Africa--2010--who's planning?

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Anyone else going? Where? For What? When?
I had planned to visit and do a little hunting with my friends in RSA in late May after Turkey season and stay into June but FIFA has that messed up!
Probably be July or Aug in the wintertime now. Hope to hunt Suni and maybe find a Genet Cat. We will probably try to find Cape Eland and Bontebok to look over and maybe chase a Harttman's Zebra. Should be waterfowl season too so maybe I can make up for all those that I didn't kill this year!

 

[Moosie]

I will watch Africa through you. Take pictures so we can enjoy !!

 

[1_pointer]

I wish! Heck, life (work, money, family) make it hard enough for me to get out here as much as I'd like let alone get to Africa. Like Moosie posted, I'll live through you this year. I'd appreciate hearing about your trip planning. I read a very interesting article by Spomer about a trip to South Africa that he took. All game was shot on low (livestock) fenced land, with many of the indigeneous species making a comeback. Now, that is a trip that I could be interested in. A recent show depicting the attempted arrowing of a giraffe and the HIGH fence on the place is not the type of experience I'd be looking for in Africa.

 

[smalls]

Best of luck whenever you do end up going Tom. And remember, don't forget to pack some hats for the captain!

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Y'all gonna live vicariously (WETF that means) thru me, huh?
1 Pointer, my trip planning ain't much anymore! Probably take a shot gun (O/U) for Suni and waterfowl. Think I will take my.375RUM for Zebra and Eland just for the heck of it---fun to shoot! If I need a small cal for Genet, my buddy has one.
Trip planning consist of trying to get seat D75 on SAA flite and filling out gun forms ahead of time and booking Afton House for the overnight stay in Joburg!
High Fence on "small" places are lousy. I actually walked away twice on animals I wanted not because places were small ---both around 20,000 ac---but because they looked like golf courses instead of a place an animal could escape. Still don't have a Bontebok even tho the place I hunted had "Gold Medal" ones standing around. Did get my Red Lechwe on a place that took a 2 mile stalk. Pissed both owners off when Kruger and I agreed we were not gonna kill (murder) an animal on their places!
I have killed a number of animals on High Fence Properties but it was natural habitat and they had escape areas and routes. Smallest I have hunted and killed on was about 10,000ac.But RSA hunting in most Provinces ain't Zim, Zam or Tan hunting----real Africa!! Not that certain areas of RSA aren't still Africa. I have hunted them!

 

[arffdog875]

Did you say dreaming about Africa? Good luck! Can't wait to see the photos!!! BTW How do you like your .375 RUM??

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Now that a gunsmith buddy has fixed it where it don't knock me down, stomp on me, beat me home and screw my gull fren and smoke a cigar afore I get there, I like it a lot! We put mercuric recoil reducers in both the forearm and stock of the stupidly light syn stock, put a "real" recoil pad on it and lengthened stock by about 1 1/2" and it now gives a good push but nothing bad unless you are recoil sensitive. Also did a job on the Rem lawyers trigger and it is now 3lbs where God meant trigger pulls to be.
It is very accurate for a big bore factory rifle. I can do under MOA at 250 yds off a bench. The draw back would be you ain't gonna find ammo for it if your baggage gets lost when traveling. BTW, Superior Ammo in ID will load solids for it if you wish.

 

[Danvet]

Tom, It's obvious that you are experienced at the African hunting thing. I have just started planning for a May 2012 plains game hunt. My wife is not big into hunting but is a photo bug and no way am I going without her (I wouldn't want to). Could you guide me to some websites that have good info concerning all facets of the trip? Customs, guns, best flights, best places (leaning toward Namibia), costs (for hunter and observer), PH/outfitters, expectations for lodging/food, species to hunt etc., etc. Money is a concern but I don't want to "cheap out" and not have a good experience because this may be my only opportunity. I know this is a lot to ask, just any help that you can afford me would be appreciated.

 

[mixedbag]

I'd like to be there too.Looking towards 2012 maybe at Dare2bowhunt for kudu and gembok.Have the cash,just need to talk myself into sitting on a plane for 14-16 hrs.If Alaska comes up for next year then I'll do that instead.Sooner or later I'll get there,but like you, I'll probably have to plan for return trips.Everyone I know thats been there go back every few years.Right now, I have a bad elk addiction thats problematic for return trips/wallet

 

[MTGunner]

We are heading to RSA May 2, '11. Will tour Krugar Nat'l. Park first 4 days, then on to Drakonsburg Mtns. for 2 days. Head to Capetown for a short tour before we get to lodge near Kimberley to hunt for 7 days. All in all 15 days in South Africa. Perhaps an afternoon/evening to eat at a Portuguese(sp) resturaunt in Kimberley that we found last trip in '09. Adventure is around, behind, beneath each tree of life. MTG

 

[JohnCushman]

I'm going to a bowhunting only concession in SA in July of 2012

 

[Bambistew]

The Drakonsburg Mountains are some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen. My last trip we drove from Musina to Durban. There was a lot of "low fence" properties seen on that drive and a few animals here and there. It was cool seeing all the blesbok along the highway while driving through the Free State. Reminded me of eastern Colorado/Kansas.

I made it to Durban in time to play a little golf and relax after a 10 day hunt.

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Danvet, There are many many good outfitters in RSA and Namibia...a few not so good. My advice is use a reputable booking agent at least on first trip. They will help with all questions and provide any necessary upfront forms and permits. While I am sure there are many, ones I trust for Africa are [email protected], Jim McCarthy Adventures and Atcheson and Sons.
As your trip approaches, I will be happy to offer advice, for what it is worth, on any specific questions you may have.
I have been lucky enough to hunt Tanzania, Zambia twice, Zimbabwe three times and RSA five times. Will likely not go this year as I am saving money for my Botswana Ele hunt in May 2012.

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

BTW, for those planning an African trip, first timer or old hand, I suggest you go to wwwaccuraterreloading.com It is a free site and allows guest. Click on AR Forums and there you find both an African Hunting general discussion thread and a African Hunting reports section. Good stuuf with a lot of outfitters, PH's and old hands posting.

 

[wswat]

I'm heading in August with Mabula Pro Safaris. Found them at the SCI show. After seaching through about 50 different places I finally settled on one.

 

[Danvet]

Thanks Tom. As I progress through this deal, I will continue to seek advice. Thanks for the other website references.

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Reno and Dallas just confuse me!
Rather go to Acurratereloading.com and figure it out myself!
But some booking agents are helpful if that is their only business and they been around a while!

 

[nube]

I just booked my hunt for Leopard, buff and plainsgame in Zim for 2012. I can't wait. If you guys have never done a trip to Africa before I would say bit the bullet and go. It is a trip of a lifetime.

 

[FishN4Eyes]

I'm booked for leopard, buff and plainsgame in Zimbabwe in 2012 with Zambezi Hunters.

Going to be a long wait but I need to save moolah so that might not be a bad thing, that translates into more dead critters!

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Fishn4eyes....should be a great experience! Zambezi Hunters have a very good reputation and you should have no problem with Buffalo and lots of PG....Leopards are always problematic....may the stars align and that Leopard come in!!!