My most amazing trip was hunting in Africa in 2012. You're right about what the media wants you to hear. Talk to the locals in an area where elephant culling has stopped and they'll tell you how the overpopulation is turning some areas into a wasteland.
I'd go back in a heartbeat, armed...
If you can do it I would recommend the daily contacts you throw out every night. Next morning pop a fresh pair in. No cleaning, breathe well and less chance of an eye infection from dirty lenses in the field. Made the switch 25 years ago after getting some debris in my contact case while...
If you're looking to experiment with color, try some shoe polish. I know a guy who was using that for some sheds and I think it was Cordovan(color) that added a little reddish look to them.