Bighorn,
Let me start by saying there is no such thing as a "once in a life time African hunt" period! You go once and you will return, period!
Secondly, I mimic what Jaco has said. Not knocking any one outfitter but just my opinion as I am going on hunt #5 in April this year. And my first hunt was a "once in a lifetime experience.
Find an outfitter who will also be your PH on the hunt
Find a hunt place where you will be the only hunter on the farm OR a very limited number of others there when you are there (this has been a specific tenant of mine and it has worked very well for me. You never know what kind of "company" you will have if it is run like a caribou hunt with 20 other hunters in camp and no one knowing each other). Others in camp can be interesting but you have to be careful.
Ask about the size of the property where MOST of the hunting takes place and factor that with how much hunting is done there every year. ie, how many hunters go through there every year. Is it a big "meat factory" or is it a place to enjoy the entire experience of Africa.
You have to decide just what kind of hunt you want. Just go and kill some animals and come back with trophies or go and also enjoy the experience of Africa and its people and history. Both are perfectly viable options. You just have to pick the outfitter that does your hunt the best. Not impossible to do. Personal help from someone who has been there can ease the trepidation factor tremendously. I must admit that on my first hunt all I was thinking was "am I going to bring home what I want". By the end of the the 10 days I was looking at much more than just the hunting and killing. In fact on one hunt I quit hunting early in the day just to watch the sun set from atop a high hill.
Do make sure you get an extensive list of clients (not just a few hand picked ones) to call and call them all.
I have made it a point to only go with the outfitters whom I will be hunting with personally on their property. I have all ways picked the outfitter who will be personally meeting me when I come out of the door at Customs at the airport. These are the ones that have a personal stake in each and every client (in my mind, not to cast doubt on others, just that I feel better with this way of doing things and it has worked out for me.)
Do your hunt planning and enjoy it! Half of the hunt is the planning. Learn the "ways" of hunting in each country or area you will hunt. The country of South Africa is mostly "high fence" FOR A REASON! Learn why and if that is what you want. It can be a great hunt. It has been for me. Namibia is much more open in terrain and "farm" size (ranches are called farms over there). Both countries offer great first time hunts for plains game. Just different from each other.
If you are bow hunting I would look at a specialist in bow hunting OR one who has an area set aside only for bow hunting and get references from bow hunters whom have hunted there.
Reread Jaco's comments and follow them.
Search for a couple of my posts for first timers here on this forum. It might help you decide. You may PM me any time you want I'll be glad to help. I have "taken" 6 first timers to Africa (they paid there own way, I have no financial ties to any PH or outfitter as I have used a different one each of 4 African trips, they ALL are going back again either all ready booked or seriously planning the trip, they all went for a "once in a life time" hunt to Africa the first time) and all these hunts have turned out fantastic. There are some great hunts available even this year if you want to go sooner than later.
I must add again that the outfitter you choose should take care of you from the time you arrive in Jo'burg to the time he drops you off at Jo'burg to go home. Nothing less is satisfactory.
Use Lori at Travel Express for your tickets and travel insurance. I've used others and will not do that again. She's by far the best. Taxidermy, just from personal experience on my last hunt this year, Bullseye Taxidermy
in South Africa is great. Bringing in "finished, fully taxidermied" trophies has been so much better for me than "dip and pack" raw skins and horns. I've done both and I only do fully finished now. The cost might be a little less finished in Africa after all is considered but it is so much easier than dip and pack. Bullseye did a fantastic job on my Nyala and Reedbuck this year.
Like I said the planning is half the fun and it can be done with the help on this board.
Welcome and feel free to ask all the questions you want. Lots of good guys here.
