Author Topic: FIRST TIME (Read 2794 times)

GRIMJIM · « **on:** August 02, 2006, 12:44:48 PM »

I read about an Africa hunt in this months American Hunter. I gotta go! I am not a rich man being a carpenter by trade but these hunts seemed reasonable. Can anyone recommend an outfitter, or haver any other helpful suggestions. I think the outfitter was global adventures.

Matt in AK · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2006, 01:14:44 PM »

Graybeard's is great!!! You might, however, want to register on accuratereloading.com where you'll find lots of Africnhunting experience and helpful folks.

Yukon Jack · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2006, 02:44:59 PM »

I highly recommend checking out HHK Safaris in Zimbabwe.
http://www.hhksafaris.com/hunting/hunt-index1.html

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2006, 11:25:10 PM »

While no longer an advertiser on this site our Moderator here JJHack is a professional hunter in South Africa. I'd suggest you contact him off forum via e-mail or PM. His site is listed in his profile. If I ever come up with the money for a trip over I'll be booking with him.

elmer · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2006, 06:32:31 AM »

I second what Graybreard said. I have researched dozens of outfitters both online, and by attending the last two Dallas Safari Club conventions. JJHack is at the top of our list for 2008 (if all goes well). He seems very knowledgeable and he is by far the least expensive overall for a plains game hunt.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2006, 11:50:09 AM »

I sent him a pm. His website makes me want to go even more.
Thanks for the responses,
jim

JJHACK · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2006, 06:02:31 AM »

GRIMJIM, Pm sent looking forward to speaking with you about a trip!

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2006, 12:46:28 PM »

Quote from: JJHACK on August 04, 2006, 06:02:31 AM

GRIMJIM, Pm sent looking forward to speaking with you about a trip!

Actually you DID NOT send him a PM. You sent ME and e-mail instead. I trashed it.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2006, 07:23:57 AM »

I've done a bit of preliminary investigation along these lines and I suggest you inquire, no matter WHO you book with, about the TOTAL cost of the trip. There are things like trophy fees and taxidermy costs to consider.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2006, 03:41:05 PM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller on August 06, 2006, 07:23:57 AM

I've done a bit of preliminary investigation along these lines and I suggest you inquire, no matter WHO you book with, about the TOTAL cost of the trip. There are things like trophy fees and taxidermy costs to consider.

That's why I'm asking for help with the booking. I can afford the trip but the rest of it is going too be hard. A lot of the packages include the trophy fees but I would like other animals than aren't usually listed. Might be cheaper to pay the daily guide fee and just go for the animals I want. Still researching the trip.

The only reason I'm even considering it is because we are moving next year and I bought my house 18 years ago so I will have a bit of equity to play with.

Yukon Jack · « **Reply #10 on:** August 08, 2006, 05:23:26 PM »

Many of the incident costs will depend on which country you are going to hunt. For instance, Tanzania charges a firearm fee, Zim does not. Dip and Pack costs vary from outfit to outfit. There may be VAT required by the government (Zim charges 2% of the total daily rate + total trophy fees). Will you need to charter a small plane to take you from the major airport to hunting camp? Does your PH or outfitter charge a travel day fee? Are you hunting 1:1 or 2:1 (hunters:PH).

Figure airfare around 2000-2500 per person.

Don't forget to budget for tips.

GEMSBUCK · « **Reply #11 on:** August 09, 2006, 02:56:53 AM »

I would never recommend to anyone to book a "package hunt" where trophy fees are included. Go the daily fee route and pay as you draw blood. Depending whom you book with a couple of higher end trophy fees and hefty tips are expected or they won't want to bother much with you. Some have gone as far as to suggest just that on a few of the message board forums themselves.
You'll hear the phrase you can go to Africa hunt 5 animals for less than you'd pay to hunt elk out west. In part this is true...but only a half truth....sure 5 animals with trophy fees/daily rates are about the same as an guided elk hunt. But air fare is going to cost well over $2000,then there is the amount of tips (everyone expects one from the cook to the woodchopper), dip & ship on 5 animals will run you over $1500,transfer fees,etc. etc.
My guess is a good PG hunt for kudu,gemsbuck,zebra,warthog,eland with air and D&S,tips could be done for $7-8,000 all in in Namibia, of course I never look back at what a trip cost me...else I'd NEVER do it again!!

JJHACK · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2006, 04:18:20 AM »

I've been going back and forth since 1990 on average twice a year. I've only paid over 1500.00 USD one time for a round trip ticket.

Probably better to shop a bit more for your airfare!

There is no VAT tax on a package hunt and if you choose a good outfitter he will put the animals into the package that you want to shoot anyway.

On the same note if you choose a good outfitter you will only pay for the animals you shoot. If you have a package which includes certain species that you do not shoot that trophy fee should be returned to you based on the discounted value of the package.

There is no downside to going on a package hunt with the right outfitter because it will include all the game you want and there is not VAT!

GEMSBUCK · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2006, 12:26:43 PM »

JJ if it was I that you suggested shopping for air fare a tad longer to, I'll reply to that. I've never used "mileage' to purchase a ticket to Africa chooseing to use that for domestic flights instead. I have purchased my air cheaper than $1500 to JNB from the northeast coast of the USA to JNB. But I really doubt that you have purchased air lately from IAD to a final destination of Windhoek's Int. rnd trip for under $1500 USA. By lately I'll say in the last year. My post was about PG hunting in Namibia not RSA. And those cheapy rates are selling right around $1500 PLUS another $300 in taxes = $1800 "IF" you can still buy it for that today and then it will be in the "cattlecar section" of SAA's Airbus 340-600 from USA to JNB (17 hrs)
My office flies sales dept. personel to JNB fcrom JFK twice a month year round, I'm not 100% certain but pretty darn sure that after 17 yrs of doing so the company knows the best airfare to be had.

RAC · « **Reply #14 on:** August 14, 2006, 09:50:20 AM »

Quote from: elmer on August 03, 2006, 06:32:31 AM

I second what Graybreard said. I have researched dozens of outfitters both online, and by attending the last two Dallas Safari Club conventions. JJHack is at the top of our list for 2008 (if all goes well). He seems very knowledgeable and he is by far the least expensive overall for a plains game hunt.

If y'all go in 2008 with JJHack then I will be there with my wife. Last time I hunted and she was an observer. Though she killed an impala. This time we will both be hunting. Hunting in Africa is not cheap but the way I look at it I will die with that much money that will never get spent. Everybody should spurge at least once in their lifetime and do something most people will never experience.

elmer · « **Reply #15 on:** August 14, 2006, 01:22:30 PM »

If things go according to plan, we are intending to go in 2008.

A consideration for us that probably doesn't affect most is that we plan to use American Airlines miles which means going through London. I plan to use one of JJ's loaner rifles since the airport change in London is a MAJOR hassle if travelling with guns. The other outfitters I have talked too said they could provide a rifle (for a nominal charge). JJ's 30-06 sounds perfect to me for a plains game hunt.

When are you planning to go in 2008?

RAC · « **Reply #16 on:** August 14, 2006, 02:41:17 PM »

Quote from: elmer on August 14, 2006, 01:22:30 PM

If things go according to plan, we are intending to go in 2008.

A consideration for us that probably doesn't affect most is that we plan to use American Airlines miles which means going through London. I plan to use one of JJ's loaner rifles since the airport change in London is a MAJOR hassle if travelling with guns. The other outfitters I have talked too said they could provide a rifle (for a nominal charge). JJ's 30-06 sounds perfect to me for a plains game hunt.

When are you planning to go in 2008?

Good for you since I work for American Airlines.

Hopefully, we will fly direct to JNB from ATL. Too soon to tell, though. As is the time. I will let JJ determine that. In 2005 we went late May.

JJHACK · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2006, 03:00:29 AM »

Elmer I'll put your name on that time frame for the 30/06!

You could not do better then to share a camp with Roger and his wife. Without a doubt two of the finest people I've ever spent time with. With over 300 hunters now in my camp over 15 years I can honestly say they were in the upper 10% of my hunters for enjoyment of the whole trip!

elmer · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2006, 08:13:26 AM »

RAC,
This is sounding better and better. We were talking about late May - early June. It would be great if the timing worked out.

I didn't know AA flew direct from Atlanta to JNB. I'll have to check that out.

JJ,

That would be great. I normally hunt hogs and whitetail with a 30-06, just not as nice of one as yours.

RAC · « **Reply #19 on:** August 16, 2006, 11:17:09 AM »

Quote from: elmer on August 15, 2006, 08:13:26 AM

RAC,
I didn't know AA flew direct from Atlanta to JNB. I'll have to check that out.

No, that was on South African Airlines. They are pulling out of ATL and Delta is going to go to JNB from ATL. The problem is that Delta will arrive in JNB in the afternoon instead of morning.

JJHACK · « **Reply #20 on:** August 16, 2006, 11:50:19 AM »

All the flights in 2007 from the USA will arrive after 12 noon. That means a stay at the afton house or a bed and breakfast for most guys hunting up notrh now.

You could get to the lodge that night but it would be after dark and there would not ba any realistic way to check sights or go hunting with that late arrival.

Leaving early in the morning from Joburg and getting to the lodge for lunch would give everyone plenty of time to get into their rooms then sight in guns, and have a well planned evening hunt on that arrival day.

hhi8041 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 25, 2006, 07:08:50 PM »

try Sand River Safaris on the limpopo river. I went last year for the first time and highly recommend them