Helllo new and need help

[Jarrord]

Howdy,
new to the site
My name is Jarrord from Tennessee

I’m 23 and I’m wanting to take my father and I on our first African hunting safari
( also our first hunt out of the country and his first time out of the country)

I found a trip very affordable for my price point.

I’m a bit nervous due to the price point.
has any one had past experience with Richard Holmes safari ?

also any additional advice for some one new to planning a trip to Africa.

planning on going in October and renting riffle there and depending on the number of animals shipping them back for taxidermy in the states .

thanks in advance for any help

-Jarrord

 

[Tanks]

I don't know Richard Holmes safaris. However, there are many reputable outfitters that advertise on this forum.

I would look at the advertisements, and then look at the recent hunt reports of those outfitters that intrigue you.

One thing to watch for on those real cheap hunts is the upcharge on extra trophies and add-ons, most of the time that is how the unscrupulous outfitters get your money.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

It would be helpful to know the terms of the deal that attracted you - species, days, the fine print of what's included and what's not - to provide an opinion of its value. Strictly as an example, the outfitter I chose provided a package for kudu, impala, zebra, blesbok, and wildebeest for under 4K, for seven actual hunting days. There were no hidden charges and the accommodations were incredible. Also they (@GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS) are a site sponsor and have many reviews on here. Again, just one example.

 

[Just Gina]

to AH!
If you do a search on this forum, you will find some information on the outfit you mention in your initial post. I have not ever heard of them and found limited info on them when searching but found some info here on AH.

You just have to do your homework and ask a lot of questions. AH is a great place as the folks here are VERY helpful and there is so much experience and knowledge on this forum.
Best of luck with your search and we always love reading hunting reports!

 

[Jaegger]

@Jarrord - Welcome!
You‘ve landed @ the right forum for a good chat all things African Hunting & Beyond!

1st: Congrats’s on planning a Father/Son outing & a couple ‘Firsts’ for each of you will make the Adventure all the more exciting!

2nd: You have received solid advice above … details, details … will help seasoned AH members guide your journey. Example:

* # of Hunt Days.
* Preferred trophy hit-list
* Open to laying out a budget
* Lodge amenities … Spa, Nice, Hunter Theme.
* Hunt style mostly spot/stalk & Eastern Cape has straight up Mountains in some regions so ability/fitness should be considered.

The Operator: I jumped on Richard Holmes Safaris website: nicely laid out, informative & up-to-date (important). Port Elizabeth (PE) is the Meet & Greet w/ plenty of in-country commuter flights from Johannesburg (Joburg) to PE. The Lodge is Nice & location NW corner of Eastern Cape.

*Proper Research is part of the Adventure & you’ll get schooled quickly on afew facts to Hunting Africa.

My Advice: Daily Rates/Trophy Fees.

1) Daily Rates: Jump on a variety of AH sponsored Operators website & compare Daily Rates by: location, 1x1 & 2x1, lodge amenities, etc. & define a rough avg $$ per day.

2) Trophy Fees: pick your preferred Trophy Hit-List & again jump on some sites & define an avg. trophy fee $$ rate, per species. And if some are way lower or higher $$$ … ask why?

*Example: Kudu, the Operator shared Lesser have been negatively affected by drought, $1800 Trophy Fee & Greater @ $4K =

Happy Researching …

 

[TNDave]

Welcome to AH from a brother Tennessean, this is a great place for advice and research. What part of TN are you from? If close maybe we could meet up and discuss some of your wishes. Good luck to you and your father, one thing I can say is it will definitely not be your last trip, it kinda gets in your blood!

 

[nztimb]

Giday Jarrod. Welcometo the A H forums.

 

[Hogpatrol]

A couple things to take note of:
Bait and switch is not limited to the United States
And October is summertime in the Southern Hemisphere. I hunted South Africa in September and October. It was in the 90's F.

 

[cpr0312]

Welcome aboard! Lots of info on this site!

 

[BnC 04]

Hello and welcome from another fellow Tennessean.
You've been offered some solid advice from the members.
Enjoy the planning stage and glad to hear your taking your father over.

 

[Jonathan Kashouty]

Howdy,
new to the site
My name is Jarrord from Tennessee

I’m 23 and I’m wanting to take my father and I on our first African hunting safari
( also our first hunt out of the country and his first time out of the country)

I found a trip very affordable for my price point.

I’m a bit nervous due to the price point.
has any one had past experience with Richard Holmes safari ?

also any additional advice for some one new to planning a trip to Africa.

planning on going in October and renting riffle there and depending on the number of animals shipping them back for taxidermy in the states .

thanks in advance for any help

-Jarrord

Jarrord

Check out Frontier Safari on the Eastern Cape. I have hunted with them and they are fantastic.

Kaiwhi Safaris in SA are also fantastic. Just returned from a terrific and successful Cape buffalo hunt last month.

 

[kdenn]

Welcome to AH. As noted above there is a ton of information and advice available on this forum. Research and ask questions. Until reading a lot on this site I didn't know how much I didn't know. Take your time. Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance! Good luck.

 

[mdwest]

Welcome from another Tennessean (now living in TX)…

There are lots of great, affordable options out there… several are sponsors here on AH and can present lots of verifiable references, including @Bos en Dal SAFARIS

If you need help or have specific questions about planning, AH is a great resource.. there are plenty of friendly folks here that are always willing to lend a hand… (myself included)…

 

[Jarrord]

Welcome to AH from a brother Tennessean, this is a great place for advice and research. What part of TN are you from? If close maybe we could meet up and discuss some of your wishes. Good luck to you and your father, one thing I can say is it will definitely not be your last trip, it kinda gets in your blood!

I’m in Maury county about 45mins from Nashville

 

[topoccxx]

Welcome

 

[mdwest]

I’m in Maury county about 45mins from Nashville

I used to run around Mt. Plesant in Maury County a bit back in the 80's (before you were born lol..)... there used to be some decent deer hunting in that area.. and there was at least one really good looking girl in that town back then...

Im originally from Shelby County (Memphis), but also spent about 10 years living in the Knoxville area at one point a bit later in life..

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Welcome to AH.

 

[cls]

Welcome to AH, lots of knowledgeable people here that have been there and done that. Planning is half the fun. Good luck and enjoy the journey.

 

[Justhunt]

Welcome to AH

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

"I’m 23 and I’m wanting to take my father and I on our first African hunting safari
( also our first hunt out of the country and his first time out of the country)
I found a trip very affordable for my price point.
I’m a bit nervous due to the price point."

Hi Jarrod,

All great advice given so far. For what it's worth, here is advice from a value conscious hunter, i.e. one of limited funds.

Have you set a total cost to budget/plan to?

What country will you hunt?
South Africa is the great entry hunting country due to lower costs and the ranch owner "owns and manages" the animals
PS: Don't worry about a 10000+ acre fenced ranch. You will never see a fence!

Price your travel costs including:
airfare,
travel agent fees, advisable on first trip,
firearms expediter fees, also advisable

Cost per person per day times total days
Does PH charge to transport you and father to and from airport?

Trophy fees
"Trophy" animals will cost more than the average ones
Cull animals will be much more affordable, and as hard, or nearly as hard to hunt! Try stalking up to a heard of female buffalos. There are a lot of eyes to see you!

Taxidermy
If your father dreams of a mounted head and horns in his study, then include this as a cost.
The cost will however be high!
If you don't shoot a true trophy skip the taxidermy and pay for a better hunt.
Rather than taxidermy, hire a videographer to film you and your father.
As for me, I just take photos and short videos...

If I could afford it, I would hunt trophies and have them mounted. If only...