What did you learn about your African Safari?

[rladner]

Here is an important thing to take if you can. SCI blue bags. I take one every time filled with clothes, toys, etc.... Mainly for the kids. They have very little over there and when these bags show up it is like Christmas. Plus it is good advocacy for hunting

[Dejashoot]

$1000 for dip and ship but for how many trophies?

I went back and looked. $1,000 was for cleaning, dip and crating. The shipping was separate. 2 Kudu, Duiker, Sable and Blesbok.

[MedicineMan7]

Been twice, going a third time in June.

Flights- I prefer Delta direct from ATL to JNB. Get it over with, plus US company, not third party countries to deal with

Trophy Fees-should be discussed with your outfitter before you go and prices should be known before you shoot

Misc Fees-aren't really any with my outfitter. There are fees for extra activities, but again, they are known ahead of time.

Dipping/Packing- I have my invoices from the first two times, but again, you can ask them for those prices before hand. My outfitter has a sister company that does the dip/ship so they have access to the pricing

Gratuities-I asked the outfitter the first time I went what the normal tipping was for each person. They are your best resource. You will tip the cook, lodge staff, skinners, tracker and PH. I bring a carton of cigarettes to give my tracker for each track job. Cook is a few hundred, lodge staff a hundred or so, same with skinners. PH should be around $100/day. These are just approximates. The length of your stay will affect that. Again, just ask the outfitter, either owner or office staff and they will give you reference points

Tax-VAT tax is added (I believe)

Shipping-Depends on what is shipping. If you are only shipping capes, skulls it is cheaper, if you are having the Taxi work done there then it would be more

Taxidermy-have all my work done in the US. Except a Zebra rug, which was much cheaper there and quality was great.

Items to bring- usually stuff, plenty of arrows, broadheads. About 3 changes of clothes since they will wash them daily for you. Comfortable boots. Light jacket/sweater for cool mornings. Bring an electrical converter, but also bring one or two of the 3ft extension cords with the three outlets on the end. That will allow you to charge multiple devices with only 1 converter. Listen to your PH, they know. Enjoy the food, it is great. Enjoy every minute of it. After taking an animal, enjoy that time with the animal. After you load it up and send to the skinning shed you probably won't see it again for many months (until you get it back from Taxi). If only bow hunting, make sure your bow case is clearly marked "BOW" that way you won't have to get it from the police station in J'burg and also won't have to wait in the "gun" line when you get back to US. Take lots of pictures. Bring your checkbook

Lots and lots of spot on info here for sure! I've been blessed to make the trip 3 times and each trip seems to be better than the one before and I've learned a little more with each trip.

I've taken the delta route on all 3 trips due to the single layover in Atlanta and not having to change between carriers. 1st trip was end of May 2015 and tickets were $2000. 2nd trip the first week of June 2016 was $1800. My last trip was the last week of August 2016 and the price was $1500. I actually looked into flights a couple days ago for mid September 2017 and they were right at $1000. Most of the time from May through middle part of August you can nearly bet on prices being right around $2000 if you go the delta route.

One thing I don't think I saw (or may have just over looked) is don't be "SET" on this animal, this animal, and this animal, then after those maybe looking at something else. If something walks in that is awesome looking that you really haven't thought much about or wasn't on your radar before (and its nearly a guarantee that it will) and it trips your trigger, SHOOT!! I passed up a couple GIANT waterbucks on my first trip that I kick myself in the but for still to this day.

Most of all, take it all in, because you only get to experience Africa for the first time once!

[Jon-Paul]

Here is an important thing to take if you can. SCI blue bags. I take one every time filled with clothes, toys, etc.... Mainly for the kids. They have very little over there and when these bags show up it is like Christmas. Plus it is good advocacy for hunting

Participating in the SCI Blue Bag was the highlight of my trip. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

[Longhorn95]

Clothing: I brought entirely too much when 2 changes would suffice plus travel clothing.

Flights: I'm 6'4 and next trip will fly the Delta to ATL/JNB and business class minimum even if I delay a year to cover the addional airfare.

In conjunction with less clothing: more room for souvenirs.

Ditto on the SCI blue bag.

One thing our group did that I will also do again is we all arrived in JNB Friday/Saturday to adjust to the time change before flying to Port E. on Sunday to meet up with the outfitter. This was done on the advice of the annual safari guys in our group.

Last, addional days for sightseeing as well as booking an addional hunting day or 2 so I can build in a morning or afternoon or two off to relax in camp and not be running and gunning all day.

Edit: a few more things....

General tips: 2 phrases: "Take what Africa gives you" when it comes to species that may not be on your list but in your budget. Also "TIA - this is Africa". Things will happen.

One more tip: if taking rifles, use a service. We used Airtran2000 and it made customs in JNB and Port E. a breeze with the guns.

Final thought: the service you receive is absolutely amazing!!!!!

[Landrover]

Most of my thoughts are taken, so I guess I will give a alternative thought on the subject. The economic and social divide is severe and the political swings are daunting. Take a day or so if you can to truly experience the culture/area you are hunting/visiting. The thoughts and comments from your outfitter/PH are truly from one perspective......and regrettably tainted with negativity for the most part..........even if that is not their intention. I have my next trip slated for July with my family and we are carving out swats of time during the 10+ days to REALLY dig into other areas. Outfitters tend to have mono-vision (which is there life) and don't realize that others have broader interests while on safari/vacation. I would suggest eyes wide open and enjoy the adventure in total, not just the basic airplane to baggage claim to vehicle to campsite! Visit with folks it is really rewarding to learn about how folks actually respond to a friendly smile.

[Lost Buckaroo]

Tell your credit card company you are going to Africa so they authorize your card.
Take ambien and a neck pillow and maybe Vicodin for the flight.
Don't pack a lot
Look into Medivac

cant stress the ambien enough, I never slept for more than 2 consecutive hrs for the first 5 days

[bphillips]

Everything I would recommend has been said.


One thing I learned though is I will not bowhunt a whole safari again. Would like to get out with a rifle a bit next time

[Mike Murphey]

That it is the best place to hunt!

[BBRU]

Great thread with a lot of great info

[Joel]

I think everyone covered most of my points, but I would also plan on budgeting for your taxidermy bill. If your like me and want all your trophies all at once. Plan on $1000 per animal... plus or minus on shoulder mounts. Obviously more for pedestals and full body mounts. I chose wall pedestals for all my trophies. That can easily bring your taxi bill up to and near your package hunt.


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[IDFWU]

Can anyone give more advice about shipping? After doing research, that seems to be something I can't nail down costs on. It would be nice to at least get a ball park on costs of shipping.

[Joel]

I believe I paid right at $650 for dipping and shipping and $1,000 for the import/export company that my taxidermist recommended out of Houston. Air is more expensive to ship then by ship freight. Prior to my trip I gave the dipping and shipping company all this information. Also my taxidermists handed me some tags for my trophies with import/export company information and his information.


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[skeeter]

What did you learn about flights?
BOOK EARLY. IF YOU DONT MIND STOPPING A COUPLE TIMES, YOU CAN GET CHEAPER FLIGHTS. PAY TO UPGRADE FOR MORE ROOM!

Trophy Fees?
EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE. DONT BE AFRAID TO HAGGLE.

Misc. Fees?
BRING EXTRA MONEY!

Dipping/Packing?
I HAD EVERYTHING DONE THERE. FINISHED PRODUCT WHEN IT ARRIVED HOME.

Gratuities?
PAY TIPS IN RANDS (sp?) ITS A HASSLE FOR THEM TO GET MONEY EXCHANGED.

Tax?
DIDNT PAY ANY TAXES

Shipping? (really concerned about this b/c prices are all over the map)
DID AND SHIP IS CHEAPER, I JUST PAID $1461 FOR A KUDU WALL PEDISTAL, 2 IMPALA SHOULDER MOUNTS, 2 WILDEBEEST SKULLS, 2 WILDEBEEST HIDES, IMPALA SKULL, JACKAL HIDE, AND BACK CAPES TO BE SHIPPED HERE. (AGAIN, FINISHED PRODUCTS)

Taxidermy?
THE ABOVE ITEMS COSTED ME RIGHT AT $5K

What items to bring/leave?
PACK AS LIGHT AS POSSIBLE. THEY HAVE EVERYTHING. 3 CHANGES OF CLOTHES, NO MORE. THEY DO LAUNDRY EVERYDAY! ONE LIGHT JACKET, CAMERA, RANGEFINDER, COMFORTABLE HIKING BOOTS.

Etc, Etc, Etc?
I CARRIED AN EXTRA WHISKER BISQUIT, (IN CASE MY DROP AWAY REST BROKE), AN EXTRA SIGHT (ALREADY SIGHTED IN)18-24 ARROWS, SAME AMOUNT OF BROADHEADS, 2 RELEASES, BROADHEAD WRENCH. ASK GUIDE/ PH IF THEY HAVE TROUBLE GETTING ANYTHING THERE. BULLETS, BROADHEADS, ANYTHING YOU MAY BE ABLE TO CARRY WITH YOU.

[skeeter]

Can anyone give more advice about shipping? After doing research, that seems to be something I can't nail down costs on. It would be nice to at least get a ball park on costs of shipping.

shipping will depend on the size of the crate, not weight. dip and ship will be less as the box will be smaller.