that Bellevue Nebraska? In some cities you can easily clear your own trophies. No need for a broker. After ten safaries I wish I had done euro mounts for some of my earlier trips.
Brice

Yes, it sure is Bellevue, Nebraska. The taxidermist I'm working with (www.wildlifecreations.com) is located in Omaha and sounds like he has his finger on the pulse for handling the importation and avoiding excessive charges. I believe he is actually USDA certified to accept them himself and I'm positive that he has his own tanner on-site. He's giving me a bunch of those laminated ID tags that have his info on them, so I presume he will probably be getting them directly from the dip/pack.

quote:

Originally posted by muygrande:

Luis, most of all try to relax and enjoy. Hope, if you have the proverbial "better half" on board as she approves of using all those entry way walls for all of your "dead eyes". I bring this up only because I continue to have such discussions as the taxidermist sits twiddling his thumbs in the entry way!

Yeah, my wife is very on-the-fence (read: not too happy) about me putting these mounts up, but she also knows that once I finish our basement, that they'll be moving down there. So, I figure I can tolerate the comments and mean looks for a year and enjoy the trophies in a more visible setting. Bottom line: I want to be reminded of how great an adventure I had every time I get home from work...at least for a little while

if you want a european sheild mount/bronzed contact me I will email you pictures of some I have done and I will do them for you?

Gatogordo makes a good point. What I do is bring enough cash to cover what I think I will kill, tip money and about a grand extra. when I kill something I either give the ph the trophy fee or put the fee into a separate sock. When the money is gone, I tell him I am tapped out and we either make arrangements, or I stop shooting.

Another slight surprise was the "ammo tax" I got hit with at the airport which was almost $100 but I should have said my ammo was worth less then I did. Also the PH had a guy meet me at customs and show me outside to my PH because he couldn't come in the airport, naturally that guy wanted a tip. There was some nonsense road check point in Namibia and they wanted some tax or something. Nothing big but that stuff adds up.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Luis,

If you book through a reputable booking agent he will keep you abreast of all charges. There will be no unpleasant surprises and he will fill you in on a myriad of details you would have never considered.

Mark

For my first trip to Africa, I wouldn't dream of not using a booking agent. I used Bill Williamson for my first trip. What a gentleman. Retired military officer to boot.

Bryan -
I like the way you guys are handling your cash and will probably use a similar system. I HAVE to stick to a strict budget and exercise good shooting discipline when it comes to taking home animals because I simply can't afford not to do so.

Geoff - the "ammo tax" - was this in SA or Namibia? I'll be braced for it either way now, so thanks for mentioning it.

Luis

No matter whether you use an agent or not, you need to make sure you only get and fully agree a comprehensive safari contract that details every single cost down to the last cent..... if they won't or can't give that to you, you're talking to the wrong people.

This http://www.shakariconnection.com/hunt-booking.html and the links at the bottom of the page might be of help.

shakari -

In the process of doing research on here, I ran across that link you provided in another thread and found it very helpful. It is clear that each and every fee is/must be spelled out and I am going to use your other link regarding what particular types of hunts should include in order to read through the contract when the time comes.

Thanks for all the great info.

Luis,

Always a pleasure. You'll find about 500 pages of free African hunting info there plus several thousand African hunting and Africa related new and used books there.

If there's something you can't find, let me know and I'll be happy to direct you to the right page.

Welcome to the forum BTW!

Money is a concern for all of us. If/when I go again I'll seriously consider hiring a "videographer" I'd rather have videos and really good photos than heads hanging all over the house. Also flat skins seem to be a cheaper way to go and still look great.

We missed our plane home (5ppl and a screaming baby!) so we needed some extra cash there. I'd say to save a bit longer and have at least and extra 2k sitting around.

the chef

quote:

Originally posted by ddrhook:
if you want a european sheild mount/bronzed contact me I will email you pictures of some I have done and I will do them for you?

Thank you very much for your offer, but I've already decided on a taxidermist in my area for when the time comes. If I consider a shield mount in the future, I'll keep you in mind.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Luis,

Always a pleasure. You'll find about 500 pages of free African hunting info there plus several thousand African hunting and Africa related new and used books there.

If there's something you can't find, let me know and I'll be happy to direct you to the right page.

Welcome to the forum BTW!

Thanks for your help and for posting the excellent articles. If/when this trip happens, I'm certain this info will be invaluable.

Calgarychef1 -

If I get out to Africa a second time, there's no doubt that a video hunt would be the focus. I might do a shield mount after that trip if I harvested something really nice, but a video chronicle would be outstanding. Nothing like being able to show my daughter (when she's only enough - only 2 right now) and peak her interst when the time comes.

Might you folks kindly define shield mount. Not sure if I have heard this term. Thanks.

It's basically one of these:



The bleached skull mounted on a wooden or other style of "shield."

Thanks!! Looks great!

Take copies of your airlines rules for ammo and rife transport. Also TSA rules for rifle and ammo baggage requirements. When I got to the airport on my first leg of the trip, the airline reps told me some false info on carrying ammo. I pulled out their rules from their website. They looked them up themselves and found I was right. There were no more problems. They don't know their own rules, so be prepared. When you get to the ticket counter, you don't have many options if you aren't prepared.

Good call - that's something I've always done when traveling with firearms in the states and, surprisingly, something I completely forgot about when dealing with thoughts of Africa.