Africa 2023

[Stolle]

Already booked? We're considering a long layover in London so we can get down and stretch. Maybe one long enough to get out of the airport and eat just so we can say we did.

That’s how we did it our first trip. 4-5 hour layover In Amsterdam. Last trip we did the delta direct. Not a big fan of that long flight. Both trips back we payed over in Paris for 4-5 hours.


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[Stolle]

So for someone who is reading this going dang I want do this what are the first steps and the pitfalls to avoid?
I want to bow hunt a kudu and some smaller plains game species.
What are the key points to taxidermy/bringing stuff back. Better have it done there or here?
What are costs that most don’t think about when booking?
Are packages better than by the day/ animal rates?
This kinda stuff would be great to know. I retire next August and I’m thinking about doing this.
Thanks in advance and happy travels and hunting.


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We prefer to have the taxidermy work done here.

Your outfitter can help with any question you have. Well if they are reputable they can. The scary part is their are so many outfitters over there. Make sure you check here and references that you can talk too. We went with Matsuri because quite a few folks from here have had great trips.

Main thing is to know your budget and stick to your kill list. It’s a target rich environment and itchy trigger finger could run up a bill really quick. We had to make some adjustments on animals we wanted to this past summer because it was unusually green, wet and colder than normal. We had cell or wifi when they weren’t load shedding. I reached out to my taxidermist to get quotes before we decided to shoot different animals to make sure we didn’t blow the budget too much[emoji51]

I prefer the package deals. It seems you get a better deal if you can find a package that has the animals you want to shoot. Most outfitters will work with you if want trade animals out.


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[Buffalo1]

"f I’m not mistaken, a friend of mine from out of state hunted with Adansonia a couple times. He’s on here some, Buffalo1. He spoke highly of them if they are indeed who he hunted with. All I can offer is good luck and be safe !"

Don- Buffalo1 here. I have not hunted with Adansonia. I am not familiar with this outfitter. I have hunted with "Limcroma" which kinda sounds like "Adansonia."

[Jon B]

12 days in July on the horizon for me. First timer here too. Boschnel Safaris. Primary focus is Plains game with the stick and string but I am bringing the 300WM too. Flying Delta from Austin to Atlanta to Joberg. By far the longest flight for me, any tips on that part?

Pay for comfort plus. We flew basic or economy to Joburg with our backpacks under the seats in front of us. No way to spend 15 hours. On the way back we upgraded to comfort plus. It was worth it.

[DRT]

Pay for comfort plus. We flew basic or economy to Joburg with our backpacks under the seats in front of us. No way to spend 15 hours. On the way back we upgraded to comfort plus. It was worth it.

I agree with this but that $600 will mount a taken trophy down the road. Alcohol and muscle relaxers chased exhaustion will get you there and back.

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[Mudslinger]

I agree with this but that $600 will mount a taken trophy down the road. Alcohol and muscle relaxers chased exhaustion will get you there and back.

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Where you going to get a mount of a trophy from Africa for $600? I vote for the upgrade, worth every penny.

[buck_wild]

Popular flights currently are:

Qatar- #1 rated airline and #1 airport. It's about 4 hrs more flying time in total with a layover although it can be as short as 3 hrs in right instance. Some pre gun paperwork needed but all good. Usually cheaper than Delta and even Econo seats are more like Delta +

Emirates- #5 rated airline, very nice airport. Same as above 4 hrs extra flying and a layover. If schedule hits right can also be a short lay over if desired. Some pre gun paperwork needed but all good. Usually cheaper than Delta and even Econo seats are more like Delta +

Ethiopia Air- some started using during Covid as they were one of the few you could get to SA on reliably. Nothing fancy and older planes- guns transfer can be tricky.

Delta- straight flight- usually gouge you on price.

United- straight flight reported nightmares with guns and canceled flights.

To be fair, I only have personal experience with Emirates and Delta.

[DRT]

Where you going to get a mount of a trophy from Africa for $600? I vote for the upgrade, worth every penny.

Well a deer is $650 so I can't be too far off. Hell if I could afford it I'd get one of those luxury suites up front and drink my champagne from a real glass.
But even the cheap seats beat a woven web fold down seat and I've always been a cheap SOB. [emoji23]

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[DRT]

My Delta flight for July, from DFW-Atlanta-JNB Johannesburg was just over $2100.

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[RR 314]

Pay for comfort plus. We flew basic or economy to Joburg with our backpacks under the seats in front of us. No way to spend 15 hours. On the way back we upgraded to comfort plus. It was worth it.

Screw that. Premium Plus is a minimum for comfort. Not kidding.

[donpablo]

If they try and stop international travel because of this stupid "UFO," I'm gonna be pizzed!

[JTeLarkin08]

Just a thought that might help someone on this thread.. My next Africa trip I will 100% either not be bringing anything back, or ill just be doing euros... My first trip in 2004 we had the animals mounted over in Africa. They showed up with bald spots, horrible ears and they looked Ok but I never loved them..

In 2008 We had them dipped and shipped.. The hides still didnt look great when they got here so I just euroed them all.. I never found anywhere I wanted to hang any of them.. So I ended up making a trade with Chops knives on here for all of them.


For the most part it is really rare from what ive seen for hides to show up in good shape.. Even when they do those animals are soo thin skinned they never look amazing..

[donpablo]

Just a thought that might help someone on this thread.. My next Africa trip I will 100% either not be bringing anything back, or ill just be doing euros... My first trip in 2004 we had the animals mounted over in Africa. They showed up with bald spots, horrible ears and they looked Ok but I never loved them..

In 2008 We had them dipped and shipped.. The hides still didnt look great when they got here so I just euroed them all.. I never found anywhere I wanted to hang any of them.. So I ended up making a trade with Chops knives on here for all of them.


For the most part it is really rare from what ive seen for hides to show up in good shape.. Even when they do those animals are soo thin skinned they never look amazing..

Have you considered bringing back the horns and buying capes here? I seem to see them fairly often on taxidermy.net.

[JTeLarkin08]

Have you considered bringing back the horns and buying capes here? I seem to see them fairly often on taxidermy.net.

I had capes both times.. Those african animals just have no hair.. Plus.. its more fun to go hunt africa a bunch of times and dont bring them back lol

[Mudslinger]

Just a thought that might help someone on this thread.. My next Africa trip I will 100% either not be bringing anything back, or ill just be doing euros... My first trip in 2004 we had the animals mounted over in Africa. They showed up with bald spots, horrible ears and they looked Ok but I never loved them..

In 2008 We had them dipped and shipped.. The hides still didnt look great when they got here so I just euroed them all.. I never found anywhere I wanted to hang any of them.. So I ended up making a trade with Chops knives on here for all of them.


For the most part it is really rare from what ive seen for hides to show up in good shape.. Even when they do those animals are soo thin skinned they never look amazing..

Only lost one cape for a full body mount on a Klipspringer. It was replaced and I think my mounts all look great! Yes some are thin skinned but some of the plains game have thick hides. I disagree with most of what you said and sorry you got mounts you do not like.
My first trip we went by the largest taxi in Pretoria and that helped decide NOT to have them done there!