Author Topic: South African Outfitter (Read 1208 times)

Maine Woods · « **on:** April 10, 2005, 08:27:54 AM »

Hi all . A buddy of mine and I purchased at an SCI dinner ( or agreed to ) a 2006 hunt ?with 2 non hunters. But we are having a bit of difficulty getting ahold of him to make the final arangements. Xomaqua is the Co. or outfitter PH is Stephen Barber. We bid on a 7 day hunt with 3 days in Kruger Park. My question is anyone have any experience with this outfitter or even heard anything? I simply wish to book the trip and will, if not with Xomaqua with someone else. ( possible one of the outfitters on this forum.) Thanks John.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2005, 11:17:50 AM »

JJ, For all of us poor ole redneck country boys who've dreamed of africa.......can you give me a rough estimate of what the average guy spends to fullfil his dreams? I'm sure the price varies, per individual, and this is a very general question so when you have some time please give it a go........

I know each animal is a different price, or so I've been told and probably wouldn't be able to afford the big five.......that said......would $5000 be low balling it for a decent hunt?

Sorry if it's rude to talk about prices on a public forum....I'll probably just have to keep dreaming......Thanks....VC

JJHACK · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2005, 01:28:29 PM »

I very general terms I have been doing 8 day 4 or 5 animal hunts for about 4500-5000 bucks plus airfare. On the low end of the safari spectrum I have had guys spend 3500 and on the high end ..........well its a lot!

On an average I suppose the regular every day safari plains game hunter spends 5500-7500 with airfare included. I will have the tented camp with my hunters cooking thier own meals in 2006. This will be at the low end of the scale but the exchange rate is also poor now. So we may be able to do an 8 day 4 animal hunt for around 4000 bucks plus airfare. I'll have to see if the exchange rate stays the same or goes up. I may also just list trophy prices in rand and provide exchange rates on site. The gambel is getting to high for me take all the risk for a 150k a year in hunts.

The up side is if the exchange is good you pay less, if it is as it is now then you pay more. The whole exchange rate thing is really bad right now and plenty of outfitters have cancelled hunts this year because they cannot afford to put them on with the poor rates.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2005, 03:10:06 AM »

Yes, I know the dollar is taking a beating against the euro.......are you seeing the price of american goods dropping in africa? I have a couple of South African friends who visit the states every few years and always leave with Leupold scopes and other hunting equipment they say is to expensive in S. Africa........My thinking is American made rifles, scopes ammo etc should be a good deal cheaper in Africa than compatible european made goods......is this correct or are most African countries leving an import tax on american made goods to drive the price up?

JJHACK · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2005, 03:44:17 AM »

Your correct that there are a lot of American goods made much more afforadble there, although still expensive. I bring over a suitcase full of "stuff" each trip back. Since I have a home in each place I don't pack much luggage. The suit cases I do have are used as import expert containers!

victorcharlie · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2005, 04:43:04 AM »

JJ......you say American goods are still expensive......compared to what? Are the european and japanese goods cheaper in Africa than American goods? I think we both know the chinese made stuff is cheaper anywhere in the world......I'm hoping that as American made goods drop in price around the world that maybe, just maybe, america will start manufacturing something other than weapons...... and hopefully close the gap of importing far more than exporting.......

I went gun shopping a couple of days ago......looks like the 2004 Sako that is $1100 is going to be over $2000 for 2005 ........

I read an interesting article last week about the world currency market......it used the price of a big mac around the world as an indicator of the true value of currency....McDonalds now has stores in 120 different countries......the article compared the price in say New York to the price of a Big Mac in say Beijing China......then did the conversion to different currency.......The point being that speculation drives the currency market just as it drives the stock market and several of the currencies are over valued as well as several that are under valued.....as compared to what it will buy in Big Macs........

With the fall of the dollar, America should be much more attractive for people from other countries to vacation and spend some of those euro's! I keep hearing the fall of the dollar is a bad thing, but I'm not so sure that it might be a good thing in the long run......

GEMSBUCK · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2005, 05:17:42 AM »

VC not meaning to '"horn" in on JJ's sale but you asked a question about $5000 getting a safari together.
Look into Namibia as a rule for plainsgame the daily rates are better, you can usually find a company that includes airport pickup & return, etc. Everyone offers daily maid laundry services,great meals,etc. no matter where you go in Africa.
I've made 6 trips there so far to 3 different countries and all were goos with all different safari operators.
I've done the DG stuff and gotten that out of my system now I go for plainsgame only.
What you need to ask is "what am I really interested in hunting and if those hunts are all done on the same property or a combo of proerties and are transfers included in the price"
Let me give you an example: the trip I have booked for August 2006 starts and ends at Windhoek,Namibia airport with transfers included, new stone huts with indoor plumbing, maid service ,laundry service, great food, boose,1X1 PH, and trophy fees paid on these 3 animals (each refunded if you do not draw blood on that trophy) gemsbuck,kudu, hartman's zebra,etc. an ALL Inclusive hunt costs $3875 US for 7 days hunting and 1 addtional trip to Etosha National Park for game viewing (8 days total) you can add days @$250/day and take other trophies for the trophy fee only if you so choose. To that plane on $2000 air Rnd trip from Atlanta and you come out with a great trip for $6000 or so plus whatever you want to spend pocket cash.
It is a good trip, I've done it before. I've also spent $550/day with a 15 day min. to hunt lion plus a trophy fee. Yes that adds up QUICK!
There are many types of safaris no one can throw a blanket over a figure and say ..."for this much can I go to Africa"
Trust me when you hunt in Africa an compare it to a mountain elk hunt with an outfitter in Western USa you will be impressed with how well you are treated by even a mediocore company in Africa.
GO YOU WON'T BE SORRY