First-timers hunting in Africa

[FelixV]

Tere!

My friends and I from Estonia and Finland are planning our first hunting trip to Africa, most likely to South Africa or Zimbabwe. We’re all hunters here in Northern Europe, but none of us have hunted outside our home countries before, including in Africa.

We’re a bit nervous since it’s a long trip for us, and most of the group has never been to Africa (though I’ve been a few times as a tourist). I’d love to hear any advice you might have for first-timers. Which outfitters would you recommend we use? Also, since my friends are a bit hesitant about traveling to Africa, they’re quite price-sensitive and might not be ready to spend a lot, as they have no prior experience with African hunting.

Personally, I love Africa, having visited a few countries, including South Africa and Zimbabwe. I know it’s worth the time and money, whether as a tourist or a hunter. I’d greatly appreciate any tips and tricks you can share for making this trip a success.

Thank you all in advance for your help!

 

[sgt_zim]

Depends on what you want to hunt, and what your budget is.

Since you guys probably live on the Baltic, plan your trip for June/July/August. Much of South Africa and Zimbabwe are higher elevation, say 1000 meters or higher, you'll find the weather that time of year nicest; night time lows often around 5º C, day time highs between 20 and 30º C. In much of South Africa, the only pathogen you really have to concern yourself with is tetanus, though if you are more cautious, Hepatitis A and B, and Rabies vaccines aren't a bad idea, either.

If you're catching a connecting flight from JNB, stay at City Lodge in the airport. If there's a drive between JNB and where you're going, stay at Africa Sky Lodge. A night in a decent bed and a good, sit-down meal does wonders for relieving travel fatigue.

Travel light. You can bring a change of clothes in your carry-on if you like, but otherwise, only 3 days' worth of clothes. They will do your laundry daily.

 

[CBH Australia]

As a hunter it’s certainly worth doing if you find the deal that suits you.
I’ve only been once and it’s my only international hunt.

 

[Rare Breed]

Tere!

My friends and I from Estonia and Finland are planning our first hunting trip to Africa, most likely to South Africa or Zimbabwe. We’re all hunters here in Northern Europe, but none of us have hunted outside our home countries before, including in Africa.

We’re a bit nervous since it’s a long trip for us, and most of the group has never been to Africa (though I’ve been a few times as a tourist). I’d love to hear any advice you might have for first-timers. Which outfitters would you recommend we use? Also, since my friends are a bit hesitant about traveling to Africa, they’re quite price-sensitive and might not be ready to spend a lot, as they have no prior experience with African hunting.

Personally, I love Africa, having visited a few countries, including South Africa and Zimbabwe. I know it’s worth the time and money, whether as a tourist or a hunter. I’d greatly appreciate any tips and tricks you can share for making this trip a success.

Thank you all in advance for your help!

First congratulations!!! Second given your friends are price sensitive yet probably want to hunt a lot of animals I highly recommend hunting in SA as you will not find better value. I recommend the following two outfitters @game 4 africa and @fronteer safaries. Each will enable something like the following between $5-$6,000. Kudu, Zebra, Springbok, Blue or Black Wildebeest and an Impala. Five animals for a first time safari for this type pricing can’t be beat based on my experience. Two flights. First into JNB then short 1.5 hour to Eastern Cape.

 

[Drywaller44]

Reading hunt reports from different areas is a great way to get a feel for an outfitter and the area that they hunt. Also listening to podcasts helped me prepare myself and make me even more excited to hunt Africa. (Ph Journals, Around the Fire, and Big Game Hunting are all good ones.)

South Africa or Namibia will be your best bet if you’re on a budget. I hunted with Game4africa, in the eastern cape of South Africa and am planning on returning there with my wife in a couple of years. They have a nice website with a lot of helpful info.

Have fun planning your trip.

 

[375Fox]

You should narrow down what you’d like from a hunt. South Africa and Zimbabwe are too vastly different experiences. Zimbabwe is generally focused on dangerous game in concession areas at a higher price point. South Africa is focused on more affordable plains game on private farms. I’d look into hunting the eastern cape of South Africa. I think it gives a very good experience and a really reasonable price. I find Limpopo too developed. There are several good eastern cape sponsors here. North central Namibia is also a great destination for a first plains game hunt and not very commercialized.

 

[JimP]

I hunted with Frontier Safaries 2 years ago and it was fantastic. The area is large enough you'll never know it is fenced. We did spot and stalk on their's and several other properties.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

You are starting on a great adventure. And you get to travel with friends. I hunted South Africa in Limpopo with RDB Safaris and will be returning to them once more next year. There are lots of good outfitters but RDB is fantastic. A good deer rifle is all you need for PG hunting. Practice with it and be proficient at ranges from 50y to 300y. Most shots will be 250y or less in Limpopo. Use a 22lr to practice mounting rifle on sticks and shooting from same. I did 10shots every day for weeks at tiny tgts prior to my trip plus regular range shooting with my hunting rifles off sticks.

Get fit or stay fit. Walk, hike, run, etc. Choose a PH and talk to him and ask lots of questions. Take good boots/socks. Enjoy the planning and prep as that is half the fun. Do not be the guys who show up, with no idea how to load and shoot your rifles. You said you all hunt at home, so that should not be an issue. But take the time to get really proficient. Memorize the ballistic chart for your rifle and ammo combo so you can adjust on the fly without having to consult tables. I took a 308 loaded with 108g bonded bullets and zeroed it at 200y which meant it was 2" high at 100y and 3-4" low at 300y. All of my shots were point blank and the longest was 202y. Spend time estimating distance with random objects and then verify with a laser ranger finder. By the time I got to Africa, I was better at estimating the range to the tgts than my PH was. I wrote a full hunt report here on the AH site if you have time to read it. Africa is a magical place.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[Mekaniks]

to AH!
Do your planning (which is part of the fun) but don't overthink every detail. Take a good attitude and go have fun!

 

[MATTANJA HUNTING SAFARIS]

@FelixV planning you first hunting trip to Africa is always exciting!
If you're looking at doing a hunt in South Africa I can accommodate you in the Limpopo Valley of South Africa.

You're more than welcome to get in touch with me at info@mattanjasafaris.co.za, WhatsApp +27 84 469 6897 or DM here on the forum

My best
Dieter

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Tere!

My friends and I from Estonia and Finland are planning our first hunting trip to Africa, most likely to South Africa or Zimbabwe. We’re all hunters here in Northern Europe, but none of us have hunted outside our home countries before, including in Africa.

We’re a bit nervous since it’s a long trip for us, and most of the group has never been to Africa (though I’ve been a few times as a tourist). I’d love to hear any advice you might have for first-timers. Which outfitters would you recommend we use? Also, since my friends are a bit hesitant about traveling to Africa, they’re quite price-sensitive and might not be ready to spend a lot, as they have no prior experience with African hunting.

Personally, I love Africa, having visited a few countries, including South Africa and Zimbabwe. I know it’s worth the time and money, whether as a tourist or a hunter. I’d greatly appreciate any tips and tricks you can share for making this trip a success.

Thank you all in advance for your help!

i have sent you a DM

 

[AZDAVE]

Planning your first safari is one that is filled with excitement and anxiety. You have you don't know what you don't know.

First you are in the right place for AH members to help you, plan a successful trip and have a great experience.

1. Lay out you requirements on what you are looking for in your safari.
2. Set a budget to plan around.
3. In south Africa understand depending on what time your plane arrives you will either spend the night in Joberg, or get picked up by your outfitter or catch another flight within the country.
A. If you are hunting in Limpopo, Northwest, Free State, or kalahari provinces your outfitter or a designated transported will pick you up at the airport an drive 2-7 hours to their Farm.
B. If you are hunting Eastern or western Cape it will involve a 1-2 hour flight where your outfitter will pick you up at the airport you fly into.
4. There are a number of very good outfitters here on AH that will be able to help you with your safari.
I have hunted with Kwalata, Bos en Dal, KMG, and Blaauwkrantz and can whole heartily recommend any of them. In addition there are many very good outfitter here that I have spoke to but haven't had the opportunity to hunt with yet.

Once you have decided on who you want to hunt with, then it is time to take on the additional questions, of travel, hunt expatations, equipment list, Taxidermy etc.

 

[skydiver386]

A copy of Kevin Robertsons book "The Perfect Shot" is full of information on shot placement and hunting in Africa.

 

[Nyati]

 

[FelixV]

Thank you, everyone! I’m very happy to be part of such an awesome community that is always ready to help with tips and advice. I truly appreciate it and feel even more confident now. Thank you again!

 

[Bandera]

Felix welcome to the camp.
Pretty good advice given above.
The overnight stay the first night flying in is great advice. If flying into J’burg get the lodge to arrange a driver and go see Soweto township, Mandelas home, visit Safari Outdoor. Spend the day relaxing. It also gives any lost or delayed luggage a chance to catch up.

I always pack my bore sighting equipment in my gun case. I can verify that the zero has not changed with a quick look before the sight in (can you shoot and hit the target) time at camp.

Read the the Safari planning section on this web site.

Work on shooting from sticks. Take you own sticks if possible.

I also sent you a DM

 

[TSALA HUNTING SAFARIS]

Good Day Felix

Tsala Safaris regularly host groups from Finland , Sweden and Iceland.They normally join us on safari either early in the season , March , April , May or late in the season from Sept onwards.The reason for that time frame is that they want to enjoy the pleasures of their own summer during the middle part of the year.

Our property is less than 3 hours from Johannesburg International airport.

I can also send you references from hunters that have been with us from your part of the world.That should give you the opportunity to discuss details like flights , where to hunt , extra's to do before and after the hunt.

You are most welcome to contact me for any info.

Regards

Rouan

 

[Rare Breed]

Good Day Felix

Tsala Safaris regularly host groups from Finland , Sweden and Iceland.They normally join us on safari either early in the season , March , April , May or late in the season from Sept onwards.The reason for that time frame is that they want to enjoy the pleasures of their own summer during the middle part of the year.

Our property is less than 3 hours from Johannesburg International airport.

I can also send you references from hunters that have been with us from your part of the world.That should give you the opportunity to discuss details like flights , where to hunt , extra's to do before and after the hunt.

You are most welcome to contact me for any info.

Regards

Rouan

Tsala an outstanding choice and family!!!!! Also you don’t have to take a second flight…very easy drive from JNB

 

[BryceM]

Don’t overlook Namibia. Great opportunity there, and at very competitive price points.

 

[Jonathan Kashouty]

First congratulations!!! Second given your friends are price sensitive yet probably want to hunt a lot of animals I highly recommend hunting in SA as you will not find better value. I recommend the following two outfitters @game 4 africa and @fronteer safaries. Each will enable something like the following between $5-$6,000. Kudu, Zebra, Springbok, Blue or Black Wildebeest and an Impala. Five animals for a first time safari for this type pricing can’t be beat based on my experience. Two flights. First into JNB then short 1.5 hour to Eastern Cape.

I have hunted the Eastern Cape with Frontier Safaris and they are absolutely first class.